A detailed walkthrough for upgrading or replacing the internal HDD in BMW NBT EVO head units.
This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step process for replacing the internal hard drive (HDD) in a BMW NBT EVO head unit. This procedure is commonly performed to replace a failing mechanical drive or to upgrade to a larger, faster Solid State Drive (SSD) for improved performance and reliability.
Disclaimer: This is an advanced procedure that requires technical knowledge of BMW software and potential hardware disassembly. Proceed at your own risk. We are not responsible for any damage to your vehicle. Always back up any data if possible.
Required Tools & Software
- A new replacement HDD or SSD (SATA interface).
- A BMW diagnostic interface: ENET Cable.
- A computer with BMW diagnostic software installed.
- E-Sys with a corresponding full PSdZData library.
- An SSH client, such as Putty.
- A method to activate SSH on the NBT EVO (e.g., Feature Tools or UART access).
Phase 1: Preparation - Activating SSH
Before you begin, the most critical step is to activate the SSH (Secure Shell) service on your NBT EVO head unit. This allows you to gain low-level access to the system to prepare the new drive.
You can achieve this using various methods, most commonly with software like Feature Tools to enable the SYS_DEBUG option, or via a direct hardware connection using UART mode. Ensure SSH is active before proceeding.
IMPORTANT: Physically replace the old HDD with the new one BEFORE starting the software steps.
Phase 2: Connecting to the NBT EVO via SSH
Once the new drive is installed and SSH is active, connect your computer to the vehicle's OBD port with an ENET cable.
1. Open your SSH client (e.g., Putty).
2. Select the SSH connection type and enter the following credentials:
- IP Address / Host Name: 169.254.199.119
- Port: 22
- User: root
- Password: ts&SK412
Phase 3: Initializing the New HDD with Commands
After logging in via SSH, you must execute a series of commands to partition and format the new drive correctly.
Execute these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each and waiting for it to complete:
Code:
create_hdd.sh -c partition
create_hdd.sh -c format
create_hdd.sh -c mount
On0ffDSICommander appreset
Code:
create_hdd.sh -c directories
Code:
create_hdd.sh -iPhase 4: Flashing the Head Unit with E-Sys
Now that the drive is prepared, the head unit's firmware must be flashed to install the system software.
1. Connect to the car with E-Sys.
2. Proceed with a full flash of the NBT EVO unit (re-flashing all modules including BTLD, SWFL, CAFD, IBAD).
3. Optimization: If your PSdZData version is very close to or matches the car's existing software level, you may be able to flash only the IBADs, which saves a significant amount of time. However, a full flash is the most reliable method.
Phase 5: Finalizing the Setup - Maps & FSC
The final step is to install the navigation data.
1. Load the navigation maps onto the new drive, usually via a USB stick.
2. You will need a valid FSC (release code) to activate the maps for your vehicle's VIN.
3. Once the FSC is accepted and the maps are installed, perform a final reboot of the head unit.
Job DONE! Congratulations, you have successfully replaced and configured the hard drive in your NBT EVO.
