The definitive X301 SSD upgrade thread

[sinartus]

Hi all,

Need help in figuring this out. Since there were some who shared positively pn this thread that they were able to run a 256GB SSD, I found one on eBay for $220 (Lenovo FRU: 45N7991 series) so I took a shot at it and hoping that it will work. The seller listed the item as new and compatible with the X301. It did not come in the Thinkpad box but only in the static wrap.


After installing the SSD, I ran the CD recovery and everything was fine until the last disk where it was stuck on "processing cdrivebackup.swm..."

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks

UPDATE: I was though able to instal Ubuntu 12.04 LTS without any problems.

[sinartus]

A positive update. Not sure if my recovery discs were to blame but when I made an attempt to restore from a USB stick with the Lenovo recovery program and it seems to work. I was able to install the Windows 7 Home Premium that came with my x301 without any glitch. Let's see if how it fares in the next several days. Hopefully all is good.

[u751920]

Not sure if my recovery discs were to blame but when I made an attempt to restore from a USB stick with the Lenovo recovery program and it seems to work

Can you tell me how you got the recovery program onto a USB stick?
Thanks

[jlee87]

I would like to revive this thread to pose a question to some who have replied here.

I just ordered a used X301 off of ebay and noticed its model number was "4057-BL1"

Going by various lenovo PDF manuals, this appears to be a valid model number, but its quite different from other more common model numbers that I've seen such as 2776-xxx.

@mklym, you seem to have had success with a variety of SSD's with the 2776P8U model, but for those who are having trouble (@mglaze), what model number X301 do you have? I'm wondering if this could mean some kind of different SATA controller hardware or anything that could possibly make a difference.

Thanks in advance...

[91011]

According to the withdrawn 2005-2011 PSREF book all x301s used:
Mobile Intel GS45 Express Chipset (Graphics Memory Controller Hub);
ICH9M-SFF-Enhanced I/O Controller Hub (SATA 3.0Gb/s, USB 2.0, PCI Express® 1.1,
PCI 2.3, security chip, ethernet MAC), Marvell® SATA-to-EIDE bridge (for optical)

http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/ltwbook.pdf

So the controller wouldn't seem to be the issue.

The 4057 was in the first batch released (Aug 08) and was described:
"These models are part of the Global Models Plus program with limited onsite service24 3-year limited warranty"
Which probably explains the numbering difference.

In several 2774 & 2777 models I’ve used two Intel drives (x18), a Lenovo/Samsung 128gb flashed to Samsung firmware and Samsung and Toshiba drives with FRUs and never had an SSD issue.

[Gannicus]

Hi,I think you can try
Samsung 256 GB SSD 1,8" MMDPE56GTDXP-MVB D1
And
Plexto M3 Pro 256GB SSD 1.8"

[u751920]

Old Thread I appreciate:

I have bought a 256gb SSD 45N7991.
I loaded windows 7 Pro Service Pack 1, from a USB stick. All went well.

But I cannot get the Hotkey (F5) to work & the Hotkeys that do work, do not show an on screen display.
This leads to a secondary issue - I cannot power up the bluetooth device.

Also as I have attempted to resolve this issue I have loaded windows onto the SSD 3 times. What is the best way of wiping an SSD of all data or is it sufficient to delete the partition and re-load windows?

Can anybody offer a solution to this problem?

Regards

[u751920]

problem solved you need the:
Lenovo Power Management Driver
All hotkeys working elegantly!!

As far as wiping the SSD best to use the advance option on installation to delete the partition and away you go!!

Thanks

As to the original question:

This SSD works it is the 45N7991 Toshiba model. I am using it with a modified BIOS version 3.10 IIRC.
Now just for 2 64gb Micro SD cards in the reader I have installed in place of the WUSB giving me 384GB of SSD storage!!

[haritak]

I discovered this thread too late...

I bought an X301 from ebay without an SSD. It was a laptop I always wanted to have and the price was really good.
Now I ordered kingston SSD SVP180S2/64G which unfortunately has all the syptoms mentioned previously.
All linux distros crash during copying files (mint, ubuntu, arch).
Using the ubuntu alternative cd, I observed at the console many error message from the ata driver.
Just two-three hours ago I sent a compaint letter to ebay seller, telling him/her there is something wrong with the laptop mainboard.
And then I discovered this thread.... Great dissapointment!

[twangdai]

I recently just got a very good condition x301. However it comes with only 64GB ssd. I wondering if any one try and success with installing a Crucial m4 265GB mSATA into the existing MiniPCI-e slot. That may involve getting a half size mini intel 5100 wifi card.

[haritak]

I recently just got a very good condition x301. However it comes with only 64GB ssd. I wondering if any one try and success with installing a Crucial m4 265GB mSATA into the existing MiniPCI-e slot. That may involve getting a half size mini intel 5100 wifi card.

that would be really interesting!
Could you please tell me the model of your 64GB ssd ? Thanks!

[twangdai]

I found this link. http://forums.tweaktown.com/storage-dev ... a-ssd.html
It seems to be relevant. Given that 1.8inch Hdd are close to extinction nowadays this seems to be a viable option. Sorry I don't know my ssd part number. It came with the system, can check for you tomorrow morning.

[Brad]

The mSATA drive is electrically different then the PCIe slot that the wireless card would use in your X301. These drives have been available on ThinkPads the last two generations which leaves the X301 out in the proverbial cold as far as the mSATA drive goes.

If you are interested in drives for your X301 I have several SSD's up to 256Gb capacity 1.8" Lenovo FRU's available that I guarantee will work in your X30x series.

Send a PM.

Brad

[twangdai]

Thank you much Brad for your response. I have done some further reading and have come to the same conclusion about the difference between msata and PCI e. However there seems to be some adaptors exist to convert msata to 1.8 inch form factor micro sata that will fit into x301. As it is very likely 1.8 micro sata will stop advancing and they are quite expensive, it may be sensible to buy msata and the adaptor.

[arc888]

Successfully updated my X301 from the original 250GB 5400 RPM Toshiba HDD (and Intel Turbo Memory card) to an Intel X18-M 160GB model# SSDSA1M160G2HP which I picked up new off ebay for $195AUD.

Created a disk image using trial version of Macrium Reflect. Only 'issues' were related to creating the USB boot drive. To boot from USB Macrium uses Windows PE which, if you don't have the Windows Automated Installation Kit installed, is a 1.6GB download. The USB stick then needs to be formatted a particular way which the program didn't allude to.

Apart from that it went fine. Macrium automatically handled the resizing of partitions to go from a physical disk size of 250GB to 160GB.

Even though the SSD is not fast when compared to the latest Samsumg 830/840 series drives, the X301 is much snappier

Before:


After:

[bmork]

@twangdai:

Thank you much Brad for your response. I have done some further reading and have come to the same conclusion about the difference between msata and PCI e. However there seems to be some adaptors exist to convert msata to 1.8 inch form factor micro sata that will fit into x301. As it is very likely 1.8 micro sata will stop advancing and they are quite expensive, it may be sensible to buy msata and the adaptor.

Yes, that was what I concluded when I decided to upgrade. There is a new wave of really fast and powerful mSATA SSDs, and the 1.8" micro SATA form factor seems to be a high priced dead end. So I ordered a 240 GB Intel 525 mSATA SSD and an adapter. Worked like a charm, as fast as SATA II (limited by the X301 of course) can be and with integrated encryption. Setting the disk password in the BIOS will enable the encryption, using your password to encrypt the ondisk key.

Code: Select all

nemi:/tmp# hdparm -I /dev/sda

/dev/sda:

ATA device, with non-removable media
        Model Number:       INTEL SSDMCEAC240B3                     
        Serial Number:      CVLI3013000E240G    
        Firmware Revision:  LLKi    
        Transport:          Serial, ATA8-AST, SATA 1.0a, SATA II Extensions, SATA Rev 2.5, SATA Rev 2.6, SATA Rev 3.0
Standards:
        Used: unknown (minor revision code 0xffff) 
        Supported: 9 8 7 6 5 
        Likely used: 9
Configuration:
        Logical         max     current
        cylinders       16383   16383
        heads           16      16
        sectors/track   63      63
        --
        CHS current addressable sectors:   16514064
        LBA    user addressable sectors:  268435455
        LBA48  user addressable sectors:  468862128
        Logical  Sector size:                   512 bytes
        Physical Sector size:                   512 bytes
        Logical Sector-0 offset:                  0 bytes
        device size with M = 1024*1024:      228936 MBytes
        device size with M = 1000*1000:      240057 MBytes (240 GB)
        cache/buffer size  = unknown
        Nominal Media Rotation Rate: Solid State Device
Capabilities:
        LBA, IORDY(can be disabled)
        Queue depth: 32
        Standby timer values: spec'd by Standard, no device specific minimum
        R/W multiple sector transfer: Max = 16  Current = 16
        Advanced power management level: 254
        DMA: mdma0 mdma1 mdma2 udma0 udma1 udma2 udma3 udma4 udma5 *udma6 
             Cycle time: min=120ns recommended=120ns
        PIO: pio0 pio1 pio2 pio3 pio4 
             Cycle time: no flow control=120ns  IORDY flow control=120ns
Commands/features:
        Enabled Supported:
           *    SMART feature set
           *    Security Mode feature set
           *    Power Management feature set
           *    Write cache
           *    Look-ahead
           *    Host Protected Area feature set
           *    WRITE_BUFFER command
           *    READ_BUFFER command
           *    NOP cmd
           *    DOWNLOAD_MICROCODE
           *    Advanced Power Management feature set
                Power-Up In Standby feature set
           *    48-bit Address feature set
           *    Mandatory FLUSH_CACHE
           *    FLUSH_CACHE_EXT
           *    SMART error logging
           *    SMART self-test
           *    General Purpose Logging feature set
           *    WRITE_{DMA|MULTIPLE}_FUA_EXT
           *    64-bit World wide name
           *    IDLE_IMMEDIATE with UNLOAD
           *    WRITE_UNCORRECTABLE_EXT command
           *    {READ,WRITE}_DMA_EXT_GPL commands
           *    Segmented DOWNLOAD_MICROCODE
           *    Gen1 signaling speed (1.5Gb/s)
           *    Gen2 signaling speed (3.0Gb/s)
           *    Gen3 signaling speed (6.0Gb/s)
           *    Native Command Queueing (NCQ)
           *    Host-initiated interface power management
           *    Phy event counters
           *    DMA Setup Auto-Activate optimization
           *    Device-initiated interface power management
           *    Software settings preservation
           *    SMART Command Transport (SCT) feature set
           *    SCT Data Tables (AC5)
           *    reserved 69[4]
           *    Data Set Management TRIM supported (limit 1 block)
           *    Deterministic read data after TRIM
Security: 
        Master password revision code = 16385
                supported
                enabled
        not     locked
        not     frozen
        not     expired: security count
                supported: enhanced erase
        Security level maximum
        4min for SECURITY ERASE UNIT. 2min for ENHANCED SECURITY ERASE UNIT. 
Logical Unit WWN Device Identifier: 5001517803d81fd1
        NAA             : 5
        IEEE OUI        : 001517
        Unique ID       : 803d81fd1
Checksum: correct

nemi:/tmp# smartctl -a /dev/sda
smartctl 5.43 2012-06-05 r3561 [x86_64-linux-3.8.0] (local build)
Copyright (C) 2002-12 by Bruce Allen, http://smartmontools.sourceforge.net

=== START OF INFORMATION SECTION ===
Device Model:     INTEL SSDMCEAC240B3
Serial Number:    CVLI3013000E240G
LU WWN Device Id: 5 001517 803d81fd1
Firmware Version: LLKi
User Capacity:    240,057,409,536 bytes [240 GB]
Sector Size:      512 bytes logical/physical
Device is:        Not in smartctl database [for details use: -P showall]
ATA Version is:   8
ATA Standard is:  ACS-2 (unknown minor revision code: 0xffff)
Local Time is:    Tue Feb 26 19:01:59 2013 CET
SMART support is: Available - device has SMART capability.
SMART support is: Enabled

=== START OF READ SMART DATA SECTION ===
SMART overall-health self-assessment test result: PASSED

General SMART Values:
Offline data collection status:  (0x00) Offline data collection activity
                                        was never started.
                                        Auto Offline Data Collection: Disabled.
Self-test execution status:      (   0) The previous self-test routine completed
                                        without error or no self-test has ever 
                                        been run.
Total time to complete Offline 
data collection:                ( 5860) seconds.
Offline data collection
capabilities:                    (0x7f) SMART execute Offline immediate.
                                        Auto Offline data collection on/off support.
                                        Abort Offline collection upon new
                                        command.
                                        Offline surface scan supported.
                                        Self-test supported.
                                        Conveyance Self-test supported.
                                        Selective Self-test supported.
SMART capabilities:            (0x0003) Saves SMART data before entering
                                        power-saving mode.
                                        Supports SMART auto save timer.
Error logging capability:        (0x01) Error logging supported.
                                        General Purpose Logging supported.
Short self-test routine 
recommended polling time:        (   1) minutes.
Extended self-test routine
recommended polling time:        (  48) minutes.
Conveyance self-test routine
recommended polling time:        (   2) minutes.
SCT capabilities:              (0x0021) SCT Status supported.
                                        SCT Data Table supported.

SMART Attributes Data Structure revision number: 10
Vendor Specific SMART Attributes with Thresholds:
ID# ATTRIBUTE_NAME          FLAG     VALUE WORST THRESH TYPE      UPDATED  WHEN_FAILED RAW_VALUE
  5 Reallocated_Sector_Ct   0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
  9 Power_On_Hours          0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       12 (76 196 0)
 12 Power_Cycle_Count       0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       11
170 Unknown_Attribute       0x0033   100   100   010    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
171 Unknown_Attribute       0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
172 Unknown_Attribute       0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
174 Unknown_Attribute       0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
183 Runtime_Bad_Block       0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
184 End-to-End_Error        0x0033   100   100   090    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
187 Reported_Uncorrect      0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
190 Airflow_Temperature_Cel 0x0022   052   082   000    Old_age   Always       -       52 (Min/Max 19/82)
192 Power-Off_Retract_Count 0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
199 UDMA_CRC_Error_Count    0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
225 Load_Cycle_Count        0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       3962
226 Load-in_Time            0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       65535
227 Torq-amp_Count          0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       14
228 Power-off_Retract_Count 0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       65535
232 Available_Reservd_Space 0x0033   100   100   010    Pre-fail  Always       -       0
233 Media_Wearout_Indicator 0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       0
241 Total_LBAs_Written      0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       3962
242 Total_LBAs_Read         0x0032   100   100   000    Old_age   Always       -       658
249 Unknown_Attribute       0x0013   100   100   000    Pre-fail  Always       -       96

SMART Error Log not supported
SMART Self-test log structure revision number 1
Num  Test_Description    Status                  Remaining  LifeTime(hours)  LBA_of_first_error
# 1  Extended offline    Completed without error       00%        10         -

Note: selective self-test log revision number (0) not 1 implies that no selective self-test has ever been run
SMART Selective self-test log data structure revision number 0
Note: revision number not 1 implies that no selective self-test has ever been run
 SPAN  MIN_LBA  MAX_LBA  CURRENT_TEST_STATUS
    1        0        0  Not_testing
    2        0        0  Not_testing
    3        0        0  Not_testing
    4        0        0  Not_testing
    5        0        0  Not_testing
Selective self-test flags (0x0):
  After scanning selected spans, do NOT read-scan remainder of disk.
If Selective self-test is pending on power-up, resume after 0 minute delay.

See http://www.mork.no/~bjorn/thinkpad-ssd/ for some pics.

[renhui]

looks like Samsung 128GB 1.8" micro SATA SSD are available on ebay now for a good price (75 plus 11 shipping and possible import fees to Canada), the seller claims them to be new. I suppose they only come with 14 day warraty.
Anyone has any experience with these?
Or I better off with a 128GB mSATA SSD and a mSATA-to-uSATA adapter? More expensive (looking at around 140), but you get three year warranty and a faster SSD?

[91011]

I’ve been using one for several years with no problems. If the drive you’re looking at is a Samsung without a Lenovo FRU, I’d say go for it.
The plain Samsung drive firmware can be flashed to support TRIM but the Lenovo drive cannot easily be flashed with the Samsung firmware.
I’ve done it but it involves hot swapping the drive and the possibility of bricking.

There is a very long thread at NBR with ‘instructions’ on how to do it.

[filbert]

This is an old thread but, as I have been using my 256GB SSD for a year or more - maybe 18 months, without any issues - so far, at least, and this thread aspires to be definitive(!), I thought I'd post details.
It's a Samsung MMDPE56GFDXP-MVB

As I said, it has been fine and SSDLife reports another 8 years left in it..


Rgrds

Filbert

[JeffCullen]

so far I only saw explicit positive experience with 2nd gen of intel SSDs with X301, but what about SSDSA1NW160G301 which is from 320 series? anyone positive/negative?

The 320 drives in general are great.

I bought the 160GB Intel Series 320 SSD for my X301. Works great.

I can confirm that a 160GB Intel 320 (SSDSA1NW160G3) is working great in my 2774-RQ5 November 2009 X301.

[filbert]

Has anyone any recent experience with drives over 256gb? I see that bigger drives are coming down in price - it won't be long before they're worth trying.

[automobus]

Those Toshiba flashdisks found to be incompatible, use a controller extended from a JMicron design. Those Kingston disks, are just relabeled Toshiba. It is not X300 which is incompatible: just a few stupidstatedrives models are lousy. I expect any decent mSATA-form factor disk, with an adapter, should work. Unlike OEM mystery models, a modern mSATA ssd will probably have several reviews and discussion from owners.

[renhui]

Hi guys, any one had luck with using a Plextor mSATA SSD 128GB (M5M PX-128M5M ) with a mSATA to uSATA adapter in their X301?
I would like to make sure it indeed works before ordering it online (newegg canada apparently don't accept return for refunds on this ssd.)
thanks a lot.

[bretahrnek]

HI guys,

Just want to upgrade disc into my X300.
Looking for some kind of ~100GB ssd size is not important, but speed is.

I know there is more options.

firstly I can buy some 1.8'' ssd perhaps intel's 320

another option might be to buy speedy msata disc with msata to 1.8'' micro-sata adaptor.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150984838136

finally samsung's 840 series 7mm ssd with caddy instead CD drive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260955294141

what do You think is the best option?

[u751920]

I would not use the Caddy if you are expecting to get fast speeds out of it - I believe it is restricted to USB speeds so not very fast. I got a 256gb Samsung drive and plenty of RAM my view is that there is not much in it between the various SSD's the jump you see is from using an SSD over an HDD.
The bay for me is occupied by the battery, as for me, if I am away from AC I want maximum life. For extra storage I just got an external drive. I also put a micro SD card reader where the Wireless USB would be for a potential extra 64gb.

Best of luck whatever you do.

[renhui]

Finally caved in and upgraded the ssd on my x301.
bought a no brand mSATA to uSATA adapter off ebay($17 bucks, looks fairly decent) and a new mSATA M4 128GB.
So far everything works great.

[u751920]

What's the advantage of using an msata ssd over the regular ones?

[gaia]

What's the advantage of using an msata ssd over the regular ones?

I think that principally it might be availability. I bought the last Crucial C300 1.8" which I could find on Amazon yesterday. On ebay these 1.8" models are 4 times the price of the 2.5" models for the same models & capacities.

[Tasurinchi]

@renhui: How did you manage to insert the adapter into the slot? I also have a msata to 1.8" adapter but I find difficult to properly insert it since the adapter is smaller than the space in the slot. I did not try very hard actually

[Procter]

I have this 2777MSU x301. Based on the replies here, this model should have better choices in terms of replacement ssd? Can you recommend a few and give me a rough idea how much would be a good price.

I saw toshiba one 45N7991 256G on ebay for $180-190, is it a good price?