New M2 SSD not recognized

[PatrickB17]

Hi All,

Yesterday I added a extra 4GB RAM module and M2 SSD into my HP ENVY Notebook - 17-n100nd (ENERGY STAR).

The 4GB RAM module works fine, but the M2 SSD is not recognized.

The M2 SSD is a SK Hynix SC308 SATA 128GB module.

In the BIOS the SSD do not appear? Is there a setting or something else that must be activated?

I've heard of a 'white list' in the BIOS, is that the reason why the Hynix SSD not work?

It is difficult to find information about supported SSD's, but I found a HP service guide where is listed that a 128GB M2 SSD should work. http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04696907

Found on page 10.

BIOS version is F.46 Rev.A and is the latest version.

Thanks.

[PatrickB17]

Can someone answer my question please?

Is there a list where I can find wihch M2 SSD's are supported for my laptop?

Thanks.

[Huffer]

The HP spec page for your model is blank:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-envy-17-n100-notebook-pc/8499288/model/9093913/document/c048...

The Manual says this about M.2 SSDs.

SSD conƭgurations , (available for i7 + GTX PCA) ● 512 GB M.2 SATA SSD (TLC) ● 128 GB M2 SATA-3 (TLC) ● 128 GB M2 SATA-3 (TLC) value

Does your laptop have an i7 processor and GTX graphics?

We get this confusion sometimes and people do not understand the Service Manual is not saying you can put any 128 gig SATA M.2 in it. In fact, we are seeing quite a bit of hardware incompatibility with M.2 disks for reasons that are at best poorly understood. 

You ask if there is a list of compatible disks. Yes, the HP Part numbers are tested and will work if the laptop is an i7 with GTX graphics:

Solid state drive (not illustrated). 256 GB M2 SATA-3 TLC 812708-001 512 GB M2 SATA-3 TLC 814224-001 512 GB M2 SATA-3 TLC 814224-001 512 GB M2 SATA-3 TLC Value 820547-001

Pages 18-19 of the Manual.

Yes, most people do not want to buy these from HP as the cost is prohibitive sometimes. But you can google the part numbers and look in google image and try to figure out what brand and type of M.2 it is and try to find the same thing in the retail market. 

HP for example asks $445 for the 256 gig disk which is about 3 times what it is worth. 

https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/Search_Results.aspx?mscssid=25823F28C11E449CAC1D5883E6D1EB72&SearchIn=P...

I addressed this in another post:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Buying-SSD-M-2-for-HP-Envy-15t...

This is a Samsung Evo 850 SATA SSD which you can get at amazon.com:

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-850-EVO-Internal-MZ-N5E250BW/dp/B00TGIVZTW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=151...

But to be perfectly honest, we have not seen compatibility issues as much with the SATA M.2s as we have with PCIe/NVME which are giving all kinds of headaches. We have had some issues with apparent M.2 ports on laptops that are in fact not working i.e. dead which is why I ask about the specs on your machine. 

If it is going to work it will just work there is noting to set in the BIOS or otherwise. Sometimes we see that it helps to initialize (i.e. partition and format) the disk on another machine before installing it and you would need a SATA M.2 to USB adapter to do that. 

Post back with any more questions. 

[PatrickB17]

My laptop has the following specifications:

Processor: Intel Core i5-6200U

Hard drive: ST1000LM014-1EJ164-SSHD

Memory: Samsung M471B5173DB0-YK0 (4GB, one original, one extra 4GB module added)

Graphics: Intel HD graphics 520 and Gefroce 940M

The Hynix SSD module had MLC memory. Does this matter? Or will work MLC too?

Thanks.

[Huffer]

I honestly think the problem is you have an i5 model. The Manual pretty clearly says only i7 models are compatible with M.2 disks. If the slot were "live" I would expect that drive you inserted to work. I hate to see you spend money on something else that does not work. 

[PatrickB17]

What do you mean with 'if the slot were live, I would expect that drive you inserted to work'?

And why will a M2 SSD not work on a i5 processor? Maybe I had do some more research, before buying the SSD. 
Otherwise, why put HP a M2 slot in a computer that don't work?

When I use the second SATA connector on the right, would this work?

And can I put a 2,5 inch SSD at my choice? 

[Huffer]

Repeating again from the Service Manual:

The Manual says this about M.2 SSDs.

SSD conƭgurations , (available for i7 + GTX PCA)

So there is nothing inherent about an i5 that keeps an M.2 from working it is that HP possibly/probably only paid the motherboard maker to make the M.2 slot actually work for i7s. We have discovered that some users open up their laptops, see an M.2 port and put an M.2 in it only to discover it is not recognized. Or, it could be that the M.2 disk you selected has some unknown compatibility issue. We don't really know. HP does not care about or support upgrades. They do not write the Service Manual as an upgrade roadmap. It is for their hired technicians to work on their products using their parts. We who do choose to upgrade can only use the Manual as the best but sometimes imperfect information out there. And you have to read it and I mean read the whole thing to pick up the little bits of information that tell you whether something will be compatible. I do it all the time so I understand their lingo somewhat but still misunderstand sometimes.

When I take the time to try to help you I am not speaking officially for HP. This is a user to user Forum. I keep apprised of issues that are out there by trial and error and communicating with end users like you and some personal experience working on HP and other laptops and I hope I can be a resource just based on accumulated experience and observations but I do not know all the answers and do not have access to the inner engineering workings of HP in any real sense. 

 The second SATA port on the right is for an optical drive and is a slower interface and will not work for a hard drive or SSD as a bootdisk. Although you can get an adapter to put a hard drive or SSD over there is it is slowed down and will not be bootable so it is frankly of limited utility. 

Yes you can install any 2.5 inch SATA SSD in the primary 2.5 inch bay but you would have to give up the mechanical hard drive. 

I can say you should have come here first before buying the M.2 but really do not have all the answers. If I had a couple spare SATA M.2 disks I would send them to you to try on the chance they might work for you but sadly I have no extras. 

Good luck. 

[PatrickB17]

Ok, I think I let the M2 drive go.

I do not mean the second SATA of he optical drive, but above of the optical drive there is another SATA connection. Here is place for a second HDD or SSD.

This is a flatband connection, like the one for the 1st HDD at the left.

Can I place a SSD of my choice at this place? Or should this also a special brand selected by HP?

Thanks.

[Huffer]

And there is even a video for it yes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn9YdyspKBo

newmodeus.com sells the adapter hardware you need. 

If you are going to have an SSD I would put it in the primary bay and then the hard drive in this auxiliary bay and boot from the SSD so you get the benefit of its speed. 

[PatrickB17]

Yes, I  saw that video! Thanks.

I think I buy a Kingston A400 120GB. Will this cause problems?

This SSD is cheap, but has good reviews what I see.