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XPS 8920, M.2 port is backwards?
Hello,
I've already tried searching through this forum, and elsewhere online without an answer to my query.
I have an XPS 8920, that came with the 1TB HDD option. I was told that it was upgradeable in the future to M.2 SSD. When I finally opened it up, I found the M.2 slot that is supposed to be for the SSD, is facing backwards, opposite of the direction I see in photos online? It is facing towards the bottom of the case so that not even a tiny M.2 card can be inserted as there's less than a quarter inch of space between the slot, and the case.
Is this a manufacturing defect, or was I given a faulty motherboard? I bought the HDD version, leaving me only with a SATA upgrade option?
speedstep
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October 23rd, 2020 07:00
The WIFI SLOT IS NOT M2 Drive slot
The m2 slot can take 2242 2260 2280 its NOT under the power supply.
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/us/en/04/xps-8920-desktop/xps-8920-service_manual/before-working-inside-your-computer?guid=guid-5d3b1051-9384-409a-8d5b-9b53bd496de8&lang=en-us
The m2 slot can take 2242 2260 2280
https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/xps-8920-desktop_service-manual_en-us.pdf
speedstep
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October 23rd, 2020 16:00
its backwards when an INTERPOSER BOARD is installed to hold Optimus or smaller 32 Gig Cache SSD etc. Its called A/E keyed M2 vs M or B or B+M or M only Keying.
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/xps-8920-desktop/xps-8920-service%20manual/before-working-inside-your-computer
https://www.dell.com/support/article/en-us/sln301626/how-to-distinguish-the-differences-between-m-2-cards?lang=en
https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/xps-8920-desktop/xps-8920-service%20manual/procedure?guid=guid-5bda453a-8318-4b25-b57b-f3c29469afa0&lang=en-us
StevoRevo
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October 22nd, 2020 22:00
I took photos of the slot/motherboard to illustrate what I described, but I get a "You are not authorized to upload photos" error message.
Vic384
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October 23rd, 2020 05:00
If you look at the Service Manual there are two M.2 slots. One is for the SSD and the other is for a wireless card. The slot for the SSD is near the SATA connectors and is labeled #8. I guess it is possible that the connector is mounted backwards, but if mounted correctly the SSD should be inserted such that its length is along the row of SATA connectors. If you look closely at the motherboard you can see the studs for the mounting screw for the SSD.
Here is a picture of the M.2 slot in an XPS 8930 motherboard, it looks similar to the XPS 8920.
CTG_8273
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October 23rd, 2020 08:00
@StevoRevo
Try posting images again the moderators have to approve. If you are a new user they may have to approve a few before it will show.
StevoRevo
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October 23rd, 2020 08:00
The wifi card slot is already occupied, the #8 slot on my board is backwards than the one in the diagrams.
Vic384
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October 23rd, 2020 13:00
As I said, I guess it is possible that the connector is mounted backwards but it seems that would be difficult since the connector is not symmetrical.
Anonymous
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October 23rd, 2020 17:00
@StevoRevo I get a "You are not authorized to upload photos" error message.
Make sure you are logged in when you try to upload photos.
Vic384
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October 23rd, 2020 18:00
@Anonymous Or maybe for no good reason Dell installed an interposer board in the M.2 port on some XPS 8920s.
Anonymous
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October 23rd, 2020 18:00
@Vic384 As I said, I guess it is possible that the connector is mounted backwards . . .
Possible . . . sure . . . but so highly unlikely that I would really like to see a photo of this freak-a-zoid mobo