mSATA SSD Compatibility

[Sir Farms]

Hello, I am looking to install a mSATA SSD into my current PC laptop. Here are my specs:

CyberPowerPC Fangbook Evo HX6-100 (2014 model) (Its basically a clone of the MSI GE60, but a little beefier)
Windows 8.1
1 tb hdd
Intel i7 4810 mq processor @ 2.8 ghz (3.8 turbo)
Nvidia GTX 860m
16gb RAM

Now my goal is to install a mSATA to keep my Windows OS, virus security, and other disk taxing startup programs on it, while keeping my 1 tb hard drive for everything else. However I've run into a snag, mainly being I don't know what type of msata ssd to buy. I don't know what size will fit in my motherboard, nor what model will work best for what I'm trying to achieve. When I went to cyberpower to try and find out what ssds are compatible for my model, I couldn't get any answers outside of "Yeah that may work... I mean i guess".Do i go for a 64 gb? a 120 gb? 250? Attached are pictures of the motherboard of my laptop. Please link any msatas you recommend and any advice alongside it. Thanks guys, here are the pictures:

http://

http://

http://

 

[Wolfshadw]

Unfortunately, I'm not a laptop storage expert. I'm no more certain about what works with your laptop that the people you talked with at CyberPowerPC.

I would *expect* any MSATA drive would work as I think they're all standard. You'd probably have more problems actually moving your OS and programs over to it unless you purchased a 1TB SSD.

If it were me, I'd probably check to verify that installing the MSATA SSD does not mean you have to remove your current HDD. Fairly certain you don't but with laptop power requirements, you want to make sure of everything.

Next, I'd forgo the idea of trying to move just your OS and programs over to the MSATA drive and just go with a fresh install. That should save you some headaches and some cash as you won't need a 1TB drive. Personally, I'd go for either a 120GB or 240GB depending on how many programs you need to install.

I'd probably go with any of the Samsung 850 EVOs from this list

-Wolf sends

 

[Wolfshadw]

Personally, I wouldn't have selected a Best Answer just yet as it marks the thread as Solved. Some people will breeze right past this thread if they see it marked, "Solved". Let me know if you want to un-select it.

-Wolf sends

 

[Sir Farms]

Unfortunately, I'm not a laptop storage expert. I'm no more certain about what works with your laptop that the people you talked with at CyberPowerPC.

I would *expect* any MSATA drive would work as I think they're all standard. You'd probably have more problems actually moving your OS and programs over to it unless you purchased a 1TB SSD.

If it were me, I'd probably check to verify that installing the MSATA SSD does not mean you have to remove your current HDD. Fairly certain you don't but with laptop power requirements, you want to make sure of everything.

Next, I'd forgo the idea of trying to move just your OS and programs over to the MSATA drive and just go with a fresh install. That should save you some headaches and some cash as you won't need a 1TB drive. Personally, I'd go for either a 120GB or 240GB depending on how many programs you need to install.

I'd probably go with any of the Samsung 850 EVOs from this list

-Wolf sends

Alright thanks, so you're suggesting I just wipe everything I have instead of transferring? I'm not the best when it comes to software. The problem is I don't really want to lose everything I have on my hard-drive. Files, work etc. If you don't mind explaining what to do in a well laid out manner, you would save me so much pain. Also how would I check my power requirements? Thanks

 

[Sir Farms]

yeah I did that on accident lol. can It be fixed?

 

[Wolfshadw]

Also how would I check my power requirements?

Unfortunately, the place I would recommend you go has already responded with:

Yeah that may work... I mean i guess

If I were in your position, what I would do would be:

1) Decide on which drive you're going to get.
2) Familiarize yourself with that store's return policy for MSATA SSDs. If that entails calling the store and speaking to management, so be it.
3) Download all of the latest drivers for your system and store them on a USB Flash Drive.
4) If you do not have the OS installation Media for your PC, it's likely a program on your system. Create a restoration DVD/USB.
5) Back up all the data you want to save to an external/network drive location.

***** DO NOT PROCEED ANY FURTHER UNTIL ALL THE ABOVE STEPS ARE COMPLETED *****

6) Install the MSATA Drive.
7) Boot your system into BIOS to see if you can see the MSATA drive.
8) Also check the Boot Priority to make sure the Optical Drive or USB is the first Boot Location (depending on what media you would use for re-installing the operating system).
9) Boot into the OS and start Disk Management to see if the OS sees the new drive (DO NOT make any changes here).
10) Insert your OS installation Media and reboot your system.
11) Start the install process.
12) The OS installation process should ask you where you wish to install the OS. At this point, you should format BOTH the MSATA and your current HDD.
13) Install the OS onto the MSATA drive.
14) Once the OS is installed, reboot. Remove the installation media and install the saved drivers.
15) Change the default download and temp storage locations to your 1TB drive.
16) Run Windows Update as many times as necessary to update your system.
17) Install your other programs and any updates.
18) Restore all of your data files to the 1TB HDD.

Now (hopefully) you should be back to where you started, but with your OS and most used programs installed on the MSATA and your lesser used programs installed and data stored on the 1TB Drive.

At this point, you should be good to go.

-Wolf sends