M.2 solid-state drive

Attention:

Do not open your computer or attempt any repair before reading and understanding the Read this first: Important safety information.

An M.2 solid-state drive can be installed in the storage drive bracket, on the system board or on an M.2 solid-state drive PCIe adapter. The instructions on how to install or replace a M.2 solid-state drive also apply to the Intel Optane memory. Before replacing the Intel Optane memory, ensure that you disable the Intel Optane memory from the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) Console. Otherwise, all data on the storage drive will be lost.

M.2 solid-state drive in the storage drive bracket

To remove or install an M.2 solid-state drive, do the following:

Prepare your computer. See Preparing your computer and removing the computer cover.
To remove the failing M.2 solid-state drive, do the following:
1. Unlock the M.2 solid-state drive carrier with the provided key as shown. Store the key in a secure place for later use. Press the eject button to eject the carrier from the storage drive bracket. Then, grasp the M.2 solid-state drive carrier by its edge and gently pull it out of the bracket.
  Figure 1. Removing the M.2 solid-state drive carrier
2. Remove two screws and slide the cover as shown to remove the cover from the carrier.
  Figure 2. Removing the cover of the M.2 solid-state drive carrier
3. Loosen the screw that secures the M.2 solid-state drive. Then, remove the M.2 solid-state drive out of the slot at an angle of about 20 degrees.
  Note:
  Do not touch the circuit board of the M.2 solid-state drive.
  
  Figure 3. Removing the M.2 solid-state drive
To install the M.2 solid-state drive, do the following:
1. Insert the new M.2 solid-state drive into the slot at an angle of about 20 degrees. Pivot the M.2 solid-state drive downward. Then, tighten the screw to secure the M.2 solid-state drive.
  Figure 4. Installing the M.2 solid-state drive
2. Reinstall the cover of the carrier as shown and reinstall the screws to secure the cover.
  Figure 5. Installing the cover of the M.2 solid-state drive carrier
3. Reinstall the carrier into the bracket as shown until it snaps in to position. Lock the carrier with the key. Always store the key in a secure place.
  Figure 6. Reinstalling the M.2 solid-state drive carrier

M.2 solid-state drive on the system board

To remove or install an M.2 solid-state drive on the system board, do the following:

Prepare your computer. See Preparing your computer and removing the computer cover.
Lay the computer on its side for easier access to the M.2 solid-state drive slots.
Locate the M.2 solid-state drive. See Computer components.
Turn the mounting stud 90-degree counterclockwise to release the heat sink. Then, remove the heat sink from the system board.
Figure 7. Removing the heat sink
To remove the M.2 solid-state drive, do the following:
1. Loosen the screw that secures the M.2 solid-state drive 1.
2. Remove the M.2 solid-state drive with the screw holder from the M.2 solid-state drive slot 2.
3. Remove the screw holder from the M.2 solid-state drive 3.
Figure 8. Removing the M.2 solid-state drive
To install an M.2 solid-state drive, do the following:
1. If necessary, remove the film that protects the thermal pad. Align the notch 1 in the screw holder with the corresponding notch 2 in the M.2 solid-state drive. Insert the screw holder onto the new M.2 solid-state drive as shown.
  Figure 9. Inserting the screw holder onto the M.2 solid-state drive
2. Hold the new drive by its edges and ensure that the circuit board side is facing upward. Align the notch 1 in the new drive with the slot key 2 in the M.2 slot. Insert the drive into the corresponding slot at an angle of about 20 degrees until it is firmly secured. Pivot the M.2 solid-state drive downward.
  Note:
  Do not touch the circuit board of the M.2 solid-state drive.
  
  If only one M.2 solid-state drive is installed, ensure that the drive is installed in the M.2 solid-state drive slot 1 (21). See Parts on the system board.
  Figure 10. Installing the M.2 solid-state drive
3. Tighten the screw to secure the new M.2 solid-state drive.
  Note: Do not overtighten the screw.
  
  Figure 11. Securing the M.2 solid-state drive
4. If necessary, remove the film that protects the thermal pad on the heat sink. Insert the two hooks on the heat sink into the corresponding holes as shown 1. Then, press the heat sink downward 2. Ensure that the mounting stud on the heat sink is aligned with the hole in the system board.
  Figure 12. Installing the heat sink onto the system board
5. Press the mounting stud downward and turn the mounting stud 90-degree clockwise to secure the heat sink to the system board.
  Figure 13. Securing the heat sink to the system board

What to do next:

To work with another piece of hardware, go to the appropriate section.
To complete the installation or replacement, go to Completing the parts replacement.

M.2 solid-state drive in an M.2 solid-state drive PCIe adapter

Install M.2 solid-state drives in the alphabetic order as shown.

Figure 14. M.2 solid-state drive installation order

To remove or install an M.2 solid-state drive in the M.2 solid-state drive PCIe adapter, do the following:

Remove the M.2 solid-state drive PCIe adapter from the PCIe card slot. See Full-length PCIe card.
Slide the cover latches to the open position. Then, pivot the cover as shown until it stops.
Figure 15. Opening the cover
Loosen the screws that secure the M.2 solid-state drive heat sink. Then, remove the heat sink as shown.
Figure 16. Removing the heat sink
To remove the M.2 solid-state drive, pull the handle of the retention latch outward to release the M.2 solid-state drive. Then, remove the M.2 solid-state drive from the PCIe adapter.
Figure 17. Removing the M.2 solid-state drive
To install an M.2 solid-state drive, do the following:
1. If necessary, move the retention latch to an appropriate location to suit the length of the new M.2 solid-state drive.
  Figure 18. Adjusting the location of the retention latch on the PCIe adapter
2. If necessary, remove the film on the thermal pad on which you want to install the M.2 solid-state drive.
3. Pull the handle of the retention latch outward to the open position.
  Figure 19. Opening the retention latch
4. Hold the new M.2 solid-state drive by its edges and ensure that the circuit board side is facing upward. Align the notch in the new M.2 solid-state drive with the slot key in the M.2 slot. Insert the drive into the corresponding slot on the PCIe adapter until it is firmly seated. Then, insert the plug of the retention latch into the hole to secure the new drive.
  Note: Do not touch the circuit board of the M.2 solid-state drive.
  
  Figure 20. Installing the M.2 solid-state drive
Install the heat sink as shown. Then tighten the screws to secure the heat sink.
Figure 21. Installing the heat sink onto the PCIe adapter
Install the cover as shown. Then, slide the cover latches to the locked position.
Figure 22. Closing the cover
Install the M.2 solid-state drive PCIe adapter in a PCIe x16 card slot on the system board. See Parts on the system board and Full-length PCIe card.

What to do next:

To work with another piece of hardware, go to the appropriate section.
To complete the installation or replacement, go to Completing the parts replacement.