Restore backup on same model, different machine?

I bought a new Dell Windows 10 laptop a few weeks ago. I just
discovered that one of its features, an SD card port, seems to be
defective (the card can't be inserted into the slot - something seems
to be bent or out of position in there.) I'd like to return it to Micro
Center and exchange it for another sample of the same computer.

I've spent a lot of time installing programs and tweaking it my liking
and I'd rather not go through that hassle again. If I back up or clone
the current hard disk with its OEM copy of Windows, can I restore it to
the new computer without problems? Will it complain about a diffence in
licenses?

On 29/11/2018 21:26, Nil wrote:
I bought a new Dell Windows 10 laptop a few weeks ago. I just
discovered that one of its features, an SD card port, seems to be
defective (the card can't be inserted into the slot - something seems
to be bent or out of position in there.) I'd like to return it to Micro
Center and exchange it for another sample of the same computer.

I've spent a lot of time installing programs and tweaking it my liking
and I'd rather not go through that hassle again. If I back up or clone
the current hard disk with its OEM copy of Windows, can I restore it to
the new computer without problems?

No

Will it complain about a diffence in licences?

Yes

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/what_...d_comes_around

Nil wrote:
I bought a new Dell Windows 10 laptop a few weeks ago. I just
discovered that one of its features, an SD card port, seems to be
defective (the card can't be inserted into the slot - something seems
to be bent or out of position in there.) I'd like to return it to Micro
Center and exchange it for another sample of the same computer.

I've spent a lot of time installing programs and tweaking it my liking
and I'd rather not go through that hassle again. If I back up or clone
the current hard disk with its OEM copy of Windows, can I restore it to
the new computer without problems? Will it complain about a diffence in
licenses?

The Win10 key is in the MSDM ACPI table.

When you get the new machine, restore your old OS, and
attempt to reactivate. There should be somewhere in settings
for this.

I don't know for a fact this will work, but it all seems
reasonable from a "materials" point of view. (Dell unique
key, Dell OS). Even a Retail OS should active all by itself
using the MSDM key. As long as the trim level (Pro to Pro)
is adhered to. If it came with Home and a Home key, then
Pro won't activate. If you swap 32 bit and 64 bit of the
same trim level, that should work too (a license key works
with both 32 bit and 64 bit installs).

Paul

Nil wrote:
I bought a new Dell Windows 10 laptop a few weeks ago. I just
discovered that one of its features, an SD card port, seems to be
defective (the card can't be inserted into the slot - something seems
to be bent or out of position in there.) I'd like to return it to Micro
Center and exchange it for another sample of the same computer.

I've spent a lot of time installing programs and tweaking it my liking
and I'd rather not go through that hassle again. If I back up or clone
the current hard disk with its OEM copy of Windows, can I restore it to
the new computer without problems? Will it complain about a diffence in
licenses?

See if Micro Center will let you swap drives at the store.
It may still need activating but drive swap is easy.

On 29 Nov 2018, Paul wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

The Win10 key is in the MSDM ACPI table.

When you get the new machine, restore your old OS, and
attempt to reactivate. There should be somewhere in settings
for this.

I don't know for a fact this will work, but it all seems
reasonable from a "materials" point of view. (Dell unique
key, Dell OS). Even a Retail OS should active all by itself
using the MSDM key. As long as the trim level (Pro to Pro)
is adhered to. If it came with Home and a Home key, then
Pro won't activate. If you swap 32 bit and 64 bit of the
same trim level, that should work too (a license key works
with both 32 bit and 64 bit installs).

I may try this, although it makes me a little nervous. From their point
of view it might look like I'm trying to re-use an old OEM license on a
new machine, which isn't exactly what I'm doing.

But it may be moot. It now seems that the SD slot on the laptop is
different than any I've seen before. When you insert a card, it only
goes in about 1/2", leaving about 3/4" sticking out. With every other
SD reader slot I've ever seen, you insert the card far enough that only
about 3/16" protrudes. It seems dangerous for so much to be sticking
out where it could be knocked off out or about. Maybe it's out of
whack, but it does work. I would like to go back to Micro Center and
check out another sample.

On 29 Nov 2018, Paul in Houston TX wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

See if Micro Center will let you swap drives at the store.
It may still need activating but drive swap is easy.

Good idea. I will surprised if they let me do that, but I will
certainly ask.

I may not need to, though - see my message here to Paul a few minutes
ago.

Nil wrote:

I may try this, although it makes me a little nervous. From their point
of view it might look like I'm trying to re-use an old OEM license on a
new machine, which isn't exactly what I'm doing.

But it may be moot. It now seems that the SD slot on the laptop is
different than any I've seen before. When you insert a card, it only
goes in about 1/2", leaving about 3/4" sticking out. With every other
SD reader slot I've ever seen, you insert the card far enough that only
about 3/16" protrudes. It seems dangerous for so much to be sticking
out where it could be knocked off out or about. Maybe it's out of
whack, but it does work. I would like to go back to Micro Center and
check out another sample.

I've heard of a complaint about this. The "SD sticks out too far"
problem, which is bad if you want to lug the SD around
with you everywhere.

On my Acer, the SD is just about flush with the
edge of the laptop. So it won't snag. In fact, at
first, I didn't even know the machine had an SD
slot. That's how inconspicuous the filler for the
SD slot was.

You could always investigate using a microSD
and one of these. Maybe it wouldn't stick out
quite as far.

"Low-Profile MicroSD Card Adapter 18967"

https://solarbotics.com/product/18967/

Paul

On 29 Nov 2018, Paul wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

I've heard of a complaint about this. The "SD sticks out too far"
problem, which is bad if you want to lug the SD around
with you everywhere.

I never heard of this, but you're right, it seems to be A Thing. What a
terrible design decision.

On my Acer, the SD is just about flush with the
edge of the laptop. So it won't snag. In fact, at
first, I didn't even know the machine had an SD
slot. That's how inconspicuous the filler for the
SD slot was.

That's how the slot is on every other machine I've ever seen. Why would
they make it this way, just inviting a catastrophe??

You could always investigate using a microSD
and one of these. Maybe it wouldn't stick out
quite as far.

"Low-Profile MicroSD Card Adapter 18967"

https://solarbotics.com/product/18967/

I'll use the slot occasionally, but I won't be leaving the card in
there, so I guess I can live with it the way it is for now. Good to
know that the short adapter is available.

On 30/11/2018 04:44, Nil wrote:
On 29 Nov 2018, Paul wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

I've heard of a complaint about this. The "SD sticks out too far"
problem, which is bad if you want to lug the SD around
with you everywhere.

I never heard of this, but you're right, it seems to be A Thing. What a
terrible design decision.

On my Acer, the SD is just about flush with the
edge of the laptop. So it won't snag. In fact, at
first, I didn't even know the machine had an SD
slot. That's how inconspicuous the filler for the
SD slot was.

That's how the slot is on every other machine I've ever seen. Why would
they make it this way, just inviting a catastrophe??

You could always investigate using a microSD
and one of these. Maybe it wouldn't stick out
quite as far.

"Low-Profile MicroSD Card Adapter 18967"

https://solarbotics.com/product/18967/

I'll use the slot occasionally, but I won't be leaving the card in
there, so I guess I can live with it the way it is for now. Good to
know that the short adapter is available.

As you gathered it is not a fault it is a feature.

I have an Acer Swift with the same SD slot and it is a total pain. If I
use it I have to be VERY careful not to move the card especially if a
USB cable is plugged in to the adjacent socket. You certainly cannot
leave a card in permanently for extra storage as with other laptops
(especially when it is a microSD slot).

I found a "short" microSD adapter sold for Apple machines but even that
sticks out too far for comfort. The one suggested might be a bit better
but hard to tell w/o the actual dimensions.

On 30 Nov 2018, MikeS wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

As you gathered it is not a fault it is a feature.

I have an Acer Swift with the same SD slot and it is a total pain.
If I use it I have to be VERY careful not to move the card
especially if a USB cable is plugged in to the adjacent socket.
You certainly cannot leave a card in permanently for extra storage
as with other laptops (especially when it is a microSD slot).

It's a cheap, crappy design. Not only does the card stick out
dangerously, not enough of it is braced by the slot depth to prevent it
from being inserted off-kilter and wiggling around a bit. I originally
thought it wasn't working, because it was in slightly crooked and the
contacts weren't making good contact.

I found a "short" microSD adapter sold for Apple machines but even
that sticks out too far for comfort. The one suggested might be a
bit better but hard to tell w/o the actual dimensions.

I saw ones that were specifically advertised as for Apple devices and I
was wondering what the difference could be. I thought an SD card slot
was an SD card slot. I don't know what Apple has to do with it.

On 11/30/2018 12:55 PM, Nil wrote:
On 30 Nov 2018, MikeS wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

As you gathered it is not a fault it is a feature.

I have an Acer Swift with the same SD slot and it is a total pain.
If I use it I have to be VERY careful not to move the card
especially if a USB cable is plugged in to the adjacent socket.
You certainly cannot leave a card in permanently for extra storage
as with other laptops (especially when it is a microSD slot).

It's a cheap, crappy design. Not only does the card stick out
dangerously, not enough of it is braced by the slot depth to prevent it
from being inserted off-kilter and wiggling around a bit. I originally
thought it wasn't working, because it was in slightly crooked and the
contacts weren't making good contact.

I found a "short" microSD adapter sold for Apple machines but even
that sticks out too far for comfort. The one suggested might be a
bit better but hard to tell w/o the actual dimensions.

I saw ones that were specifically advertised as for Apple devices and I
was wondering what the difference could be. I thought an SD card slot
was an SD card slot. I don't know what Apple has to do with it.


I would take it back to the vendor and trade it in for a different brand
with a decent and proper design, I could not and would not put up with
that machine for very long.

Good luck. Rene

In article , Nil
wrote:

As you gathered it is not a fault it is a feature.

I have an Acer Swift with the same SD slot and it is a total pain.
If I use it I have to be VERY careful not to move the card
especially if a USB cable is plugged in to the adjacent socket.
You certainly cannot leave a card in permanently for extra storage
as with other laptops (especially when it is a microSD slot).

It's a cheap, crappy design. Not only does the card stick out
dangerously, not enough of it is braced by the slot depth to prevent it
from being inserted off-kilter and wiggling around a bit. I originally
thought it wasn't working, because it was in slightly crooked and the
contacts weren't making good contact.

it's not intended to be inserted long term.

by protruding a bit, the card is easier to insert/remove, without the
need for an eject mechanism. just pull it out.

I found a "short" microSD adapter sold for Apple machines but even
that sticks out too far for comfort. The one suggested might be a
bit better but hard to tell w/o the actual dimensions.

I saw ones that were specifically advertised as for Apple devices and I
was wondering what the difference could be. I thought an SD card slot
was an SD card slot. I don't know what Apple has to do with it.

nothing, other than physical design, whether it sits flush when
inserted, colour, etc.

On 30 Nov 2018, Rene Lamontagne wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

I would take it back to the vendor and trade it in for a different
brand with a decent and proper design, I could not and would not
put up with that machine for very long.

I wouldn't. I intentionally bought an inexpensive machine mostly for
travel purposes. I will rarely use the SD card slot. Other than that
I'm pretty happy with it. Obviously my standards are lower than yours.

On 30 Nov 2018, nospam wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

by protruding a bit, the card is easier to insert/remove, without
the need for an eject mechanism. just pull it out.

It's not easier for me. I've never had any problem pulling out any
other SD card from its slot.

In article , Nil
wrote:

by protruding a bit, the card is easier to insert/remove, without
the need for an eject mechanism. just pull it out.

It's not easier for me. I've never had any problem pulling out any
other SD card from its slot.

you would if it's fully inserted, flush with the side and nothing to
grab.