X41 doesn't detect SSD

[yha]

Hello,

I'm running the latest BIOS/EC on my X41 (2.09 and 1.02, respectively), and I've replaced the mechanical drive with an mSATA PATA adapter (https://www.ebay.com/itm/mSATA-SSD-to-h ... 1762518210) plus a Kingston mSATA SSD. The voltage switch is set to 3.3v. Everything seems to be fine except the machine (BIOS) doesn't see the drive at all. Any ideas what might be wrong?

[RealBlackStuff]

If you have an xx20 or xx30 (T/W/X), try that (bare) mSATA SSD in the WWAN slot, to see if it works there.

[yha]

Thanks for the suggestion. I got my hands on a USB mSATA enclosure and my SSD works just fine. I think it might be the adapter, I already have another one on the way so we'll see. Meanwhile, can I test with the switch set to 5v? Will that fry my SSD? Because I noticed that the original mechanical drive says +3.3/5V.

Also, should I use GPT or MBR for the drive? I doubt that's the case, but maybe the older BIOS won't see the disk if it's not partitioned using MBR?

[RealBlackStuff]

In a USB adapter, you will always need to set it to 5V, unless that adapter has its own switch/setting.
And use MBR, X41 does not have a GPT-capable BIOS.

[olex126]

Hi Yha.

I have a pair of X41T's and had to go thru a couple of different 3.3V mSata adapters to finally get one that works correctly.
On one of the first supplier adapters I ordered, small parts were literally falling off the board as I removed it from the packaging due to poor soldering.

Link to the one that finally worked for me:

https://www.amazon.ca/mSATA-SSD-Adapter ... ics&sr=1-5

Good luck with it....they really do make a difference in the X4* series.

Regards.

Dave

[PePeFR]

Hi,
I use this one on my X31 : https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B01ATC ... UTF8&psc=1

It is just what you would expect : metal casing, no useless plastic parts, it works just fine and was plug and play in the HDD cart of my X31. The BIOS (updated to last version) recognized it from the start and it works like a charm. It's a little more expensive than others, but solid and made in Taiwan.

Before, I tried another adapter (with plastic around it, crap as most on Amazon) which wasn't detected and litteraly caught fire in the laptop (an old Acer). The laptop survived, the adapter went straight to the trash and I re-used the SSD board in the X31.

[RealBlackStuff]

They have different HDD/SSD sizes:
X31 has 2.5" drives
X41 has 1.8" drives

[olex126]

PePeFR.

RBS beat me to it!...The mSata adapter you linked won't work in the X4* series laptops. These laptops require a smaller hard drive with a side-mounted connector, 3.3V.

I have an original OEM Hitachi 60 Gb hard drive for the X4* series, the form factor is as in the linked photos:

https://app.photobucket.com/slideshow/u ... 49385e770f

I have some of the Abelconn adapters of the same design that you linked, and they are excellent, metal-framed (though relatively-expensive) solid mSata adapters which will work in 99% of the IDE-designed Thinkpads, but the X4* series is a bit quirky in that respect.

Regards.

Dave

[PePeFR]

Oh sorry !

I'm happy you both corrected me and avoided confusion and/or error.
I'm leaving and going back to an X31 topic...

Anyway, cheap is bad, especially for a vital item directly connected to your laptop motherboard.

[yha]

Dave, RBS, PePeFR,

Thanks a lot for your valuable input. I'm getting two of those confirmed working for my X41 and X41T. The only reason I chose the one I linked to in my original post is because it has a nice case that fits exactly in the drive compartment (and can screw the cover to it just like the original mechanical drive). Do you know where I can find a good case/enclosure for the other adapter? I've looked everywhere on Amazon and eBay but couldn't find anything.

Thanks once again.