Upgrade HD to SSD on HP Pavilion 14 notebook computer

[pcglaw1]

I am getting an HP Pavilion 14 notepad item no. 4AN23UA#ABA and I would like to replace the 1T HHD it comes with and replace it with an SSD 1T hard drive.   (a) can this be done and (b) is there an approved HP service center in NJ that can do it (if I buy the SSD myself) and how much would it cost?   The service manual seems to indicate it does in a different place than the existing HDD; do I need to buy a cable if I were to try to install it myself?

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

You refer to the Service Manual so I assume you have seen it but just in case here is the right one:

Service Manual

Start on p. 33 for back cover removal:

M.2 SSD slot circled in red

Your laptop has a hard drive but there is no disk in the slot circled in red above. You would add one and all you need is a mounting screw and usually one is provided. 

You need this kind of disk to add:

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-500GB-MZ-V7E500BW/dp/B07BN4NJ2J/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=154298...

We can help you with this to do it yourself. An HP Service Center in the USA generally will not install 3rd party parts and you do not want to have to buy one of these from HP plus pay labor. The warranty will not be affected as long as no damage is done. 

We can also help with relocating Windows to the new SSD. 

Post back with any more questions and please accept as solution if its the info you needed. 

[pcglaw1]

Thanks, I see the picture.  I have an antistatic wrist strap, can you recommend a good mechanics screw driver set for me to use for this "operation".?  Would this machine support a 1T SSD since I don't see it listed on the SSD drive part list?  And could I run both the SSD 1T and the HDD 1T or would I have to remove the existing HDD to have the SSD work?

[Huffer]

The link I sent you above to amazon has a 1 TB M.2 for sale there. If you look around this Black Friday (today) you can likely find a little better price. The list in the Manual is just a list of what HP offered it does not define the capabilities of the hardware. And lastly, yes that's the point...the M.2 disk goes into a separate place than the hard drive so you can have both. No point in an NVME M.2 disk, which is like 20 times faster than a hard drive, unless you set it up so Windows boots from it. 

The Manual lists the tools you need. Its usually just a tech sized Phillips head screwdriver. 

You will need the following tools to complete the removal and replacement procedures: ● Flat-bladed screwdriver ● Magnetic screwdriver ● Phillips P0 and P1 screwdrivers

You can pick up a kit with all these very cheap at Wal-Mart.

Post back with more questions and please accept as solution if this is the info you needed. 

[pcglaw1]

Thanks again, one last question:

You said:

"We can help you with this to do it yourself. An HP Service Center in the USA generally will not install 3rd party parts and you do not want to have to buy one of these from HP plus pay labor. The warranty will not be affected as long as no damage is done. 

We can also help with relocating Windows to the new SSD. "

To get that assistance, do I post here or contact HP tech support?  Thanks for all your help.  Phil

[Huffer]

Just keep this thread going and we can help. HP Support will not really help with upgrades. That's the Community. 

Do you want to clean reinstall Windows 10 or copy your exisating installtion over so everything is the same but it boots from the M.2 SSD. 

[pcglaw1]

Due to the price of the T1, I'm thinking about getting the 500 gb and I'd like to use the SSD to clean install WIN10 and use the existing T1 to store my files (I'm an attorney and most of my files are either word or PDF).   I didn't get the computer yet (being shipped) but are there instructions on how to do the clean windows 10 install (and any necessary HP files) to the SSD drive so it works as the primary drive? 

[Huffer]

Happens I am also an attorney who volunteers to do this. Easiest way is to buy the SSD and have it there when the laptop gets there. Start the laptop sign in and use the HP Backup and recovery app to make a factory restore thumb drive. Put in the SSD and remove the hard drive. Install the factory image to the SSD and boot it up a few times. Then you can put the hard drive back in and then format it to use for storage. This is what I do when I buy a new laptop for me or my staff. Happy to discuss further. 

[pcglaw1]

What size thumb drive should I get for the factory restore?

[Huffer]

16 gig or better...they say you can use an 8, but I always use at least a 16.