Vaio TZ SSD upgrade boot from 2.5HD?

I am in the verge of upgrading my 64GB SAMSUNG SSD >> to a 128GB SSD

The options are down below :

RUNCORE

http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/SP...olid-state-drive-ssd--80000AD6-1246485054.jsp

PHOTOFAST

http://www.dvnation.com/ZIF-SSD.html
http://www.photofast.tw/2009ENG/products/PhotoFast G-Monster_18PATAV4Series.html

KINGSPEC

http://www.memoryc.com/products/des..._1_8-PATA_Zif_SSD_Solid_State_Disk/index.html

Which one of them would u guys recommend
Comments and ideas appreciated

 

I'd stay away from Runcore as people have had problems with those (click the runcore link to read the post and you might also want to read the entire thread). I would opt for a V3/V4 Photofast with an Indilix controller. If you're looking at a V2 one then the Kingspec or Photofast would be fine. I think the Kingspec still use the silcion controller.

 

For what you are looking at paying, I would def be considering the Intel.

 

Hi Les, the thing is there are no 1.8 ZIF PATA Intel drives.

 

Oh....my bad sorry.

 

Thanks for the feedback
So basically I am down to 2 options right now:

1.PHOTOFAST V4 @ $600.00 DV Nation is out of stock

2.KINGSPEC @ $362 http://www.memoryc.com/products/des...lid_State_Disk_SMI_Controller-MLC_/index.html

KINGSPEC @380 http://www.memoryc.com/storage/solidstatedisk/128gbkingspeczif40pin.html


## Out of the 2 KING which one would u pick ?
## KING or PHOTO // $ diff +/- $220

************ @@ *********
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This is the SAMSUNG SSD model on my TZ

As u can see it is a 40PIN count and not 44.

Now if I buy a 44 as u suggest how the ZIF connector will plug in
Also I got this thread which ended having u put the last comment on it
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=446781&page=3

 

I was going by the other post in regards to the 44 pin point recommendation. That kingspec drive in the thread that i inked to seems a bit problematic though so I would avoid that particular drive for now.

Let us know how you get on.

 

Why don't you upgrade your 250 HDD to an SSD? Then you could get that Intel SATA

 

Thanks
I will be doing some more research and post it back >>

 

If you have the money, you should buy one of these:

http://www.photofast.co.jp/gmon18_v4s.html

 

My crucial problem right now is PIN count 44 / 40
I don't want to buy something that is not going to hook up >>

L@@king at ebay i came up with SSD'S both 40/44 that fit the TZ

44 / http://cgi.ebay.com/1-8-128GB-ZIF-P...ltDomain_0?hash=item53deef1951#ht_5851wt_1165

40 / http://cgi.ebay.com/1-8-ZIF-ZIF2-SS...ltDomain_0?hash=item3ca6e85d7d#ht_5479wt_1165

Yes the PHOTOFAST is stunning at $600.00

 

I haven't thought about it >> That seems to be a 2nd option

 

if you already have both drive bays then definitely go for the 2,5" sata intel SSD. This will be faster than all zif options and cheaper than photofast (which is the smoothest zif option in terms of reliability)

 

If you do want to change your 250GB HD 2.5 second drive i think that is your best option. Even if you didn't want to go for an Intel and go for a larger drive some 2.5 256GB SSD's might be the same price as the Photofast 128GB SSD. Many will also give you better performance as well.

I've read around this and you should be able to select to boot from the 2.5HD drive and leave the 64GB as storage. May be someone who has done this can confirm though for you that you can boot of the 2.5 HD.

 

Thanks.Yeah that would indeed be nice for sure.>> But I need to see if that is feasible
So the 2.5 HDD is located in the CD/DVD bay right??

 

Anyway thanks a lot for replying to my email>>
If the second option (2.5 HDD) is not feasible (if I may) I might touch base with
you again for any addtl info.

 

Hey zimbros12, I am looking to replace the 1.8" 4200rpm HDD in my TZ with an SSD.

Did you decide anything yet..?

 

Not yet.Still doing more research b4 investing the money.>>

Trabireiter // has confirmed that the PHOTOFAST V4 128GB has been successfully installed on his TZ and running ok.The RUNCORE is out of question as he pointed out that it was a problem.
However the V4 is $600 ......

The KINGSPEC would be a 2nd option.>>

As far as swaping my 250GB HDD by a 2.5" SATA SSD I am still not confident whether booting can be don from it.>>
Reading the thread below unless I missed something the question still on the air.(post #88)

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=186540&page=9

 

You do need confirmation, positive or negative and i hope you get that. People have dual booted from both the 1.8 HD and the 2.5HD with different operating systems.

You have two hard drives there. If you really wanted to see you have the setup there to test on.

 

Well I have a DVD drive, so can only replace the 1.8" HDD...

I don't particularly want to spend hundreds of pounds, that's why the KingSpec 64GB for £160 or so looked ok...

Thing is, the KingSpecs were slightly cheaper than the Runcores, so I don't know if they will be any good. They mention a wear algorithm, but nothing about TRIM...

 

Thanks ## I just think I will have more work this way since more steps will be needed to get it running.
I feel confident in Opening the TZ but I am not so
Sure about the rest **

 

I don't know if you have seen this or not... They are great instructions for swapping out the HDD in the TZ...

 

Yes I already saw it b4 **
Also there is a thread in NBR about dissecting the Tz

 

Based on Rachels hint I backtraced the thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=352200&highlight=vaio+tz+hdd+++ssd+boot

I gonna PM the starter to see what happened to the installation of his INTEL SSD
and if he got to boot from it.His Tz has the same specs as mine.

Will post back if he emails me.

 

Zimbros12, i don't know if you've got an answer to your question?
It seems that you've already made your decision though going by your sig.
I also sent a PM to the thread starter.

I sent this-
Hi i read your TZ upgrade about the SSD, was you able to boot from the 2.5 SSD with the 1.8 in place as the secondary drive?
Thanks
Rachel

They replied and said that it took some doing but they were able to do it using a 3rd party boot switcher.

So there you go.

 

Rachel thanks 4 your help.Yes I also PM him about a week or so and got a reply last night>>

Qte
Actually, the SSD I installed was a Samsung SLC 64GB, not the Intel X-25, although that one should work fine.

The system REALLY wants to boot from the PATA device, so you need to use a 3rd party bootloader to force it to boot from the SATA device.

It took some doing, but I was able to get it so that it worked smoothly.

-Dan
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Yes I am going with the PHOTOFAST V4 MLC 128GB 128R/90W >> $549 @ DV NATION as another member has installed it on his TZ and it is working fine.


Quote:
Originally Posted by zimbros12
Just came across your post on NBR by GOOGLING it.>>

I have intentions of also upgrading my TZ298 (64GB SSD)with one of these however I posted a thread on NBR today and of of the members posted that the PIN count should be 44 and not 40.Could you let me know the PIN count and if installation went smoothly.Also does it fit on the cage of the installed SSD or do I have to trick it out to fit in.

Any other feedback highly aprreciated

Sorry to bother you
Thanks in advance
Hi zimbros,

REPLY

"no bothering at all, I would have been happy to get first hand information when i bought my SSD too.

I have no idea what the pin count is, and as my SSD is already installed I won't open my TZ just to count pins, as the procedure requires more than just opening a hdd bay. I might have a spare if cable lying around where i could count the pins though.

Installation whent smoothly without any hickups. The original cage fits perfectly. I remeber though, that the Devices which originally came with Samsung SSDs might not have a cage.

Finally photofast is definitely the way to go as runcore offers better performance but far too many complications, bugs and problems (i had one before).

regards,
lutz
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