Lenovo u530 under the hood peak

Hope I started this in the correct area.

Prior to purchasing this u530 I could not find a definitive answer on whether or not this model had a msata, M.2 port or none at all.
When I reviewed the four models available direct from Lenovo - the spec page states the 1tb models have a 16gb msata, whereas the 500gb models are 8gb hybrid.
But, then when I reviewed the maintenance manual, it stated the cache format as NGFF in either 8 or 16gb and an array of different HD and SSHD options.
After reading numerous forum users that were frustrated with Lenovo's tech support and their inability to accurately define spec's - I figured a call was a waste of time.
The 'tech' sales people at best buy were of no better help. They told me both the u430(4gb) and u530 (8gb) had integrated ram modules and no msat or m.2 ports on models that had the hybrid drives.
What's a guy to do? Well I bought the u530 as I needed more than 4gb ram + better screen resolution (900p 14" vs 1080p 15.6")

Anyway before even powering this baby up, I popped its cherry.
As my intention was to install a SSD from the get go and retail the HD, I was pleased to see that there is in fact is a 75pin M.2 x 42mm port that is vacant.
My model was from best buy http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-...lack/1836027.p?id=1219065630762&skuId=1836027.
1080p, hybrid 500gb/8gb(Seagate ST500LM000), i7-4500u, 8gb ram
Here are some pic's.
Hope this helps someone else out.

 

Wondering if anyone has any input on how windows 8 (or is it dell) configures the disk?
There are five partitions. I understand the UEFI and OS partition, but what are the other three for? Are they really free space or is windows simply unable to access or decipher the file system?

I am going to create a recovery image to a USB drive, just wondering where the info is retrieved from....the OS partition or the 12gb recovery partition that seems to be 100% free.

inquiring minds want to know

 

They're not free - just that they can't be read by Windows...

 

any idea what the 40mb and 490mb partitions are for?

Also, after more research - it seems windows 8 was available in pre-release as a non-UEFI version.
I understand the final release is UEFI based (at least the option to utilize UEFI).

So my next question - when the USB recovery is 'built' from the recovery partition, does the install onto the new ssd automatically partition with a UEFI and OS partition.

My intention with this thread was to create a 'how to' u530 start to finish M.2 SSD install with fresh OS conversion. Just waiting for the SSD.

 

The first Recovery partition is usually the fail-over partition if the computer won't boot; the second is the image that Lenovo made for you to restore the computer to factory image as it left there.
The OEM partition usually doesn't do anything - but its position and size doesn't gain you anything if you delete it, so just leave it.

I think you might do better to remove the factory drive and do a new install to the new SSD.

By OS conversion, do you mean UEFI/GPT to BIOS/MBR type, if so, why?

 

I thought I would get this up - I still need to do some editing and upload screenshots.

While this applies to the u530 – I imagine that the process with work on any Lenovo with a M.2 slot.
I installed the 128gb drive from SATA M.2 SSD | Solid State Drives | MyDigitalSSD.com
Purchased from amazon for $100

These M.2 drive are amazingly small.
pic2

1) Installed.
pic12

2) New drive recognized in BIOS.
pic 13 or 14

3) UEFI only recognizes SSHD – no M.2 drive available. exit and shutdown.
pic 16

4) Booted into windows and initialized new M.2 drive as GPT.
pic21

5) Create USB drive from your recovery partition. Even though this is for a different Lenovo model – works the same for u530.
Methodology to create Recovery Media and reload a Lenovo Think system with Microsoft Windows 8 preload
As this is an OEM recovery – the usb will be created supporting UEFI.

6) Open USB and navigate to this directory: USB:\sources\ReCreatePartitions.txt. Change file parameters to match new drive. (see note 2 below)

7) Onekey to BIOS menu –> navigate to boot tab –> change to legacy support. exit, save and shutdown. (this action could be combined with step 2 & 3 above)

8) With newly created USB connected, Onekey start to boot menu, UEFI usb should be available. exit and shutdown.

9) Disconnected SSHD for mainboard.

10) Onekey Boot from usb –> select troubleshoot –> select reset –> select reset your PC –> select option for complete drive wipe.

11) My reset was completed in 30 minutes. Windows automatically will reboot.

My system went into an endless loop of restarting because no operating system was found.

12) Shutdown. Onekey to BIOS menu – > navigate to boot tab – > change back to UEFI. Notice M.2 drive is now present as a boot manager option.

13) Restart. System now should boot normally to new M.2 windows 8.

14) Shutdown, reconnect SSHD. Onekey into BIOS to verify all drives are present. In my case – the M.2 is drive 0, SSHD is drive 1.
Verify boot order under boot tab that the M.2 is at the top.

15) Proceed to restart and windows personal setup.

16) In disk management I deleted the partition immediately after the OS partition (#5 LENOVO) then merged it into the OS partition. The recovery partition can be deleted as well, as it still remains on the original SSHD.


A few side notes

1) I initially decided to try the installation without disabling UEFI or secure boot.
At step 10 - Reset would error almost immediately at 1%.

2) Because this is a OEM version of windows 8, the only option is to restore or refresh.
I was unable to choose a specific drive or partition, also unable to install a fresh unadulterated of windows 8.
This presents a problem because the ‘recovery’ information within the recovery partition is set to install to a much larger capacity drive.
The installation erred out at 42%. Reconnected and booted to SSHD to view what had copied to M.2 – 4 of 6 partitions were created – the 4th was the OS partition (the largest of the 6).
The M.2 drive seemed to have simply run out of capacity to fully create the partitions directed by the recovery setup.
Poking around in the usb directories, I discovered a file USB:\sources\ReCreatePartitions.txt

This is a simple .txt file that can be opened in Notepad, here is a screenshot.
Look at the size/structure of each partition – I changed the the indicated parameter to more appropriately reflect my drive size.
In my case the original partition size for the OS was 435,200 - I edited to 75,000 and saved the file.
pic ReCreatePartition.

 

Thanks Jammer! Any chance your able to get the screenshots up?

Are you able to run the off of the M2SSD alone, without a drive in the 2.5" slot? I tried this on my hp dv6t without success. Hopefully Lenovo won't let me down. I basically want to run with just a mSSD, dual boot linux and Win OS. Having the weight down a bit would be nice.

Thanks again for the writeup!

 

Did you try extracting the product key with a program (such as Belarc Advisor) and using it with a new clean installation of Windows 8, instead of restoring? I've been looking for confirmation on whether this method works or not with preinstalled copies of Win8.

 

I don't see any pictures??? is this just me?

4 things I don't like it so far:

• -First problem: Keyboard is bad, too thin, you have to hit a key right on the center other wise that key will be missed, since they want to keep this laptop as thin as possible, they sacrifice KB for that LOL
• -Secondly, it is thin Yes it is but its width is bigger than other 15.6'' laptops LOL, beware if you buy a bag, check to see if it fit
• -Thirdly, the original HDD is too slim (more slim than most 2.5" SSD out there) so you put a SSD in, it doesn't fit well, so you have to remove the HDD case in order to force the SDD to fit, not too bad but you loose the extra protection from the HDD case (the plastic cover protect the HDD board to touch the main board), in future I have to look for something to protect the SSD, yes I know SSD is a solid part not like HDD but I dont want SDD touching the main board
• -Fourthly, the display isn't supper, I give it 7 out of 10, yes it is just me, so far it brighter than my 6 years old Vaio but I can see it is not sharper, not good color-displayed than that vaio, yes I know can't compare with Sony display but hey it is 6 years old LOL

QUESTION:
I've already replaced HDD by SDD, next step is to put a 250G cache - SSD to replace 16G cache - SSD to run RAID 0, is this possible? I saw you guys talking about M.2 what's difference b/w M.2 and mSata - SSD?

Here is inside of mine U530 (HDD removed), it originally has i7, 8G RAM, 1TB HDD + 16G cache - SSD (not sure if it is M.2 or mSata interface SSD) 1080p and GT 730M (sorry for my crap iphone's camera & bad light condition)

http://imageshack.com/a/img819/8067/6ggx.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img811/9932/czfe.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img855/8703/ffw99.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img853/5735/f93f.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img854/3724/qj33.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img35/5827/4h73.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img845/448/55jd.jpg

the 16GB cache SSD closer view, look like it has m.2 ngff ssd 42mm: ( wiki)
http://imageshack.com/a/img856/1479/fz77.jpg

 

M.2 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Just look at the picture, you'll see the difference. They are not interchangeable.

edit: you are saying "mSSD" which is not a thing that exists. I assume you mean "mSATA"

 

you right, in my mind I mean mSATA SSD but I always type mSSD, my bad LOL
Thanks for pointing me out, don't know mine looks like it has m.2 ngff ssd 42mm LOL
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img856/1479/fz77.jpg

 

Jammer - Seems like you did significant research on u530 and u430. Wondering if you're happy with your decision to go with the 530. I actually have both models shipping to me now due to a snafu with Lenovo. I may not be able to fully unbox and use both before returning one of them. The increased portability of the 430 appeals to me, but I also like the 1080p 530 screen over the 1600x900 coming on the 430. Both are touch with the i7-4500u. Also, 430 touch seems to have wifi issues and has been taken off the market, while 530 might have mediocre keyboard.

 

Jammer,

Thanks for all the details! I am looking at the doing the same as you ... Did you manage in the end to boot windows 8 off the M.2 drive?
Also, could you please upload the photos if you are still keeping them ...

 

mSATA and M.2 are different form factors. Also to confuse matters there are M.2 PCI-e slots and M.2 SATA slots.

 

Quick Question, I have recently purchased this laptop. So far I am a fan, but replacing the barely usable M.2 that came with it seems a first order of business. Can somebody confirm whether the current M.2 drive is 42MM in length and whether it would be feasible and work reasonable well enough to fit a larger (i.e. 60MM or 80MM) M.2 replacement.

Also what other components can be swapped out on this laptop, has anybody had success?