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Modular Bay: Dell™ Latitude™ CPx H-Series/J-Series User's Guide

bullet.gif (1107 bytes) Using the Modular Bay
bullet.gif (1107 bytes) Installing Devices in the Modular Bay With Softex Docking Services or Softex BayManager Software
bullet.gif (1107 bytes) Installing Devices in the Modular Bay Without Softex Docking Services or Softex BayManager Software

Using the Modular Bay

Your computer comes with a diskette drive installed in the modular bay. You can also install a battery, a CD-ROM drive, a CD-RW drive, a DVD-ROM drive, a SuperDisk LS-120 drive module, or second hard-disk drive in the modular bay. To make the computer as light as possible, use the travel module in the modular bay in place of any of the available drives.

NOTICE: When the drives are not inside the computer, they are fragile and must be handled carefully to avoid damage. Do not press down on the drives or place heavy objects on top of them. Place the drives in a travel case to keep them free of dust and liquids. Store the drives in a safe place.

If your system is running Microsoft® Windows NT® with Softex Docking Services installed or if your system is running Windows® 95 or Windows 98 with Softex BayManager installed, see "Installing Devices in the Modular Bay With Softex Docking Services or Softex BayManager Software."

If your system does not have Softex Docking Services or Softex BayManager, see "Installing Devices in the Modular Bay Without Softex Docking Services or Softex BayManager Software."

If you are removing a device from the modular bay and installing a battery, see "Batteries."

If your system is running Windows 2000, device swapping in the modular bay is supported by the operating system. Although you can physically remove and install devices as described in the following subsections, refer to the information on unplugging or ejecting hardware in your Windows 2000 documentation instead of following the Softex- or System Setup-related steps in the following subsections.

note.gif (1135 bytes) NOTE: A new hard-disk drive must be formatted before you can use it. For instructions, see the documentation that came with the drive.

Installing Devices in the Modular Bay With Softex Docking Services or BayManager Software

Your computer may be using Windows 95 or Windows 98 with Softex BayManager software or Windows NT with Softex Docking Services software. This software allows you to hot-swap devices such as diskette drives, hard-disk drives, SuperDisk LS-120 drives, CD-ROM drives, CD-RW drives, and DVD-ROM drives to and from your computer’s modular bay and the C/Dock Family Expansion Station’s media bay. Hot-swapping capability allows you to remove and replace a device while the computer is on. You do not have to shut down or restart the computer for the device to be recognized.

To install a device in the modular bay, perform the following steps:

  1. Verify that the Diskette Reconfig option in the System Setup program is set to Any Time.

  2. Verify that the Display Close option in the System Setup program is set to Active.

  3. Save your work and close all open files and application programs.

  4. If the computer is docked, undock it.

  5. Double-click the Docking Services or BayManager icon in the Windows system tray on the task bar.  The Softex BayManager window appears for Windows 95 or Windows 98, and the Docking Services window appears for Windows NT.  

  6. Click the Remove/Swap button. 

  7. If the modular bay contains a device, remove the device as follows:
     
    1. Close the computer display and turn the computer over.

    2. Slide the modular bay latch toward the Unlock icon.

      Keep holding the modular bay latch with one hand while pulling the device out of the bay with the other hand.

    3. After you remove the device, release the modular bay latch.
       
  8. Slide the new device firmly into the modular bay.

    You should hear a click when the device is fully seated. 

    note.gif (515 bytes) NOTE: Softex BayManager and Softex Docking Services do not report a second battery installed in the modular bay on the Storage Devices tab.
  1. Click OK. Then click OK again to close the Softex window.

For the latest information on Softex Docking Services, see the Softex user’s guides at http://www.dell.com/. Click Small Business Center or Medium & Large Business. Click Notebooks; then, if applicable, click Choose Latitude. Look for Softex Utilities Installation Guide on the left of the screen. 

If you are removing a device from the modular bay and installing a battery, see "Batteries."

Installing Devices in the Modular Bay Without Softex Docking Services or Softex BayManager Software

To install a device in the modular bay, perform the following steps:

  1. Verify that the Diskette Reconfig option in the System Setup program is set to Any Time.

  2. Save your work and close all open files and application programs.
  1. Turn your computer off.

  2. If the computer is docked, undock it.

  3. If the modular bay contains a device, remove the device as follows:
     
    1. Close the computer display and turn the computer over.

    2. Slide the modular bay latch toward the Unlock icon.

      Keep holding the modular bay latch with one hand while pulling the device out of the bay with the other hand.

    3. After you remove the device, release the modular bay latch.
       
  4. Slide the new device firmly into the modular bay. 

    You should hear a click when the device is fully seated.
  1. Dock the computer if necessary.

  2. Turn on the computer. 

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