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April 26th, 2025 06:40

Optiplex 780 SFF DSKT2 soldering pins

Hello again. Separate question this time. I have been trying to install a floppy drive in my Optiplex 780 as there seems to be a spot in the chassis and I have weirdly found a floppy drive which is curved in the exact way that fits in the 780 chassis.

However, the key problem is the DSKT2 on the motherboard is bare - it does not have any pins. This is the same for every single picture of Optiplex 780 that I've seen on the internet, eBay, and in person too - none of them have any DSKT2 pins.

It's odd to me, because the official dell 780 SFF service manual does have instructions on how to insert and remove a floppy drive, but I've never actually seen the connector pictured in any other pictures of the E93839 GA0404 motherboard anywhere else.

I was reading the previous thread here which was very helpful and informative with discussion for the 780 (mostly around the MT). (?On a separate note, from that thread I learned the 780's MT service manual actually shows pictures of the 755 or something of that sort. Might it be the case for the SFF manual too, or are there really any SFFs with floppy?)

But yes here my (somewhat insane) question is: would it somehow be possible to microsolder pins onto DSKT2 in optiplex 780 SFF? If so, which pins do I need to buy/search for to do this? What is the name of the component which should be in DSKT2 in the picture? (This is what I really don't know -- I am very new to all this. I probably will not attempt the microsoldering myself (I'd be too messy and imprecise for this job), but I do know someone in my neighbourhood who can - so, the thing I need to know is just which part I'd need to find and pass on).

((And before I'm asked, nope I do not want to use any external or USB floppy drive; and yes, I realise this is all a pointless outdated and silly endeavour for very little value or reward - but, it is all I have cared about for 5-6 years now, and it will make me happy. :) and isn't that what the world is all about hey. Even if it doesn't work out, I am still having fun)).

Thanks for any help in advance! (and apologies in advance for being very naieve on all this, I'm just a young boy and learning as I go). Any tips would be very much appreciated. :]

9 Legend

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14.2K Posts

April 26th, 2025 14:50

you can try remove a FDD header from a 755 SFF motherboard and solder it on 780 SFF.  no promise it would work.

780 is DDR3 based and Dell had retired FDD, which is why you saw a vestige of old tech on the oem board.

note the 755 SFF FDD header is slim in foot print.  it is not the standard size header for FDD.  The FDD you plan to install needs to have the slim cable too.  more info available on this forum

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/optiplex-desktops/dell-optiplex-960-floppy-drive/647f96b7f4ccf8a8de98b246

1 Rookie

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7 Posts

April 26th, 2025 08:18

Oddly enough, while working on a separate issue with this same computer at the moment, I can see the BIOS actually says "Floppy diskette seek failure". So maybe I'm inexperienced and there's a different place where it connects which isn't DSKT2? Or maybe unrelated. Just adding in case the information is useful. :)

9 Legend

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14.2K Posts

April 26th, 2025 15:42

760 SFF motherboard can be a source of the slim 26 pin DSKT socket too

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324817526457

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/diEAAOSwbwdhXKAR/s-l1600.webp

1 Rookie

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7 Posts

April 26th, 2025 20:53

@redxps630​ Hi redxps630 and good morning. Thanks so much for your message, I was so happy to receive it in my inbox. Excellent, I think I'll try the transplant from a 755 or 760 then, which will at least be fun and a way to learn how to microsolder from my neighbour even if it doesn't work out for the computer itself. Cheers for the details about the slimline nature of it also. It's very much appreciated - thank you! :] 

7 Technologist

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8.8K Posts

April 29th, 2025 03:05

External floppy drive may be much easier.

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