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Hard Drive

Dell™ Inspiron™ 300/400 Service Manual

  Removing the Hard Drive

  Replacing the Hard Drive

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

WARNING: If you remove the hard drive from the computer when the drive is hot, do not touch the metal housing of the hard drive.

CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your computer. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell™ is not covered by your warranty.

CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface (such as a connector on your computer).

CAUTION: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer (see Turning Off Your Computer) before removing the hard drive. Do not remove the hard drive while the computer is On or in Sleep state.

CAUTION: Hard drives are extremely fragile. Exercise care when handling the hard drive.

NOTE: Dell does not guarantee compatibility or provide support for hard drives from sources other than Dell.

NOTE: If you are installing a hard drive from a source other than Dell, you need to install an operating system, drivers, and utilities on the new hard drive (see the Dell Technology Guide).

Removing the Hard Drive

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the top cover (see Removing the Top Cover).
   
   
3. Remove the top bracket (see Removing the Top Bracket).
   
   
4. Remove the optical drive (see Removing the Optical Drive).
   
   
5. Remove the drive bay (see Removing the Drive Bay).
   
   

CAUTION: When the hard drive is not in the computer, store it in protective antistatic packaging (see "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions that shipped with your computer).

6. Remove the four screws that secure the hard drive to the drive bay.
   
   
7. Lift the drive bay off the hard drive.
   
   

1	hard drive	2	screws (4)
3	drive bay

Replacing the Hard Drive

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the new hard drive from its packaging.
   Save the original packaging for storing or shipping the hard drive.
   
   
3. Align the screw holes on the drive bay with the screw holes on the hard drive.
   
   
4. Replace the four screws that secure the hard drive to the drive bay.
   
   
5. Replace the drive bay (see Replacing the Drive Bay).
   
   
6. Replace the optical drive (see Replacing the Optical Drive).
   
   
7. Replace the top bracket (see Replacing the Top Bracket).
   
   
8. Replace the top cover (see Replacing the Top Cover).
   
   

CAUTION: Before turning on the computer, replace all screws and ensure that no stray screws remain inside the computer. Failure to do so may result in damage to the computer.

9. Connect your computer and all attached devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   
10. Install the operating system for your computer, as needed. See "Restoring Your Operating System" in the Setup Guide.
    
    
11. Install the drivers and utilities for your computer, as needed. For more information, see the Dell Technology Guide.
    
    

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