mSATA only for 3G?

[Qrzysio]

Hi there,

in 2014 I bought a laptop from PC Specialist. I noticed it has one mSATA slot inside described as "mSATA / 3.5G". There is also a tiny wire described as "LTE". In BIOS I can choose two option for this slot: "mSATA device" or "3G device". The question is can I put an SSD disk inside this mSATa slot? Will it work?

Anyway BIOS shows 4 SATA ports: main hard drive, DVD-ROM and two others... which I don't know how can be connected. Might one SATA port be linked to mSATA slot and another one to eSATA/USB port or it is a different configuration?

Screens are attached.

 

[Oussebon]

What is the Clevo chassis model? It will be on the underside of the laptop

 

[Qrzysio]

It is Clevo W650SF. BIOS show MS series as W65_67SF.

 

[SpyderTracks]

It is Clevo W650SF. BIOS show MS series as W65_67SF.

So it does state: 2nd slot for mSATA SSD (Full size Mini Card with SATA interface)

https://www.avadirect.com/W650SF-Co...ce-840M-Intel-GMA-HD-Graphics/Product/8481437

 

[Qrzysio]

It should work then. Will try. Thanks a lot.

 

[SpyderTracks]

It should work then. Will try. Thanks a lot.

Take note that it's a MINI card, not a full size mSATA, I think they go up to a max of 250Gb

 

[Qrzysio]

Do you mean this? https://static.techspot.com/articles-info/768/images/blog-everything-ssds-5-mo-300.jpg
On the left is the most (I believe) popular size of mSATA SSD drives. It's dimensions are 50,8x29,85 mm (https://product.tdk.com/en/techlibrary/archives/vol16_msata/img/con09_03.gif).

So I can choose for example Kingston UV500 with mSATA form factor. Will this fit in? (https://www.kingston.com/en/ssd/consumer/suv500)

 

[Qrzysio]

You have probably meant mini-mSATA drives (called also half-mSATa) like Kingston SMSM150S3. You are right. They are smaller in size and only up to 24 GB. But in my Clevo, it's the regular size of mSATA SSD drive.

According to mSATA dimensions (https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/images/ssdc/hpssd/sb/img/msatafullsizeintelssd1.jpg) and photo of my Clevo (https://imgur.com/a/8DvIjeX) the slot is full size (standard).

 

[Oussebon]

You can get the service manual here: http://www.s-manuals.com/pdf/notebook/clevo/clevo_w650sf_service_manual.pdf (very slow download)

I'd avoid the UV500 series as it's just not very good.

 

[Qrzysio]

Thanks for the service manual and your advice. Is there any BIOS upgrade available for this model?

 

[Oussebon]

Why do you need a BIOS update? If you don't need a specific feature or patch from a new BIOS, it is probably not worth the risk of bricking the machine.

 

[Qrzysio]

I'm just curious if there is any company that provides updates to this model. A few years ago I have found and installed one BIOS update. It was quite difficult to find any on the internet. Anyway, it works. After installing there is no more "PC Specialist" logo, not it's "Style Note". Quite funny

Main manufacturers provide updates regarding to chipset issues or to solve problems with specific processor models. It seems even Clevo does it, but PS Specialist has not listed them on their site.

 

[Oussebon]

If you log into your main PCS account in the downloads section there may be updates. Or you can just get them from Clevo since PCS use Clevo chassis.

But I'd recommend against it unless you know there's an important benefit from a newer version for you. It's not like graphics card drivers where you can update these regularly to support new games or improve performance.

 

[Qrzysio]

Thanks.

I successfully installed mSATA SSD drive into my Clevo W650SF. It is the standard (the most popular) mSATA slot. SSD works fine. Hopefully, someone will need to check this as well.

 

[A.SVAL]

@Qrzysio How did the upgrade go after? i open my laptop a while ago and it has the same mSATA slot... did you tranfer windows into it and run your files from the SSD? my device is W670SF

 

[Martinr36]

I'm just curious if there is any company that provides updates to this model. A few years ago I have found and installed one BIOS update. It was quite difficult to find any on the internet. Anyway, it works. After installing there is no more "PC Specialist" logo, not it's "Style Note". Quite funny

Main manufacturers provide updates regarding to chipset issues or to solve problems with specific processor models. It seems even Clevo does it, but PS Specialist has not listed them on their site.

If you install a non PCS BIOS you will void your warranty

 

[Qrzysio]

@Qrzysio How did the upgrade go after? i open my laptop a while ago and it has the same mSATA slot... did you tranfer windows into it and run your files from the SSD? my device is W670SF

Upgrade went smooth with no issues. Just use any freeware software to move the system into SSD drive or install a system from scratch.

 

[ubuysa]

Upgrade went smooth with no issues. Just use any freeware software to move the system into SSD drive or install a system from scratch.

If you install a new system drive the wisest course of action is to clean install Windows to it rather than trying to clone an existing drive.

 

[ubuysa]

I'm just curious if there is any company that provides updates to this model. A few years ago I have found and installed one BIOS update. It was quite difficult to find any on the internet. Anyway, it works. After installing there is no more "PC Specialist" logo, not it's "Style Note". Quite funny

PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW THIS ADVICE.

The terms and conditions are very clear on the issue of updating the BIOS in any PCS build....

7.9 We reserve the right to suspend the warranty or refuse service if your Case, Motherboard, CPU or BIOS have been replaced without authorisation.

 

[Qrzysio]

PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW THIS ADVICE.

The terms and conditions are very clear on the issue of updating the BIOS in any PCS build....

No risk, no fun. Anyway, doesn't matter for a laptop which is a few years old already.