MiniPCIe SSDs I want to know

I've been seeing these things around since "Netbooks" hit the market, and I WANNA KNOW! has anyone tried installing one in a "regular laptop"? if so, to what result?

I'd consider getting one for my system if I knew the system would see it... I'd want to use a 64GB model for a Linux install (rather than partition my main HDD)...

anyone? stories? failures? can anyone try it?

my main interest in regards to this is with Alienware systems, of course, but any stories are okay.

 

there is another thread for this and the m15x.
i ordered another one for my unit to test this as the first was not the half mini i need.
as soon as i get it, i will post the findings.

(i only ordered the 16G ssd to test for now)

 

I saw the other thread but didn't see anything conclusive... so I'm reposting. please come back and let me know if you find anything...

 

yeah...its an open ended thread since i got the wrong card to fit in for testing.
i will post in both when i get the new one in.

 

thanks a bundle!

anyone else who can contribute, I'd appreciate any input.

 

Those mini-pciE SSDs would be great if the mini pciE in notebooks was SATA capable. mini-pciE used netbooks is proprietory as shown by ASUS's flash_con pinout, combining SATA, PATA and USB pins. Only semblance to the notebook pcie slot is they share the same connector. Though there is nothing stopping you from connecting it via wires to a sata connector. Though not worth the bother.

If your aim is a SSD+HDD system, the easy and inexpensive way is to use an optical bay caddy (see signature) to do it. Can still hotswap in your optical drive when required.

 

that would be a great idea, except that I want to use my smart-bay drive for the extra battery.

battery life has always been an important factor for me.

 

Might still be possible. ICH8M has 3 sata ports. ICH9/10M has 4 sata ports. Is there any empty sockets on the systemboard that might be a SATA port you could tap off? If not, could try to wire up a solution directly to the ICHxM SATA I/O ports. Consider discussion in the following threads to help you along with the latter:

ICH8M/SATA IO-pins/PCI-E SSD
Altering SATA port characteristics (T61p thread)

 

The other thread isn't open ended, I tried a Runcore one and it didn't work. Not recognised by the BIOS.

 

well for me it is...as i have not tried the one i ordered...lol

 

it is for me as well, since not all chips are created equal. I'd like to have more than one person's input on whether it will work or not, and a variety of ssd's tested.

I'm finding nando4's input to be most useful, and I'm gonna have to rep him for all of the input. I'd rather not have to get down and dirty with my system and a soldering iron, but perhaps I may have to... regardless, I'm hoping that it's possible... though, I'm not sure where the extra sata ports may be on the mobo.

Edit: Nando4, can you provide me with links to information about the pin layout of the miniPCIe SSDs used for the eee? as well, do all "Netbook" class devices use the same layout? if not, isn't it possible that we could use one manufactured for something a little more standards compliant?

What I mean is, if they're not all designed the same (all of the netbooks miniPCIe slots for SSD), then perhaps one is built to standards, if we bought the SSDs for whichever model of Netbook was built to standards, it should work in most systems... no?

thanks a bundle for everything

 

That is the exact question I asked myself because I need power for two peltier cooler plates in my laptop, CPU and GPU. The plates I am looking at need up to 6V and 1.5A. Since I am placing the plates at the hottest part of the laptop I do not think they will ever get cold enough to form condensation, but still plan on 'sealing' my boards against moisture. So some advice on the pin layouts would be great. Thnx.

Tolver.

 

Well, time to start testing my power so that I can know what parts to buy. If you do not hear back from me them I have fried my motherboard. Thanx for all the help.

 

if it works, post pics!

 

Funny to see this thread pop up.. only because I received some BOMs today that have system boards with 'on board' SSD.