Upgrading existing mSSD?

So I bought a lenovo y400 that came with a 1tb hdd and 16gb mssd. The site doesn't state what the mssd is used for and the windows folder is under the hard drive. Would it be fine if I remove the mssd and install a larger one? The file only contains drivers for lenovos software that came preinstalled.

If its as easy as plugging in the new one, would I just format the drive and then be able to use it? Thanks

 

It probably has the recovery partition in addition to acting as an Intel RST cache for for hdd. I would tread lightly formatting it, especially if you have oem windows 8 which is a to migrate. If it is an RST cache then you have e to disable this mode first before pulling it out. I one last point is Lenovo are notorious for whitelisting hdd/ssds. This was common years ago so I don't know if it still applies.

 

Don't remove it without checking Intel RST to see if it's set as a cache drive.

You're Intel RST control panel will show very similar to the photo's if your mSATA SSD is set to a cache drive:



If your mSATA is set as a cache drive, you can disable it:

Select “Accelerate” Tab, click “Disable acceleration”.

Click “Reset to available” to reset volume.

Restart the system. When the Lenovo logo comes up hit the F2 to enter the BIOS. Click ‘Advanced’ tab, and then under ‘Sata Operation’, change it from RAID to AHCI. Now save/exit the BIOS and turn off your system. You can now remove the mSATA from your system and install a larger one if you desire.

 

Thanks my rst screen is similar. By disabling the cache drive would that slow down the applications installed on the hdd? I have windows on my hdd, would you recommend mirroring it onto the new mssd? Or would there be no significant decrease in boot times?

 

By disabling caching, you will slow down the response time of your hard drive. But if you plan to get a larger mSATA, then you might want to consider installing Windows to that. And you should do a clean install on your SSD. By cloning, you would need to align your hard drive's volume before it gets copied, and even then that's no guarantee that any problems on your hard drive aren't transplanted to your SSD.

 

Thanks for the help. I figured a clean install would be the best option. I dont have too much data as this is a fairly new laptop so it shouldnt be a hassle. If I want to do a clean install legally, does that mean I have to buy windows 8 for ~$100? Seems redundant to me, but lenovo didnt supply any cds with this laptop.

I was actually on my phone when I looked at that picture you posted and my RST doesnt show the accelerate tab. Does this mean its not set to cache? The drive doesnt show under my computer either. Im not sure if lenovo sets the drive to cache automatically from the factory or if that is done on the users end.

EDIT: I read the help section in the RST and it claims that in order to cache, the mssd must be a minimum of 18.6 gb and mine shows at 15. Im guessing this is why I dont have the accelerate option in mine. If this is the case, why doesnt the mssd show up as a drive under my computer?

 

That is very true. The mSATA must be at least 18.6GB to be set as a cache drive. Does the mSATA drive show up in RST? If not, go to the bottom left of your taskbar to open the shortcuts, then hit run, then select Apps from the charms bar and click on run. When the run dialog box opens up, type diskmgmt.msc. This should open the disk management panel. Maximize the window, then take a screen shot and post it. That will give us the best view of how your storage drives are configured.

 

Heres the diskmgmt.msc



The drive does show up on RST.

 

Alrighty. After looking at how everything is setup in both the photos, I believe that Lenovo Expresscache is what is controlling your mSATA SSD and using it to provide caching to the hard drive. As expresscache is considered a program, you can uninstall it just like any other. But, once you do, your system will slow down as it no longer has expresscache using the mSATA as a caching drive. Once you remove expresscache, open up disk manager again, and delete the 14.91 volume on your mSATA. Then (I believe) you can safely remove the mSATA and install a newer, larger one.

 

Unfortunately, there isnt a lenovo expresscache program found when i try and uinstall it through the control panel.

If I were to do a clean install of windows 8, would I have to buy it again since the laptop didnt come with any cds/keys?

Before doing a clean install, could I replace the mssd and partition when I install windows 8 or would I have to install windows 8 first?

 

You should have a Windows COA stuck somewhere on your notebook, One place they like to hide it is on the inside of the bottom panel. Just turn your notebook over and unscrew the panel cover to see if it's stuck on the inside. Once your have your product key, you can download Windows 8 and load it to a USB drive for installation. And yes, you can replace the mSATA and format/partition it with the Windows 8 installer. The only catch is you're going to have to change some settings in your BIOS in order to boot off your mSATA drive.

 

I looked for the COA for about an hour and I found out that the windows 8 COA is hardcoded into the motherboard haha.

 

That is a bunch of crap. I should bomb Microsoft HQ for doing something stupid like that. As for your Product Key, you shouldn't need it, but don't quote me on that. To do a clean install, you do have to get the Windows 8 recovery DVD from Lenovo...but you will need to be under warranty for them to send it to you. If you were to just use any ISO copy of Windows 8, it might not want to activate. You can try calling up Lenovo and seeing if they will send you the Windows 8 recovery DVD.

 

Well I called up lenovo for a recovery disk but they said it would cost me $89 to get it from them. They kept telling me to use lenovos recovery utility to create an image and didnt understand that I wanted to do a clean install.

 

Are you still in warranty? If so, just tell them you had a complete hard drive failure and need the recovery DVD. It shouldn't cost you $89 if you're still in warranty.

EDIT: Forget Lenovo. Download this tool to find out your Windows 8 product key: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
Make note of the version of Windows 8 you have installed. OEM/Retail, Home or Pro, etc.
Once you have it you should be able to (in theory) download and use the corresponding OEM Windows 8 ISO for a clean install.

 

Thanks. Do you know where I can get iso file? Its not on the microsoft website or at least it isnt in plain site and googling is no help.

 

Looking for it. It would help to know which version of Windows 8 you have.

 

Sure, its the basic version of windows 8 64 bit.

 

Umm, basic version?

Here are the actual names: Windows 8 editions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Need to know the exact version. The system control panel will tell you or the Key Finder program I posted will tell you which version you have exactly. And make note if it's OEM or Retail (I know you said it came preinstalled but we don't want to assume).

 

Oh I meant basic as in it wasnt windows 8 pro haha, its just windows 8. Magicaljellybean is telling me my windows 8 is installed from OEM media.

 

Got it. Sent you a PM with the d/l info.