Stupid Noob question about my oncoming replacement M11x-R2

Hey all,

So an important screw got stripped while trying to replace my second panel. The screw being stripped required either the unit be sent back to the factory to be fixed - or - on the advisement of my tech, that making it the third service call - entitled me to a complete exchange for a new machine. Which I opted for as those users here who got replacement R2's seem to be much happier.

So my stupid noob question is:

Can I just swap my HD's out and keep it moving?

Or is this going to cause conflicts and performance issues that it's better to go off of a fresh machine and re-install everything?

I'm leaning towards the latter, as it seems to make more sense but obviously way more time consuming -

So, if I can just switch out HD's with no impact, then I just may do that.

Thanks (I know it's the same principles, but I've only had gaming desktops. This and my Asus are my first notebooks ever )

 

If they are same size, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Yes, you can just remove the HD from your old machine, put it in the new machine, and be up and running. The drives don't even need to be the same storage capacity - your configuration has not changed from one laptop to another, so you won't run into any driver or resource conflicts.

You could always do a fresh reformat. I always promote reformatting as often as you can, just to keep your system clean. Microsoft has done a nice job at slowly letting Windows not get bogged down by the "OS plaque" that collects over several months of use, but it's still there. A reformat is always a good way to get your system back in tip-top shape, especially if you reformat so often that you have all of your drivers / apps ready to reinstall.

 

I was told by Dell that you are only allowed to swap parts w/ new system only if they are same spec.

 

I think we are talking about two different things:
1) Will the laptop technically function if you were to swap parts?
2) Does Dell's replacement policy allow for swapping parts?

I was referring to question #1 - you can take a hard drive out of a previous M11x R1/R2, and put it into a new or replacement M11x R1/R2. Your laptop will technically function just fine by doing that.

It sounds like you were referring to question #2 - Dell's replacement policy is that the config they send you is the config they need back.

If you never replaced or upgraded any parts with 3rd party aftermarket parts, then there is no difference between the two questions.

However, if you did do some kind of replacement, then the difference is important. For example, my laptop came with:

• Original Hard Drive: 250GB 7200rpm hard disk drive
• Current Drive: OCZ Agility 120GB SSD.

If I were to get a replacement unit from Dell, then they would send me a replacement with a 250GB 7200rpm drive (since that is what they have "on record" as my current laptop config). I could easily pull the SSD drive from my current M11x and put it into the new/replacement M11x without any problems. The only thing that I need to ensure is that the unit I send back to dell has a 250GB 7200rpm mechanical hard drive in it.

 

One thing I noticed when testing win7 was that it is full of hidden data files that grow significantly over time. Further, these files appear to be hidden from the OS supplied utilities which do NOT reflect the attendant loss of HD space as they grow, so....reach your own conclusions on what exactly they are for. If you have any security concerns....well.....
In any event..as the poster noted, performance considerations suggest that its not a bad idea to reformat/reinstall the whole mess every now and then. If you/re playing around with anything 'edgy' you might consider a dual boot ubuntu or other linux based system, OR a usb stick based minimalist linux install with a a sep partition on the hd for encrypted data.

Seer

 

LOL I was told by DELL that I cant upgrade my memory ram if its aint DELLs.... And I say I can buy another one for my R2 that is compatible.... since there is so much ram out there DDR3 SO-DIMM 204pins 1.5
volts .......... They suck at lies... But yeah I know I cant replace it with any DDr3 I know but lol if it aint from them... 450$ for 2xof 2gbs... HELL..

 

My brain hurts after reading that last post.

 

So i realize that i have an M15x but this post caught my attention. Since my M15x is pretty much in-operable due to it restarting randomly and Dell cant seem to fix the damn thing as the problem hasnt been resolved after THREE returns to the depot. They still wont offer me a replacement system. Doesnt matter who i talk to....maybe i should start stripping screws?