Question What is this?

[Username123890]

I found this on my laptop's motherboard, it looks like the pins of a m.2 socket Can anyone help me find out?

 

[Math Geek]

what is the make and model for the laptop? the manual likely explains what is what on the motherboard. with no info to go, we'd be guessing at best what it is

 

[Username123890]

The laptop in question is a Dell Inspiron 5579 with a i7-8550U with 8GB RAM and 1TB HDD. I tlooked at the manual but it seems to have no mention of the part. I don't think the manual will help

 

[Math Geek]

i'm looking at the service manual

https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/inspiron-15-5579-2-in-1-laptop_service-manual_en-us.pdf

and it does not seemt o show that spot on the motherboard. there is an m.2 slot for the wifi/BT card but it's not in the corner like that pic shows. not really wure where it is on the mobo from the pic to narrow down where in the manual to look. what corner is that? is it under a cover that was removed to see it?

 

[Username123890]

Nope it was on the motherboard immediately when u open it. Here's a pic showing its location

https://imgur.com/a/R9ZwaH2

 

[Username123890]

I have a feeling that DELL uses the same motherboard on some of their laptops and decide to add the socket to more expensive models. I think I can confidently say it is a M-key M.2 slot by looking at the wikipedia page and the part seems to have the same pins. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2#/media/File:M2_Edge_Connector_Keying.svg

 

[Math Geek]

it's about right size. its as good of a guess as any. as you say it is likely used for a different model but what exactly goes there is just a guess i can't make really.

 

[Username123890]

Ok after looking around I found out my laptop uses the same BIOS as the Inspiron 7773, and it looks like it uses the exact same motherboard but it makes use of a nvme m.2 slot. Would it be possible to solder a socket onto it?

 

[Math Geek]

looking at the service manual for the 7773 that is exactly what is in that spot. an nvme drive. so it looks like it could go there.

but that is where my knowledge ends. how to get the slot and then make it functional is beyond what i know. i have no clue if it is possible or not honestly to add it in. 🙁

good catch though on the mobo usage for that other model.

 

[Username123890]

Ok I found some parts online and came across this https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-1-2199230-5.html . I think all you would need to do is solder the pins. But idk where to go to get this done and confirmation this might work. Do have any idea what type of place you should go to get something like this done?

 

[Math Geek]

i would try a local pc shop to see if they have done it before. i am assuming you risk breaking the board if it fails so i would not give it to anyone to do that has not done t 100 times already. it's just not worth the risk to me.