Toshiba P50-B HDD/SSD replacement

[Legray]

After many attempt I am still unable to get my SSD boot on my Toshiba P50-B.
I did the very same operation on my HP Pavilion DV5 a couple years ago.
Very simple stuff normaly ! I was able to clone all partitions => don't work
Then I tried to make a "brand" new install from the Backup USB Disk.
I was able to complete the install...but it still wont boot.

Toshiba support seams to be absolute zero (told me "after long investigation" my SSD was not a 5400 RPM so not compatible ! Then it was a bad connector.... Then want me to send the whole stuff and do the job for 70 €!)

I spent hours but with no success. The good thing is the original disk still work fine (it was a new PC !) so I can use my PC with no problem... but not the SSD.

Note : the SSD, when connected through the USB converter is working fine : I can access files in it.
However, I prefer to have it on the SATA III rather than USB 2.0.
When SSD in on the SATA III internal port the PC can BOOT on the HDD if I put it on the USB 2.0 Interface (thanks to the SSD converter)... but its not making anything better !

Note 2: When replacing the HDD/SSD I have to remove 20 screws and 14 rubber caps. I don't want to try too many time again...

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, Legray.

The 5400RPM SSD made me laugh, especially having in mind there was a "long investigation".

Now for the serious part. You did pretty well with the troubleshooting. It sounds like everything's working fine. If the HDD is working properly, this means that both - the SATA cable and port are OK, and the SSD seems to be working fine when connected externally, so the issue probably lies elsewhere. I'd recommend that you try to update the SSDs firmware to see if that changes anything, or try to update the BIOS as well (or reset it) to see if you have any luck with that. You could take a look if the SATA mode is set to IDE or AHCI in the BIOS - it should be AHCI.

Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD

 

[Legray]

The 5400 RPM was the funny part of it, indeed!
I can write/read both SSD and HDD and both connected internally on the SATA III port or on the external USB 3.0 port (through the SATA III to USB 2.0 converter supplied by Samsung with the SSD install kit). The only thing is the system only boot on the HDD (if present on the internal or even USB). As long as the HDD is connected in a way or another, it will boot, and as soon as the HDD is removed the system just wont boot.
In fact I can also boot on the USB recovery disk ... and re-install the system on the SSD ... but not make it "bootable".
As far as I am concern, it has been draining any fun from the subject for long!

 

[Boogieman_WD]

If none of the suggestions from my previous comment have any positive effect on the matter, then you could try reinstalling again. I understand that doing all this could be quite tedious, but it's a possible solution. Format the SSD, after that connect it internally via the SATA connection (even though it would be a drag to install it again), make sure that the HDD is not connected in any way (OD SATA cables or externally), reset all BIOS settings and make sure that you set the SATA mode of the SSD to AHCI, install Windows and boot without any other drives connected at that time, to see if you have any luck.
If everything turns out fine and you want to use the HDD with the laptop as well (e.g. with an HDD caddy or external enclosure) or just transfer files to the SSD - connect the HDD externally and delete the system partition from it.

Please keep me posted. Good luck!

 

[Legray]

Boogieman_WD, thank a lot for you help.
The solution you suggest is just what I did last time. The only trouble is I can only install from the USB recovery key and I guess de BIOS "default" setup may be part of the problem. I will just continue using the P50 with its HDD until I get a clear explanation or procedure to switch. After the SSD is up and running (if ever !) I will just keep the HDD system partition in it's original state as it is the fastest way to recover from and SSD failure !

If I get a solution or explanation why it have too fail, I will keep you updated.
I did push a complain to Toshiba corporate headquarters and I hope this may have some impact on the local team !

 

[Boogieman_WD]

You're most welcome and sorry that I couldn't resolve the issue.
However, if you decide to take further action before you receive a suggestion from the laptop's manufacturer, I'd recommend that you try with the firmware update of the SSD (if it has one available). You could also check if there's any info on conflicts/issues with this particular combo (SSD + your laptop's motherboard). You might get a solution if such a thread/article/blog post exists. And of course - the already mentioned BIOS update or reset, which really is kind of a long shot.

I really hope you get a solution for your problem. Please keep me posted. Good luck!

 

[Lankyguy]

In the BIOS settings there is a battery power mode, I don't have mine nearby, so can't say exactly what it's called, but you need to change it from performance to power saver to get it to recognise the SSD and boot from it

 

[Owen_6]

ok - i hav we the p50-
there are two bios options that need to be changed -
yption -- loader thing - whatever - still eneablwed -
u need to remove that -

you have the win8 encrption boot - enabled - remove it
is it the uefi - remove that -

okay- u can ---

i see - this is what s happening 00


u have uefi boot for win 8 enabled -- that s geeat 0
but u cant boot linux and win 8 - unless u find the way to boot uefi off linux <>
okay -
do u - see
so - you
need to go into bios - switch it back and forth from uefi -
and there is another option as well
but
it runs linux fine - - have 4,3 kernel it runs great - and - you just need a little more poatience and understanding of the new win 8 boot..
okay -
find those two 2 II bios options - and u will b e good to go

i run slackware

and