Dm4 mini-PCIe slot -- SSD or Bluetooth?

I purchased a Pavilion dm4 1173cl from Costco in November. I would like to add a small SSD to the mini-PCIe slot (designated for use by WWAN module in service manual) to use for source-code and SQL Server databases (both presenting a usage patterns of high random-IO, which benefit from SSD).
I would be keeping the original 500GB 7K drive as boot/os and general app installation, only placing items that would benefit my development experience on the SSD. In other words Boot-time and application launch performance are fine from the spinning drive, I just want to speed up a few specific (high random-IO) things by using an SSD.
in particular, I'm looking at the 80GB Intel mini-PCIe SSD (available at NewEgg by searching for SSDMAEMC080G2C1).
Also curious if I could put a bluetooth module in that same slot (obviously not at the same time as the SSD)? I'm currently using an external bluetooth dongle, but would rather it were internal if I can't use that space for an SSD.
Any info appreciated.

Ok, finally found some more info about this. Turns out mini-PCIe slots are anything but standard. Instead, mini-PCIe is a reference to a physical slot configuration, but manufacturers are taking great liberties with which of the pins they actually wire-up. mSATA (which the above-linked Intel SSD utilizes) is one such customization of the mini-PCIe slot, others being USB, PATA (parallel ATA/IDE hard-drive), and who knows how many others... all overloading the use of the 8+18 mini-PCIe connector.
Since this slot is desgnated for use with WWAN adapter, I'm doubtful it's configured as mSATA to enable use of an SSD... Which presents another interesting issue... since the dm4 1173cl model didn't come with the WWAN module, they didn't even bother soldering in the slot (just as they don't include the SIM card reader nor WWAN antennae in the screen housing). There are solder contacts on the board, but no card connector. I should have cracked the case open before spending time researching this, rather than relying on pictures from the service manual which covers models that do include the WWAN module.

Similar Messages

SSD in Mini-PCIe slot on mid-2009 MacBook Pro

Hi all
I've just bought a mid-2009 MacBook Pro (the one with a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo and 9400M and 9600M GT).
I want to add an SD to the current mechanical storage to install OS X and programs on. I don't want an Optibay as I would rather keep the optical drive so I am now looking at the Mini PCI-Express SSD drives. Currently the Airport card is in that slot, and I can replace that with a small USB Wi-Fi dongle.
My question is does the slot run at full speed (i.e. 1x or 2x, as I hear some run at USB 2.0 speeds only), and is it fully-functional or has Apple limited it to the Airport cards only, as Toshiba do with some of their laptops?

I'm not talking about the ExpressCard slot, I'm talking about the Mini PCI Express slot. I haven't opened the mid-2009 model yet but I presume it has a Mini PCIe slot with a Mini PCIe Airport card in with the aerials surrounding the display, like 99% of laptops and the other MacBooks?

X121e, other uses for WWAN mini PCIe slot?

Does anyone know whether the mini PCIe slot in the X121e that the optional WWAN card goes in can be used for other cards?
I'm aware of the whitelist, which had been suggested may only apply to wireless devices (e.g. WLAN and WWAN) - although I'm not sure whether that's certain (i.e. doesn't apply for non-wireless devices).
I've heard some people have tried mSATA devices in this slot with no success (which isn't suprising as whilst mini PCIe is physically compatible with mSATA it isn't electrically, and so you need mSATA support in the hardware). However I've been wondering about mini PCIe SSD cards and whether they would work. I've heard that they're not brilliant when compared to mSATA devices - however I can't afford to get a large SSD for this machine, and in general, people don't need to store all their MP3/videos on SSD, as the best benefit comes with the OS and applications being stored on the SSD, with user data being fine on an HDD. My using a mini PCIe SSD, I could potentially put the OS etc onto a cheaper/smaller SSD, with the hard drive for 'data'.
Has anyone tried this, or any other non-wireless mini PCIe devices in the X121e?
Thanks

Might be of interest to you that I tried a half mini pcie micro sd card reader in my X301. It would allow 64gb if it worked. However I got an error message on boot up - can't remember exactly what it was. Other than that the only other option was the intel turbo memory which was of little benefit to me.

W520 second half mini-pcie slot

Under keyboard only one full and one half mini-pcie slots, specs on w520 page said 1 full, 2 half
Where is second one half slot located?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

You may check under Palmrest place.
Best Regards,
Tanuj
Did someone help you today? Press the star on the left to thank them with a Kudo!
If you find a post helpful and it answers your question, please mark it as an "Accepted Solution".! This will help the rest of the Community with similar issues identify the verified solution and benefit from it.
Follow @LenovoForums on Twitter!

Trouble with Mini PCIe Slot on X220

After years of not going for a mSATA SSD due to cost, I finally took the plunge & bought a Plextor 256Gb M5 series mSATA SSD. Upon trying to install it earlier today it just wouldn't fit, no matter what angle I tried. On closer inspection the reason became apparent: 2 of the slot pins/grooves (if that's what you call them) had collapsed down into the gap through which the drive was meant to fit, & wouldn't budge at all.
Given that I didn't check the slot before initially trying to insert the drive I don't know if it was of my doing, but I highly doubt it. I'm now left with an expensive (for me anyways!) piece of hardware that I was really looking forward to, just lying in it's box.
I was wondering if anyone had some advice as to what I should do next with regard to fixing the problem e.g. is there anyway of fixing/replacing the slot myself (apologies if that's a foolish/idiotic comment, I'm happy to tinker with my gadgets but certainly no expert) or do I need to get a professional involved?
Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Many thanks.

Hello,
It is a bit hard for me to tell from the photo, but it appears that two pins on the top row near the ends are the ones you are talking about. Is that correct?
If the unit is still under warranty, I would suggest checking with Lenovo support and see what suggestions they might have.
Otherwise... have you tried gently trying to lever them up using a toothpick (or other relatively soft non-metallic object)? If so, did that allow you to get the pins aligned correctly?
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
I am a volunteer and neither a Lenovo nor a Microsoft employee. • Dexter is a good dog • Dexter je dobrý pes
S230u (3347-4HU) • X220 (4286-CTO) • W510 (4318-CTO) • W530 (2441-4R3) • X100e (3508-CTO) • X120e (0596-CTO) • T61p (6459-CTO) • T43p (2678-H7U) • T42 (2378-R4U) • T23 (2648-LU7)
Deutsche Community Comunidad en Español Русскоязычное Сообщество

Install Intel 310 Soda Creek SSD into X201 mini-PCIe

I'm wanting to install this 80GB SSD into the avaliable mini-PCIe slot in my X201 (3249-CTO) :
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167040
or
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167039
I've looked everywhere, but i cant find the answers to some of the remaining questions that i have before i make the purchase.
- Does the x201 BIOS allow boot from a mini-PCIe mSATA device?
- Once installed, will the BIOS determine this as a non-whitelist device and give an 1802 error upon bootup?
- ThinkWiki says that the secondary mini PCIe slot may be usable or unusable, but based on what?
- http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:X201
- For this, i will place another mini-PCIe Wifi module that i have from an X61
Looking forward to all of your posts!
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi guys. I don't think that will ever work. Only the new systems (Huron River-based) coming out this year will support the mSATA 80GB SodaCreek drives.
The planar has to have a special line run from mini-PCIe to SATA for this drive to be recognized/bootable - so older planars like X201 are just not compatible. I know the planars in all the coming ThinkPad Classic (T,W, and X) will support it and the new Edge E220s & E420s will. But I am not sure if the lower cost systems like regular Edge 14/15, L/SL-series, or X120e will support it or not.

T60 & Mini PCIe SSD?

Hello,
I have a Thinkpad T60, Type 2007-C95. For the sake of performance, I was thinking about adding a Mini PCIe SSD and using it in addition to the hard drive. (OS on the SSD, HDD for storage) Specifically, I wanted to get a 16GB SuperTalent SATA Mini PCIe SSD. (Model FPM16GRSE, newegg link)
While doing some research, I learned that the T60's BIOS whitelists at least one of the PCIe slots. Apparently this is to limit what devices can be used in the slot. From my research, the general consensus appears to be that the PCIe slot that the wireless card is in, is certainly whitelisted, but the status of the other PCIe slot is unknown/untested.
My question is will the SSD I have chosen work in my T60?
Thanks!

Hi
Yes these drives are popular with Netbooks. However, they use a mini-PCI-express slot, which is a standard. (I could use this on my desktop if I wanted) I know the T60 has an availible mini-PCIe slot, so therotically, it should work. But I have heard that the BIOS of the T60 restricts what devices can be used in that slot...
The end configuration would be a 16GB SSD drive for the OS and my 100GB 2.5in hard drive for data storage. The access tims on the SSD would be insane compared the hard drive and I'd still have enough space for storage.
Thanks for the article. I've already read it, but it is an extremely informative article. However, I don't think these drives use a JMicron controller.... Not that I have any evidance of that, but I assume the JMicron controllers are only in larger, faster, and more expensive drives. As long as it doesn't stutter.... I haven't seen any reports on that though, so I think it's safe.
Thanks for your reply!

Mini 210-3080NR dont accept bluetooth + wifi card from another HP Mini !?

i am have purchased one new HP Mini 210-3080NR and this have only wifi mini pci-e and need a bluetooth on this to use with my phones,i am have another mini HP models as > 210-1076NR and 110-3130NR and this 2 models have the same mini pci-e bluetooth + wifi card,i am removed the card from mini 110-3130br and put on my 210-3080nr and appears as refused hardware or imcompatible,but if put the card from mini 210-1076nr its Ok ! HP put different firmware on the same card for different models ? and have another doubt,the mini 210-3080nr not have socket for additional mini pci-e to put for example > broadcom crystal hd decoder !!!??? i dont understand this because this model have special sound as beats audio and design exclusive for this model but HP has cutted resources > no mini pci slot to additional card and not have bluetooth + wifi.
b.r.
wait for reply to have solution to conflict of cards.

Does the PC still have Windows 7 installed? Did you install the driver found HERE. In the intial post, it is not stated if the netbook had a similar card installed or not. Was this a replacement or an additon?
{---------- Please click the "Thumbs Up" to say thanks for helping.
Please click "Accept As Solution" if my help has solved your problem. ----------}
This is a user supported forum. I am a volunteer and I do not work for HP.

What to do with free mini PCIe - Flash for pagefile

Hi,
in my T500 there is a free mini PCIe Slot near the SIM Slot, but it is only half length. I found an SSD from SuperTalent in this Dimensions. Anybody out there who tried to use this Slot for storage purposes e.g. $TEMP or pagefile?
Regards,
Ronny
Solved!
Go to Solution.

It will not work. This SSD is intended for the Dell Mini 9, which utilizes a special kind of mini PCI-e slot [FLASH_CON]. This slot is connected to a PATA or SATA controller on the mainboard.
The SSD will not work on standard mini PCI-e slots because they are not connected to a PATA or SATA controller.
I believe that half height mini PCI-e slot is used for Intel Turbo Memory.
Message Edited by ortegaluis on 08-05-2009 09:53 AM
\\ I do not respond to PM regarding individual tech support. Keep discussions in the forum for the benefit of others //

A20p, got a mini-pci wireless card working on it

I had thought this impossible. Everywhere i'd looked i couldn't find one person who'd got this working.
Today i've just done it. I had an SMC wireless router which had failed, it kept powering itself off all of the time so i'd bought a new router. Before i chucked the old router out i took it apart to have a look to see if i could find what had failed. To my surprise it had a mini-pci wireless card mounted in a slot on the mainboard (to give it wireless functionality i guess). I got the wireless card out and left the antenna leads still connected to the antennas on the back panel of the router.
Then i removed the mini-ethernet/56K modem card (IBM FRU-08K3125) from the A20p mini-pci slot and put the mini-pci wireless card in it's place. For the time being i left the antenna wires hanging out of the bottom with the router back panel and antenna still attached.
I hadn't got a clue who the manufacturer of the wireless card was but what i did have was the chipset number "TNETW1130GVF" which i obviously got off the chip on the mini-pci card. After a quick search i found some drivers that should be compatible with the chipset:-
http://www.safecom.cn/code/support/DMF.aspx?pid=316#
I've also tried these (actually the same thing):-
http://www.wireless-driver.com/download/other/2007-6-26/TI-TNETW1130GVF-Chipset-Driver.htm
I loaded them up and it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Both driver downloads work!!!!
Now i've just got to find some internal antenna and wire them into the case!
Edit: i forgot to mention that the card is being recognised as a Texas instruments 802.11g MiniPCI card in Windows Device Manager (which is no surprise as it's a Texas Instruments Chipset). Also i'm on WinXP Pro SP3.
Message Edited by snowbum on 03-08-2009 12:48 PM
Message Edited by snowbum on 03-08-2009 01:12 PM

Who would have known? I wouldn't have expected a router to use a mini-PCI card.
Message Edited by ortegaluis on 03-08-2009 12:32 PM
\\ I do not respond to PM regarding individual tech support. Keep discussions in the forum for the benefit of others //

Welche mini pcie Wlan Karte für Ideacentre H500s

Da das Board des H500s ja einen mini pcie Steckplatz für Wlan Karten hat würde Ich gern wissen ob alle Karten darauf laufen oder nur bestimmte - und falls nur bestimmte darauf laufen, welche?
Gelöst!
Gehe zu Lösung.

Hallo coxmetal,
in dem Mini-PCIe Slot kannst du im Fachhandel erhätliche b/g/n WLAN-Module verwenden.
Aber du solltest darauf achten, ob in deinem H500s auch eine WLAN-Antenne vorbereitet ist, sonst wird du keinen Empfang haben. Wenn eine Antenne verbaut ist, befinden sich zwei lose Kabel im Gehäuse, die auf der Karte aufgesteckt werden müssen. Infos zu Einbau stehen im Hardware Maintenance Manual auf Seite 40/41.
Gruß
Sebastian
→ Wenn Du eine Lösung auf Deine Frage erhalten hast, markiere diese bitte als gelöst - Hilfreiche Beiträge verdienen Kudos. Zögere nicht Kudos zu vergeben.

Mini pcie-J7

The motherboard for the HP Desktop Black 110-430 has a mini pcie slot. Nothing is mentioned about it in the sales pitch. Now that I have the 110, I am curious just what the pci Express is for in this computer. If it is for wireless WiFi then there is no port for the hardware if I were to obtain it. It seems the motherboard was built for a laptop and stuffed into a desktop tower. This transaction feels like a bait and switch. Still, if I were to purchase a mini pci xpress card, drill and cut my own port, which card was designed for the Motherboard, HP/Compaq name: Nutmeg-C? Thank You, AlHyte

Hello,
many thanks for your provided link, but our customer is looking for a non-EoL product.
Regards,
Uwe

HP Mini 311 + PCIE slot (pref SSD)

Hello,
I would like to know what the available upgrades are for the PCIE slot that is in the HP mini 311. I would also like to know if the PCIE slot can be used for an SSD. If so, what kind/brand/model/size.
Thank you,

I contacted HP support on chat for this same question. Aparently its only used for a WWAN card for mobile wireless coverage. I figured maybe install a HD encoder to play HD movies better but hp support says no. Might try anyway lol
(HP 311 1100/XP/ 3GB RAM/ 500GB HD/ WIRELESS N CARD// Yes, I said 500GB hard drive

Using ssd in mini pci-e for U260

I saw the post about installing an ssd into the ideapad u260 http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/IdeaPad-Y-U-V-and-Z-series/Ideapad-U260-Installing-an-SSD/m-p/483963#M39...,
but that is technically beyond what I'm willing to do at this point, and I'd like to keep a large drive for data, and use ssd for OS, etc.
My laptop has a Mini PCI-e, that I can't imagine using for anything, and I can get mini pci-e drive with mSata controllers apparently fairly reasonably priced. http://www.amazon.com/MyDigitalSSD-64GB-50mm-Bulletproof-mSATA/dp/B004X5YAP4/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronic...
But I'm wondering
1) will this work with a u260
2) will it actually fit IN the slot?? Or will it end up sticking out of the side of the computer
3) (this is a bit sad), how do you get the PCI slot open? I see it on the left-side, but the cover doesn't want to seem to come off. Why would Lenovo put the slot there and then just hide it behind this peice of plastic?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi pedalpete and welcome to the community,
Are you sure that isn't the multi-card reader, for SD cards and such?
Try pushing the cover in and it should spring back out if it's the card reader.
Dave
T430u, x301, x200T, x61T, x61, x32, x41T, x40, U160, ThinkPad Tablet 1838-22R, Z500 touch, Yoga Tab 2 Windows 8.1, Yoga Tablet 3 Pro
Did someone help you today? Press the star on the left to thank them with a Kudo!
If you find a post helpful and it answers your question, please mark it as an "Accepted Solution"!
If someone helped you today, pay it forward. Help Someone Else!
English Community Deutsche Community Comunidad en Español Русскоязычное Сообщество

S10e bootable from mini PCIe SSD?

Hi
I'd like to keep the SATA bay reserved for a regular hard drive for storage capacity (using the S10e as companion for camera) but also speed up boot time with a SSD.
Is it possibe to boot the S10e from a mini PCIe SSD card with SATA controller on the card, i.e.
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Talent-2PCI--SATA2-FPM32GLSE/dp/B002EJ3HQO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=131101...
I am aware that Intels new SSD with mini PCIe connector but no controller will not work
Rgds/Kjeld Olesen

Hi again,
to clear your quest , you want to remove the WLAN minipci-e card and install a minipci-e SSD instead ,
... that will not work at all not recognized from BIOS, will only recognize WLAN cards ... and even when ...there is no boot from that device...
one other way would be the Express Card Slot 34 on the right side , but there is no boot option again ...
...by the way 2.5" harddrive with 9.5 mm high with 1 TB capacity is available and recognized 100% by your Ideapad ,
... enough for huge pictures and faster than origin harddrive ...
regards and Godaften! til danmark
KalvinKlein
Thinkies 2x X200s/X301 8GB 256GB SSD @ Win 7 64
Ideas Centre A520 ,Yoga 2 256GB SSD,Yoga 2 tablet @ Win 8.1

Dm4 mini-PCIe slot -- SSD or Bluetooth?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for