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Repair guides and support for desktop computers produced by Asus including towers and all-in-one display PCs.

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Replace hard drive with ssd

Hi,

the Asus ET2702 has got some kind of fusion drive, which means it has an ssd part (128GB) but also a normal 1 TB harddrive.

I would like to replace that with my 512 GB SSD that I have here.

Is that possible? And if so how?

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Hi Folks - I got it! I found the SSD finally and how to replace it. It is incredibly hidden deep inside and it is not a 'normal' SSD as you buy it to replace a HDD but a special M.2 2260 type, hardly recognizable on the bottom side of the motherboard. It is replaceable and further down I will tell you where to get a 500 GB SSD for under 200 Euros to replace it.

Here is how you get deep down to the SSD - be very careful not to damage any cables, plug-pins, etc. - this stuff is very frigile and it is quite a challenge:

First disassemble your machine like shown in this video (you don't have to take out the HDD of course, just to show you how to get to the motherboard):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MctmOvfm...

In the video a slightly different model is shown. The only difference to ET2702 is the different wireless antenna, which has to be detached here, best with a small screwdriver or so, be gentle!:

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Indeed as risleh says the SSD is on the bottom side of the motherboard. To get the motherboard out (keeping left edge down, just tilting) take out these screws (circles in following image) and detach these cables (rectangles):

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Then only tilt up the motherboard carefully since there are still cables attached on the left side. The SSD is at the bottom right:

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and here a closeup:

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As said, this an M.2 type SSD. M.2 SSDs come in different sizes. This one is 60mm long so it has the so called form factor 2260. There are also 2280 and 2245 SSDs on the market (80mm and 45mm). But in this case we need a 60mm size.

Here is where you can get one (500 GB):

https://www.ipc-computer.eu/notebook-spa...

By the way: this site was recommended me by ASUS support! There is a second ASUS parts site: http://www.asusparts.eu/en, but there I couldn't find the right SSD.

And when you got your new SSD, here comes the software part:

Clone your existing system on the new drive like shown in the following video. You do this by only using Windows tools. You do not have to buy or download any cloning software. The only thing you need is a USB stick.

The steps are:

1. Make a disk image on the internal 1GB HDD (if not enough space there use an external USB drive with enough space instead)

2. Prepare the USB Stick as a recovery disk (as shown in video below).

3. Replace the 128 GB SSD by the new 500 GB SSD physically

4. Boot from the USB stick

5. Copy the disk image onto the new 500 GB SSD

I haven't done all this myself since I'm still waiting for my new SSD to be delivered, but it looks easy in the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-Cd4vx... (sorry, video in german, but sure there are a load of similar videos in other languages).

Cheers and good luck from MarkU, Zurich, Switzerland

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Cool! I got an AiO et27021, which came without the SSD but only 2TB sata-HD. I never would have known about it's board got such M-SATA slot at it's rearside (who would ever mention?) without reading this! - I will just strait ahead to the next PC-store to get a m2.type2260 SSD!!!

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Hi

I also struggled to get an answer from ASUS, no luck. But thank G-d I managed to take it apart relatively easy, no warranty voided.

The steps are:

1. place the computer face down on a desk (you might want to put it on a soft cloth)

2. using a pryer or a flat screw driver, remove the 2 plastics that cover the metal stand, where it connects to the body of the computer.

3. remove the 6 screws that connect the stand to the computer.

4. take out the stand.

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5. remove the 4 corner screw covers.

6. remove 4 screws.

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7. remove the side panel cover (bend the hinges a little & it'll come out)

8. remove the 2 screws there

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9. turn on the computer and open the optical drive.

10. 2 more screws hide right there, remove them.

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11. now you could remove the whole back cover quiet easy, start from the right side (where the side panel is) and make sure not to tear the cables that connect the optical drive to the board (the optical drive is actually part of the back cover).

there are the SATA connectors and one more tiny wire for the button (on the left side, so lift the back cover slowly and carefully)

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12. replcaing the hard drive is quiet simple at this point. you'll need a 3.5" SSD adapter. if you want to upgrade the memory it will involve some more unscrewing, but still possible and not too difficult.

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I also asked a couple of weeks ago about how to open this worthless piece of junk. (Mine came with the Monitor OSD controls broken).

Has anybody already opened this model? - ASUS ET2702

Unfortunately nobody answered, and I'm starting to lose hope about anybody actually making a guide, Asus has the worst support ever and probably nobody should be wasting their money buying their crap.

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Yeah, that's really a shame. I would prefer this AIO over the iMac, but I need 512GB of SSD memory...

So I will buy an iMac then because at least I can configure it like that when I order it.

Asus is by far the company with the worst support. I asked them by mail if I can use both Thunderbolts to connect two more displays to it. The first person answered, no, that is not possible, the second one said, well of course you can because both ports support displays.

Must be a bad joke.

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Refaelo, I think on the entire www you're the only one so far that has experience in opening up the Asus AIO ET2702. Apart from the steps you have listed, could you make a simple video on it? It would be very helpful for those who bought this but has no knowledge or whatsoever to replace RAM & SSD on this wonderful machine.

Thanks.

Jimmy@shiftmail.com

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Jimmy,

I'm so sorry but it's rather impractical for me. really hope the written guide could be enough.

BTW, 1 important piece of info I forgot to add is that Samsung SSD IS NOT compatible with this machine. I did test it with Toshiba & Crucial SSD, both worked just fine. Also, the mSATA slot did not work for me either (tried a Lexar 256 mSATA).

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Hi Refaelo,

Not a problem though, appreciate your contribution as I've been looking high & low for this tutorial. I will buy the ET2702IGTH later this month. Hope I can manage the replacement of SSD with your steps. BTW I'm planning to replace the HDD with Plextor M5Pro xtreme 512GB SSD 2.5" (3.5" bracket included). Hope it doesn't have the compatibility issue.

One more thing, just in case I mess things up, how do I look up for you? Any direct email to reach you?

Good day my friend.

Jimmy

jimmy@shiftmail.com

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no fusion drive. its 2 separate drives. the SSD is on the bottom side of the motherboard .

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no fusion drive. its 2 separate drives. the SSD is on the bottom side of the motherboard.

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@risle

What exactly do you mean by 'under the mainboard? Where exactly? I cannot find it.

Update: Yes I did! See next answer below.

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Could somebody please help answer this about the et2701 model. It doesnt come with a SSD but I'm wondering if it has the m.2 slot still. Or if the HDD can be replaced with a 2.5inch

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hsauer will be eternally grateful.
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