Folio 9480m media failure error - but SSD works in other HP elitebook

[zenbastard]

I recently bought an HP Elitebook Folio 9480M used.

It's clean, shows no signs of abuse like my former Elitebook it is replacing.

Swapped my old SSD from my old Elitebook into the new Elitebook Folio:

Result: "media failure" error, check cable, and no bootable device found. 

Internally, the unit looks clean and tight. If there is a cable loose I don't know where it is or could be. 

I put the SSD back in my old elitebook and it works just fine.

Steps:

1. I have attempted to reset the BIOS, but of course don't know the password (does anyone? ever?)

2. have done a hard reset on the unit

3. have attempted to change the boot order - options were from ethernet or hard drive.  neither obviously works.

The unit doesn't appear to be recognizing the hard drive at all.

*it should be noted that the prior hard drive to the Folio 9480 was removed by the prior user, which was a large utility company. But I see no signs that they savaged it.

I honestly don't know what else to do with this thing besides replace the mobo, which i'm not going to do.