Adding MSATA to EliteBook 8570w for Caching

[Mokins]

Hi.

Can anyone please help.  I have a HP Elitebook 8570w running Windows 7 64bit.  I thought I would upgrade it with a MSATA to be used solely for caching.  I have purchased a 30Gb MSATA SSD and its fitted.  I can see the drive in the BIOS and in Windows.

I have googled this and everyone has been saying that I needed to install 'Intel Rapid Storage Technology' software which I have done but once installed, I do not appear to have the 'accelerate' button.

Can anyone please assist or advise what I can do.

Many Thanks

Darren

[Huffer]

I think they mean Intel Rapid Start technology. Have you installed that?

Here is the Service Manual:

Service Manual

I think I see the mSSD slot on page 69 and 75 labelled "FLASH", right?

[Mokins]

Hi.

Thanks for your responce.  I did try looking for the 'Rapid Start technology' but each search redirected me to 'Rapid Storage Technology' which is why I installed it.  If you have a link to the correct software, that would be greatly appreciated.

As for where its installed... Its under the service door on the bottom of the unit.  The slot is clearly labled as MSATA.  in the service manual you provided, its in the same location as the 'flash' in the picture on page 69.

Many Thanks

Darren

[Huffer]

I saw the slot on closer inspection of the manual. Here is a download for Intel Rapid Start.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=21612

Have you looked to see if there are any configuration options in the UEFI (F2) BIOS? or in the legacy (F10) BIOS? Do you get anything if you hit Ctrl-I at boot? I am thinking you do have an Intel Rapid Start Control Panel but there is just no option to accelerate the mSSD drive? That is usually a versioning issue.

[Mokins]

Hi.

Thanks for the link.  I have downloaded it but when I try to run setup.exe, I get a message stating that 'This computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing the software' and will not let me proceed (I am logged in as Administrator!).

I have also had a look for any configuration settings.  F2 on boot up takes me into HP Diagnostics but F10 takes me intot he BIOS.  Within here, under 'Built-in Device Options', I have 'mSATA' and that is already ticked.  I did also notice that under 'device Configuration' that 'SATA' is configured as AHCI.

I have also tried loading Intel Rapid Storage Technology again and the version I am running is 12.8.0.1016 but I only have 'Status', 'Manage', 'Performance', 'Preferences' and 'Help' buttons at the top still 

I couldnt get Ctrl+I to do anything.  Is this an i, an l or a 1?

Many Thanks

Darren

[JMB28]

Hi Darren,

I think the issue is that RAID needs to be setup to use the mSATA with a standard HDD, or the Intel Rapid Start option needs to be checked in the BIOS.

Here is a link to the technical white paper for setting up and enabling Intel Rapid Start with different drive types.

Intel Rapid Start Guide

This guide should be able to get you up and running with the mSATA drive.