Solved Issues replacing Optane ssd with nvme

humbird · Feb 10, 2022

DigitalGoat said:
@Hazel123 There are sites you can probably find unlocked versions of the BIOS for that laptop (HP almost certainly have a password they can use to reveal any hidden BIOS pages/ sections to access hidden options if they exist), but I seriously advise not trying to flash with one of the custom BIOS files unless/ until you are willing to risk bricking the device, so maybe once you replace it further down the road, if you are willing to experiment with it.
Obviously such sites may host malware disguised as/ integrated into BIOS file images so extreme caution and deep research is a must.
You could also buy a device designed to connect directly to the BIOS chip with software that allows you to edit, export, overwrite and flash the BIOS, again such a device is super easy to use wrongly and brick the system being worked on if used without caution and knowledge. :)

Never in a million years.

Hazel123 · Feb 10, 2022

Agree. Won’t be messing with the bios :) . I have never yet bricked one but came close to it once. One of those old eee laptops that had a password locked bios (someone had set a password) preventing it installing anything or logging in. Tried reflashing to clear it and thought I had bricked it but did the thing with a paper clip on the two motherboard triangles and that sorted it and reset the bios.

But that is comparing tinkering with a worthless old mini to tinkering with a computerised newer VW golf!

As far as I can see - somehow - either firmware, hardware or a combination of the two - this laptop has been set to be an IRST laptop. Regardless of what drive is installed. And as the IRST is set to Raid and unchangeable it will presumably prevent any other drive from working with software (ie firmware updates etc). It is what it is.

As mentioned above, the drive must be recognised or it wouldn’t boot. But all the Samsung software says - if there’s a raid driver their software won’t “fully” work.

In a way I think the whole thing was set up to only work with Optane as a way of keeping the laptop cool - presumably the Optane memory usage prevented the ssd part being taxed and overheating by means of keeping tasks in the non volatile memory.

Which in theory sounds good but not very user friendly.

I believe Nvme’s do run hot and yes I need a thermal pad on the Samsung.

Of course if they didn’t make the laptops so ridiculously thin then it would all be as simple as before! I was perfectly happy with a sata ssd and a slightly chunkier laptop.

Sorry to bang on again but if any laptop manufacturers are out there- there is a GAP IN THE MARKET!

Between a big box desk top set up and an ultra thin laptop. Like something in between!

There is the odd 17” laptop with a dvd drive that is not ultra thin but nothing like a 14” laptop that is slim but not ultra thin - with a dvd drive.

And actually I want one with a dvd drive thank you. The irony being - many years ago people complained about having to buy an external dvd drive for the little Eee pc’s because they didn’t have dvd drives. And now people are having to buy them for all laptops. When the laptops don’t have USB ports any more! Or only one external port.

I know DVD’s are on the way out but I prefer them for software sometimes. And need them for some software as well.

And totally relying on the internet is not belt and braces enough for me (Storm Arwen knocked ours out for a week - closely followed by storm Malik).

Rant over!

humbird · Feb 10, 2022

If you use your laptop exclusively at home, you could put a laptop cooling fan under it. I have one set up on mine as it never leaves the desk.

Hazel123 · Feb 10, 2022

Anyone have a link for HP cool sense that Windows doesn’t flag as an unsafe link? It was preinstalled previously.

Hazel123 · Feb 10, 2022

Anyway laptop all set up and running now :). Will install thermal pad and keep an eye on the heat. Read an article that said you should install a heat sink for all nvme’s. Sounds like the manufacturers should be doing that.

Laptop has a great keyboard and mouse, which is what I wanted.

Fabler2 · Feb 10, 2022

Hazel123 said:
Anyway laptop all set up and running now :). Will install thermal pad and keep an eye on the heat. Read an article that said you should install a heat sink for all nvme’s. Sounds like the manufacturers should be doing that.

Have a look at this HP app,

HP Command Center - Official app in the Microsoft Store

This simple utility allows HP PCs owners to adjust the tradeoff between fan noise, performance, and PC skin temperature. The default mode balances all three but users can also select one of three other modes according to their preference.

www.microsoft.com

Anibor_11 · Feb 10, 2022

Hazel123 said:
Anyway laptop all set up and running now :). Will install thermal pad and keep an eye on the heat. Read an article that said you should install a heat sink for all nvme’s. Sounds like the manufacturers should be doing that.

Usually, the heat sink is built-in in the laptop, it´s not necessary or even possible to add one. It may be the chasis, or some metal plate. If there is not a heat sink, a thermal pad is not needed. The only purpose of a thermal pad is to transfer heat from the SSD to the heat sink.

CornishRattler · Feb 10, 2022

Hazel123 said:
Anyway laptop all set up and running now :). Will install thermal pad and keep an eye on the heat. Read an article that said you should install a heat sink for all nvme’s. Sounds like the manufacturers should be doing that.

Laptop has a great keyboard and mouse, which is what I wanted.

Top Job, it was incredibly frustrating to read let alone go through

Hazel123 · Feb 10, 2022

Fabler2 said:
Have a look at this HP app,

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/hp-command-center/9p92n00qv14j?activetab=pivot:eek:verviewtab

Thanks - looks very useful

Hazel123 · Feb 10, 2022

CornishRattler said:
Top Job, it was incredibly frustrating to read let alone go through

Sorry! Nothing like a challenge though is there?

CornishRattler · Feb 10, 2022

Hazel123 said:
Sorry! Nothing like a challenge though is there?

There surely isn't, no apology required, I think everyone who followed it went through it with you, the last time I messed with an Optane system was a right 'mare

Hazel123 · Feb 10, 2022

CornishRattler said:
There surely isn't, no apology required, I think everyone who followed it went through it with you, the last time I messed with an Optane system was a right 'mare

Lol! I have to admit it was very disappointing to have to have all that hassle just to increase storage.

Fabler2 · Feb 10, 2022

As for CoolSense I downloaded it from a link here and had to allow. It's safe to download and run. Had to find the exe for it to run initially, C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\HP CoolSense , then it shows up in the hidden icons in the notification area if you're still interested in it rather than the app.

humbird · Feb 10, 2022

HP cool sense may be bundled in the HP command center. I read a support post on HP that stated it is.

Winuser · Feb 10, 2022

Hazel123 said:
Lol! I have to admit it was very disappointing to have to have all that hassle just to increase storage.

I see it as a learning experience for all of us. Now we know to never take a cloned image of a system that is using Optane memory and use it on a system that doesn't have Optane memory.

CornishRattler · Feb 10, 2022

Winuser said:
. Now we know to never take a cloned image of a system that is using Optane memory and use it on a system that doesn't have Optane memory.

We do for sure

Hazel123 · Feb 10, 2022

Winuser said:
I see it as a learning experience for all of us. Now we know to never take a cloned image of a system that is using Optane memory and use it on a system that doesn't have Optane memory.

Or even to clone the Optane drive which would have the same issue.

Hazel123 · Feb 10, 2022

A quick query about the Samsung driver. After installing it, it is showing in device manager under nvme controller - and also in programs and features in control panel - is that right?