silicon pop culture!

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #1

I recently upgraded my X505 HDD to a 64 GB SDD, imported from Japan.  The drive I used, the “Photofast”, is available from Japanese exporters and on eBay.  You will need a Torq Tri-Wing size 00 screwdriver - these can also be purchased on line at a nominal fee.

I like Norton Ghost and used it for the backup and subsequent recovery of my system.  For a backup drive, I used an Iomega USB hard drive.

You need to take extreme care not to damage the fasteners and end points of the pivot assemblies.  This is the most critical part of the entire upgrade.  There are tabs on each of these four plastic components and they are easily damaged.

There are 17 screws to be removed in total.  If you don’t count 17, don’t try to force the back off.  Note that some screws are at the side and the rear of the case and some are hidden under the notebook’s rubber feet.

Once the new drive is in place, check to see if you can see it by using the BIOS boot (F2) option.

Restore system by booting from the DVD drive using the Norton Ghost disk.

The pictures attached show how the upgrade was done.

1: Gather required items – Toshiba sized SDD (“Photofast”, circa $300, ordered from Japan) and Torq Tri-wing size 00 screwdriver (the same type is used in Nintendo DS and mobile phone maintenance, ordered from internet, circa $5).

2: Backup all files using Norton Ghost (available online, $70) and USB external drive.

3 – 8: Remove pivot screws (one on LHS, two on RHS), carefully pull fastener directly upwards from the farthest point from you (farthest forward and at the lowest point from you) taking extreme care not to damage the tiny plastic tabs (about 2mm) as they are easily broken.  Remove end blocks with similar extreme care as they also have two plastic tabs that are just as fragile as those on the fasteners.  This is the most critical point of the entire upgrade, so take time and be very gentle in this procedure.  Pretty much everyone who damages their system does so by rushing this step, or by using too much force.

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #2

3 – 8: Remove pivot screws (one on LHS, two on RHS), carefully pull fastener directly upwards from the farthest point from you (farthest forward and at the lowest point from you) taking extreme care not to damage the tiny plastic tabs (about 2mm) as they are easily broken.  Remove end blocks with similar extreme care as they also have two plastic tabs that are just as fragile as those on the fasteners.  This is the most critical point of the entire upgrade, so take time and be very gentle in this procedure.  Pretty much everyone who damages their system does so by rushing this step, or by using too much force.

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #3

3 – 8: Remove pivot screws (one on LHS, two on RHS), carefully pull fastener directly upwards from the farthest point from you (farthest forward and at the lowest point from you) taking extreme care not to damage the tiny plastic tabs (about 2mm) as they are easily broken.  Remove end blocks with similar extreme care as they also have two plastic tabs that are just as fragile as those on the fasteners.  This is the most critical point of the entire upgrade, so take time and be very gentle in this procedure.  Pretty much everyone who damages their system does so by rushing this step, or by using too much force.

9: Check screw inventory – 17 in total should have been removed.  Don’t try removing the back of the case unless you can identify all 17 screws and have removed both the two fasteners and two end blocks.  Note that some screws are located under the notebook’s rubber feet (which can be just pulled off) and also to the rear, behind the battery, and to the side of the machine, by the ports.

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #4

10 – 19: Carefully unhook cables, remove HDD, remove disk connector, note back plane configuration, remove disk slides, shock absorbers and insulation.

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #5

10 – 19: Carefully unhook cables, remove HDD, remove disk connector, note back plane configuration, remove disk slides, shock absorbers and insulation.

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #6

10 – 19: Carefully unhook cables, remove HDD, remove disk connector, note back plane configuration, remove disk slides, shock absorbers and insulation.

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #7

10 – 19: Carefully unhook cables, remove HDD, remove disk connector, note back plane configuration, remove disk slides, shock absorbers and insulation.

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #8

10 – 19: Carefully unhook cables, remove HDD, remove disk connector, note back plane configuration, remove disk slides, shock absorbers and insulation.

20 – 22: SSD assembly and insertion

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #9

20 – 22: SSD assembly and insertion

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #10

23 – 24: Boot from BIOS (F2) and check SSD is recognized.  Note the new storage size of 64GB.

25 – 29: Boot from DVD drive using Norton Ghost disk and recover system.

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #11

25 – 29: Boot from DVD drive using Norton Ghost disk and recover system.

Installing 64GB Photofast SSD: Posting #12

25 – 29: Boot from DVD drive using Norton Ghost disk and recover system.

Hi kuma,
Nice thread, thanks
You answered my question about Photofast in previous thread.

Upgrade to 32Gb Samsung SSD was described by tifosiv123:
http://www.siliconpopculture.com/forum/viewthread/7406/

I am more interested in performance of the Photofast - can you please do some benchmarks & post them?
Also, did you open the Photofast?  Since this is supposed to be a SD card to 1.8” adapter, I am interested to know how many & which type of SD (SDHC I guess) cards it houses. I assume there are 4 SDHC cards inside.

Yea, awesome job dude and thanks for the pics!!! I should upgrade mine pretty soon and I could use it more….Post some benchmarks if you can.

Thanks for the great howto!

I am also very interested in benchmarks. Is it faster then the Samsung SSD?

Thanks!!! Please benchmark! So eager to hear the results!