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Drives

Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX270 Systems User's Guide

  Drives

  Hard Drive

  Front-Panel Inserts

  Floppy Drive

  CD/DVD Drive

  Cable Routing

Drives

Your computer supports:

• One hard drive (IDE or Serial ATA)
  
  
• One floppy or optional Zip drive
  
  
• One optional CD or DVD drive
  
  

1	CD/DVD drive
2	floppy drive
3	hard drive

General Installation Guidelines

IDE hard drives should be connected to the connector labeled IDE1, and CD/DVD IDE drives should be connected to the connector labeled IDE2.

A serial ATA hard drive should be connected to the connector labeled SATA1.

To locate the system board connectors, see "System Board Components."

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. Some drives may also have an audio connector; one end of the audio cable will attach to the drive connector and the other will attach to the system board.

Drive Interface Connectors

IDE Drive Connector	Serial ATA Connector

NOTE: The serial ATA connector may have an attached cover or shroud.

NOTE: The serial ATA Connector may be straight or angled.

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.

IDE Drive Addressing

When you connect two IDE devices to a single IDE interface cable and configure them for the cable select setting, the device attached to the last connector on the interface cable is the master or boot device (drive 0), and the device attached to the middle connector on the interface cable is the slave device (drive 1). See the drive documentation in your upgrade kit for information on configuring devices for the cable select setting.

Your computer supports up to two IDE devices. Connect hard drives to the connector labeled "IDE1," and connect CD/DVD drives to the connector labeled "IDE2."

Most IDE 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 cable) 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 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.

IDE Drive Interface Connector

1	interface connector
2	colored stripe on cable
3	interface cable

Hard Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in "Safety Instructions."

CAUTION: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.

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. Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
   
   
4. 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.

5. Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
   
   
6. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
   
   
7. Remove the computer stand, if it is attached.
   
   

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

8. Open 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.

Removing a Hard Drive

1. Disconnect the power cable and hard-drive cable from the drive.
   
   

IDE	Serial ATA

1	power cable
2	hard-drive cable

2. Press in on the tabs on each side of the drive and slide the drive toward the I/O panel and remove it from the computer.
   
   

Installing a Hard Drive

NOTICE: If you install a serial ATA hard drive, it is recommended that you have Dell-supplied data and power cables.

1. Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation.
   
   
2. If your replacement hard drive does not have the bracket rails attached, remove the rails from the old drive by removing the two screws that secure each rail to the drive. Attach the bracket rails to the new drive by aligning the screw holes on the drive with the screw holes on the bracket rails and then inserting and tightening all four screws (two screws on each rail).
   
   

1	drive
2	bracket rails (2)
3	screws (4)

3. Install the hard drive into the computer by gently sliding the drive into place until you hear it securely click.
   
   

NOTICE: If you are installing an IDE hard drive, match the colored strip on the cable with pin 1 on the drive (pin 1 is marked as "1").

4. Connect the power and hard-drive cables to the drive.
   
   

IDE	Serial ATA

1	power cable
2	hard-drive cable

5. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.
   
   
6. Close the computer cover.
   
   
7. Attach the computer stand (optional).
   
   

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

8. 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.

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

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

14. Test the hard drive by running the "Dell Diagnostics."
    
    
15. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, install your operating system on the hard drive.
    
    

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

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

16. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

Front-Panel Inserts

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in "Safety Instructions."

If you are installing a new floppy or CD/DVD drive instead of replacing a drive, remove the front-panel insert.

Floppy Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in "Safety Instructions."

CAUTION: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.

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.
   
   
5. Remove the computer stand, if it is attached.
   
   

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

6. Open the computer cover.
   
   
7. If you are installing a new floppy drive rather than replacing a drive, remove the front- panel inserts.
   
   

Removing a Floppy Drive

1. Disconnect the floppy-drive cable from the system board connector (DSKT).
   
   
2. Remove the power cable from the interposer board.
   
   
3. Remove or raise the drive by pressing the green tabs on either side of the drive and lifting the drive up.
   
   
4. Remove the floppy-drive cable from the floppy drive:
   
   
   1. Remove the interposer board from the floppy drive by pressing on the tab and rotating the interposer board.
      
      

1	floppy-drive cable
2	tab
3	interposer board
4	system board floppy-drive connector (DSKT)

2. To release the floppy-drive cable from the connector, slide the lever until it is fully extended, and then lift the cable away.
   
   

1	floppy-drive cable
2	lever

5. Remove the floppy drive from its sled by pulling the sled tab out while pushing the drive up and then sliding the drive out of the sled.
   
   

1	sled tab
2	sled

Installing a Floppy Drive

1. Snap the replacement drive into the sled and ensure that it is secure in the sled.
   
   
2. Connect the interposer board to the floppy drive:
   
   
   1. Slide the floppy-drive cable into the connector.
      
      
   2. Close the lever so that the cable is secure in the connector.
      
      
   3. Line up the hole on the bottom of the interposer board with the notch on the connector, and snap the interposer board onto the drive.
      
      
3. Gently slide the drive into the computer until the tabs securely click into position.
   
   

1	connector notch
2	interposer board alignment hole
3	floppy-drive cable
4	lever

4. Attach the power cable to the interposer board on the floppy drive.
   
   
5. Connect the strip cable to the DSKT connector on the system board.
   
   
6. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
7. Close the computer cover.
   
   
8. Attach the computer stand (optional).
   
   

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.

10. Enter system setup and update the appropriate Diskette Drive A option to reflect the size and capacity of your new floppy drive.
    
    

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

11. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

12. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the "Dell Diagnostics."
    
    

CD/DVD Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the steps in "Safety Instructions."

CAUTION: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.

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.
   
   
5. Remove the computer stand, if it is attached.
   
   

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

6. Open 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.

7. If you are installing a new CD/DVD drive rather than replacing a drive, remove the front-panel inserts.
   
   

Removing a CD/DVD Drive

1. Disconnect the power and audio cables from the interposer board.
   
   
2. Remove the interposer board from the drive.
   
   

1	interposer board

3. Press inward on the two tabs on the sides of the drive, and then slide the drive upward and remove it from the drive bay.
   
   

Installing a CD/DVD 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. If you are installing an IDE drive, configure the drive for the cable select setting.

2. Gently slide the drive into place until the tabs securely click into position.
   
   
3. Connect the interposer board to the CD drive:
   
   
   1. Ensure that the interposer board tab fits securely under the notch on the inside of the cover.
      
      
   2. Attach the power and audio cables to the interposer board.
      
      

1	interposer board
2	notch on inside of cover
3	interposer board tab

If your computer came with an IDE CD drive, use the spare connector on the existing interface cable. Otherwise, use the IDE interface cable provided in the drive kit.

4. If you are installing a drive that has its own controller card, install the controller card in an expansion slot.
   
   
5. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
6. If the CD/DVD drive bay was previously empty, remove the front-panel insert (see "Front-Panel Inserts").
   
   
7. Close the computer cover.
   
   
8. Attach the computer stand (optional).
   
   

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.

10. Update your configuration information by setting the appropriate Drive option (0 or 1) under Drives: Secondary to Auto. See "Drive Configuration" for more information.
    
    

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

11. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to Enabled or Enabled-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If a setup password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

12. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the "Dell Diagnostics."
    
    

Cable Routing

1	CD/DVD drive data cable	7	front input/output data cable
2	floppy drive data cable	8	IDE drive data cable (used if an IDE hard drive is installed)
3	control panel cable	9	front input/output audio cable
4	CD/DVD and floppy drive power cables	10	12V power cable
5	serial ATA drive data cable (used if a serial ATA hard drive is installed)	11	CD/DVD audio cable
6	IDE drive power cable

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