Question Blasted M2 'screw/fastener' Wild West

[tcsenter]

If you have messed around/installed M2 across enough mobos, laptops, external enclosures, you have undoubtedly noticed there is ridiculous variation in the screw and post used to fasten down the M2 board, that aren't compatible with other implementations. Screw too long, bottoms out too early. Screw head diameter too small, doesn't overlap the hole securely. Screw diameter or threads are different than another implementation. I bought 'SSD/M2' fastening screw kit marketed for this reason, that contain several different screw sizes, lengths, etc. I even encounter some M2 standoff posts in laptops or PCI-E NVME card that none of these screws fit. GAAAH!!!

I have external NVME M2 to USB3.1 enclosure into which I installed a NVME SSD. It doesn't even offer a threaded standoff. It just relies on a foam pad. I gathered the gist is you insert the SSD into the connector/encloure, put the foam pad over it and then install the other half of the shell/enclosure, it will compress/sandwich the foam pad down and hold the SSD in place. Well I found that isn't a great solution.

I had been using this external drive for months. A few days ago I plugged in and was non op. The enclosure chip was recognized but no drive. I tried plugging into different USB ports, a different PC, still nothing. So I proceed to find out whether the SSD or the enclosure chip was failing (I had three of these enclosures, when it comes to parts I hardly buy just one, MUST HAVE SPARE PARTS). Carefully removed the enclosure shell and the darn SSD is just loose in there not connected. Inserted the SSD into the connector again, voila! So much for this foam pad shim/sandwich approach. It not like I ever drop it from a height or bang it around.

So I guess I'm gonna hot glue that sucker in there.

 

[C1]

From my experience, what you are calling "foam pads" are part of the heat sink system for the ssd. They are very dense type material for the purpose of ensuring heat transfer to the metal heat sink which also acts as a cover/retainer plate.

For example, when you order an NVME M2 external enclosure, you should be provided in the kit several of such heat sink pads for backup.

 

[Jimminy]

I haven't seen an enclosure with nothing to attach the m.2 board. Mine all had either a proper metal screw or at least a rubber plug type thing to hold the drive in place. The latter doesn't work great, but is better than nothing.

If you have to use hot glue, just use a tiny tiny dab, and put it on top of the board (at the very edge, so some touches the case), not under it. This way it will be easier to remove the drive if it ever has to be replaced.

 

[tcsenter]

I haven't seen an enclosure with nothing to attach the m.2 board. Mine all had either a proper metal screw or at least a rubber plug type thing to hold the drive in place. The latter doesn't work great, but is better than nothing.

Yeah this one offered a little rubber plug, which I could NOT press into the hole. I even tried a tiny dab of vaseline. The rubber plug would either fold and roll over or it would zip away like squeezing a wet bar of soap. I lost it twice when it hit the floor and rolled or bounced away, crawl on my hands and knees to find it. After about eight tries I gave up. Maybe the plug has a little oversizing manufacturing defect, larger than it should be. These things happen I suppose.

 

[BoomerD]

Yeah this one offered a little rubber plug, which I could NOT press into the hole. I even tried a tiny dab of vaseline. The rubber plug would either fold and roll over or it would zip away like squeezing a wet bar of soap. I lost it twice when it hit the floor and rolled or bounced away, crawl on my hands and knees to find it. After about eight tries I gave up. Maybe the plug has a little oversizing manufacturing defect, larger than it should be. These things happen I suppose.

What motherboard or enclosure? It’s possible your board has the weird non-threaded “standoffs” for the m.2 drive. Contact your board manufacturer and see if they’ll send you the appropriate parts. ASRock sent me a pair of the standoff and screw sets a couple of years ago.

As already mentioned, the “ foam pad” is similar to the thermal pads used for CPU/ GPUs. It helps transfer heat from the chips to the heatsink.

 

[tcsenter]

What motherboard or enclosure? It’s possible your board has the weird non-threaded “standoffs” for the m.2 drive. Contact your board manufacturer and see if they’ll send you the appropriate parts. ASRock sent me a pair of the standoff and screw sets a couple of years ago.

It's an external enclosure by ORICO, pretty much their cheapest line that is basically same stuff private labeled to others. I just realize I did not use the SSD heatsink that was included! I remember now I left the heatsink off just so I could test it out, planned to attach it once I was satisfied it was working and stable (not disconnecting or acting flaky like so many report with their external NVME enclosures).

I installed it and it seems to fit more snugly but still effectively a 'compression' solution, nothing else securing it (except the interior confines of the enclosure shell). I am still going to add a blob of hot glue somewhere. The little rubber plug/grommet deal is still a no-go.