zBook G2 Owners - Alternatives to "Z Turbo Drive"?

On Thunderbolt You mean dGPU? Mine use x4 for AMD FirePro from SouthBridge.

Has someone tried to find extra pcie lines in ZBook?
Wanna connect -second- Sandisk a110 to my Zbook 15u - it has enough free space for it.
Do not need wwan or cardreader, but It seems that they uses x1 pcie lines, so, as i've figured out, x2 device will not work with x1 lane.
Maybe there are pcie-sata converters on the market, to connect a110 to native 2.5 sata?
I've also seen USB adapters for PCIe drives, but not sure it will be correct with power managment.

 

Can You post a screenshot (aida64 for example) with chipset south&north bridge configuration?
As i see SDcard reader is x1 lane.

 

I chose the 512GB Z Turbo drive option when configuring the ZBook 17 G2 on the HP web site. According to Device Manager, it is a LITEON-CX1-JB512-HP. I didn't know Lite-On made SSDs (I only knew they made optical drives). Not sure how reliable Lite-On SSDs are - I would have rather gotten the SanDisk A110 that people mentioned.

 

I just did a test with this Z Turbo drive. I copied a 17.3 GB file from one directory on the drive to another directory, and it took about 48 seconds, which is about 363MB/sec, a far cry from the 800MB/sec that it's supposed to be. Someone tell me I did the test wrong, or else I'm going to cry for spending so much on this piece of junk Liteon "Z Turbo" drive.

 

I noticed HP has PCI versions of the Z Turbo drive, such as the the one below, which has a Samsung SSD screwed onto it. I assume Samsung would be much faster than the junk Liteon one they gave me. Does anyone know if that Samsung is 22x60 size, and can you just unscrew it from the PCI card and plug it into the M.2 slot in a ZBook?

 

As you can see, there is an unused PCI-Express x4 lanes, connected to ... nothing
and the NVMe PCIe SSD Controller is connected to the PCI-Express x2 lanes slot...

 

The Z-Turbo has a 22x60 m.2 addon card but I could only find Z-Turbo- G2 and its 22x80. Nevertheless, I did unscrew it and plugged it into the M.2 slot of my ZBook15-G2.

 

Is it an NVMe drive? Did you have to cut off any part of the chassis or use tape, as I read others say they did when trying to fit a 22x80 drive into their ZBooks?

Also did you test its transfer speed?

 

It is NVMe drive. It works great but required some juggling with EFI boot procedure.
I did not have to cut or tape anything. Regarding benchmark, see my previous posts in this thread. In random access, performance is two to three times better than SATA/AHCI SSD.

 

leftmost is the original notebook SATA-HDD middle one is with SATA-SSD rightmost is Samsung MZVP512HGDL NVMe PCIe SDD

 

So will this procedure work for Windows 7 if it doesn't have a NVMe driver?

 

I've tried following along this guide as well as Lubomir Hozak's guide. However, I'm not able to recognize the SSD when in diskpart or when I run EFI_Shell of my Win-PE USB.

I have the stock 1 TB HDD and my new Samsung 950 Pro installed in my computer (running windows 10, upgraded from 7 pro).

Please look over what I did. Let me know if you see somewhere that I made a mistake or missed something important. I can't seem to post pictures directly so I'll provide links to the pictures.

1. Plug in SSD, open Samsung's Data Migration, copy Windows and Programs over to SSD
2. Re-Install SSD drivers
3. At this point I can see on Files Explorer that my SSD is recognized as "Windows H:" https://postimg.org/image/80l5gn2pv/
4. Set up USB boot drive using:
   copype x86 C:\WinPE_x86
   MakeWinPEMedia /UFD C:\WinPE_x86 J:
5. Prepared the files as described in Urr's guide
6. Run diskpart, notice only HDD and USB are recognized https://postimg.org/image/hu2ctg4ub/

At that point I tried LH's guide. Running the EFI_Shell file then prompts me to load the files, as described in the guide. However trying to load those files won't work. I assume this is because the computer isn't recognizing the drive.
https://postimg.org/image/xtl0d00w3/
https://postimg.org/image/im50sn91f/

Let me know if you need any other information. I'm pretty confused about what to try next.

 

In your screenshot drive H is 238GB and not 1TB

I may state the obvious here, but it wouldn't hurt to say it again: You have to keep a regular HDD in addition to the new SDD. the startup.nsh script is running from a partition on your old HDD. Also, don't use map -r. it will reset all mappings and will break your script. Use 'map -u' instead and put 'set -v efishellmode 1.1.2' at the top of the script.
I changed my script a bit. and added a file \efi\Boot\nvme.txt on the NDMe SSD drive. So my script looks like this now:

Code:

@echo -off
set StartupDelay 3
set -v efishellmode 1.1.2
;mode 120 36
cls
echo "+----------------------+"
echo "|  Running from Disk 0 |"
echo "+----------------------+"
echo "Find file system with NVMe Driver"
if exist fs0:\EFI\Shell\NvmExpressDxe.efi then
fs0:
echo Found NVMe driver module on fs0:
goto FOUNDNVMEDRIVERMODULE
endif
if exist fs1:\EFI\Shell\NvmExpressDxe.efi then
fs1:
echo Found NVMe driver module on fs1:
goto FOUNDNVMEDRIVERMODULE
endif
if exist fs2:\EFI\Shell\NvmExpressDxe.efi then
fs2:
echo Found NVMe driver module on fs2:
goto FOUNDNVMEDRIVERMODULE
endif
echo "Unable to find NVMe driver module".
echo "Please mount the drive with the NVMe driver module".
echo ""
pause
goto END
:FOUNDNVMEDRIVERMODULE
echo =============================================================
echo ""
echo "loading the NVMe driver module"
load \EFI\Shell\NvmExpressDxe.efi
map -u
echo "Find NVMe Drive Boot Loader"
if exist fs0:\efi\Boot\nvme.txt then
fs0:
goto FOUNDNVMEBOOTLOADER
endif
if exist fs1:\efi\Boot\nvme.txt then
fs1:
goto FOUNDNVMEBOOTLOADER
endif
if exist fs2:\efi\Boot\nvme.txt then
fs2:
goto FOUNDNVMEBOOTLOADER
endif
if exist fs3:\efi\Boot\nvme.txt then
fs3:
goto FOUNDNVMEBOOTLOADER
endif
if exist fs4:\efi\Boot\nvme.txt then
fs4:
endif
echo "Unable to find NVMe Drive boot loader".
echo "Please mount the drive".
echo ""
pause
goto END
:FOUNDNVMEBOOTLOADER
echo =============================================================
echo ""
echo "loading the Windows boot loader on NVMe SSD"
\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi
:END

 

Where are you folks finding Samsung PCIe drives that will fit in the limited space in a 15" Zbook g2?

 

Just to clarify, I've never been able to boot from my Samsung 950 Pro SSD. In my previous post, the 1TB HDD is the C drive. The H drive is the 256 GB SSD.

I haven't had as much time to troubleshoot this as I would have wanted this week. I tried formatting the drive and restarting to follow your instructions shown in post 137. I put in the CD to install windows 8.1 Pro and came across the following issue: https://postimg.org/image/75bmxwbyb/

The error message says "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu"

Urr, are there any additional steps I need to take in order to install windows? Is the error message wanting me to have the proper boot script before I can install windows?

 

I understand you are stuck at the very beginning of the procedure when trying to install windows on the NVMe drive. I used a custom Windows Enterprise installer, created by the company I work at, so I didn't use the original microsoft installer, which apparently does some kind of a BIOS compatibility check. I do not really know the answer.

 

Urr, since you were able to get this to work, i don't suppose you have the ability to upload a completed drive image of a fresh NVMe install that has all the NVMe boot sector and scripts worked out and all drivers loaded for the Zbook 17 G2 's?

please say yes!?

 

Hi, I just got the Samsung SM951 256 GB NVMe version. Installed it and it worked just fine. It is indeed a bit too long, but I put some tape on it to hold it and prevent it from touching the case. I am not going to bother to installing Windows on it as I plan on selling this laptop, but am currently only using it to run some programs.

 

Unfortunately that doesn't help anyone who wants to boot from it

 

Also, I did a test on the SSD. I got 700 MBs read, which is what other users also reported here. But write speed only 20-30 MBs?? So should I send it back? This doesn't seem right?

Edit: Nevermind, tried 2 other ssd benchmark software and got about 850 MBs read max and about 700 write max.

Does anyone know if there are any official drivers available from Samsung for this drive? Because I can only find drivers for the 950 pro nvme. Or will those also work?

 

Hi, I can't recall anymore how I did the initial install of Windows 10, because since then I have always used the DISM tool to apply a windows image (WIM) I have created from the initial install.

But there is just few possibilities which you can all try yourself.
Either I have used the Ctrl+Shift+F10 trick to open a command prompt to start the UEFI shell and load the NVMe UEFI driver, before proceeding with the standard Windows 10 setup wizard.

Or I have installed the Windows initially to the SATA SSD and used the DISM to create an image, I might have used some of the clone disk tools to copy it to the NVMe SSD too for example Paragons one is able to start the WinPE command prompt which can be used to start the UEFI shell.

regards

LH

 

I have a HP Zbook 17 G2. I installed a Kingston M.2 240GB drive. I can see it in the BIOS and I can install Windows 10 x64 to it. But it says "No boot image found" when it reboots after the windows install. Iv'e searched and search this topic and changed BIOS settings about a thousand times as well.

 

i read the page from 1to18, i am still confused what specific m2 ssd i should buy for my g2. recently i bought a sumsung pm951 256gb, it works in win7 and win10, but still unbootale, i tried eif startup, it seems too difficuluty for me. I wonder what modle of ssd is fit for this laptop, at least windows can boot from it without too much setup.

i tried lenovo sl700, 2242, 2280, liton 2242, they are not detected, and the original sandisk a110 is not easy easy to buy in taobao, most of them are assemblled in tiny workshops, maybe unstable

 

I know its old; who owns a Zbook 1x G2 anymore, right?

But why do you all Hassle around with efi Stuff if you can Store it easy with Clover?

You could just Boot say a normal Sata-SSD as your Bootloader having an Efi Partition for Clover. The rest of the Space would be used for Programs and stuff

it would just redirect the boot-order to your NVME-SSD.

Doing that right now and everything works perfectly as long as your m.2 is recognised in the HP EFI.

PS: using a 960 evo right now. and a sata 840 pro for clover and stuff.(and a third SSD in the drive bay)

 

A different thing though; wouldnt a 950 Pro work because of that legacy mode thing?

Its a support for old boards that emulate non nvme for booting purposes...

 

This thread is amazing, still alive since 2015. I have to attest that the EFI boot method described here really works. Yes, there are people who still use the G2 in 2018. There are not many 4th gen Haswell laptops with a m.2 slot. Most had the mSATA that was phased out. This G2 ver2 is the only one I found that has a m.2, even though it has only 2 lanes.

I got this Zbook 15 G2 Ver 2 in eB for a bargain in 1/2018. The first thing I did was finding this thread to get the m.2 drive to boot successfully. The script on page 17 works great. Thanks to LH and Urr !

Here is a quick summary:
1. The generic NVMe driver described by LH on page 13 works on non-Turbo-Z drives. In fact I used a less expensive Toshiba XG4 x4 NVMe and worked. Yes, a single sided 2280 will fit right under the latch. Need to tape it down since cannot be screwed down (careful of the heat dissipation). No need to buy an expensive Sammy NVMe as this is only a 2 lane pcie2.0 m.2 slot that theoretical transfer limit at 1000MB/s Can only get about 840/450 MB/s R/W, but faster than a SSD. The same XG4 NVMe I run on a desktop 2500/1000 MB/s RW with a x4 lanes m.2 on Crystal Disk Mark.

2. The script and the EFI NVMe driver must reside on your SATA EFI partition to load first as the G2 bios will not detect any boot drive in the pcie slot without loading NVMe driver first. Then use Urr’s suggestion to detect the NVMe drive by finding the dummy nvme.txt file and load the Windows bootloader from the selected NVMe. I had a working Win10 on the SATA HDD first and clone it onto the NVMe using Acronis.

I am very happy that this worked out really well on the G2. Of course it is not as fast as my 7700 Z2-mini with 2400 DDR4. But this 4810mq G2 32GB 1600 DDR3 is not too shabby with the m.2 working and optimized with Throttlestop at 4gHz single core and 3.7GHz 4 cores! Hope this helps anyone else who still uses a G2.
Using the script described in this thread is a lot simpler than using the Clover bootloader.

 

First of all I'm greatful for this info and it's invaluable. Sadly though, if I had been aware of this same issue that affected the probook 6*0 G1 series with their m2 slot not booting windows natively, I would have reconsidered purchasing a used unit of this zbook. But since I have just bought it before being aware, no looking back...

So if I comprehend correctly, I must also have another hdd/ssd with the nvme.txt bootloader file in order for the system to load windows from the nvme m2 ssd? (the same thing I had to do with the probook) Or after the initial boot and info "uploaded", can I boot windows without the other hdd/ssd inserted?

Has anyone tried the Feb 2018 updated firmaware/BIOS from HP site? Can anyone confirm if this update fixed the m2 pcie boot issue?

 

I can't download the NVMe driver from link. Can someone please upload it or send it to me please. Also can someone please write a clear and concise step-by-step guide with the file links as to complete this task, even for a newbie. Not everyone is at the same level of expertise and comprehension. Thanks!

 

Hi, sorry to sort-of-necrobump this thread, but I picked up a refurb ZBook 17 G2 last year and I'm gradually expanding/upgrading the hardware.

Reading through this thread, it looks like 2280 cards will work, for the most part. Question: now that higher capacity ones are available, is there a limit on the size? There are some affordable 1gb 2280 cards out now, but I have no idea if they're compatible.

Thanks!

Edit: I'm just going to use this as a storage drive, and not a bootable one, so thankfully I won't have to deal with that potential headache.

 

I have 1TB m.2 2280 NVME PCIe3 x 4 lanes installed (SM951 I think) and it works flawlessly.

 

Thanks!

 

I have installed SDAPMUW-512G (Western Digital® PC SN520 NVMe™ SSD) with adaptor M.2 2242 to M.2 2260.
OS is Win7 with using SD card as booting device(UEFI).

Installing Win7 was made in several step:
- Use SATA SSD (to get proper drivers for NVME in Win7 SP1(Windows update))
- Transfered SATA SSD to NVME disk.
- Prepare SD with UEFI partition (follow instructions on page 14)
- BIOS Customized Boot, SD card boot, UEFI Hybrid, SATA AHCI

Test result with CrystalDiskMark (827/810MB/s)

 

Crucial P1 M2 NVME 500G works fine in Zbook15g2 W10 as a secondary disk, 2280 size fits tight but easy with electrical tape over wireless module and screw hole to avoid metal-metal contacts and hold in place. Plug and play as secondary fast drive, not yet tested as OS / boot drive.
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-500GB-NAND-NVMe-PCIe/dp/B07J2WBKXF?th=1

 

Test result with Intel 660P ssd as boot disk combined with Cruical storage Cache

https://imgur.com/0el04eL

CrystalDiskMark (1777/1732MB/s)

 

So if I understand correctly and to sum up these 100+ posts, the only disk that can be used as a direct replacement without any hacks to make it bootable is the LITEON-CX1-JB512-HP. Is that correct?
Could I install any other m.2 form factor ssd with higher capacity that can be used for OS without any hacks?

Regards

 

Yes, that is correct - no other SSD will work as a direct replacement without a hack.

 

That disk is impossible to find. Anyone here that upgraded to 2280 ssd and willing to sell the LITEON-CX1-JB512-HP to me?

 

Where about's are you based? I purchased mine from eBay in 2016; I was lucky, someone was taking a drive out of a ZBook 15 G2 and selling it. Here is what you're looking for: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/283483821847

Hope that helps ...

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

I'm in Eastern Europe, but can get it shipped to England or Germany and then forward the package. The issue is I don't find this drive for sale, the one you linked is the one I currently have Sandisk 256 GB, but it gets too small for my needs (I already have 2 x 7200 rpm additional drives for data)

 

HP has released an update for zbook 15 g2 on 14 may. It says "- Fixes an issue where the customized boot option does not function properly. -" did someone tried it? maybe nvme boot is fixed

 

@vavan_bous Good question, but knowing HP, I doubt it .. rarely vendors add missing functionality to old products .. it is just against commercial reasoning.

 

Could anyone explain why HDD Sentinel claims the Z Turbo Drive is SATA based and not PCI-E? https://www.screencast.com/t/nvSToq19w

 

The ssd nvme WD 500GB M.2 2280 pci-e NVMe SSD Blue sn500 will be correct for Zbook 17 G2? mabe someone have it?

 

Just in case anyone needs it, here is technical white paper from the HP Zbook 15 G2, which seems HP vanished from their website. PDF

 

Managed to find and purchase a Brand New Samsung SM951 512GB MZHPV512HDGL i.e. the AHCI version and not NVMe. It required modification to the closing lid as somebody mentioned before, but besides that, it works as advertised without any hacks. The fascinating thing is, although bigger (in both size and capacity), it runs much cooler that the original 250 Sandisk, almost 20 C degrees cooler when running SSD benchmark. I hope that translates to longer life span.

 

Issue: Boot from NVMe_m.2 @zBookG2 // NVMe-SSD with BootROM=OptionROM
Hello community,
I have read all pages of this thread (many days) and I think I have understood everything. But one issue wasn't discussed until now: BootROM=OptionROM.
=> In several SSD-help forums/guides (also in other languagesthan engl.) I have read much about the FAQ, that some SSDs does have and other's does not have an BootROM=OptionROM. That should influence the boot-behavior very much.
e.g. I have read, that the following m.2_NVMe-SSDs might have that BootROM=OptionROM "feature/Hardware-part":
+ m.2_NVMe_Samsung_950pro does have BootROM=OptionROM
+ m.2_NVMe_Intel_750-series does have BootROM=OptionROM
+ m.2_NVME_Intel_Octane does have BootROM=OptionROM
- the newer m.2_NVMe_Samsung_960pro+evo & m.2_NVMe_Samsung_970pro+evo DOES NOT have an BootROM=OptionROM.
.
=> Does anybody know something about that issue -especially regarding " Boot from NVMe-SSD with zBookG2", or did have experience because of own tests ??

=> I am esspcially interessted, if it is possible to buy any m.2_NVMe-SSD (with BootROM=OptionROM ?), that is readable by zBookG2-UEFI-Bios. (So that the work-around with NVMe-driver for UEFI-Bios @ AHCI-HDD is not necesarry)
So my imagination/understnding is, that that memory-part (OptionROM) is readable by AHCI-protokoll = readable by zBookG2-Bios and consists of the content, which some pages before (User Urr,..) did use at an EFI-Boot-Partition on another "normal-NOT-NVMe-drive", which only did have the use, to load the NVMe driver.

 

Hi Xaos,
I had no idea that there were some NVME SSDs with OptionROM onboard.
In my case it was Samsung SSD nvme mzvpv256hdgl-00000 which probably didn't have it, it at least resisted to be directly booted from and I had to use the SATA SSD for the EFI partition.

I don't have the G2 anymore and neither of the SSDs with the optionROM, so I can't help you with that.
I am not sure from where you are, but maybe you could buy it online and send it back if it doesn't work the way you wanted.

have fun!

LH

 

I have the same ssd bought in ebay with only 3 hours of use. SSD in windows 10 with adapter works great and heres the benchmark..

I did not do anything i just install thw windows on it but make sure your in ahci and uefi mode.

I will put 2x 2TB HDD and see if RAID works