hp 15 db0031nr - went to install a M.2 SSD, there is a space there but no terminal to plug into?

[Oldfart58]

I upgraded my hp 15 db0031nr, with a 1tb SSD and maxxed out ram at 32GB. Went to install a M.2 SSD, there is a slot there but no terminal to plug the M.2 into. Everything's there, the screw down hole, etc. but no terminal. This is a brand new laptop.

Am I missing something?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Unless the notebook came with a M.2 drive from the factory, the M.2 slot is not there.

Also, notebooks with the AMD 'A' series processors such as yours only support SATA M.2 SSD's, not NVMe.

I think the easiest thing to do would be to return the drive and replace the 2.5" mechanical hard drive with a 2.5" SSD.

If you want to try and install the slot, below is the link to the service manual.

Chapter 3, page 27 has the parts required to add a M.2 slot.

I don't believe any screws are included.

Maintenance and Service Guide HP 15 Laptop PC

(7) Hard drive/solid-state drive cable    L20456-001
(8) Solid-state drive bracket                    L20458-001
(9) Solid-state drive connector board   L20457-001

Unfortunately, I would have no idea where you can find the parts or even if you can.

HP Parts Store - HP Computer Parts - HP Printer Parts - Compaq Parts

There is no difference in performance between a M.2 SATA SSD and a 2.5" SATA SSD.

[Oldfart58]

I know the difference between a NVMe and a M.2 2280. There is an empty slot for a M.2 SSD. Everything is there to install M.2 except for the terminal, even the screw down hole at the opposite end.  I replaced the mechanical 2.5 with a 1tb ssd. I maxed out the DDR4 ram at 32GB. Here is the link to the Crucial 1 TB M.2 SSD that I purchased.  I wanted to have a total storage of 2 TB. I ended up buying an enclosure and am using it as a external SSD until I can find the time to install the terminal.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-NAND-1TB-SSD-WDS100T2B0B/dp/B073SB2MXT/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQo...

Before I opened up the case to install the M.2, and the other upgrades,  I had several people tell me my model had the slot, didn't know I needed to install the terminal to plug the M.2 into.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I'm happy that you know the difference between a SATA and a NVMe SSD's, but that was not the reason I stated what I did.

If you look at chapter 1 of the service manual, it indicates that both SATA and NVMe M.2 SSD's are supported, and that is incorrect.

I did not want you to purchase the wrong type of M.2 drive.

Only the models with the Ryzen processors support NVMe M.2 SSD's.

[Oldfart58]

I finally was convinced that my laptop model had a M.2 slot from a post on this forum:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/does-the-HP-15-DB0031NR-have-a...