Replacement pcie 2 SSD

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Replacement pcie 2 SSD

fruztrated

35 posts

Geek

#300887 11-Oct-2022 21:18

Hey all. I'm trying to replace MZHPU256HCGL-00000 Samsung XP941 Series 256GB MLC PCI Express 2.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) in an old Sony Vaio laptop but I'm having real trouble finding anything that is PCIE Gen 2.

It needs to be Gen 2 because the BIOS will not recognize any PCIE Gen 3 or 4 drives and there is no BIOS update that enables it to for the laptop (SVP13229PGB).

Does anyone know anyone who sells them? I'm looking but cannot seem to find one for sale anywhere :(

Wakrak

1765 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1149

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2980763 11-Oct-2022 21:32

Could one of these laptops have the SSD you're after?

'gen 2 ssd' for sale in Computers | Trade Me Marketplace

fruztrated

35 posts

Geek

#2980769 11-Oct-2022 21:57

Cool, thanks for that. I actually looked on TM but didn't use "gen 2" in my search LOL.

That looks like what I'm after so I'll contact the seller.

Mehrts

1112 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 984

Trusted

#2980771 11-Oct-2022 22:04

Interesting that it's not backwards compatible with gen 3 at least.

fruztrated

35 posts

Geek

#2980790 11-Oct-2022 22:44

It really is strange. I can boot from a Windows install USB stick and the drive is recognized, I assume because Windows setup has drivers for it. After the initial prep and install, when the machine restarts, the windows install process will not continue because the BIOS has not recognized the drive and cannot start the first part of the boot process.

I'm now starting to wonder if I couldn't have a USB thumb drive which could have some boot loader that can start the drive loading windows, maybe using Rufus or Grub or some such thing that I know nothing about ;)

Jase2985

13773 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6254

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2980812 12-Oct-2022 06:27

are you sure its not just a case of changing setting of drive the bios is looking for? my gen4 motherboard doesnt see any m.2 drives if the setting is incorrect. CSM i think is the one that makes it disappear.

fruztrated

35 posts

Geek

#2980819 12-Oct-2022 07:18

No, I'm totally sure it is not a configuration issue.

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

MadEngineer

4647 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2625

Trusted

#2981851 12-Oct-2022 10:04

Call Sony support. You’ll be surprised at what after warranty support you can get. They may instruct you to reset security settings for example.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

fruztrated

35 posts

Geek

#2981915 12-Oct-2022 11:59

Sony are no longer in the laptop business and offer no support besides the few downloadable updates and FAQ's they still have online.

trig42

5901 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2114

ID Verified

#2981918 12-Oct-2022 12:11

I know you've said it's not a config issue, but it sure sounds like one.

Can you see it in BIOS? The computer must see it if you can start the Windows Install (assuming you can choose where to install Windows).

In my experience, changing the mode from RAID to AHCI can fix those issues.

fruztrated

35 posts

Geek

#2982038 12-Oct-2022 17:31

I'm pretty sure.

A new new SSD is not visible in BIOS, no matter what configuration, the original SDD is always visible however.

When Windows setup loads, it can see the new drive and is able to perform operations on it.

Currently I can't do anything because I bricked the BIOS trying to burn one from a "similar" model.

I'm now waiting for a burner to arrive so I can hopefully un-brick it :)