Have a Toshiba Satellite p55w-b5318, any way to install an additional 2.5 SATA in the empty bay?

workingmomjd

Commendable
Oct 27, 2016
5
0
1,510
This model comes with factory installed 250 gb mSATA ssd. I recently had a huge problem that I thought was the product of the mSATA going bad, so went to replace it with a 1TB Samsung Evo mSATA. In the process, I found it was actually a bad fan (so much for the 0 degree operation factor :lol) so I replaced that and the Evo. I also discovered there was an empty 2.5 bay, but no connection points (I'm guessing it's the place they put the 2.5 this series normally comes with, but do not provide any connection method bc of the mSATA upgrade).
Now, I have a spare 1TB 2.5 SATA that I pulled from a Seagate external awhile ago (works great in caddy). Is there any way to install the 2.5 drive? Can it be done? 3 main questions are 1. will this motherboard support dual input stress, 2. is there any way to split the single mSATA port into 2 and 3. will the power port be sufficient if I end up splitting it to support both? I know heating will also be a consideration.
The thing is, the pc is a 2-in-1, and I need the speed, tablet and portability, but MUST have the additional TB of storage. Before upgrading to the Evo, I used a 4TB Seagate via a USB 3 port that I had pulled from a previous NAS external. It pretty much made it a basic laptop because it so limited it's portability. The information that is stored in the additional space is partially integrated as default download paths and vital.
Am I just wildly insane to think this would be an even remote possibility?
 
I don't have any firsthand knowledge of that specific laptop model, but I'd suspect you just need the ribbon cable that adapts to the SATA port. Probably is something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DD0BLSHD000-Toshiba-Radius-P55W-B5220-Sata-Hard-Drive-Connector-Cable-Board-/401103088158?hash=item5d639b6a1e:g:IawAAOSwjMJXCBir

Might even be that specific one.

The computer should have no issue running both drives, there will be no conflicts there.

Edit: Here's another listing that includes the HDD caddy: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DD0BLSHD000-TOSHIBA-HD-BRACKET-CADDY-W-HD-CONNECTOR-RADIUS-P55W-P55W-B5112/231665925306?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D37115%26meid%3D1a9ce515c2cd4634a6b891c01c28c62e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D401103088158&rt=nc
 
Does the motherboard (attached pic) had the small connection on the other end of the adapter? Also, is there a limit to the amount of memory it can handle?

OK, edited a million times trying to attach the darn picture!!!! I hope clickable link will work?
Cl3tf1ZgU85tFsTwe6IfeRrdquG4kuwfzEnGGkMi-YiTX-LtpG4neIY7RIylioK4Qp9T3pOpppbEt-A=w3928-h2476-no


http://
 

Thank you :ange: I'm a self-taught repair techy out of necessity (10 years of having 5 children go from Power Wheels (which I can now rebuild from the tires to the handle bars 😉, to nintendo ds', wii's, playstations, every kind of cell phone, pod, tablet, tower and tablet to the point that I am now the one who maintains our 8tb server and all electronics that go with it. When my laptop goes down, EVERYTHING goes down until I boot up my "backup" (2gb ram) and try to hobble through teaching myself to repair mine 😛 While my years as an attorney left me a VERY good person at researching, it did nothing to teach me much about the actual circuitry of motherboards. I've relied on you guys for years for advice on how to rebuild a washing machine to how to level a water hose on a dishwasher. I just never post a question because I'm sure it will be such a newbie question I'd get banned :no: I appreciate EVERY bit of advice you can give!!
 
I don't see the connection point on that picture, but I'm sure it's there. They never make two totally different motherboards based on your storage device preference. I would guess that the connector is on the underside of the motherboard.
 
Underneath the motherboard, huh? :heink: That's a jump I've yet to make :na: I don't suppose you know what the white cable that is laying across the bay is connecting to at the bottom? I so wish I could download a schematic, like a chilton's for Toshiba's lol
 
I need to find a mSATA port splitter or a cable that will adapt a 2.5 drive to the mSATA port, because then I can at least mount both the mSATA's in a 2.5 bay, kwim? There aren't any connections under the motherboard (is smooth). I located a You Tube video that completely disassembled my specific model, and when he strips it down and removes the motherboard, he turns it upside down and it's just a flat plastic mounting surface.
Thanks for all the effort!
P.S. I remembered the white cable is for the lights 😛