Upgrading a SSD - Drive not recognized?

big_smile · 9 Sep 2023 at 18:31

My elderly relative has an old HP ProBook 4530s. I am upgrading the SSD in it.

I purchased a Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD to put in it.
I followed these videos exactly on how to install it:

Hp Probook 4530 HDD SSD Upgrade

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However, it is not detected by the machine. I've put the old HDD back and that works, so I know I've not broken anything.

Any ideas about how I can troubleshoot it? When I try to install Windows it talks about drivers for the disk drive, but I've searched online and can't find anything.

I am installing the 32 bit version of Windows 10. (It has to be the 32 bit version, as my relative uses old software which won't work on 64 bit windows). I am doing it as a clean installation from a USB drive (i.e. I am not installing a cloned drive).
Thanks!

big_smile · 9 Sep 2023 at 19:34

hdpcgamer said:
Has the drive been formatted?

When I use the Windows installer USB, no drive displays, so I don’t have the option of formatting.

big_smile · 14 Sep 2023 at 08:17

I've found the problem!

The old HDD comes in this Cradle:

The installation videos say you are supposed to put the new SSD into the cradle.

However, I find when I use the cradle, the computer can't see the drive. If I plug the drive directly into the laptop without the cradle, then all works fine.

The cradle is screwed down, which I guess is to keep the drive in place when the laptop is moving.
1) Is therefore safe to use the SSD without the cradle? (the installation videos all use the cradle).
2) Should I tape the SSD down to keep it in place if I am installing it without using the cradle?

Also, I notice the connectors on the SSD are a bit squished:

3) Is this normal for the connectors to be like this? Is this why it doesn't fit with the cradle? (Although note, it will fit when the cradle is not used).

Thanks for any help!