XPS 8930, Faulty SSD

Question

Dell Xps8930

Dell Support assist detected faulty SSD. Sent me a PC611 NVm SK hynix 512gb (ssd drive?).

Requested return of faulty ssd.

No explanation what to do! Cannot contact Dell, difficult when you are 80 and not technical.

Any help?

Thanks in advance.

boblaibe · Accepted Answer

RoHe and Fireberd,

Thanks guy for the advice, have replaced the ssd, in the process of re-installing the deleted programs.

DellCare eventually told me that the replacement disk was blank which I managed to confirm before I installed it.

The Dell OS recovery tool did not work despite several attemps so I was directed to the Microsoft OS re-install site and the download and installation worked fine, 1st go!

Just to let you know that trying use the Macrium Reflect on the faulty ssd gave an error message - error code 23! however didn't need to use it in the end.

Thanks guys

fireberd · Answer

The M.2 SSD will have to be replaced with the new one. Usually the replacement will come with everything installed as it came from the factory. However, if you are unsure and not able to do the change, suggest taking it to a repair shop and have them do it.

Age is an issue for some. I'm an 82 year old Florida retiree but still able to do my own PC repair.

If you feel up to doing it yourself, here is the link to the Dell service manual. page 34 is the solid state drive replacement procedure. Keep in mind if you haven't backed up your user data (pictures, music, etc) to some other media it will be lost.

XPS 8930 Service Manual (dell.com)

RoHe · Answer

@boblaibe   - What does 'faulty' mean? PC doesn't boot or...? Is that the only storage in your XPS 8930 or do you also have a HDD?  If the SSD is your only drive, and/or you store personal files on the SSD then you need to find a way to recover them, if they're not already backed up somewhere else. The Windows default is to store docs, pictures, etc etc on the same drive as Win 10. So unless you specifically store your files on a HDD, then your SSD has personal files on it. You want to be careful sending an SSD back that has your personal info on it. So you may need to wipe the SSD once your files are recovered, assuming anything is recoverable. Maybe a geeky young friend or a reputable PC shop will be able to help you with this....

boblaibe · Answer

Hi there,

Many thanks for the reply, it makes much more sense than the comments from Dell-Cares?

As Dell have sent an SSD - a small card with chips on it - I think that it must be the C drive and the D drive is a 1T HDD.

The C drive contains the operating sysytem which I will have to transfer to the new SSD and replace it into the PC.

I will have to get somebody to help me do this, a bit difficult at the moment as we have a lock down until the end of the month here in France.

It's not what you would expect from a 9 month old computer!

"Faulty" is not functioning correctly as found by Dell SupportAssist. PC still working but presume it will crash at some time, hope not too soon.

Many thanks for the comments

Bob

CTG_8273 · Answer

I guess someone deleted my reply? I know it posted because I checked it.   Never mind I got confused with another post. Happens with old age.

boblaibe · Answer

Hi,

What do you mean the replacement comes with everything installed? Nothing from Dell only the drive in a box, thought that it was a vierge disk!

They sent it last friday, wanted it send back today monday! joke?

The replacement in the pc appears not to be too difficult, but I have to save the data on the existing disk.

Something like cloning to the replacement or what?

It's an XPS 8930 with a 500 SSD and 1t HD.

fireberd · Answer

Before you go any further, the Dell replacement SSD needs to be checked to see what, if any, is on there. It could be configured with how your PC was new or it could be blank. If its already configured, all you need to do is backup your user data to the 1 TB drive, so you can recover it to the new Dell SSD.

If its blank, cloning is iffy so the best option is to use the free Macrium Reflect and make a full drive (all partitions) disc image (backup) to the 1TB drive (I assume there is space for this). Then create a Macrium Reflect bootable rescue USB flash drive. Install the new Dell Disc, boot from the Macrium Reflect rescue drive, "Restore" the created disc image to the new SSD. The disc image is the way I do it as I've had 100% success.

Macrium Reflect Free

How to create Macrium Rescue drive

RoHe · Answer

Even if the new SSD already has Win 10 on it, you should image the existing SSD and store the image on the 1T HDD with Macrium, as said above. That way all your files, settings and apps can be quickly moved onto the new SSD.

And one more piece of advice. You'll have to create a bootable USB stick with Macrium on it, so be certain to test that the USB stick actually boots the PC before you swap in the new SSD:

Plug the Macrium USB into the PC while it's off. Then power on and tap F12 at the Dell splash screen. When the F12 menu opens, select the option to boot from USB. Assuming that works, swap in the new SSD. Boot from that USB again and use Macrium to copy the image onto the new SSD.

RoHe · Answer

I wonder if this KB article from Macrium would have allowed you to image that SSD. Guess it's too late now...

Be sure to make an image of the new SSD once everything is fully installed and store it on external media...

XPS Desktops

XPS 8930, Faulty SSD

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