Upgrading SSD (if possible!) on VN7-791G-52YN

Good evening everyone, this is my first post so go easy on me please.

I own an Aspire V Nitro (VN7-791G-52YN) with the hybrid hard drive setup of 60GB SSD and 2000GB HDD.

The startup drive is the SSD for the speed of it - but its clogged up completely now with the system files, and to upgrade the NVIDIA software or to use Windows update I have to delete my whole PC to do so. Rinse and repeat this every other week and this soon gets boring.

I would prefer to keep the start up drive as the SSD but 60GB is far too little obviously.

The SSD appears to be a Kingston RBU-SNS8100S360GD and a M.2 connection. My question is - am I actually able to upgrade this drive? If so, am I limited by any speeds/software/anything else? Finally, does anyone have any recommendations for me please?

I would consider my technical knowledge around average, and my ability to break down laptops (gently!) to inspect and make changes is adequate - but if its far too fiddly or delicate I will have to just leave it.

Thanks in advance for any help. I appreciate this model of laptop is slightly older (bought it in 2016 I think) than what most of you will be running with on here so no worries if no one can help.

Thanks again.

Grant

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JackE

Absolutely. You can easily clone the weeny m.2 SATA3 card to a much bigger m.2 SATA3 card using an m.2 to USB adapter. Less than $20. Jack E/NJ

https://www.amazon.com/M-2-External-Converter-Adapter-Enclosure/dp/B076DCNZM3

GrantS

Thanks for the reply, I will get the adaptor you recommend. As for the SSD, do you have any recommendations? Thank you.

GrantS

Think I am gonna go for this https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B073SBX6TY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1 and this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FY9XGBW/ref=twister_B07RT8Z61T?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

JackE

Both choices look fine. Good luck. Jack E/NJ

GrantS

I ordered and they were delivered yesterday, and I started it today. I have made an error because I get no bootable device when I start the laptop. I appreciate that this is a generic error message so may not offer up a simple solution. The drive cloned just fine, I am thinking I have made a mistake in changing or failing to change the boot up drive. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks for the help so far. It's also a complete pig of a laptop to deconstruct and put back together!!

GrantS

Also, is there any way to change boot up drive in command prompt at all?

JackE

After cloning, did you just remove the old 60GB SSD and replace it with the new 500GB SSD? Jack E/NJ

GrantS

I guess I did, and I have obviously missed out a step or two

GrantS

What would you suggest to rectify it?

JackE

>>>I guess I did, and I have obviously missed out a step or two>>>

(1) Does the old 60GB SSD card look anything like the new 500GB SSD card?

(2) If yes, what is the brand and model number of the old 60 GB SSD card?

(3) Where is the old 60GB SSS card now?

Jack E/NJ

GrantS

1. Exactly the same
2. Kingston RBU-SNS8100S360GD
3. In the enclosure for safe keeping

GrantS

Picture of them side by side.

I have swapped them back round and formatted the new ssd. Will try again soon

JackE

>>>3. In the enclosure for safe keeping >>>

What enclosure? Jack E/NJ

GrantS

The one in the amazon link above, once I'm done with it I'll be using it as a diy storage device ha

JackE

What software did you use to clone the old 60GB SSD to the new 500GB SSD? Jack E/NJ

GrantS

AOMEI Partition Assistant

JackE

Do you have a bootable Windows installation USB pendrive? Jack E/NJ

GrantS

I don't I'm afraid

JackE

Shut the machine off by pressing and holding the power button. Then press and hold the F2 key. While still holding F2, press the power button to turn the machine back on. The BIOS menu should appear. Is the new 500GB drive recognized in both the Information and Boot tabs? Jack E/NJ