SDD upgrade on 17-an0xx

[FSCC1]

Hi, I got a HP 17'' Omen 17-an0xx laptop. THe standard 7200 HDD seems slow, so I would like to install a secondary SSD. I've been doing some reaserch and apparently this laptop does have a secondary  M.2 SDD port, but I can't find any official HP site to corroborate that.

Can someone tell me if this laptop does in fact come with a M.2 port? If so, is it a SATA or a PCIE NVME?

[banhien]

@FSCC1

The series (can be from an000 to an999) has the following options for storage

Single HDD configurations:
● 1 TB (7200) 9.5 mm

Hybrid HDD configurations:
● 2 TB 5400 RPM 7 mm RAW with 8 GB NAND

Dual Storage Configurations:
● 1 TB + 128 GB value solid-state drive (SSD)
● 2 TB + 128 GB value SSD
● 1 TB + 512 GB (7200) value SSD
● 1 TB + 256 GB PCIe SSD
● 2 TB + 256 GB

PCIe SSDM.2 SATA configurations (TLC) SSD:
● 256 GB

M.2 PCIe NVMe (TLC) SSD:
● 256 GB
● 512 GB

Supports all 7 mm/7.2 mm/9.5 mm, SATA 2.5" HDDs
HP 3D DriveGuard
Support for second drive
7 mm and 9.5 mm share the same bracket

The tricky ones are the ones I highlight in red because each option may ending up different systemboard. HP won't publish this but many people picked Single HDD option thinking machine had M.2 slot. But no, they only know when opening their machines.

Now the only thing you can do: check your machine. Sorry I don't have 1,000 (can be from 000 to 999) machines to open and check.

Hope this helps

Regards.

[FSCC1]

Hi Banhien. Thanks for your reply. I've opened the laptop and I found this socket. Do you think it'll work?

I'm uncertain on whether it'll work? And whether it is a sata or pcie socket.

 the whitish sticker on the base with the form of a m.2 sdd is odd also, I'm not sure why it’s there. I’m not sure whether I can remove that or even if it’s necessary to do it (it seems to be protecting teh connector in the middle).

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of information on this laptop online. I really appreciate your help.

[banhien]

@FSCC1

Please use the following manual to confirm

           http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05534510.pdf

Regards.

[FSCC1]

Thanks for your help. 

I've noticed that I did not correctly specify the model of my laptop, its actually the 

OMEN by HP - 17-an012dx 

[banhien]

Hi,

HP won't supply manuals for each machine but for a whole series. The manual is for the whole 17-an000 series which is the second manual of the following link

   https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/omen-by-hp-17-an000-laptop-pc/15551440/manuals

Regards.

[ThaReality]

Hi there,

Did you manage to sort this out? I purchased my Omen 17 a few days ago and the hard drive is terribly slow.

I've been considering an SSD drive as bootable Drive and use the 1TB HDD as storage.

Unfortunately, there's no second bay even though technicians claim I can install a secondary drive, they are not helpful enough. I'm considering getting a refund back as I'm rather frustrated at the poor performance I'm experiencing with the Omen. Can you confirm whether that M2L5 label you have in the illustration is actually an M2 SSD drive bay?

My understand is, they are even faster than an actual SSD drive, and it's in chip form. Please let me know how you got on. I got the Omen 17 ano16 model. 

Thank you

[Huffer]

@ThaReality

Please post your own thread on this

[FSCC1]

Hi. 

Unfortunately, no. I did not purchase the M.2 SSD because another owner told me he had issues getting the motherboard to recognize the M.2 SDD. That, added to the fact that the manual is unclear as it is not specific and a M.2 SSD is expensive, discouraged me. 

I'm having the same experience as you are; the stock HDD is really slow. I'm guessing it is the cause of the poor performance of this laptop.

Let me know if you have a different experience. I would really like to install a M.2 SSD -preferably a Nvme.

As to your question, it is my understanding -though basic- that M.2 is the format of the SSD and it can either be a SATA or PCIE Nvme. The first one has the same performance as any other standard SATA SSD while the latter is way faster (especially noticeable with large files).

[ThaReality]

Hi, 

I did manage to find a compatible M2 Drive. The Samsung Evo 960. Only problem I have and it's a huge one in many ways...

The BIOS doesn't recognize it as a Bootable device, it's not in the boot order list. Which means, the BIOS and POST is constantly looking for an actual HDD/SSD. In Windows, it is recognized after a format. It can be used as storage, I even tried cloning but it's just not picking up as Master boot. I've sought out a BIOS update, that didn't fix it.

The only alternative would be to install an actual OS unto the drive as a New installation.

I'm not pleased with the lack of support on this technology given they come pre-installed on some other OMEN models.