Re: nvme screw?

On 1/19/26 12:10 AM, Paul wrote:
> On Sun, 1/18/2026 11:40 PM, T wrote:
>> what is that tiny screw used to fasten the NVMe
>> drive on a lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower Gen 2
>> (Intel) Workstation?
>>
>> And where can I purchase about ten of them?
> 
>     [Picture]  Use Download Original to collect the picture
> 
>      https://i.postimg.cc/4dZ0s6nf/lenovo-nvme.jpg
> 
> That particular one is not standard. And as the metal pin
> has a retention band on it, the pin does not appear to
> screw in either.
> 
> For conventional motherboards, they use the same angular-entry
> NVMe connector, but the retention screw is:
> 
>      The screw used to retain an M.2 drive is usually a "flat head M2.0 x 2.5mm"
> 
> Even at the "fastener store" here (not a Home Depot) they don't
> sell #2 for example in the trays. It's a custom order and you
> buy a box of 100. You would go to the computer store, and
> see what the system builder uses for boxes of screws. Maybe they
> have bags of ten for sale.
> 
> That means the threaded section is 0.1" long or so, and I don't have
> a good tool for that. I use my magnetic screwdriver, and a regular fine tip
> hex drive screwdriver bit. I could use a jewellers screwdriver but then
> I wouldn't have the magnet. And most of the time, I'm trying to drive
> that screw while the tool is on an angle, and the head hardly mates
> properly. You have to be careful not to slip off and ding something.
> 
> The motherboards actually come with "the stud" plus the screw that
> goes into the stud. The stud is already screwed to the motherboard,
> like in the 110mm location. The screws come in a tiny zip-lok bag
> and you only crack open the bag of screws when attempting to
> install an NVMe and not before. You can see in the picture,
> if you had one of these, installing that flat head screw (to hold down
> the rather large shoulder surface on the module) is going to be
> a pain in the ass.
> 
>     https://www.amazon.ca/Standoff-Mounting-Screws-Gigabyte-Motherboards/dp/B0DG2873WB
> 
> Sometimes when working with these materials for the first time, you unscrew
> the stud by accident, and make some weird conclusion about the materials.
> When really, the tiny screw did not come loose when it should have. When
> reinstalling the stud, do not over-torque it. It just needs enough of a
> twist to hold it steady. In the item there, they have included different
> stud styles, to match whatever crazy motherboard you bought.
> 
> But the Youtube video I got that from,
> 
>     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st_47WV6zMU
> 
> the two sleds have custom mechanical bits, with the intention being,
> "a bit of parts sales" for Lenovo.
> 
> I could see a heatsink kit and plastic doohickey costing $30, when a
> convention motherboard already includes the materials needed for all sleds.
> You can move the stud from one motherboard hole to another, if for example,
> you don't buy a 110mm and you buy something else.
> 
> On this Dell, there is a plastic push-pin of some sort. I wonder what the
> cycle-rating on that is. There are two co-linear sleds on this design,
> and when you install a 110mm, it covers one of the slots so only
> one NVMe can be installed.
> 
> https://goughlui.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/202410042236239492-1536x667.jpg
> 
> The manufacturers recognize what a shambles the thing is, which is why everyone
> has a different twist on a retention solution. Most will go with the standard
> "tiny annoying screw". Just make sure the power is off, as that screw can fall
> just about anywhere.
> 
>     Paul

Hi Paul,

   The "Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower Gen 2 (Intel) Workstation"
mounted NVMe drive comes with a super tiny screw.

   Lately, I have been presented with old computers they want
upgraded to something better and faster.  They have a ton
of specialty software on them.  This mean "Key codes?  Source
codes? Disks?  You've got to be kidding me!"  It is an
impossible assignment.

But, being one clever SOB, pull the NVMe drive out of the new
computer, put it in a USB3 carrier, plug it into the old
computer, fire up Clonezilla in rescue mode to copy past
bad spots, and clone the old computer to the new NVMe drive.
Put the NVMe drive back in the new computer, upgrade to W11
and presto.  They are back in business.

Problem, the micro screw.  It is very, very easy to lose.
I take it out with a magnetic screwdriver, leave it on a
magnet until I have to reinstall it.  One wrong shake of
eh hand or bump of the table and it disappears forever.

I can not tell it the turkey is an M1.2, M1.4 or the
larger M2 or if it is ever a metric screw or not.

-T