Inspiron 17 7786 M.2 and HDD Upgrades

Welcome to the Dell Community  @cpeggo 

There is actually only one M.2 slot that can take an M.2 2280 or 2230 solid-state drive.

Inspiron 7786 Setup and Specifications:

I agree with U2CAMEB4ME except for these comments. your OS is probably on the 128 GB SSD and its probably a 2230 length card. I would use Macrium Reflect to clone your 128GB to your new 1TB SSD. You will need a USB to M.2 NVME SSD adapter or external case there fairly inexpensive nowadays.  During the Clone set up, you will have the opportunity to expand your C partition to fill up your new 1TB SSD at the end of the clone shut down your computer and remove the old 2230 128GB SSD and and Install your new 1TB or 512GB SSD, Keep the old 128GB for back up or in case you ever have to send in your notebook for repair. This whole process took me about 20 minutes after I had my case opened to get at the drives. Not the days it would take you to clean install, reinstall all your software and reconfigure. Clean Installing is a legacy thing nowadays Windows 10 can be repaired from just about anything that happens and if not once you have MR you'll learn to keep Drive Images which when problems arise can be restored in just a few minutes. I've been working with SSD for quite a few years now and my experience is that Samsung is the Number 1 manufacturer of SSD Bar none and for very good reason. My 970 is extremely fast and reliable, I'm still running an old 830 Pro from 2011 or so it's still fast and reliable. As far as your Hard Drive goes you could also replace it with a 2.5 form SATA SSD I believe they're up to 4 TB with these now with 2 TB affordable These are very fast and reliable but now where near as fast as the M.2 NVME SSD. I think you were linked to your service manual if not, download it for your model and Service Tag Number all the mechanical stuff you'll have to do is well explained there

@Clintlgm 

The clean install was just mentioned as a "Cheaper" alternative.

Out of the hundreds of "Clean" images I have built from scratch not one took more than a day. "8 hour work day"

With W10 that time is reduced.

I can finish one and upload it to the server before lunch.

Then start down loading the image to new HDD's before the end of day.

There is a vast improvement with a clean install.

A reduction in OS space without all the OEM "Bloatware"

I guess all "Microsoft Refubishers" use that legacy thing you refer to.

Best regards,

U2

@Clintlgmthank you for the MR link! I have been watching some videos about cloning M.2 drives and they say there are some issues with SATA adapters not being recognized. Can I ask which one you use?

I agree a clean install is better - but if I can install a 1TB M.2 drive in this machine, I am not so opposed to bloatware - it can occasionally be useful. Then I can just delete what I don't want. I would still use the SSD for data storage and the M.2 just for the OS and programs. 

Thank you for your help - very much appreciated!

Thanks @U2CAMEB4ME  for the reply and links! It looks like I was looking at the wrong service manual initially. I haven't actually opened the laptop yet. According to this user guide the M.2 drive is limited to 512 GB max and the hard drive is limited to 2GB. Are these BIOS limitations? 

It also says memory is limited to 16 GB -  which came preinstalled in one slot. Could I add another 16GB module for a total of 32 GB or is this another BIOS limitation?

The Crucial page shows a 1 TB M.2 drive and 32 GB memory upgrade that are supposed to be compatible so I am a little confused by the user guide limitations. It doesn't show any SSD drives larger than 2TB however. 

Thanks for the help - very much appreciated!

@cpeggo 

Most if not all manuals are a reference to what was sold with a laptop.

It is not a reflection of the hardware limitations.

Because of your CPU and memory type you can upgrade to 32GB.

Your limitation for the SSD is $$$ and the thickness. "It should be 7mm???"

Regards,

U2

Well I think what you need is a USB 3.1 Adapter to M.2 NVME if you  system is only SATA then what i used wouldn't work. However this is the one I used https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KR7WRCD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This will fit both 2230 and 2280 size SSD however this is not SATA al my SATA SSD are on the 2.5 hard drive format and for that I use https://www.amazon.com/Anker-SATA-Portable-Adapter-Supports/dp/B014OSN2VW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2BJU64ICLK8VD&keywords=anker+usb+3.0+to+sata+adapter&qid=1561229577&s=electronics&sprefix=Anker+USB+3.0+to+SATA%2Celectronics%2C148&sr=1-3 This one doesn't seem to come with the Power adapter but you only need the power adapter for 3.5 drives right now all your dealing with is 2.5 Hard Drives and SSD neither need any power adapter.

It's a good Idea to have your USB to SATA adapter connected when you create your MR Boot USB although I have never bothered nor have I never had any issues with USB to SATA adapters I usually pay for the better equipment rather than go for the cheapest.

SSD Size would likely be that you only have 2230 SSD Slot If that is true then 512 GB is true as no one makes one any larger on that format, However, if you have a 2280 Slot available I don't think that will be limited to 512 GB 

On you RAM is you have 16 GB in one Slot and you have a 2nd slot then yes you could update to 32GB of RAM More likely you'll find you have 2 - m8 GB chips installed though.

I only deal with Samsung SSD so I can't help you with Crucial anything

You need to open up your notebook and see what you actually have in there to work with. Your only wasting time guessing or assuming. 

@Clintlgm The spec sheet that came with the laptop says 16GBx1 DDR4 2666MHz. But yes I need to open it up before I buy anything. Hopefully I will get at it this week - just been way too busy to even look at it. 

Thank you all for your help - I will let you know what I find out once it's open. 

They would have **bleep** you if they only put in 1 16GB, the reason being you would only be running single channel which would be 1333Mhz 2 chips Dual Channel 2666 Mhz? Like you said you need to get in there and see what's going on.

@cpeggo 

Install CPU-z:

https://www.cpuid.com/downloads/cpu-z/cpu-z_1.89-en.exe

Go to "SPD" 

There you will find the "Slot" numbers and what is installed.

Regards,

U2

@U2CAMEB4METhanks! I will try that to check out the memory speed.

@ClintlgmOpened it up and confirmed 1 16GB module. :( Another upgrade required. Also confirmed it has a M.2 2230 but can take a 2280. That's good news!