- Not all m.2 2242 SSD drives are the same! Some B+M keyed SSDs are SATA drives instead of the required PCIe 3x2 spec. These will not work on the T480/T580/P52s despite fitting perfectly. - You'd want to look for a drive with modules/chips on one side only. You can see right around 03:12 how little space there is underneath the SSD.
Thanks for this! FWIW, after I installed my WWAN NVME SSD, that disk became the new first boot disk! If that's a problem for you, you may need to adjust the boot order in the BIOS. I was later able to install Debian 12 on the WWAN disk and can now choose my bout disk via the F12 boot menu key.
@@ChezDoesStuff Thanks! Your videos are extremely useful, and the 48Gb limit advice for the vPro CPU was very useful - I neatly bought 2x 32Gb! Next up is adding a card reader which I'm buying off eBay for under $10 - I'm sure I'll find a use for it 😂
Would be so cool if you'll add WWAN LTE modem. There's so little info in internet how to make it, and what performance is, although all thinkpads support lte modem and sim card tray behind the battery. Would be so cool to have internet whenever you go, especially with those swappable 72Wh batteries hehe
Never had the chance to do it, unfortunately. If you're planning to go this route, you might want to do some research on the hardware whitelist for LTE modems - only specific parts work with the T480/580.
If you can try this and show it in a video would be awesome xd Here in my country i can't find an SSD like yours with M+B key, but i found a possible solution for that. You can 6uy an M+B keyed to M keyed Adapter from 4li3xpr3ss Search it like this: "Xiw4i extension adapter for M.2 NGFF B + M Key NVME m-key 2230 to 2242 extension adapter m4le to f3m4le for SSD 2230mm" The v3ndor is "Xiw4i Offici4l St0re". What this adapter does is change the port from M.2 M+B keyed to M.2 M keyed This adapter has a 12mm lenght, combined with an SSD 2230 both make a 2242 that fits into the WWAN slot In the Comment or Review section of the adapter there are 2 people that say it works without problems with a D3ll laptop with WWAN slot and also with a Th1nkpad X1 Gen6 works too. Nowdays there are 2230 SSD's for st3amdeck (thanks V4lve for making it standard c,:) with br4nds like S4msung Pm991, K1ngston or D3ll from 256GB up to 1TB So if y'all have problems finding an SSD 2242 NVME M+B key you can try this solution. I didn't try it myself but in 1 or 2 months i'll 6uy a Th1nkpad T580. I love this brand of laptops that's why i want to share this. Last try to write this If this get's er4sed, at least you know it Chez xd, thank you for the video
Thanks! I just checked for you. It's visible in the boot device list, but I haven't tried installing an OS in it yet. That said, I'm still inclined to boot from the m.2 drive in the main tray, since there seems to be more room for heatsink(s) and stuff. 🤔
@@ChezDoesStuff - Thanks for checking. I would use it for installing Linux or a secondary OS, but maybe not my main OS I use daily. What do you use yours for?
Good day! I'm glad you're also from the Philippines! Do you think you can share the link to the product or at least a similar one? Lazada or Shopee would do great. Thanks so much!
I only used it for storage and not to run the OS from, so I didn't need thermal management. Perhaps some folks who used this to dual boot can chime in.
Thank you for the detailed video. Perfect guide. I'm looking for a suitable ssd. Can someone help me if the EVM 512GB 2242 M.2 SATA SSD SKU: EVM512GB2242_HSN:85235100 will fit?
i have encountered a small problem. this is all before i watched this video. I ended up trying to put in an ssd that was the same size and only had one slot instead of the two shown in the videos ssd. I saw smoke come out upon trying to insert it (forgot to disconnect the battery) ans two of the pins on the very left side are burnt and it looks like they are gone. I installed the ssd again and no smoke happened nor short but the laptop refused to boot up. I removed the small ssd and installed it in the main ssd caddy. The ssd still works fine and all is well. the laptop now boots up. So with the two pins that i burnt on the motherboard, is that ssd slot now completely shot and i need a new motherboard (or solder in a new connector) or can i buy the prope r ssd and all should be well? the small ssd is coming out of a lenovo ideapad. the ideapad uses the small ssd and it looks like they made room for a standard length ssd using the same port as the small ssd. Since the lenovo ssd fits in the thinkpad slot, i thought all will be well. obviously not.
@@freizakun Thank you for reply, I ended up buying the 256G version (couldn't find higher capacity). Your tutorial was very useful. Only thing that happened to me is that my laptop wouldn't turn on until I disconnected and reconnected battery.
Yes, that's correct. If a WWAN card shows up in Device Manager or if a 4G/LTE SIM card actually gives you internet when you insert one behind the external battery, then yes you have something in there.
I have the 72Wh. It's a little bulky, but the battery life gain is substantial AND it props the rear edge of the laptop up to make typing more ergonomic and allow more room for air circulation. I'm not sure if the 48Wh props it up similarly.
Is it gonna work with a m key m.2 2230 ssd with a 2242 m+b key extender? I think it will be much cheaper to buy a m.2 2230 ssd with more storage than the wd sn520
If you find one that's B-keyed, 2242, and PCIe 3x2, then yes. You'll most likely have an easier time upgrading the m.2 drive in the factory tray though.
also interested if the wwan sllot can take more than 512Gb (like the SN520 from the video) - I'm currently using a t580 with the same ssd for fedora and the m.2 2280 1TB for windows 11
Some have had success using it as such. I think using the factory drive location is still better, since you don't get a speed advantage with this, given that it's just PCIe 3x2.
@@ChezDoesStuff @ChezDoesStuff thank you for you reply, I purchased the same exact model you posted: WD 128GB PC SN520 PCIe NVMe M.2 2242 SSD SDAPMUW-128G-1101 01FR577 Purchased it from eBay today. The issue is my primary SSD is not working, did a bios update, checked the board, reset the bios, swapped out a good tested SSD caddy and cable , tested with a good working SSD but to no avail, took it to a real expert and still no go. So my only option is trying this, and if not my T480 i7 will sadly be sold for parts. If you have any ideas please let me know . Also tried to reprogram the bios chip with EZp19 programmer which was successful but did not solve the issue. The programmer is good since I used it on many efi MacBooks.
Hey Chez , thank you very much. The model you recommended works great! Was able to boot into windows as well. But I'm looking to buy a new one , what are the exact specs that I need to keep in mind? Does it have to have the B+M key to work ? And does it have to be 3.0 X 2 or can I use 3.0 x 4 SSD? Thanks again
- Not all m.2 2242 SSD drives are the same! Some B+M keyed SSDs are SATA drives instead of the required PCIe 3x2 spec. These will not work on the T480/T580/P52s despite fitting perfectly.
- You'd want to look for a drive with modules/chips on one side only. You can see right around 03:12 how little space there is underneath the SSD.
Important note. a WD sn530 m.2 2242 SSD will not work
@@mrguiltyfool will this one work? it's 42mm : KingSpec 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, 2242 PCIe Gen3x2 Internal Solid State Drive for Laptop/Notebook (2242, 1TB)
will this one work? it's 42mm : KingSpec 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, 2242 PCIe Gen3x2 Internal Solid State Drive for Laptop/Notebook (2242, 1TB)
@@ubermenschx Not too sure. You can ask on the subreddit /r/thinkpad
Same. Kyo Kaizen M.2 2242 is Not Working
I get my 480 tomorrow...I'm going to do all the upgrades in your videos....thanks for posting all of them.
You're welcome. Happy modding!
I’m also getting a 480 tomorrow :]
Thanks for this! FWIW, after I installed my WWAN NVME SSD, that disk became the new first boot disk! If that's a problem for you, you may need to adjust the boot order in the BIOS. I was later able to install Debian 12 on the WWAN disk and can now choose my bout disk via the F12 boot menu key.
Glad things worked out!
@@ChezDoesStuff Thanks! Your videos are extremely useful, and the 48Gb limit advice for the vPro CPU was very useful - I neatly bought 2x 32Gb! Next up is adding a card reader which I'm buying off eBay for under $10 - I'm sure I'll find a use for it 😂
Would be so cool if you'll add WWAN LTE modem. There's so little info in internet how to make it, and what performance is, although all thinkpads support lte modem and sim card tray behind the battery. Would be so cool to have internet whenever you go, especially with those swappable 72Wh batteries hehe
Never had the chance to do it, unfortunately. If you're planning to go this route, you might want to do some research on the hardware whitelist for LTE modems - only specific parts work with the T480/580.
I would like to see that too.
The module is so rare and not compatible with different series.
I setup netac n930es m2 2242 ssd today only cost me 3.5$. Working Pretty First.Thanks For The Video
en la T480?
I didn't know changing SSD could improve the audio 😮
Haha I meant this video has improved video over the last one 😂
Thanks for the video!
If you can try this and show it in a video would be awesome xd
Here in my country i can't find an SSD like yours with M+B key, but i found a possible solution for that.
You can 6uy an M+B keyed to M keyed Adapter from 4li3xpr3ss
Search it like this: "Xiw4i extension adapter for M.2 NGFF B + M Key NVME m-key 2230 to 2242 extension adapter m4le to f3m4le for SSD 2230mm"
The v3ndor is "Xiw4i Offici4l St0re".
What this adapter does is change the port from M.2 M+B keyed to M.2 M keyed
This adapter has a 12mm lenght, combined with an SSD 2230 both make a 2242 that fits into the WWAN slot
In the Comment or Review section of the adapter there are 2 people that say it works without problems with a D3ll laptop with WWAN slot and also with a Th1nkpad X1 Gen6 works too.
Nowdays there are 2230 SSD's for st3amdeck (thanks V4lve for making it standard c,:) with br4nds like S4msung Pm991, K1ngston or D3ll from 256GB up to 1TB
So if y'all have problems finding an SSD 2242 NVME M+B key you can try this solution.
I didn't try it myself but in 1 or 2 months i'll 6uy a Th1nkpad T580.
I love this brand of laptops that's why i want to share this.
Last try to write this
If this get's er4sed, at least you know it Chez xd, thank you for the video
Hope this one stays! Thanks again for sharing
I have put "SK hynix PCIe Gen3x2 HFM256GDHTNG-8510B" on my T580. And the drive work on WWAN slot. The drive show up on T580.
this video saved me. thank you kiriikp for sharing
if only it could works with sata drives.... the prices for nvme 2242 pcie 3x2 in my country is insanely high
No. Not SATA drive. It is NVMe PCIe Gen3x2 with B+M key.
Great video!
Question - Is the SSD available at boot time? Or only after you already booted into Windows?
Thanks!
I just checked for you. It's visible in the boot device list, but I haven't tried installing an OS in it yet. That said, I'm still inclined to boot from the m.2 drive in the main tray, since there seems to be more room for heatsink(s) and stuff. 🤔
@@ChezDoesStuff - Thanks for checking. I would use it for installing Linux or a secondary OS, but maybe not my main OS I use daily.
What do you use yours for?
@@A4orce84 sounds like a good plan. I just dump work files in mine 😄
Absolutely great tutorial. But your SSD in the main tray is SATA or PCle? You did not mention it here
It's a PCIe on a tray that fits in the slot.
Which side up though? Does it matter?
I have a t460 but instead of putting an m.2 SSD in mine I put 4/5G LTE WWAN module in that slot for mobile data service.
Good day! I'm glad you're also from the Philippines! Do you think you can share the link to the product or at least a similar one? Lazada or Shopee would do great. Thanks so much!
Hi there. I searched both platforms extensively in the past and didn't find anything I'd personally trust data with. Sorry bout that!
you turn the battery back ON in bios after putting everything back together, yes?
The battery automatically reconnects the first time you plug the power supply in. No need to manually turn it back on.
Sounded like a cash register at 0:40
Tried an nvme on my t495, the computer doesn't turn on with it connected.
thank you for the guide. Can you tell me, do we need some radiator for this wwan ssd? How hot it is?
I only used it for storage and not to run the OS from, so I didn't need thermal management. Perhaps some folks who used this to dual boot can chime in.
Thank you for the detailed video. Perfect guide.
I'm looking for a suitable ssd.
Can someone help me if the EVM 512GB 2242 M.2 SATA SSD
SKU: EVM512GB2242_HSN:85235100 will fit?
i have encountered a small problem.
this is all before i watched this video.
I ended up trying to put in an ssd that was the same size and only had one slot instead of the two shown in the videos ssd. I saw smoke come out upon trying to insert it (forgot to disconnect the battery) ans two of the pins on the very left side are burnt and it looks like they are gone. I installed the ssd again and no smoke happened nor short but the laptop refused to boot up.
I removed the small ssd and installed it in the main ssd caddy. The ssd still works fine and all is well. the laptop now boots up.
So with the two pins that i burnt on the motherboard, is that ssd slot now completely shot and i need a new motherboard (or solder in a new connector) or can i buy the prope r ssd and all should be well?
the small ssd is coming out of a lenovo ideapad. the ideapad uses the small ssd and it looks like they made room for a standard length ssd using the same port as the small ssd. Since the lenovo ssd fits in the thinkpad slot, i thought all will be well. obviously not.
How bad, how complicated this is, I'm sorry for what happened, it scared me already!
For the Lenovo Thinkpad L580, what type of SSD do you use to install in the WWAN slot?
Please answer
Does it also work for higher capacity SSDs? like 512Gb or 1T? or is there a limit?
No limit
@@freizakun Thank you for reply, I ended up buying the 256G version (couldn't find higher capacity). Your tutorial was very useful. Only thing that happened to me is that my laptop wouldn't turn on until I disconnected and reconnected battery.
@@rsaavdr haha same, cuz buying 2TB ver with that form factor is kinda rare to find on the market
I install the same chip but it is not detecting in my t480. Any drivers do i hve to install ??
So this is a second SSD you're adding in? Is there a way to make sure my laptop doesn't already have something in that space before I open it up?
Yes, that's correct. If a WWAN card shows up in Device Manager or if a 4G/LTE SIM card actually gives you internet when you insert one behind the external battery, then yes you have something in there.
Hello, Thanks for your tutorial. I have working this ssd. But my t480 doesn't have screw. Do you know the metric?
It's either M2 or M2.5. I'm not too sure though. Best bet is to get a cheap assorted laptop screw set. :)
why no test for read/writre speeds?
How do I know if a SSD is single or double sided?
hello..im a newbie, may i ask if it will work on L480?
Where did you purchase this drive? Thanks
Other than the Western Digital do you know of any other drives that are readily available?
There are plenty on Amazon, but I personally prefer used name brand ones vs new generic ones. But that could just be me, too.
What external battery is it you have? 48 or 72 wh?
I'm considering buying a new one, but I'm afraid 72 wh is going to be too bulky
I have the 72Wh. It's a little bulky, but the battery life gain is substantial AND it props the rear edge of the laptop up to make typing more ergonomic and allow more room for air circulation. I'm not sure if the 48Wh props it up similarly.
@@ChezDoesStuff thanks for the explanation :)
@@kressckerl you're welcome!
is it work for thinkpad a475?
Is it gonna work with a m key m.2 2230 ssd with a 2242 m+b key extender? I think it will be much cheaper to buy a m.2 2230 ssd with more storage than the wd sn520
I haven't tried that solution, unfortunately. Please let us know what you find out.
@potatobrain649 did it work?
@@edi4ever1 I haven't received the package yet. The site I ordered it from does claims to work on the xx80 serials.
so T480 has two spaces for SSDs?
No. Only one. He put the 2nd "NVMe PCIe Gen3x2 With B+M Key" on WWAN slot.
Where to buy the SSD?
T450 ok ?
nvme ssd will be good?
this work as sata or nvme?
You'll want a NVMe drive, since SATA ones will not work on the T480/580's WWAN slot.
link of the ssd ??
it's should be SSD nvme 2242 PCIe 3x2?
Yes, that is correct. 3x4 will have the key/slot in the wrong position.
Can I install 2tb pcie m.2 ssd drive in T480 or T580? Thanks.
If you find one that's B-keyed, 2242, and PCIe 3x2, then yes. You'll most likely have an easier time upgrading the m.2 drive in the factory tray though.
also interested if the wwan sllot can take more than 512Gb (like the SN520 from the video) - I'm currently using a t580 with the same ssd for fedora and the m.2 2280 1TB for windows 11
I'm install kingspec m.2 nvme pcie 2242 ssd 1tb support well?
Haven't personally tried that brand, but it ought to work as long as it's PCIe 3x2. :)
did it work?
It works in t460s too? Pls confirm
I unfortunately do not own a T460s to test. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about the matter could chime in.
explan to clearly
What temperatures do you get with this drive?
Hey ! Can this work as a boot windows disk ?
Some have had success using it as such. I think using the factory drive location is still better, since you don't get a speed advantage with this, given that it's just PCIe 3x2.
@@ChezDoesStuff @ChezDoesStuff thank you for you reply, I purchased the same exact model you posted: WD 128GB PC SN520 PCIe NVMe M.2 2242 SSD SDAPMUW-128G-1101 01FR577
Purchased it from eBay today.
The issue is my primary SSD is not working, did a bios update, checked the board, reset the bios, swapped out a good tested SSD caddy and cable , tested with a good working SSD but to no avail, took it to a real expert and still no go.
So my only option is trying this, and if not my T480 i7 will sadly be sold for parts.
If you have any ideas please let me know .
Also tried to reprogram the bios chip with EZp19 programmer which was successful but did not solve the issue.
The programmer is good since I used it on many efi MacBooks.
Hey Chez , thank you very much.
The model you recommended works great! Was able to boot into windows as well.
But I'm looking to buy a new one , what are the exact specs that I need to keep in mind?
Does it have to have the B+M key to work ?
And does it have to be 3.0 X 2 or can I use 3.0 x 4 SSD?
Thanks again
@@bkbaby347 You're welcome! Yes, you'll need the B+M key. A 3x4 will have the wrong key on it and wouldn't fit the slot in the T480.
@@ChezDoesStuff do you think this model will work ?
HFM256GDHTNG-8310A
did y0utub3 erased mi comment? i can't find it ._.'
Must have been the link!
@@ChezDoesStuff if this last coment i wrote gets erased, at least you know about it chez 🥲