X220/X230 mod: use SATA from docking connector internally

[Starlight5]

The idea is to put 2x mSATA SSDs inside main 2.5" bay using similar to this adapter, that is 2.5" with 2x SATA data and 1x SATA power to dual mSATA non-RAID card - they were widely available couple years ago, but I can't even find a photo anymore. In order to make it work, one would need to solder a sata cable to sata lanes belonging to dock, and dremel the case a bit to lead this SATA cable to 2.5" bay.

I was unable to find any photos of x220 or x230 motherboard with opposite side of the docking port exposed, and ain't planning to completely disassemble my machine anytime soon. Hence the question to those familiar with components location on these motherboards - Is it remotely possible to solder a SATA cable to docking SATA lanes without screwing the motherboard up, or is it too risky?

p.s. I am familiar with 2.5" SATA to dual mSATA RAID adapters. Sadly, they are crap, and under no circumstances a solution.

[RealBlackStuff]

You'd need to find out if the X220/X230 2.5" SATA-connector is Port Multiplier compatible.
Most likely not, as its comparable/contemporary W520 is also not compatible.
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-P ... d-p/440057
In other words: the docking connector will not be compatible either!

And I assume you know something like this will not work either: http://www.addonics.com/products/ad2msahdr.php
unless you use it in Raid.

[Starlight5]

@RealBlackStuff the mod I described does not require any port multiplier functionality (which is absent, by the way), just an extra SATA data port and little case mod - and that's all. The adapter I intend to use does nothing more than sharing single SATA power supply between two mSATA drives, otherwise it's typical 2.5" to mSATA adapter, their SATA data interfaces are completely separate, there is no port multiplier/RAID/whatever chip. But if components are dense around docking SATA lanes, chances of success are low and I'll leave it as is. The adapter you linked (as well as any similar adapter) indeed does not allow JBOD on these notebooks, moreover that doesn't support TRIM - that's why I'm considering the mod.

[RealBlackStuff]

Would this do? http://www.microsatacables.com/sata-iii ... ng-bracket

[Starlight5]

@RealBlackStuff no, it is obviously wider than 2.5" hdd; adapters I am talking about should be available somewhere, as I already said they were sold on eBay in the past. Anyway, my concern is whether it's possible to solder SATA cable to motherboard's SATA docking lanes, or is it too hard.

[RealBlackStuff]

If you remove the the 3.5" adapter-bracket, you end up with a 2.5" PCB.
With a Dremel and some fantasy I bet it can be made to fit in your HD-bay.

But I digress, got what you want:
this one runs as JBOD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6812186221

[Starlight5]

@RealBlackStuff it runs as JBOD only if system supports port multiplier, or when connected via USB3; otherwise it recognizes only one disk, one has to use RAID/SPAN to utilize both. Had this exact model. And I just figured that my memory failed me - the device I was looking for is indeed the one you linked previously; I researched for options to mod optibay of another notebook at the time, thus didn't pay much attention and misremembered port organization, my bad. It likely won't fit in x220/x230 without case mod.

[wileE]

Are you already using a SSD in the mSATA slot?
There are adapter cables shown on 51nb that grab the SATA lanes from there when a WWAN card is used in that slot. And probably because of that I have never seen a picture of someone connecting to the dock connector on a X220.
Plenty mods like that on X200/X201, but not on X220.

[Starlight5]

@wileE I found info on mSATA lanes mod and docking SATA lanes mod on the 51nb forum, both doable, thank you very much!