Missing hard drive

[Cadwalllader]

HP EliteBook Folio 9470M.

I purchased a new hard drive for the above laptop for my partner. I went to fit it using the many online videos. To my surprise the hard drive bay was empty. I assumed there would be a second hard drive located somewhere but without dismantling the entire computer I can't see one. The laptop functions perfectly. Can someone tell me what an earth is going on?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Go to the device manager.

Click to expand the Disk drives device manager category.

Copy and paste the drive model number you see there in the Bing or Google search window and see what model it is.

Chapter 1 of the service manual indicates the notebook could have come configured with a s 256-GB mSATA SSD.

c03909856.pdf (hp.com)

That fits somewhere inside the notebook (see chapter 4, pages 44 - 45 of the service manual).

[Cadwalllader]

Hi Paul. You are indeed correct and I can see a ScanDisk 128G nestled off to one side. A lot smaller than I would have thought it would be but yes it is indeed there. Thank you - you have saved my sanity. Moving forward, I have purchased a 1 GB SSD MX500 to go into the empty bay. Any idea what connector I would need to install this? I can attach photos if that helps.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

It looks like what you want to do will be easier said than done.

If you look at chapter 3, pages 23 and 24 of the service manual there are two parts you need to install a 2.5" SSD and neither of the parts have part numbers to refer to.

(2a) Solid-state drive bracket

(2c) Drive connector

I don't know if this would work or not.

New for HP EliteBook Folio 9470M 9480M SATA Hard Drive Caddy + Connector | eBay

You probably would have been better off fitting a larger capacity SSD in that slot.

Integral 1TB mSATA Internal SSD, up to 520MB/s Read 450MB/s Write : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry...

[Cadwalllader]

Thanks Paul. I think the eBay find is the best way forward so will purchase one now. It's from China which means a substantial wait but I'm pretty sure it will solve the problem. As a courtesy I will write back here to let you know how it goes. I really appreciate your input into this problem. Regards. Simon.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime, Simon. 

Glad to have been of assistance. 

Cheers, 

Paul 

[Cadwalllader]

Hi Paul. Just to let you know it worked. Many thanks. Simon 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Simon. 

Glad the parts you ordered allowed you to install a 2.5" SSD.

Cheers,

Paul