Frequently Asked Questions

Technical Questions

What is the difference between SSD (Solid State Drive) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive)?

Solid State drives use flash storage like a USB flash drive. They have no moving parts and operate much quicker than regular hard drives. HDDs use a circular disc that spins any time you save or open a program and a read write head.

What is a M.2 SSD?

M.2 is a newer form factor that allows the SSD to plug in to the motherboard directly without any cables. There are currently two types: NVME M.2 and SATA M.2 drives.

Do M.2 drives have different sizes?

M.2 drives do have different form factors. Just like hard drives come in 2.5 inch or 3.5 inch sizes, M.2 drives have a number in the name that will designate the size of the card, usually 2230, 2240, 2260, and 2280. The larger the number means the drive is longer. Many motherboards support multiple sizes.

What is the difference between NVME M.2 and SATA M.2?

NVME drives utilize the PCIe bus of a computer and provide faster data transfer speeds than standard SATA connections. SATA III speeds have a max around 600 MB/s and NVME speeds can reach upwards of 7000 MB/s.

Why are there different keys for M.2 drives?

M.2 drives can be configured as either B, M, or B and M keys. Like how RAM has different types of slots, M.2 slots need to be compatible with the key of the M.2 drive. This is to prevent the incorrect modules from being plugged in to the computer.

What is Ultra M.2?

Ultra M.2, Hyper M.2, Turbo M.2 are all various terms used by manufacturers to represent faster M.2 slots. Normally it just means they are not using the standard M.2 PCIe x2 speeds. They still support the same M.2 drives as the regular slots.

Why do computers include both a SSD and HDD?

Computers that offer both an SSD and an HDD provide the best of both worlds in terms of speed and storage space. The SSD is typically used as the boot drive to allow faster boots and startup time for applications, while the HDD can be used to store documents and other data because it is larger than the SSD.

Do Hard Drives have different speeds?

Yes, Hard Disk Drives use RPMs, or Revolutions per Minute, to determine the speed of the drive. The most common speeds for hard drives are 5400 RPM and 7200 RPM.  By increasing the spindle speed of the drive, you can run applications, reboot, and process information faster. Tests have reported that 5400rpm drives are approximately up to 18% faster than 4200rpm drives. Increasing the spindle speed to 7200rpm will improve the data rate by 71% over 4200rpm drives and 33% over 5400rpm drives.

Do I have to order the same drive that I originally had?

No, in most cases any manufacturer drive will work. The main concern is that the drive will fit properly and is the correct interface.

How do I know what kind of drive to order?

Try using our EZ Upgrade Center to locate the correct hard drive, SSD or memory for your laptop or desktop PC.  We list all drives compatible with your model and guarantee compatibility.  Click here to use our EZ Upgrade Center to locate your model https://drivesolutions.com/upgrade/browse

What if my laptop is not listed in the EZ Upgrade Center?

If your laptop is not listed in the EZ Upgrade Center, you may call our sales department at (747) 888-3085 or email [email protected]

Why is my new drive not detected?

New drives need to be formatted to show up in the operating system. You can format a drive in Windows using Disk Management, or Disk Utility if using a Mac. HDDs and SSDs that plug into SATA ports may not be detected if a SATA M.2 drive is installed. Depending on the manufacturer of the motherboard one or more SATA ports may be disabled.

What is GPT?

GPT stands for GUID Partition Table, which is a newer standard for organizing information on drives. This is typically used in conjunction with UEFI which is a newer BIOS format. More information can be found at our support article https://www.microcenter.com/tech_center/article/4266/what-is-gpt

What is MBR?

MBR stands for Master Boot Record, which is the older standard for organizing information on drives. Due to the age of this standard, it limits drives to only about 2TB of storage space.

Which option should I use when initializing and formatting a new drive?

GPT is the recommended option because it works on hard drives that are larger than 2TB.

Why doesn’t the drive show the full space I purchased?

This is caused by manufacturers and Windows using different ways to calculate the space on the drive.

How do I transfer the data from my old drive to the new drive?

The easiest way to transfer data from your old drive to the new drive is to use a data transfer kit. The kit will mirror the drive in your computer, so you can simply swap the drives and have your operating system, applications, and documents already on your new drive. You can then use the old drive in the external USB case (that comes with the kit) for external storage or backup. (The data transfer kits will only work if the drive in your laptop is working). You can purchase the correct cable/enclosure at the following link and the transfer software can be downloaded from the drive manufacturer’s website.
https://drivesolutions.com/drive-data-transfer-kits.html

How do I install a new drive on a Windows PC?

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/boot-and-install-windows?view=windows-11

How do I install a new drive on a Mac?

https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/add-a-disk-to-a-disk-set-dsku669685e4/mac

How do I locate my drive in my laptop to replace it?

Most manufacturer website’s have a support/service manual that shows the location of your drive.  Or in many cases there are videos posted on YouTube that show how to remove your drive.

Do I need anything else besides the bare hard drive?

If you are replacing the drive in your laptop because it is defective, you do not need anything else besides the bare drive. You can use the caddy, brackets, or connectors from your old drive on the new drive. If you purchased your laptop without a drive or want to be able to swap between 2 drives, you may need to purchase a caddy or other items that mount your hard drive in your computer.

Does replacing my hard drive void the computer's warranty?

It depends on the manufacturer of your laptop. In most cases:

  • If your drive is in a removable caddy or tray it does not void the warranty.
  • If the drive is inside the laptop and you have to take it apart to get to the drive, it may void the warranty.

Please contact the manufacturer if you are uncertain.

Can I recover the data from my old hard drive?

If your drive is working and functioning properly, you can use a data transfer cable/enclosure recover data from your old drive.  We carry these at the following link
https://drivesolutions.com/drive-data-transfer-kits.html

If your drive is not working, you will need to send it to a company for Data Recovery services, which can be very costly.  If you need assistance in locating a Data Recovery company, please call us at (747) 888-3085.

Do you offer technical support?

We offer general tech support assistance, such as installation and formatting, Monday-Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm PST. We do not offer technical support for other issues related to software applications, dual booting, multiple operating systems, and other similar issues.

Customer Service/Ordering Questions

Is my credit card and email address secure?

All on-line payment transactions are processed with a secure online system where your credit card information is not stored or shared online. All of your information is handled with the highest level of security. DriveSolutions.com respects your privacy. We will not under any circumstances sell or release your information to anyone. All information obtained from our web site will be used for processing purposes only. The only emails you will receive from Drive Solutions will be in regard to your order and other information you may have requested.

Will I receive spam emails from Drive Solutions?

DriveSolutions.com respects your privacy. We will not under any circumstances sell or release your information to anyone. All information obtained from our web site will be used for processing purposes only. The only e-mails you will receive from Drive Solutions will be in regard to your order and other information you may have requested.

Why do I need to enter my billing address/security code when checking out?

When processing a credit card payment, the billing address of the card and the security code is verified. This information is verified in order to protect consumers and Drive Solutions from credit card fraud. If the incorrect information is provided, then the credit card transaction will be declined.

When will my order ship?

  • Items with ship status of "Ships in 24hours" will be shipped the same day, if the order is placed before 2pm PST.
  • Items with a ship status of "Ships in 3-5 days" will be shipped within 3-5 business days. If you select Overnight Shipping on an item listed with status of "Ships in 3-5 days", you will receive your item in 4-6 business days. Most of these items need to be special ordered. The ship status of 3-5 days is an estimate.
  • International shipments may take an extra day to ship because not all locations can send international shipments.

If the item you ordered is not available within 3-5 business days, you will be notified and offered a compatible replacement.

What does the "ship status" mean?

The ship status is the time frame from when the order is received to when the order will ship.

  • Items with a ship status of "In Stock" will be shipped the same day, if the order is placed before 2pm PST. Orders received after 2pm PST will ship the following business day. Business days are Mon - Fri.
  • Items with a ship status of "Ships in 3-5 days" will be shipped within 3-5 business days. For example, if you select Overnight shipping on an item listed with status of "Ships in 3-5 days", you will receive your item in 4-6 business days. Most of these items need to be special ordered. The ship status of 3-5 days is an estimate.

If the item you ordered is not available within 3-5 business days, you will be notified and offered a compatible replacement.

When will I receive confirmation that my order has shipped?

All shipping confirmation emails are sent after our shipping day is complete, between 5pm and 8pm PST.

Why didn't I receive a confirmation email?

The most common reason a customer does not receive his or her confirmation is because it is located in your Spam/Junk folder and did not recognize our email address. You may call us at (747) 888-3085 or email customer service at [email protected], if you have not received a confirmation and need assistance.

Do I have to pay sales tax?

Yes, all orders shipped within the United States will be charged the sales tax applicable to your state.

Do you ship outside of the United States? Will I have to pay duties and taxes?

We do ship to most locations around the world using the US Postal Service or Global Post.  Shipping charges are listed on our website when you check out.  International shipments may take an extra day to ship because not all locations can send international shipments.  Duties and taxes are collected from the carrier, if needed.  Drive Solutions does not know whether they will be charged or how much they may be.  This is determined based on the carrier and the country the shipment is delivered.

Can I have my order shipped for Saturday delivery?

We can ship orders on Friday Overnight for Saturday delivery for an additional charge, but this is not an option on the website. You must place your order by phone in order to have an item shipped for Saturday delivery. Please call our sales department at (747) 888-3085

When is the shipping cut-off time?

  • All orders placed before 2PM PST for items with ship status of "In Stock" will be shipped the same day.  
  • International shipments may take an extra day to ship because not all locations can send international shipments.

Do you accept government orders?

Yes, our sales department is available to set up an account for schools, police departments, city offices and many more. Please contact us at (747) 888-3085 or email [email protected].

Are the drives you sell new?

The condition of each item is listed on the website.

Do you offer technical support?

We offer general tech support assistance, such as installation and formatting, Monday-Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm PST. We do not offer technical support for other issues related to software applications, dual booting, multiple operating systems, and other similar issues.

What is your return policy?

Product may be returned within the first 30 days of purchase for a refund (minus shipping and handling). All non-defective returned items are subject to a 20% restocking fee. All data transfer cables/enclosures will not be accepted for return/refund once the packaging has been opened.

How do I return an item or receive a replacement?

Call our customer service department Mon-Fri 9am - 4pm PST or email [email protected] to receive an RMA number.

What does the warranty on my drive cover?

In the event your hard drive fails during the warranty period, Drive Solutions will replace the hard drive at no charge. The warranty does not cover any data you may have lost on your hard drive. Drive Solutions is not responsible for any data loss. It is very important to regularly back up your hard drive to prevent any loss of data.

What is an RMA number? Do I have to have an RMA number?

An RMA number is your return authorization number. All items returned for refund or replacement must have an RMA number. This number must be written on the outside of the box when you return an item.

What address do I return items to?

You must contact us to obtain a RMA (Return Material Authorization) before returning an item.  Please call or email us at [email protected].

Can I get a replacement sent to me before I return the defective/incorrect item?

Yes, we do send "Advance Warranty Replacement" items. In this case, the customer's credit card will be charged for the item (at the current market price listed on our website). Then, upon receipt of the original defective item back to our warehouse, Drive Solutions will credit the charge back to the customer's credit card.

Who pays for shipping of defective/replacement items?

Drive Solutions pays for the replacement to be shipped to the customer. The customer pays for shipping the defective item back to Drive Solutions.

How long does it take for a refund to be processed?

Refunds may take up to 14 days to be processed. If it has been longer than 14 days, please contact us by phone or email [email protected] to check the status of your refund.