Add 2nd SSD to HP Envy 17T n100

[murrayotl]

I have purchased a HP Envy 17T n100 with 1TB HDD due on March 17. I want to add a 2nd SSD 256GB for the OS. I am not sure what SSD fits,specs that I can find have the
Dual storage configurations as
● 1-TB + 256 GB M.2 SATA SSD (TLC)
Also how hard to add SSD?
Comes with 8GB of memory want to add up to 16GB max.
Manual states;
Two non-accessible/upgradable memory module slots
DDR3L-1600 dual channel support
Support for 16-GB of system RAM in the following configurations
● 16384-MB total system memory (8192×2)
What is "non-accessible/upgradable mean?
If I can add 8GB memory does it matter that it isn't a matched pair?
Please Help, I didn't add when purchasing becuase 100% disabled, and couldn't afford on Social Security.I have done this on old HP Pavilion DV5 1235dx.
Thank You for your help, John

 

[Saga Lout]

From your own list and from the Specs on the website, it comes with a variety of combinations so there must be space for a hdrd disk. To transfer over the system to another disk, you would need cloning software. EAaseUS develops one which you burn to a bootable CD and it does the job quite well.

If you have the money now, it would be simpler to ask HP to include it before despatch. RAM always works better when the pairs are matched.

 

[murrayotl]

Thanks for response Saga Lout,
I tried to get them put in next day and they said it couldn't be done. I needed to cancel and reorder. If that I would lose all discounts that I received and they couldn't match them. Plus cost was a factor, being disabled and on a tight budget. I was told it was simple by one and hard by another HP Rep. to do upgrades. I can't find any certain specs or manuals on this model. I wanted to get parts before arriving but that can't happen without information needed.
Thanks John

 

[Saga Lout]

The big problem is reinstalling the system. Technically it would be a new installation and you would need to buy a Microsoft licenced copy. If you had a genuine W7 licence, it would be easier to install that on the SSD then upgrade to 10 and set the BIOS to boot from that SSD. Then you would have a useless system on the hard disk.

Cloning is my best shot, I'm afraid.

 

[murrayotl]

Saga Lout,
Can't I take the Win 10 OS off the clean 1TB HDD and put in on new SSD? Then make the HDD for storage. Do I have to change bays for drives, or can it be done through Bios boot sequence? How will HDD be set up with no OS to receive pictures, documents etc. With memory match up can I just put in 16GB max or better off with 2- 8GB sticks?
Thank You for taking time to help me.

John

 

[ArtPog]

I came across the following review from http://laptoping.com/specs/product/hp-envy-17t-17t-n100-17-3-premium-laptop-with-intel-i7-nvidia-950m-16gb-4tb/#reviews that you may be interested in...

"The HP Envy (17t-n100) has 2 HDD bays to hold Two 2-TB 2.5″ HDD. As of Jan 2016 there is no internal 4TB 2.5″ Hard drive. The only 4TB 2.5 inch drive that was just released is a 15mm hight drive and is only used as an external drive. All laptop internal drives use the 9mm hight standard. The 17t-n100 also supports 1 SSD 850 M.2 drive that comes in 2 sizes a 256gb and a 500 GB. when using the 2TB 4500 rpm drive the computer runs slow as the hard drive is a slow drive. when this computer is setup with the SSD drive the computer runs like a rabbit and boot time is less than 30 seconds and all windows pop up like crazy. You could get a 2TB SSD for about $600 or a 900GB for about $250, it make this computer run crazy fast. But you can’t order it that way. The way to order this is the full boat getting all the drives. I found that if you did not order the second 2.5 inch drive it is almost impossible to install one as HP has no parts for it. They don’t sell the hard drive mounting bracket and its not the same as the 1st hard drive, go figure. the only part they sell is the hard drive ribbon cable that is a 1 inch ribbon cable for $75 and you need to go to Alibaba china to get the hard drive connector for $55 and about $30 in DHL shipping. Once its set with the SSD drives it works well. - See more at: http://laptoping.com/specs/product/hp-envy-17t-17t-n100-17-3-premium-laptop-with-intel-i7-nvidia-950m-16gb-4tb/#reviews"

As to the RAM, as Saga Lout points out it is always better to purchase a matched pair of memory rather than adding another module. But every day millions of PC users run into no problems or any deterioration of performance when simply adding another RAM module. What you have to ask yourself, of course, is will I see an appreciable increase in performance by increasing memory from 8 GB to 16 GB? Only you can answer that question depending upon the programs/applications you use and in the final analysis only by working with the increased memory can you definitively determine whether the add'l cost was merited. Another consideration in your case is whether your machine is equipped with a single 8 GB RAM module or two 4's. If the latter, it would mean the need to purchase the full 16 GB of memory if that's what you wanted.

 

[ArtPog]

The OS has been installed on the 1 TB HDD and not the installed M.2 SSD?

 

[Saga Lout]

My reading of this is he hasn't ordered he SSD for lack of funds. The OS will be n a 1TB HDD so I'm recommending cloning to the SSD but it will come with difficulties due to the difference in capacity. The EaseUS product can manage that though.

 

[ArtPog]

Saga Lout:
Yes, I believe you're right. I was under the impression from his initial post that he was listing his present specs, but I think your interpretation is correct.

As to the disk-cloning yes, there would be a problem if the total data presently on the 1 TB HDD exceeds that of the disk-space (256 GB) of the intended SSD. That would negate a disk-cloning operation. But we find many PC users who use large-capacity (1 TB+) HDDs, but the disk contains a relatively small amount of data on the drive so a cloning operation might be viable under those circumstances. But I would agree the more likely prospect would be the opposite.

 

[Saga Lout]

I got away with the reduction in size a few weeks back when a customer brought me a system with a dying 640GB HDD and also gave me a 320 which he bought second-hand with his last few pounds.

EaseUS Disk Copy did the job. I defragged the 640 first and checked the value of the free space but so long as the figures stack up, it should work.

He's going to pay me - one day.

 

[murrayotl]

Thanks again for your help.
I talked again to HP sales specialists about problem and its too late to add on. I would have to cancel and reorder and the cost would be over $300 +tax. I am calling the tech department today about warranty issue if I open and change things. I could hold off on memory and see how things go, but the SSD is a no brainer. The laptop comes with 1TB HDD with Windows 10 and I added no other programs. HP has a trial Office 365 on it. The sales person told me to call tech department to get Win 10 recovery disk and used that for SSD. There was talk on website about a PCIe SSD
(Transcend 256GB SATA III 6Gb/s MTS800 80 mm M.2 Solid State Drive @ $80) There is a kit for SSD by Newmodeus that comes with Caddy and Cable for $45.00 and still have to buy SSD (also video how to add SSD.) There is where the confusion starts. There was also someone who removed the multi disk DVD/Cd drive and installed SSD there. Have back surgeon visit today and will talk to HP tech service and post what they say late this afternoon or tonight.
Thanks again for all you help.
John

 

[murrayotl]

After talking to HP technical person, I would lose warranty and service/accidental contract. Still no definitive answer from HP on drives, except parts department and part number. The drive if brought from HP is over $430.00 is crazy. I have a couple of options, take and use as is, return and wait for another deal, cancel service/accidental insurance and make the changes. I would be rolling the dice that no major problems come up becuase I don't have funds to fix.
I was checking out HP repair services and see if they could install SSD and still keep warranties, but costs were high with them supplying parts. Still on fence what to do.
Thanks, John

 

[Saga Lout]

Best to see how it performs as it is and only go for the add-on drive later when the warranty runs out. It's possible to clone the system on to a SSD in a USB caddy as soon as it arrives and starts to get cluttered. Then set the BIOS to boot from the USB disk first but it would mean carting the caddy around everywhere you go.

 

[murrayotl]

The laptop is at home 99% of the time with being disabled. I spend my time in a lift recliner for most of the day using it. So I think the external would be the way to go like you say. Its just the matter of setting up OS on external SSD, 1TB HDD for storage and the boot sequence. I have a 3 year service/accidental damage on the laptop with the ability to get cost back if not used in the 3 year time frame. HP tech support stated if I needed service the laptop would have to be in original purchased state. Meaning the external SSD would have to be disconnected and the system has to run with the 1TB HDD only. This causes another problem also. I messed up not getting the SSD installed from beginning. I was trying to keep costs down and planned on upgrading myself. Still up in the air what I should do.

Thanks,John

 

[Saga Lout]

You could run the system as it is as soon as it's delivered. When you can afford the SSD, buy it and clone the hard disk on to the SSD. From that point on, you can only use one installation because of restrictions in the licensing agreement so you can clear everything off the hard disk that is system related and just keep the personal stuff as a backup.

Change BIOS to make sure there is USB Legacy Support so there's power to the USB Ports before the system cuts in. Then set it as the top of the list in Boot Order and make sure it's plugged in before you power up.

As to HP's statement about the machine being original, I would take that to the trading standards authority and watch them laugh. No two computers are the same from as soon as they come out of a cardboard box. The system would be a cloned copy of the original and they are being very unreasonable. I would take the gamble of not needing the warranty if I was doing this.

 

[murrayotl]

Thanks , yea HP is being difficult with multi answers from different people. They said if service is needed the laptop has to be the configuration when I purchased it. No SSD, No upgraded memory or they won't work on it. So if problems, I would have to disconnect SSD. So I would have to set up Windows 10 on both drives and unplug external SSD and run laptop on OS of 1TB HDD for service. Crazy.Maybe like you said just run with 1TB HDD and 8GB memory and see what happens. Otherwise I have to make all these changes, which I don't mind if not a big hassle. The service contract I could work around the accidental damage maybe. With my injury I drop things trip up, fall, and have knock the laptop a few times off my chair's hospital type table. I lost feeling in my R leg and some in left. I don't know if R foot is there it just hangs,(drop foot) so it trips me.
Thanks Again learning a lot,
John

 

[murrayotl]

If you could help on maybe doing this. I could buy the 256 GB M.2 SATA SSD (TLC) which is a PCIe SSD, or HP 256GB M2 SATA-3 TLC 256GB (comparable SSD) and buy the external docking station or USB 3.0 mSATA II or III/6G SSD Enclosure Adapter. This way I could install at later time internally and not void Warranty or Service/Accidental contract. The only question is running Windows 10 on both the SSD and HDD.
John

 

[USAFRet]

If you could help on maybe doing this. I could buy the 256 GB M.2 SATA SSD (TLC) which is a PCIe SSD, or HP 256GB M2 SATA-3 TLC 256GB (comparable SSD) and buy the external docking station or USB 3.0 mSATA II or III/6G SSD Enclosure Adapter. This way I could install at later time internally and not void Warranty or Service/Accidental contract. The only question is running Windows 10 on both the SSD and HDD.
John

Don't run the same OS on two drives. It will only lead to confusion and wasted space.