Aspire R7-572 where to get correct msata screws

I have an Aspire R7-572 that I got from Best Buy last December. I'd like to install an mSata drive and do a clean install of Windows 8.1 and also replace my wifi card which has issues. I have read many threads about this and even contacted level 2 Acer support to find out what size screws I need for the mSata drive. Acer L2 support told me it was 1.98mm x 3 mm, but I cannot find any where to buy that size screw. I thought if I could find out the motherboard brand and model I could just look it up, but L2 Acer tech couldn't tell me that either. Yes, my R7 is still covered and I could send it back to be repaired, but it could take weeks to months and I would just get the same wifi card installed. The tech I spoke with was very nice, honest about the wifi problems on this model and tried his best to be a help. I was also missing a case screw (from new), and those screws sizes are 2.5 mm x 9 mm for the longer ones and 2 mm x 5 mm for the shorter ones. Those sizes are easy to locate. So if anyone knows where I can find the correct mSata screws and the brand and model of the motherboard that would be appreciated. Thanks.

Accepted answers

All comments

philetus

The screw you need is M2x3

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=m2x3mm+screws&_frs=1

You may get the screws with the mSata drive

PenguinJim

Yes, when I added an msata drive to my R7 it included the screws - I didn't even think about it beforehand (although only one screw is actually needed!). Here, you can see me open the R7 up and install the msata drive.

I always have normal PC screws lying around in old motherboard boxes if you do end up with an OEM msata drive. But buy one in a box (or even in blister packaging, like you can see for mine!) and it should have them already.

If you take out the 2.5" drive, make sure you don't lose the brackets. You'll need them in future if you want to install another drive. Another user here just screwed in the brackets after removing the drive, but I didn't want to lug that extra 3g of weight with me everywhere. Smiley Wink

oldjeeplady

Thank you PenguinJim! I used your write up and You tube video when I upgraded the ram to 16 gig. It was VERY helpful! That's when I discovered one of my case screws was missing (one of the longer ones).

I have a bunch of case screws from years of building my own desktops. And some laptop screws from my old HP. But none that I tried seem to fit the mSata location.

I have been looking at retailers like Newegg, Tiger, etc. trying to find out which drives might include the screws by reading the reviews. I will make sure I buy one in the blister package - that may be the difference between why some reviews for the same drive says yes for screws included and some not. I will also try to contact the retailer to make sure.

Right now my plans are to reinstall the 1 TB drive for storage after I get the os installed on the mSata drive. From yours and other posts here I know I need to remove it so the BIOS will see the mSata drive. I have already made a recovery backup to a USB thumb drive. I hope to do a clean install and get rid of the bloatware. I need to replace the wifi card and from what I have read here will go with the Intel card. Right now I'm using an external USB wifi adapter and it works, but is a pain to drag around - It doesn't drop data like the wifi card that came intalled. Thanks for your help!

oldjeeplady

Thank you philetus!

I wondered if the 2mm x 3mm (M2x3) would work. I actually asked the L2 Acer tech about that when he looked up the size of this screw - He said they have some custom size screws made special, but couldn't tell me for sure if this was one. I had planned on getting some of this size to try.