Replacing X220 hard drive with SSD?

[SD]

Hi Folks,

1.  Can one replace the built in hard drive on an X220 with an SSD?

2.  If it is possible, where can one find instruction on how to do this?

3.  If it is possible it would require a very small philips screwdriver - where can one got such a tool?

TIA,

SD

[commander4ever]

This list might help you:

List of drives that are compatible with the x220

[SD]

Hi,

I think I did not make my self clear, sorry.  I didn't want to know what drives could be used in the X220, I wanted to know if a user could replace the existing drive with another drive.  Or is this something LENOVO needs to do?

If a user can do this, where does one get the ultra small philip screwdriver that is necessary for opening the bottom panel, (assuming this gives you access to the drive bay)?

[x220forMe · Accepted solution]

1. yes
2. x220 guide on Lenovo's site. No problem to install new 7 mm or even 9 mm ssd
3. yes, you'll need a small scredriver

I've replaced standard hdd with Intel 320 Series ssd. The only thing you'll need is s/w tool to transfer system and date to the new ssd. Another tool is for tweak Windows for ssd using. Nothing tool you'll need for fresh Windows 7 install direct on ssd.

[RichardW]

Here's a link to the Hardware Maintenance Manual that describes the procedure: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/0a60739_01.pdf

Actually removing the hard drive only involves 1 normal size screw. The drive itself is screwed onto a caddy holder with jeweler size screws.

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x220forMe wrote:

I've replaced standard hdd with Intel 320 Series ssd. The only thing you'll need is s/w tool to transfer system and date to the new ssd. Another tool is for tweak Windows for ssd using. Nothing tool you'll need for fresh Windows 7 install direct on ssd.

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I also installed an Intel 320 SSD. I simply transferred the hard drive to the SSD with Intel's tool and it works fine but I didn't do any Windows tweak. What tool did you use for the tweak?

[SD]

Hi Folks,

OK, I can get the HD out without any problems.  Thanks so much. 

Now a followup question - where can I get a caddy for a 128 GB ssd (7.6 x 5.5 x .5 cm).

Thanks,

SD

[x220forMe]

RichardW, it's Intel SSD Toolbox. This tool also controls the drive's healthy by schedule. Also I've the set pagefile to minimum size (200 mb) and removed indexing of the drive.

SD, why? Just use standard rubber rails out of HDD. This drive is 7 mm in hight too.

[SD]

My SSD, which came from a lenovo W510 has a caddy but its just a tad to large to go into the drive bay of the X220 (this is the caddy).  There are rubber/plastic spacers that make it too large and these are part of the caddy, not separate spacers.

If I remove the drive from the caddy, it can't be used with the X220's hhd caddy, the drive is far too small.

What am I missing?

Thanks,

SD

[titomiky]

Good evening,

   I'm thinking of buying X220T 4299 and a kingston hyperx (sh100s3b 120g 2.5 120gb sata iii), but the Kingston disk has 2.5" x 1/8H format (9.5 mm height).

Do you know if it's compatible with the laptop?

I ask you this because I've seen this post: with this images: http://imgur.com/a/PNHQ8 and according to your post it is not necessary, right?

Thank you very much in advance!

Miguel

[lswinford]

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commander4ever wrote:

This list might help you:

List of drives that are compatible with the x220

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My related question is not as much which hard drive I can replace the 320GB drive in the X220 with, (I want to a larger HD, not SSD), but what tool I can use to transfer the partitions on the current drive to the new drive.

I really don't want to reinstall WIN7, and I'd also like to retain any hidden partitions, just have everything as it is with more HD capacity in the end.

I've used a partition tool from EASEUS in the past, but even though it was fully operational afterward there was a problem with the WIN7 partition that prevented WIN7 from ever updating again.