mSATA FAQ: A Basic Primer

[zerodivide]

Does any e-tailer have the Intel 310 80GB mSATA SSD in stock?

Also, I just purchased a Thinkpad T520 with the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 wireless card upgrade. From what I've read in this thread, it seems like I'll still have the mSATA/mini-PCIe slot available for the SSD, but I'd appreciate it if anyone could again confirm this for me. I'm a little nervous about spending the money without being 200% sure because this is my first time customizing a laptop. TIA.

The Wifi card is in a separate slot near the mouse buttons. The mSATA goes to the WWAN which is near where the power button is situated. As long as you didn't order mobile broadband its open.

[LastSilmaril]

Does anyone know if the Intel 310 comes with any screws? Or will they already be in the laptop? If not, what kind is necessary?
-e

[DStaal]

Does anyone know if the Intel 310 comes with any screws? Or will they already be in the laptop? If not, what kind is necessary?
-e

There is a screw in the slot, waiting. No issues there. (One screw and one pin, for the two holes.)

[LastSilmaril]

thanks dstaal!

[cliff1127]

Hi all,

Anyone with experience trying to install the mSATA 80gb? I changed the BIOS boot option to UEFI Only, popped it into the RAM/PCIe slot at the bottom of the laptop, removed the current HD, and restarted the computer.

However, instead of loading up Windows 7 and beginning the installation, it took me to a 'Boot Menu'. I've checked to make sure it's booting from the CD/DVD drive and it doesn't seem to work. I then tried replacing the original HD into the computer and it booted fine, and began to run the Windows 7 install process. Any ideas as to how to fix this?

[suns116]

random question. would a mSATA work on the new ideapad Y470? I'm looking to add a ssd as a boot drive.

I've tried asking this question on the ideapad thread but no one knows the answer. I was hoping someone would know here. Thanks in advance.

[BusNut]

Just finished installing the Renice K3VLAR 120GB m-SATA in my W520 - it was very easy to install. I plan to use the K3VLAR for all of my installed program files and my C drive for storage. Plenty of room for programs to be installed on the Renice with 120 delicious GB's of space!

[zerodivide]

Just finished installing the Renice K3VLAR 120GB m-SATA in my W520 - it was very easy to install. I plan to use the K3VLAR for all of my installed program files and my C drive for storage. Plenty of room for programs to be installed on the Renice with 120 delicious GB's of space!

Please let us know how fast it is with performance. Curious how it compares to Soda Creek.

[ferganer80]

Hi all,

Anyone with experience trying to install the mSATA 80gb? I changed the BIOS boot option to UEFI Only, popped it into the RAM/PCIe slot at the bottom of the laptop, removed the current HD, and restarted the computer.

However, instead of loading up Windows 7 and beginning the installation, it took me to a 'Boot Menu'. I've checked to make sure it's booting from the CD/DVD drive and it doesn't seem to work. I then tried replacing the original HD into the computer and it booted fine, and began to run the Windows 7 install process. Any ideas as to how to fix this?

This is normal because UEFI Only needs GUID Partiion Table (GPT) in order to boot automatically. Just choose the Intel 310 to install Windows and Win7 will create GPT automatically provided your mSata drive doesn't have any partitions from previous installations (just delete them during installation if there are any; you have to have the entire drive as "unallocated").

[MyDigitalSSD]

LoanWolf, IDK if I am blind but cannot see a place to PM you. Would love it if your signature said 128GB MyDigitalSSD mSATA and willing to send you one for review. They are the best price/performance mSATA SSD on the market and they live up to their name made in Taiwan by the 2nd largest IC chip manufacturer in the world and we are about to announce huge price drop to increase demand and sales. I would love to share more please PM me.