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Drives

Dell™ Dimension™ 4600 Series Service Manual

  Replacing a Hard Drive

  Adding or Replacing a Second Hard Drive

  Adding or Replacing a Floppy Drive

  Adding or Replacing a CD or DVD Drive

NOTE: See "Boot Sequence" for instructions on booting to a different device, such as a floppy drive.

Replacing a Hard Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.

CAUTION: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a soft surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
   
   
2. Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
   
   

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
   
   
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
   
   

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

5. Remove the computer cover.
   
   

NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components.

6. Remove the hard drive:
   
   
   1. Disconnect the power and hard-drive cables from the drive.
      
      
   2. Remove the two bracket-securing screws, and then remove the drive bracket from the computer.
      
      
   3. Remove the three hard drive-securing screws, and then remove the hard drive from the bracket.
      
      

NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.

NOTICE: When you unpack the drive, do not set it on a hard surface, which may damage the drive. Instead, set the drive on a soft surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

7. Unpack the replacement hard drive.
   
   
8. Check the jumper setting on the back of the replacement drive.
   
   

Ensure that the jumper setting on the new device is set for "cable select" (see the documentation that came with the drive for information).

9. Install the hard drive:
   
   
   1. Place the hard drive in the bracket so that all three screw-hole tabs insert into the three screw holes on the hard drive.
      
      
   2. Secure the drive to the bracket with the screws that you removed in step 6.
      
      
   3. Install the bracket into the computer with the two bracket-securing screws that you removed in step 6.
      
      

CAUTION: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1").

10. Connect the power and data cables to the back of the replacement drive.
    
    
11. Replace the computer cover.
    
    

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

12. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    
13. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.
    
    

Adding or Replacing a Second Hard Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.

CAUTION: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a soft surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
   
   
2. Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
   
   

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
   
   
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
   
   

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

5. Remove the computer cover.
   
   

NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components.

6. Remove the existing hard drive.
   
   
7. Remove the additional hard drive bracket from the computer:
   
   
   1. Remove the two bracket-securing screws on the bracket for the additional drive.
      
      
   2. Remove the bracket for the additional drive from the computer.
      
      
8. If you are replacing an additional hard drive, disconnect the power and hard-drive cables from the drive and then remove the drive from the bracket:
   
   
   1. Remove the three hard drive-securing screws.
      
      
   2. Remove the hard drive from the bracket.
      
      

NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.

NOTICE: When you unpack the drive, do not set it on a hard surface, which may damage the drive. Instead, set the drive on a soft surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

9. Unpack the additional hard drive.
   
   
10. Check the jumper setting on the back of the second drive.
    
    

Ensure that the jumper setting on the new device is set for "cable select" (see the documentation that came with the drive for information).

11. Install the additional hard drive:
    
    
    1. Insert the three hard-drive securing screws.
       
       
    2. Place the two bracket tabs into the drive slots inside the front panel of the computer.
       
       
    3. Swing the bracket forward so that it is flush with the front panel of the computer.
       
       
    4. Replace the two bracket-securing screws.
       
       

12. Reinstall the existing hard drive into the computer.
    
    

CAUTION: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1").

13. Connect the power and data cables to the back of the drives.
    
    
14. Replace the computer cover.
    
    

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

15. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    
16. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.
    
    

Adding or Replacing a Floppy Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.

1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
   
   
2. Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
   
   

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
   
   
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
   
   

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

5. Remove the computer cover.
   
   
6. Release and remove the front panel:
   
   
   1. Push the release lever to release the top tab.
      
      
   2. Reach inside the computer and push the bottom tab towards you to release it (the middle tab releases automatically).
      
      
   3. Rotate the front panel to separate it from the side hinges.
      
      

7. Press in the two insert tabs, and then push out the front-panel insert.
   
   

8. Connect the floppy-drive power cable to the back of the drive.
   
   

CAUTION: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1").

9. Connect the data cable to the back of the drive and to the floppy drive connector on the system board.
   
   
10. Position the top of the floppy drive bracket so that it is completely flush with the bottom of the lower drive bay, and then slide the floppy drive bracket forward into position.
    
    

NOTE: The top of the floppy drive bracket has two slots that fit into two clips on the bottom of the upper drive bay. When the floppy drive bracket is properly mounted, it remains in place without support.

11. Secure the floppy drive bracket with the top bracket screw that came with your drive.
    
    
12. Reattach the front panel to the side hinges, and then rotate it until it snaps onto the front of the computer.
    
    

13. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
    
    
14. Replace the computer cover.
    
    

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

15. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    
16. After you turn on your computer, press <F2> when you are prompted to enter setup mode.
    
    
17. Highlight Drive Configuration and press <Enter>.
    
    
18. Use the left and right arrows to change Diskette Drive A from Not Installed to 3.5 inch, 1.44 MB.
    
    
19. Press <Enter>.
    
    
20. Highlight Integrated Devices (LegacySelect Options) and press <Enter>.
    
    
21. Make sure that the Diskette Interface entry is set to Auto. If necessary, use the left and right arrows to set it to Auto.
    
    
22. Press <Enter>.
    
    
23. Press <Esc>.
    
    
24. Press <Enter> to Save changes and Exit.
    
    

The computer restarts.

25. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.
    
    

Adding or Replacing a CD or DVD Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual.

1. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
   
   

NOTE: Drives sold by Dell come with their own operating software and documentation. After you install a drive, see the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing and using the drive software.

2. Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
   
   

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
   
   
4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
   
   

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

5. Remove the computer cover.
   
   
6. Release and remove the front panel:
   
   
   1. Push the release lever to release the top tab.
      
      
   2. Reach inside the computer and push the bottom tab towards you to release it (the middle tab releases automatically).
      
      
   3. Rotate the front panel to separate it from the side hinges.
      
      

7. Pull the two front-panel tabs towards you, and then push out the front-panel insert.
   
   

8. Ensure that the jumper setting on the new drive is set for "cable select" (see the documentation that came with the drive for information).
   
   
9. Remove the two extra alignment screws, shown in the following figure, from the front of the computer and insert them into the drive.
   
   

NOTE: Some computers come with only two extra alignment screws; others come with four. You only need two alignment screws for this procedure.

10. Gently slide the drive into place.
    
    

11. Once the drive is in place, apply pressure to ensure that the drive is fully seated.
    
    
12. Use the securing screw that came with the drive to attach the drive to the computer.
    
    

CAUTION: Match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1").

13. Connect the power cable to the system board.
    
    
14. Locate the data cable from the CD or DVD drive in the upper drive bay and connect its middle data connector to the new drive.
    
    
15. Check all cable connections, and then fold the cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
    
    
16. Reattach the front panel to the side hinges, and then rotate it until it snaps onto the front of the computer.
    
    

17. Replace the computer cover.
    
    

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

18. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn them on.
    
    

See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.

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