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Drives

Dell™ OptiPlex™ 170L User's Guide

  General Installation Guidelines

  Hard Drive

  Adding or Replacing a Second Hard Drive

  CD/DVD Drive

  Floppy Drive

Your mini-tower computer supports:

• One serial ATA hard drive
  
  
• One IDE hard drive
  
  
• Two hard drives: 2 IDE drives, or 1 SATA and 1 IDE drive
  
  
• One optional floppy drive
  
  
• Two optional CD or DVD drives
  
  

General Installation Guidelines

Connect CD/DVD drives to the connector labeled "IDE" on the system board. Serial ATA hard drives should be connected to the connector labeled "SATA0" on the system board.

Connecting Drive Cables

When you install a drive, you connect two cables—a DC power cable and a data cable—to the back of the drive and to the system board.

Drive Interface Connectors

IDE Drive Connector	Serial ATA Connector

1	interface connector
2	interface cable
3	colored stripe on IDE cable

Most interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector. Keyed connectors ensure that the pin-1 wire in the cable (indicated by the colored stripe along one edge of the IDE cable—serial ATA cables do not use a colored stripe) goes to the pin-1 end of the connector. The pin-1 end of a connector on a board or a card is usually indicated by a silk-screened "1" printed directly on the board or card.

NOTICE: When you connect an IDE interface cable, do not place the colored stripe away from pin 1 of the connector. Reversing the cable prevents the drive from operating and could damage the controller, the drive, or both.

Power Cable Connector

1	power cable
2	power input connector

Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables

When removing an IDE drive data cable, grasp the colored pull tab and pull until the connector detaches.

When connecting and disconnecting a serial ATA data cable, hold the cable by the black connector at each end.

Like IDE connectors, the serial ATA interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector.

Hard Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

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

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

1. If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before you begin this procedure.
   
   
2. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
   
   
3. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   

Removing a 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.
   
   

1	hard drive
2	bracket securing screw
3	hard drive securing screws (3)
4	drive bracket
5	bracket securing screw

Installing a Hard Drive

1. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
   
   

NOTICE: When you unpack the replacement 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.

2. Unpack the replacement hard drive.
   
   
3. 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 3 in the previous procedure.
      
      
   3. Install the drive bracket by inserting the two bracket tabs into the two drive slots and then rotating the drive into position.
      
      
   4. Attach the two bracket securing screws that you removed in step 2 of the previous procedure.
      
      

1	hard drive	4	bracket securing screw
2	bracket tabs (2)	5	drive bracket
3	drive slots (2)	6	bracket securing screw

4. Connect the power and data cables to the back of the replacement drive.
   
   
5. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.
   
   
6. 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.

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

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

8. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable medium into your boot drive.
   
   
9. Enter system setup and update the appropriate Primary Drive option (0 or 1).
   
   
10. Exit system setup, and reboot the computer.
    
    
11. Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step.
    
    

For instructions, see the documentation that came with your operating system.

12. Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics.
    
    
13. Install your operating system on the hard drive.
    
    

For instructions, see the documentation that came with your operating system.

Adding or Replacing a Second Hard Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin this procedure, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

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.

NOTE: You may install either an IDE or Serial ATA hard drive in the second drive bay.

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Remove the primary hard drive and bracket. The primary hard drive and bracket must be moved to the forward position (see "Installing a Hard Drive").
   
   
3. Remove the secondary hard drive bracket from the computer:
   
   
   1. Remove the two bracket-securing screws on the bracket for the second drive.
      
      
   2. Remove the bracket for the secondary drive from the computer.
      
      
4. If you are replacing a secondary 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.
      
      

1	bracket securing screw
2	hard drive-securing screws (3)
3	drive bracket
4	bracket securing screw

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.

5. Unpack the secondary hard drive.
   
   
6. If you are installing an IDE drive, 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).

7. Install the secondary hard drive:
   
   
   1. Place the drive into 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 three screws.
      
      
   3. Install the drive bracket by inserting the two bracket tabs into the two drive slots and then rotating the drive into position.
      
      
   4. Replace the two bracket securing screws.
      
      

1	secondary hard drive	4	bracket securing screw
2	drive slots (2)	5	drive bracket
3	bracket tabs (2)	6	bracket securing screw

8. Connect the power and data cables to both drives.
   
   

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

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

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

CD/DVD Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

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

Installing a CD/DVD Drive

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Release and remove the front panel:
   
   
   1. For systems with the release lever, push the release lever to release the top tab (see the following figure).
      
      

For systems without the release lever, reach inside the computer and push the top tab towards you to release it.

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.
   
   

1	side hinges (3)	4	middle tab
2	front panel	5	bottom tab
3	top tab	6	release lever (not on all computers)

3. Remove the middle and bottom front-panel inserts by pushing on the back of the inserts.
   
   

4. Ensure that the jumper setting on the new drive is set for "cable select" (see the documentation that came with the drive for information).
   
   
5. Remove the two extra alignment screws from the front of the computer and insert them into the drive.
   
   

1	drive alignment screws (2)

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

6. Gently slide the drive into place.
   
   

1	securing screw
2	drive alignment screws (2)
3	extra alignment screws (2 or 4)

7. Once the drive is in place, gently apply pressure to ensure that the drive is fully seated.
   
   
8. Use the securing screw that came with the drive to attach the drive to the computer.
   
   
9. Connect the power cable to the system board.
   
   

NOTICE: When attaching the drive data cable, match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1").

10. Connect the power, audio, and drive cables to the drive.
    
    
11. Check all cable connections, and then fold the cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
    
    
12. Reattach the bottom insert that you removed in step 3.
    
    
13. Reattach the front panel to the side hinges, and then rotate it until it snaps onto the front of the computer.
    
    

1	side hinges (3)
2	front panel

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 then turn them on.
    
    

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

Adding a Second CD or DVD Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin this procedure, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Release and remove the front panel.
   
   
3. Remove the bottom front-panel insert by pushing on the back of the insert.
   
   
4. Ensure that the jumper setting on the new drive is set for "cable select" (see the documentation that came with the drive for information).
   
   
5. Remove two extra alignment screws from the front of the computer, beneath the floppy drive, and insert them into the drive.
   
   

1	drive alignment screws (2)

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

6. Gently slide the drive into place.
   
   

1	securing screw
2	alignment screws (2)
3	extra alignment screws (two on certain computers)

7. Once the drive is in place, apply pressure to ensure that the drive is fully seated.
   
   
8. Use the securing screw that came with the drive to attach the drive to the computer.
   
   
9. Connect the power cable to the system board.
   
   

NOTICE: When attaching the drive data cable, match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1").

10. 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.
    
    
11. Connect the power and audio cables to the drive.
    
    
12. Check all cable connections, and then fold the cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
    
    
13. Reattach the front panel to the side hinges, and then rotate it until it snaps onto the front of the computer.
    
    

1	side hinges
2	front panel

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 then turn them on.
    
    

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

Floppy Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

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

Installing a Floppy Drive

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Release and remove the front panel.
   
   
3. Remove the middle and bottom front-panel inserts by pushing the back of the inserts. If a secondary CD drive is installed, then you will only remove the bottom panel insert.
   
   

4. Remove the floppy drive insert by pressing on the two tabs.
   
   

1	tabs (2)
2	insert

5. Position the top of the floppy drive bracket so that it is completely flush with the bottom of the upper drive bay, and then slide the floppy drive bracket into place.
   
   

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.

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

NOTICE: When attaching the drive data cable, match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1").

7. Connect the data cable to the back of the drive and to the floppy drive connector on the system board.
   
   

1	top bracket screw
2	drive bracket
3	floppy drive

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

1	side hinges (3)
2	front panel

10. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
    
    
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.
    
    

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

13. Enter system setup and update the appropriate Diskette Drive A option to reflect the size and capacity of your new floppy drive.
    
    
14. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
    
    

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