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User's Guide

  Drives

Drives

Your computer supports:

• One SATA (serial ATA) hard drive
  
  
• One 3.5-inch drive bay (to support a floppy drive, media card reader, or optional second SATA hard drive)
  
  
• One SATA optical drive
  
  
• One eSATA drive (with optional bracket)
  
  

NOTE: Due to the limited number of drive bays and controllers on this computer, you will not be able to connect all supported devices at once.

NOTE: If you will be operating your computer without an optical drive or a 3.5-inch device (floppy drive or media card reader) installed, the appropriate drive bay insert must be installed in place of the drive. Contact Dell if you need a drive bay insert.

1	optical drive
2	floppy drive
3	hard drive

General Drive Installation Guidelines

SATA connectors on the system board are labeled SATA0, SATA1, and SATA2. Hard drives must be connected to the lower-numbered SATA connectors. Any other SATA device (like an optical drive) must be connected to the remaining SATA connectors numbered higher than the one that the hard drive(s) is connected to. For example, if you have two SATA hard drives and one SATA optical drive, connect the two hard drives to the SATA0 and SATA1 connectors, and connect the SATA optical drive to the SATA2 connector. (See System Board Components for the location of the SATA connectors on the system board.)

Connecting Drive Cables

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

Data Interface Connectors

SATA Connector

1	data interface cable connector
2	data interface connector

Power Cable Connectors

1	power cable
2	power input connector

Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables

When removing a cable with a pull-tab, grasp the colored pull-tab and pull until the connector detaches.

When connecting and disconnecting a cable without a pull tab, hold the cable by the black connector at each end.

Drive Inserts

Your computer will come with a plastic insert with shoulder screws and a metal insert.

Removing Drive Inserts

If you are installing a new drive:

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
   
   
3. Lift the drive release latch.
   
   
4. Slide the metal bracket toward the back of the computer and lift up.
   
   

1	metal insert

5. Press the release tabs on the plastic insert and press from behind to remove.
   
   

1

shoulder screws

2

plastic drive insert

Replacing Drive Inserts

If you are removing a drive, and need to replace the inserts:

1. Place the plastic insert over the opening and press the insert tab down until the plastic insert snaps into place.
   
   
2. Slide the metal bracket toward the front of the computer and click into place.
   
   
3. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
   
   

Optical 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 removing the computer cover.

NOTE: If you will be operating your computer without an optical drive or a 3.5-inch device (floppy drive or media card reader) installed, the appropriate drive bay insert must be installed in place of the drive. Contact Dell if you need a drive bay insert. See Removing Drive Inserts.

Removing an Optical Drive

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
   
   

NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.

3. Pull up on the drive-release latch and slide the drive towards the back of the computer. Then, lift up to remove the drive from the computer.
   
   

1	drive release latch
2	optical drive

4. Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the drive.
   
   
5. If you are not replacing the optical drive at this time, install the optical drive insert by lowering it into the drive bay until it clicks into place. Contact Dell if you need a drive bay insert.
   
   

Installing an Optical Drive

1. Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.
   
   

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

2. Pull up on the drive-release latch and slide the drive towards the back of the computer. Then, lift up to remove the drive from the computer.
   
   
3. If you are installing a new drive:
   
   
   1. Remove the inserts (see Removing Drive Inserts).
      
      
   2. Insert the three shoulder screws removed from the insert into the sides of the new drive and tighten them.
      
      
   3. Lift the drive release latch up and insert the new optical device.
      
      
4. If you are replacing an existing drive:
   
   
   1. Follow procedures in Removing an Optical Drive to remove the existing drive.
      
      
   2. Remove the three shoulder screws from the existing drive.
      
      
   3. Insert the three shoulder screws into the sides of the new drive and tighten them.
      
      

5. Connect the power and data cables to the drive.
   
   
6. Align the shoulder screws with the screw guides, and slide the drive into the bay until it clicks into place.
   
   

7. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
8. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
   
   
9. Update your configuration information by setting the appropriate Drive option (0 or 1) under Drives. See System Setup for more information.
   
   
10. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics).
    
    

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 removing the computer cover.

NOTE: If you will be operating your computer without an optical drive or a 3.5-inch device (floppy drive) installed, the appropriate drive bay insert must be installed in place of the drive. Contact Dell if you need a drive bay insert.

Removing a Floppy Drive

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
   
   

NOTE: Since the following steps do not require the complete removal of the optical drive, it is not necessary to disconnect the cables connecting the optical drive.

3. Remove the optical drive (if one exists) and carefully set it aside (see Removing an Optical Drive).
   
   

NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.

4. Pull up on the drive-release latch and slide the floppy drive the back of the computer. Then, lift up to remove the drive from the computer.
   
   

1	drive release latch
2	floppy drive

5. Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the floppy drive.
   
   
6. If you are not replacing the floppy drive or media card reader at this time, install the floppy drive inserts (see Replacing Drive Inserts). Contact Dell if you need a drive bay insert.
   
   

Installing a Floppy Drive

1. If you are installing a new floppy drive
   
   
   1. Remove the drive inserts (see Removing Drive Inserts).
      
      
   2. Pull to remove the floppy drive insert that should be installed in the drive bay.
      
      
   3. Remove the four shoulder screws from the drive panel insert.
      
      

1	drive insert

2. If you are replacing an existing floppy drive:
   
   

Remove the four shoulder screws from the existing drive or media card reader.

3. Insert the four shoulder screws into the sides of the new floppy drive and tighten them.
   
   

4. Attach the power and data cables to the floppy drive.
   
   
5. Align the shoulder screws with the screw guides, and slide the drive into the bay until it clicks into place.
   
   

1	power cable
2	slot verification number

6. Replace the optical drive (see Optical Drive).
   
   
7. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
8. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
   
   
9. Enter system setup and set the Diskette Drive option to enable your new floppy drive (see System Setup).
   
   
10. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics).
    
    

Media Card Reader

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 removing the computer cover.

NOTE: If you will be operating your computer without an optical drive or a 3.5-inch drive installed, the appropriate drive bay insert must be installed in place of the drive. Contact Dell if you need a drive bay insert.

Removing a Media Card Reader

1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
   
   

NOTE: Since the following steps do not require the complete removal of the optical drive, it is not necessary to disconnect the cables connecting the optical drive.

3. Remove the optical drive (if one exists) and carefully set it aside (see Removing an Optical Drive).
   
   

NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.

4. Pull up on the drive-release latch and slide the media card reader to the back of the computer. Then, lift up to remove the drive from the computer.
   
   

1	drive release latch
2	media card reader

5. Disconnect the cable from the back of the media card reader and from the system board.
   
   

6. If you are not replacing the media card reader at this time, install the 3.5 inch drive insert (see Replacing Drive Inserts). Contact Dell if you need a drive bay insert.
   
   

Installing a Media Card Reader

1. If you are installing a new drive or media card reader:
   
   
   1. Remove the drive inserts (see Removing Drive Inserts).
      
      
   2. Remove the four shoulder screws from the drive panel insert.
      
      
   3. Pull to remove the 3.5 inch drive insert that should be installed in the drive bay.
      
      

1	drive insert

2. If you are replacing an existing media card reader:
   
   

Remove the four shoulder screws from the existing media card reader.

3. Insert the four shoulder screws into the sides of the new media card reader and tighten them.
   
   

4. Attach the cable to the media card reader and system board connector.
   
   

5. Align the shoulder screws with the screw guides, and slide the media card reader into the bay until it clicks into place.
   
   

1	power cable
2	slot verification number

6. Replace the optical drive (see Optical Drive).
   
   
7. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
8. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
   
   
9. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics).
   
   

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 removing the computer 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.

Removing a Hard Drive

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.
   
   
4. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
   
   

NOTE: Since the following steps do not require the complete removal of the optical drive and the floppy drive, it is not necessary to disconnect the cables connecting the two drives.

5. Remove the optical drive from the bay and carefully set it aside (see Optical Drive).
   
   
6. Remove the floppy drive from the 3.5-inch bay and carefully set it aside (see Floppy Drive).
   
   
7. Press in on the two plastic securing clips on each side of the drive and slide the drive towards the back of the computer.
   
   

NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.

8. Lift the drive out of the computer and disconnect the power and data cables from the drive.
   
   

1	securing clips (2)
2	hard drive

Installing a Hard Drive

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

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.

2. Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation.
   
   
3. If your replacement hard drive does not have the plastic hard drive bracket attached, remove the bracket from the existing drive by unsnapping it from the drive.
   
   

1	hard drive
2	release tabs (2)
3	plastic hard drive bracket

4. Attach the bracket to the new drive by snapping it onto the drive.
   
   

1	securing tabs (2)	3	release tabs (2)
2	drive	4	plastic hard drive bracket

5. Connect the power and data cables to the drive.
   
   
6. Locate the correct slot for the drive, and slide the drive into the bay until it clicks into place.
   
   

1	hard drive
2	slot verification number

7. Replace the floppy drive and optical drive.
   
   
8. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.
   
   
9. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
   
   
10. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable medium into your boot drive.
    
    
11. Turn on the computer.
    
    
12. Enter system setup, and update the SATA port option under the Drives option list (see Entering System Setup).
    
    
13. Exit system setup, and reboot the computer.
    
    
14. Partition and logically format your drive.
    
    

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

15. Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics).
    
    
16. Install your operating system on the hard drive.
    
    

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

Replacing a Second Hard Drive

For information on RAID configuration, see About RAID Configurations.

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 removing the computer 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.

NOTICE: If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before you begin this procedure.

NOTE: Installation of a second hard drive is restricted to certain configurations of the Desktop computer.

1. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
   
   
2. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.
   
   
3. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).
   
   
4. Remove the optical drive (if your configuration has one). See Removing an Optical Drive.
   
   
5. Disconnect cable from the existing hard drive.
   
   
6. Remove the existing hard drive from the computer (see Removing a Hard Drive).
   
   
7. Remove screws from the existing hard drive and install them on the new hard drive.
   
   
8. Carefully slide the new hard drive into the upper bay until it clicks into place.
   
   
9. Insert reconnect the cable to the drive.
   
   

10. Locate an unused SATA connector on the system board and attach a data cable from the second hard drive to the SATA connector.
    
    

NOTICE: Always connect the data cable to the SATA1 connector when installing a second hard drive.

1

data cable

2

hard drive system board connector

11. Replace the optical drive (if your configuration has one). See Installing an Optical Drive.
    
    
12. Replace the computer cover (see Replacing the Computer Cover).
    
    
13. Turn on the computer.
    
    
14. Enter system setup, and update the SATA port option under the Drives option list (see Entering System Setup).
    
    
15. Exit system setup, and reboot the computer.
    
    
16. Partition and logically format your drive.
    
    

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

17. Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics).
    
    
18. Install your operating system on the hard drive.
    
    

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

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