Where is the mSATA?

[shinfujiwara]

I've bought an MSI CX61 a few days ago and it came with the slowest HDD I've ever heard of. So I decided I should stick this mSATA SSD in it.

Thing is, I can't find this port. Truth be told, I've never seen one inside a laptop before so it's hard for me to find it. And I'm also not sure if this model has one or not. Different websites tell me different things about the CX61. Even on MSI's own website. -_-

So I took a shot of it and uploaded it here so you guys can tell me if you can identify the port somewhere in there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[das_stig]

Remove maintenance cover on the bottom, ignore void warrenty label and all is revealed.

 

[shinfujiwara]

Maintenance cover on the bottom? I don't think I know what you mean. That main cover seems to be the only one that can be removed. It isn't? I already ignored the warranty sticker that was hiding a screw, btw.

 

[goonbar79]

Are you sure this unit has msata port? Usually if the laptop support one, at least one variation of the same model has msata ssd as an option. And although mini pci-e has same form factor, these are not electrically compatible, meanning simply removing wlan card from mini pci-e and inserting msata ssd is not going to work. You need a laptop that already has an msata slot.

If the laptop supports msata ssd, depending on laptop model & brand, the msata slot may not be accessible to the user, which means you may need to disassemble the laptop to access it. You should be able to find that in the manual.

If your laptop doesn't have msata port, you may still be able to use your msata ssd by using a msata to sata bracket (costs around $15). But a better option would be setting this one and getting a 2.5" form factor ssd instead.

 

[shinfujiwara]

The manual has barely any info at all and it doesn't mention mSATA being available. But some reviews on the web are telling me that it is available.

But I can't find it by just removing the main bottom cover. Did you take a look at that image? It isn't there, right? Maybe it's hidden somewhere?

 

[shinfujiwara]

Oh, no... Take a look at this image. I guess it's pretty clear that this model doesn't have one, right? The model shown here has more space in the middle of the board and it's written "SSD". On mine, there is no such thing.

This makes me really mad as I bought this expecting to eventually have an SSD + storage drive. Both are called MSI CX61! It's amazing how can they change features like this.

 

[goonbar79]

Oh, no... Take a look at this image. I guess it's pretty clear that this model doesn't have one, right? The model shown here has more space in the middle of the board and it's written "SSD". On mine, there is no such thing.

This makes me really mad as I bought this expecting to eventually have an SSD + storage drive. Both are called MSI CX61! It's amazing how can they change features like this.

A lot of times, even within the same model line, higher end vs lower end are different. OEMs usually add extra codes to the model name to define this (i.e. MSI CX61-XXXX) Try to return it if you can, since there is no way to do what you planned to do initially. May be you can argue with the seller that this unit description is misleading, and you want an exchange/refund. Otherwise,... sorry you are stuck with it.. and I know that really stinks.

 

[shinfujiwara]

Yeah, it does. But no worries, thanks for the help anyway.

 

[goonbar79]

If you can't return/refund it, depending on where you live, you may be able to plead your case to the warranty service department, since I assume that this unit is fairly new. It may be a long shot, but you could try to get the mobo changed out to the other one w/ msata port. I have seen it being done. You have to be pretty agressive, but it is possible. If they won't do it, contact the HQ and complain. Again, I HAVE SEEN IT BEING DONE. You have nothing to lose by sending a few emails.

The thing is that the OEMs do make their products confusing, and consumers get hurt because of it, so don't give up on doing something about keeping a product you dont want.

 

[nowaveny]

Yeah, it does. But no worries, thanks for the help anyway.

you have the slot but its being used by the wireless card.
you must check if compatible but that it.