Unsolved
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
1457
November 11th, 2020 18:00
Vostro 3681 & 3888 - questions prior to purchase
Greetings,
I have contacted Dell's outrageously incompetent Helpline - both sales and technical support - on 4 occassions, but no one there has the answers to my questions.
I am considering buying Vostro 3681 and 3888, and I have some questions regarding these products.
(A) Vostro 3681:
* Regarding the HDD/ODD bracket mentioned on the page 20 of the Service Manual: Will this bracket take both HDD and ODD at the same time or do you have to select one of the two, i.e. if you select ODD, you will have to sacrifice HDD and if you select HDD, you will have to sacrifice ODD. This is the kind of information that should be stated in the service manual.
(B) Vostro 3888:
* Is the HDD bracket shown on page 23 of the service manual included with the Vistro 3888 or do you have to purchase it separately? If it must be purchased separately, could someone please provide me with part number and link to the page on which this item may be purchased? Again: this is the kind of information that should be stated in the service manual.
Thanks in advance.
DELL-Cares
Moderator
•
27.1K Posts
0
November 12th, 2020 12:00
We tried reaching you on a private message asking for the Service Tag but did not receive a response. Please feel free to reply to the private message whenever you are available.
aries242
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
November 12th, 2020 14:00
Greetings,
I am sorry, but your private messages make no sense. I clearly state that these are questions prior to purchase. Why, then, are you asking for my order number? I have even provided you with references to the relevant pages in the service manuals; if no one from Dell can answer these questions, I guess I should be looking elsewhere.
CaptNorm42
7 Posts
0
February 13th, 2021 14:00
The 3681 ships with both 3.5" HDD & DVD burner. There is not room for any other drives, though a 3rd SATA connector is on the MB. If you want another drive, go with NVMe M.2. It is not much more expensive than SATA3 drive, is MUCH faster and there is room on the MB for it.
redxps630
9 Legend
•
14.4K Posts
0
February 13th, 2021 14:00
Re: Vostro 3888:
* Is the HDD bracket shown on page 23 of the service manual included with the Vistro 3888 or do you have to purchase it separately?
If you order the pc including 2.5 hdd/ssd, it includes bracket, because there is no other way the drive can be installed in factory.
redxps630
9 Legend
•
14.4K Posts
0
February 13th, 2021 14:00
Re: Vostro 3681:
* Regarding the HDD/ODD bracket mentioned on the page 20 of the Service Manual: Will this bracket take both HDD and ODD at the same time or do you have to select one of the two.
when you order you get to pick detailed spec of both hdd and odd. You should get what you order (or get your payment back). By default both are included as shown in service manual, but you are required to pick capacity of hdd and spec of odd (DVD RW vs Blue ray burner etc.) during order.
NorthernSoul
4 Posts
0
February 23rd, 2021 13:00
Hi wonder if you can advise re similar question, I noticed they include a 3.5 HD drive and m2 ssd, struggling to get advise on how to install a SSD in the space for the 3.5HDD given it there is no screw to attach a bracket.
CaptNorm42
7 Posts
0
February 23rd, 2021 15:00
I agree, there are no screws for a 7mm 2.5" drive. There is a slot for it. I'm sure the drive will not fall out. You may need to get creative with wire ties... I have connected a SSD to the 3rd SATA port on the MB to confirm it works.
My recommendation, forget about another 2.5" drive. Just install a NVMe M.2 drive. I put in a 500GB M.2 and it is VERY fast. Boots in about 1/3 the time the 7200RPM drive did.
To screw down the M.2, you need to move a special supplied screw. Look where the drive would go, you will see it. It is configured for a shorter M.2.