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 carrier, on the M.2 solid-state drive holder or on an M.2 solid-state drive PCIe adapter.

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 in the M.2 solid-sate drive holder

To remove or install an M.2 solid-state drive in the M.2 solid-sate drive holder, 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 slots. See Parts on the system board.
To remove the M.2 solid-state drive holder, pivot the tab 1 upward to open the latch 2 inside the multi-function bracket. Then, grasp the M.2 solid-state drive holder by its edges and gently pull it out of the M.2 solid-state drive slots.
Note:
- The M.2 solid-state drive holder might fit tightly into the M.2 solid-state drive slots. If necessary, alternately move each side of the holder a small amount until it is removed from the slots.
- Depending on the model, the M.2 solid-state drive holder might look slightly different from the illustration.
Figure 7. Removing the M.2 solid-state drive holder
Turn the mounting stud 90-degree counterclockwise to release the heat sink. Then, lift the heat sink off the M.2 solid-state drive holder.
Figure 8. Removing the heat sink from the M.2 solid-state drive holder
To remove an 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 9. Removing the M.2 solid-state drive
To install an M.2 solid-state drive, do the following:
1. 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 10. Inserting the screw holder onto the M.2 solid-state drive
2. Hold the new M.2 solid-state drive by its edges and ensure that the circuit board side is facing upward. Insert the drive into the corresponding slot until it is firmly secured.
  Note:
  
  Pay attention to the direction of the notch 1 in the new drive.
  
  Do not touch the circuit board of the M.2 solid-state drive.
  
  If only one M.2 solid-state drive is installed on the M.2 solid-state drive holder, ensure that the drive is installed in the M.2 solid-state drive slot 1 (20). See Parts on the system board.
  Figure 11. 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 12. Securing the M.2 solid-state drive
To install the M.2 solid-state drive heat sink, do the following:
1. If necessary, remove the film that protects the thermal pad on the heat sink.
2. Insert two hooks on the heat sink into the corresponding holes in the M.2 solid-state drive holder as shown 1. Then, press the heat sink downward 2. Ensure that the mounting stud on the heat sink is inserted into the hole in the M.2 solid-state drive holder.
  Figure 13. Installing the heat sink onto the M.2 solid-state drive holder
3. Press the mounting stud downward and press the mounting stud downward. Then, turn the mounting stud 90-degree clockwise to secure the heat sink to the M.2 solid-state drive holder.
  Figure 14. Securing the heat sink to the M.2 solid-state drive holder
To install the M.2 solid-state drive holder, do the following:
1. Align the notch 1 on the M.2 solid-state drive with the slot key 2 in the M.2 solid-state drive slot. Then, slide the holder against the multi-function bracket and press the holder downward until the M.2 solid-state drive is securely seated.
  Note: Do not touch the circuit board of the M.2 solid-state drive.
  
  Figure 15. Installing the M.2 solid-state drive holder
2. Pivot the tab 1 downward until it snaps into position. Ensure that the latch 2 inside the multi-function bracket is closed.
  Figure 16. Closing the card latch

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 17. 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 18. Opening the cover
Loosen the screws that secure the M.2 solid-state drive heat sink. Then, remove the heat sink as shown.
Figure 19. 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 20. 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 21. 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 22. 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. Insert the drive into the M.2 solid-state drive 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 23. Installing the M.2 solid-state drive
Install the heat sink as shown. Then tighten the screws to secure the heat sink.
Figure 24. Installing the heat sink onto the PCIe adapter
Install the cover as shown. Then, slide the cover latches to the locked position.
Figure 25. Closing the cover
Install the M.2 solid-state drive PCIe adapter in a PCIe x16 card slot. See 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.