Upgrade SSD in VPCZ2390X?

Hello All

Recently bought a sony Z series (VPCZ2390X) but it came with a 128GB SSD. Not enough space for me so want to replace it.

I need some help figuring out:

- Is there a specific SSD that fits into the Z series or can i buy any recommended SSD off amazon?
- I would like to move over the OS (windows 7) from the existing SSD to the new one including all the drivers/bloatware etc. Figure the best way to do this is to create a recovery disk and run this on the new SSD? will this work? or will i need to copy the recovery partition to the new SSD and do things this way. I have done some research and it seems i might need to clone the SSD for this to work.

Anyone with experience who can help out?

Thanks in advance

 

There is two options for you to choose from.
1. 256GB: MZRPA256HMDR-000S0
2. 512GB: MZRPA512HMFU-000S0
You have P/N now and can google it for prices.

You can create recovery DVDs and restore it to the new SSD.
It doesn't require you to have recovery partition.

You can also clone SSD, but you must have two Z2 laptops. Otherwise, you should have an external hard drive to backup and restore using norton ghost or acronis.

 

Thank you for your reply.

This machine was a gift to me and I am now resident in the UK The google search results in products shipped from the US - which is not a problem as I can have one delivered world wide. But if you are aware of european equivalents it would be appreciated. I searched for Samsung 256 SSD 1.8" but didnt find much.

I have also contacted Sony who have 'advised' me that as the SSD is embedded into the motherboard they recommend against replacing it. Now i've never heard this before with standard HDD's - but are there risks against doing this with SSD's?

Thanks again

 

This is really awesome info. Will this work with VPC-Z21AGX as well? Really appreciate the help! I'm not really keen on deciphering on the code name such as Z2 or Z3 or Early 2012 Z2...etc, so I am hoping this would work with my laptop which also has the "Z2" in the OP's laptop.

 

Some people call Z3 for SVZ13 model and Z2 is actually VPCZ2 model.
I have been using these SSD to upgrade my Z2 and for my friends.
@buckpalace, don't buy these drives from Sony, they will charge you and arm and leg.
Find it on amazon or ebay by using part number given and ask seller if they can ship to UK.

 

Hello ngvuanh

Thanks for the part number

I have a question about ssd upgrade... Can I use the original sony vaio SSD-1 (64GB) and add only one new SSD-2 (256GB) [Total 320GB] Its possible ? ( I'm interesting for buy only 1 ssd disk).

Sorry for my english

Thanks

 

You are god-sent. Thanks again. So to confirm, you are saying both of the SSDs that you recommended earlier will work with my VPC-Z21AGX (a Z2 model)?? Also, from other discussion and reviews, doesn't Sony use RAID 0 to get the desired storage capacity? My comes with 128GB, so that should be 2 x 64GB in RAID 0. Correct? If so, if we want to get 512GB, we need to buy two of the 256GB SSDs (MZRPA256HMDR-000S0)??

Again, appreciate the help. I've sent the rep point to you already!!

 

@aldo_amd, If you have Z2 (VPCZ2) or Z3 (SVZ13), your laptop can only fit single SSD.

@istyle1129, as my answer above, if you want 512GB, then you have to get 512GB SSD, not 2 x 256GB

I am not sure if Samsung made these drives for just VAIO VPCZ2 and SVZ13 or may be for other laptops as well. Those drives are actually 2 physical drives on single PCB.
So, 128GB is 2x64GB, 256GB is 2x128GB and 512GB is 2x256GB.

 

Anyone tried this on the Sony Vaio SVZ?

 

They both work in SVZ model, trust me.

 

Hey guys,

So Amazon.com: Original Samsung 256gb Micro Sata SSD 1.8" Mzrpa256hmdr-000s0 Mz-rpa2560/0S0 for Sony VPC Z21 SA SB SD Z217GH Z219: Computers & Accessories will work in any Vaio Z2 (and SB/SA 2011 models)? And this drive is a raid 0 of two Samsung 128 GB SSDs on one PCB?
If so, then there is only one 30-pin LIF connector to it? I always thought there are two drives connected via a special y-cable, like here in this thread (post 3).

I first thought about making an adapter to mSATA, but 180$ (~130€) for 256 GB would be pretty cheap, so I see no need for that...

 

Those drives are not RAID-0 yet.
They are just 2 physical drives on the same PCB.
Your laptop will see 2 identical drives in bios. RAID will be setup by Intel RAID Controller built in your laptop.
The cable in Z2 and SVZ13 contains 2 SATA devices for this purpose.

 

Contacted the Amazon seller and he said because mine is the SVZ, I might need a cable. Yay or nay to cable? thanks

 

NO, you don't need a new cable. The seller may not even see the laptop in person.
You will be fine.

 

So there are 2 connectors on the SSD for the y cable? Thank you very much ngvuanh, your posts were very helpful.

 

No, there is only one connector but it contains connections for 2 drives.

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Just want to come back and thank ngvuanh again for all the help.

Here is an update on the SSD upgrade. The whole process is extremely straightforward and simple. I want to give a few pointers for anyone looking to do the similar upgrade.

- The ribbon cable for the SSD requires a little bit of force to remove and connect. There is no clamp or other mechanism to hold the connector down. The ribbon cable is very sturdy.
- After you have completed the SSD swap, the first thing you want to do before recovering or clean-installing OS is to re-configure the RAID.
a. Go into BIOS (press the F2 key during boot)
b. Check that the RAID boot screen is enabled. Save.
c. Restart the computer.
d. After the initial boot screen, the laptop will now temporarily pause at the RAID screen to allow you to go into the RAID configuration. Follow the on-screen direction to complete the RAID.

** One may be able to build the RAID after the OS is installed, but my experience was not affirmative. After recovering the OS (w/o first configuring the RAID in the BIOS), the primary partition only shows 256GB capacity. Shortly after, the system tray popped a notice saying I can configure RAID using the Intel Rapid Storage software, which I did. But after the IRS software successfully completed the RAID config, I was still only able to see 256GB capacity in My Computer and also Disk Management. So I had to go to RAID config in the boot screen to reconfigure the RAID and recover the system again.

If anyone needs more help or info, feel free to post and I will try to help out as much as I can.

 

Hi,

I have VPCZ126-GG, and looking for an upgrade. will this SSD and procedure work on mine???? thanks for the help

 

istyle1129, have you got any info on how to crack open the Z2? I couldn't find anything on the net.
Did you buy one or two SSD?

 

Your Z1 uses different type SSD (different connector).
If your want 1T SSD by using this SSD, take a look at this thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/655886-upgrading-vpc-z1-quad-raid-1tb.html

If I remember correctly, Z2 is easy to open.
There is 4 rubber head screws at the corners of battery.
4 other screws that using a coin to unscrew in the middle of battery. 2 near front edge are longer than the one on the other side.
Once you remove battery, there are 2 more screws each side.
There are 5 screws around back side (vents and hinges), 2 are under rectangle rubber caps.
Once you remove all screw, lift the bottom cover with VGA side first. It will also lift VGA port up but don't worry, it will go out of the hole.
To place the bottom back, put the NET port side first, and then lift the VGA port to get it into the hole and close put down the bottom case.

 

@ ngvuanh
Thanks a lot!
I bought for my z21 the 512 gb ssd and replaced my old 128GB. It was quite easy

 

Great thread! Can this procedure work for a VPC-214GX? I am tempted to try it

 

So if some one is interested in my 128GB SSD, i am glad to sell it

 

Hi! Thank you for this thread which helped me upgrading the SSD drive on my Z2. Now it's my turn to help other people who wants to do that...
Here is how I upgraded the 128GB drive on VPCZ212GX to a 512GB drive:

(1) Buy the 512GB drive : Samsung 512GB SSD drive (1.8'' card with LIF connector), ref. MZRPA512HMFU-000SO. The installed 128GB drive was also a Samsung, ref. MZRPA128HMCD-000S0 (and for your information, the ref. for 256GB would be MZRPA256HMDR-000SO). Personally I bought the 512GB for $305.99 on Amazon ( Amazon.com: Original Samsung 512GB Micro Sata SSD 1.8" LIF MZRPA512HMFU-000S0 MZ-RPA5120/0S0 For Sony VPC-Z2 SA SB SD series SSD VPC-Z217GH Z21 Z219: Computers & Accessories)

(2) Make a bootable Windows USB key (one method among others is to download the Windows ISO file, for instance for Windows 7 there are links there Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO Image Downloads, and then use the Microsoft USB tool at Microsoft US Online Store)

(3) Make a system image of your current disk drive (for Win7 this is in "Control Panel->System and Security->Backup and Restore") on an external USB drive.
- I also copied all files from the bootable windows USB key on this external drive (although that one is not bootable), just in case the windows recovery process would need windows files at step 8 while the windows USB key will be unplugged. I don't know if this was necessary though.

(4) Check that you can boot on the USB key created at step 2 (use F2 to enter the BIOS setup and enable the boot on external devices)

(5) Check how the current RAID config is (do "show" in the BIOS, then after next reboot you can enter in the RAID config)

(6) Swap the SSD drive card.
Opening the VAIO Z2 might seem difficult when you don't know how to do, but it's easy once you know the procedure:
- remove the battery (8 screws that you can unscrew with a coin or with a big screwdriver)
- remove the additional screws. Don't forget the 2 hidden screws under the screen on each side, for which you need to remove some small rubber covers. In total there are 17 screws (including the 8 from the battery).
- if you have a SIM tray, apparently you should remove it (see the video link hereafter) but on my Z2 there is no SIM tray, only a filler, and you don't need to remove the filler.
- remove the bottom cover of the laptop : you need to lift it first from the right side. The monitor port seems to block but in fact you just have to lift it, it can move freely far enough without damage.
- swap the SSD drive (there are 3 screws to remove, and to disconnect the flat LIF connector you just have to pull the flat LIF cable), then put back the cover and battery.

There is a video which shows someone opening a similar Sony VAIO: sony vaio Z2 and SVZ opening guide - YouTube
But for the monitor port, don't try to do it the same way as in this video because you might damage your cover (I tried like the video, not only it didn't work but after the cover got slightly folded) : as I said, you only need to lift the monitor port.

(7) Configure the new hard drive in RAID mode with the BIOS.

(8) Boot from the bootable windows USB key and select the recovery from a system image. On my Z2, the USB key needed to be on the "charge USB" port because on the USB3 port the next step wouldn't work properly.

(9) When the computer asks for the system image, since it will not find it when your external drive is on the USB3 port, unplug the bootable USB key from the "charge" USB port and plug the external USB drive instead. You will be able to select your system image and restore it.

(10) In windows, increase the size of the main partition to all unallocated space on the drive (or create new partitions if you prefer of course). And you're done

The new 512GB drive seems to be the same speed as the 128GB (on my laptop, with the standard Sony config, it takes 20s to boot with both and the disk index on Windows performance is 7.8 for both). I tried the same without step 6 so the new disk was not in RAID mode and as a result the disk index was lowered to 7.5.

FYI there is an interesting video that shows the inside of the VAIO and how to reassemble it: Exclusive :Sony Engineer Puts Together VAIO Z From Memory - YouTube

 

Sorry for a noob question here, but would appreciate if someone can give me a pointer.

The 256GB drive is no longer available from amazon.
Amazon.com: Original Samsung 256gb Micro Sata SSD 1.8" LIF Mzrpa256hmdr-000s0 Mz-rpa2560/0S0 for Sony VPC Z21 SA SB SD Z217GH Z219: Explore similar items

Just want to know if there is any other solution to upgrade the 128GB SSD for my SVZ? Would any 1.8" drive with a LIF connector work?

 

No, not any 1.8'' drive with a LIF connector will work. You can see for instance there some pictures of the Samsung LIF connector for the VAIO Z2 : Aliexpress.com : Buy For Samsung 1.8 LIF 256GB SSD MZRPA256HMDR 000S0 MZ RPA2560/0S0 For Sony VPC Z2 SA SB SD series SSD VPC Z217GH Z21 Z219 from Reliable ssd suppliers on Sweets Family Electronic Co.Ltd
(this site also still sells the 256GB drive, but you will probably find cheaper elsewhere since I had bought in January on Amazon the 512GB for only $299 + shipping, but I see it's not available anymore either on Amazon)

I bought also on Amazon this case : Amazon.com: Micro SATA Cables - 1.8 Inch HDD CASE Enclosure for ZIF LIF 24 Pin SAMSUNG HS12UHE: Computers & Accessories
But I tried to use it with the Samsung 1.8'' drive from the VAIO Z2 and unfortunately it cannot connect : the LIF cable is the same width but is thicker on that case. It means that SAMSUNG HS12UHE 1.8'' drives (compatible with MacBooks) are NOT compatible with Sony Z2, although they are also from Samsung and are said to be "LIF 24 Pin" (but I would rather call that one ZIF since the connector has got an opening mechanism as you can see on the pictures there : Aliexpress.com : Buy 1.8"usb external HDD Enclosure CASE f SATA LIF HS12UHE from Reliable HS12UHE CASE suppliers on Kevin Martin Electronic Technology CO.,LTD). The LIF connector on the Sony Z2 SSD hasn't got any mechanism.

Another thing to be aware of is that those disks for Sony Z2 are in fact 2 separate disks on one card. For instance the 128GB disk is 2 x 64GB, and it is detected by default as two disks, except if you configure it in RAID0 (like it is done already when you buy the laptop).

PS: The Amazon seller to which I bought it is Timetec, I would suggest you to write them to ask them when they will have it available again. Their e-mail is on that page : http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/detail...DKIKX0DER&seller=A23AD5LOJUVSEP#aag_legalInfo

 

That Samsung drive in fact has 2 drives on single PCB and the connector contains 2 SATA lines for them.


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@fracham: The z2 lif connector has a locking mechanism too.

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Right, there are two little notches, one on each side of the LIF cable, which are certainly for a kind of locking mechanism. However this mechanism is not visible and you only have to pull the cable to disconnect, and to push it to connect. At least this is how I did because I didn't see any locking/unlocking mechanism to use.

It's very different from the connector on the HS12UHE drive where you can clearly open (lift) and close the female connector. Unless I missed something, the connector on the MZRPA drives does not work this way. But yes, there's still a kind of automatic locking mechanism with the notches on the side of the cable.

 

did anyone find the 512g for 299?

 

I am also looking for one

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Thanks for the info and explanation, really appreciate it!

 

Does this work with the SVZ too? Also, I can't find the $299 512 GB SSD either.

 

VPCZ2 and SVZ use the same SSD drive, so it works.

 

Cool, thanks. Are there any other compatible SSD models available? The Samsung is out of stock everywhere except for Alibaba, where it's over $720.

 

I don't think anywhere else has the same price before on amazon at this moment.

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I recently dropped my Sony Z13 and shattered the screen. Decided to buy the new Pro 13 instead of repairing the Z so I have a 512GB SSD for sale.

PM me if you are interested.

 

My new T13 got 512gb ssd($390 new) and 4gb + 8gb($39 new) and running at SATA 3 and 1600 MHz memory speed with a i7 but 3rd gen. Very happy.

 

I have a 512GB gen 2 SSD for the VPC-Z2 or SVZ for sale. It is a Samsung MZRPA512HMFU. PM me if interested.

 

I am interested in Z2 or SVZ 4GB memory modules or a 256/512 SSD. Please email me at: d93 =at= aol . com

 

So other than the guys selling their second hand SSD nowhere to buy new 512SSD?

 

@gyhor have you sold your 128gb ssd? thanks

 

have you sold your 128gb ssd? thanks

 

Hello! I wanted to ask - are there any other SSD that work apart from:

1. 256GB: MZRPA256HMDR-000S0
2. 512GB: MZRPA512HMFU-000S0

Has anyone used aliexpress.com? it seems to be the only place, where they still sell those?
Thank you

 

These are sata2 if you want sata3 order gen3 mzrpc ssds. Many Chinese sellers lie and list the ssd as mzrpc even though they are gen2 sata2 so watch out!

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Hello! Is there any other place, apart from Alibaba, where you can find those SSD? I need SSD 256gb / 512gb for my VPCZ2390X.
Better brand new of course. Thank you

 

It's a few months on, but does anyone know where I could get a 512GB drive from? TA

 

Use part number in post #45 above to find it but I'm not sure if you can find can find a cheap one as on amazon before.

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Also look for the mzrpc versions if you want the significantly faster sata3 SSDs. Mzrpa=sata2.

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