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Quick start guide

FR:

 Guide de l’utilisateur - fr.startech.com

DE:

 Bedienungsanleitung - de.startech.com

ES:

 Guía del usuario - es.startech.com

NL:

 Gebruiksaanwijzing - nl.startech.com

PT:

 Guia do usuário - pt.startech.com

IT:

 Guida per l’uso - it.startech.com

Manual Revision: 09/10/2019

For the latest information, technical specifications, and support for 

this product, please visit www.startech.com/PEX4M2E1.

Packaging contents

•  1 x PCI Express® adapter card to M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD

•  1 x low-profile bracket

•  1 x full-profile bracket (pre-installed)

•  1 x SSD standoff and installation screw

•  1 x quick start guide

System requirements

•  PCI Express M.2 NGFF SSD

•  Computer system with a x4 or larger slot

•  Phillips head screwdriver

•  Small set of pliers

The PEX4M2E1 is OS independent and doesn’t require any additional 

drivers or software. 

Note: 

Some drives are not compatible with certain operating 

systems. Before you install a drive in the adapter, check with the 

drive manufacturer to make sure that the drive is compatible with 

the OS that your computer system is running.

System requirements are subject to change. For the latest 

requirements, please visit 

www.startech.com/PEX4M2E1

.

PEX4M2E1

x4 PCIe Expansion Card to M.2 PCIe SSD Adapter

*actual product may vary from photos

Product diagram

Mounting bracket  

(full-profile bracket pictured)

SSD standoff and 

installation screw

PCIe x4 

connector

Drive installation holes

M.2 NGFF connector

Install a drive in the adapter

Warning! 

Drives and adapters should be handled carefully, 

especially when they’re transported. If you’re not careful with your 

drives, you may lose data as a result. Always handle storage devices 

with caution. Make sure that you’re properly grounded by wearing 

an anti-static strap when you install any computer component. If an 

anti-static strap isn’t available, touch a large grounded metal surface 

for several seconds to discharge any built-up static electricity.

1.  Depending on the length of the drive that you want to install, you 

may need to move the preinstalled SSD standoff and installation 

screw. Place your drive next to the adapter and note the drive 

installation hole that matches the height of your drive. If the SSD 

standoff and installation screw are already installed in the correct 

position, proceed to step 6.

2.  On the back of the PEX4M2E1, use a small set of pliers to remove 

the nut that is holding the SSD standoff and installation screw in 

place.

3.  On the front of the adapter, remove the SSD standoff and 

installation screw.

4.  Place the SSD standoff in the drive installation hole that matches 

the length of your drive.

5.  Replace the nut that you removed in step 2 and tighten it in place.

6.  Gently slide the M.2 connector on the drive into the 

corresponding connector on the adapter and press the drive 

down toward the adapter until the drive is in place.

Note:

 The connector on your drive is keyed so that it only fits in the 

adapter one way.

7.  Insert the installation screw into the SSD standoff and tighten it 

into place.

Install the low-profile bracket

The PEX4M2E1 can be mounted in both low-profile and full-profile 

computer systems. The full-profile bracket comes preinstalled in the 

adapter but you can install the low-profile bracket instead.

1.  Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the two bracket screws 

from the PEX4M2E1.

2.  Remove the full-profile bracket from the adapter.

3.  Line up the low-profile bracket with the bracket holes on the back 

of the adapter.

4.  Insert the two bracket screws you removed in step 1 and tighten 

them in place.

Bracket 

screws

Install the adapter in a computer

1.  Turn off the computer that you want to install the PEX4M2E1 into.

2.  Remove the case from your computer. For more information 

about how to properly do this, consult the documentation that 

came with your computer system.

3.  Place the adapter into an available expansion slot.

4.  Insert a computer case screw (not included) into the case-

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