I bought a small form factor Dell a few weeks ago, something went wrong with either the power supply or capacitor..something. Dell agreed to send me an exact replacement. Can I swap the SSD out of the old computer and have it run out of the box? I'd hate to spend the time setting the new computer up and losing all of my files. Not to mention the security risk of sending the old one back without being wiped. If I could swap them, it would be less of a headache.

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Posted by Lonnie Utah

Utah!

Member since Jul 2012

28921 posts

Posted on 2/10/24 at 7:52 am to Twincam

If it didn't get fried along with the power supply,yes. But opening the case of the computer will likely void the warranty. Given the cost of the machine, it may or may not be an issue.

It actually should be an easy process.

This post was edited on 2/10/24 at 7:53 am

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Posted by mdomingue

Lafayette, LA

Member since Nov 2010

37686 posts

Posted on 2/10/24 at 12:09 pm to Twincam

You could probably get something like this to get your data off the old one. I would touch base with Dell about that though, since it is a warranty exchange.

https://www.amazon.com/SSK-Aluminum-Enclosure-Adapter-External/dp/B07MNFH1PX/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=external+ssd+adapter&qid=1707588173&sr=8-3

or

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-SATA-USB-Cable-USB3S2SAT3CB/dp/B00HJZJI84/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=external%2Bssd%2Badapter&qid=1707588173&sr=8-4&th=1

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Posted by Joshjrn

Baton Rouge

Member since Dec 2008

29864 posts

Posted on 2/10/24 at 5:10 pm to Twincam

In theory, yes. In practice, it depends if Dell has done any proprietary frickery.

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Posted by ThatBaw

Baton Rouge

Member since Jul 2023

288 posts

Posted on 2/14/24 at 2:20 pm to Twincam

There could be an issue with the Windows license as it is linked to hardware if it is an OEM license (came with the computer).

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Posted by Twincam

Member since Nov 2021

844 posts

Posted on 2/21/24 at 8:03 am to ThatBaw

Update in case this happens to anyone else... It worked. I had to reset the login pin because of "hardware changes and changes to security" but that was all. It booted up, everything was in place and remembered as the PC that died.

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