i want to upgrade my current ssd 500gb with a bigger one 1tb with a pci gen 4x4

[VIannna]

Hello, I would like to know if the Kingston M2 GEN 4X4 NVMe3 PCIe GEN 4.0 SSD is compatible with my machine, HP Victus 15 fb2xxx - 9Z7L4UA#ABA.

I managed to use the boot and format it correctly, but after that it started to give an error. Windows was installed, but it doesn't open; it keeps loading infinitely. Meanwhile, on another laptop I tested, it worked normally. This made me question whether the SSD might be incompatible, but I find it strange because it should work.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @VIannna 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for laying out the details so clearly—your instincts are sharp, and you're absolutely right to question compatibility and behavior across devices. 

Here's a breakdown of what’s likely going on:

Compatibility Check: HP Victus 15 fb2xxx + Kingston Gen 4x4 NVMe SSD

Your HP Victus 15 fb2xxx (9Z7L4UA#ABA) does support PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe SSDs, and the Kingston NV3 Gen 4x4 SSD is technically compatible. So from a hardware standpoint, you're good.

However, the form factor matters:

• Kingston NV3 comes in M.2 2230 and 2280 variants.
• Your Victus 15 likely expects M.2 2280 (22mm x 80mm). If you're using a 2230 (22mm x 30mm), it may physically fit with an adapter, but thermal or electrical inconsistencies could cause instability.

Issue: Windows Loads Infinitely After Install

Since the SSD works fine in another laptop, the drive itself is likely healthy. The problem may stem from:

1. UEFI/BIOS Settings

• Check if Secure Boot is enabled—try disabling it temporarily.
• Ensure UEFI mode is selected (not Legacy).
• Confirm NVMe support is active and the SSD is recognized correctly in BIOS.

 

2. Driver or Firmware Conflict

• HP systems may require specific storage drivers during Windows installation.
• Try downloading the latest Intel RST driver or HP storage controller driver and load it during Windows setup.

 

3. Cloning vs Clean Install

• If you cloned your old SSD, hidden boot partitions may be misaligned.
• A clean install with all partitions deleted during setup is recommended.

 

4. Thermal or Power Instability

• Some Gen 4 SSDs draw more power or run hotter. If the Kingston NV3 lacks a heatsink and your Victus doesn’t have good airflow, it might throttle or fail during boot.

Suggested Steps to Resolve

1. Reset BIOS to Defaults, then enable UEFI and disable Secure Boot.
2. Reinstall Windows Cleanly:
   • Boot from USB.
   • Delete all partitions on the SSD.
   • Let Windows create new ones.
3. Install HP Chipset & Storage Drivers post-install.
4. If issues persist, test with a Gen 3 NVMe SSD to rule out Gen 4 power draw issues.

If you can confirm whether your Kingston SSD is 2230 or 2280, I can help you check thermal and electrical specs more precisely. You're close—just a few tweaks away from a smooth upgrade.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye