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Installing Drives

Dell™ PowerEdge™ SC430 Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide

  General Installation Guidelines

  Installing SATA or SCSI Hard Drives

  Installing a SCSI Controller Card

  Installing a Diskette Drive

  Installing 5.25-Inch Optical and Tape Drives


The drive bays in your system provide space for up to two SATA or SCSI hard drives, two 5.25-inch drives, and one optional diskette drive. See Figure 6-1.

Figure 6-1. Drive Locations Inside the System


General Installation Guidelines

SCSI Installation Guidelines

Although SCSI drives are installed in essentially the same way as other drives, their configuration requirements are different. To install and configure a SCSI drive, follow the guidelines in the following subsections.

NOTE: The SCSI controller card must be installed in PCI slot 3 or slot 5. See Figure A-3.
NOTE: SCSI devices installed by Dell are configured correctly during the manufacturing process. You do not need to set the SCSI ID for these drives.

SCSI Interface Cables

SCSI interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion. Keying ensures that the pin-1 wire in the cable connects to pin 1 in the connectors on both ends. When you disconnect an interface cable, ensure that you grasp the cable connector, rather than the cable itself, to avoid stress on the cable.

SCSI ID Numbers

Each drive attached to a SCSI controller must have a unique SCSI ID number from 0 to 15.

NOTE: There is no requirement that SCSI ID numbers be assigned sequentially or that drives be attached to the interface cable in order by ID number.

SCSI Device Termination

SCSI logic requires that termination be enabled for the two drives at opposite ends of the SCSI chain and disabled for all drives in between. For internal SCSI drives, termination is configured automatically. See the documentation provided with any optional SCSI drive you purchase for information on disabling termination.

Configuring the Boot Device

The drive or device from which the system boots is determined by the boot order specified in the System Setup program. See "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide. To boot the system from a hard drive or drive array, the drive(s) must be connected to the appropriate controller:

To boot from a SCSI hard drive, the drive must be connected to the optional SCSI controller card. See the documentation that accompanied the controller card.

The system can also boot from an external USB diskette or optical drive. See "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide.


Installing SATA or SCSI Hard Drives

Your system contains up to two SATA or SCSI non–hot-plug hard drives. The integrated SATA controller supports two SATA hard drives. If your system contains SCSI hard drives, they must be connected to an optional SCSI controller card.

The steps for removing and installing SATA and SCSI hard drives are the same.

Removing a Hard Drive

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the system and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See "Opening the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  3. Disconnect the power and interface cables from the hard drive. See Figure 6-2 and Figure 6-3.

Figure 6-2. Removing or Installing a SCSI Hard Drive

Figure 6-3. Removing or Installing a SATA Hard Drive

  1. Press in the tabs on each side of the removable drive guide bracket and slide the guide bracket up and out of the drive bay.

NOTE: If you do not intend to replace the drive, it is highly recommended that you remove the drive from the guide bracket (see Figure 6-4) and insert the empty guide bracket back into the drive bay. This eliminates the likelihood that the empty bracket will be misplaced or improperly stored while not in use.
  1. Close the system. See "Closing the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  2. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.

Installing a Hard Drive

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See "Opening the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  3. Unpack the hard drive, and prepare it for installation.

  4. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your system.

  5. Remove the plastic guide bracket from the drive bay by pressing the two tabs inward and lifting it out. See Figure 6-2 or Figure 6-3.

  6. Snap the new drive into the guide bracket and insert the guide bracket assembly into the drive bay until it snaps into place. See Figure 6-4.

Figure 6-4. Removing and Installing a Hard Drive in the Guide Bracket Assembly

  1. Connect the power cable to the drive. See Figure 6-2 or Figure 6-3.

  2. Connect the interface cable to the drive:

  3. Close the system. See "Closing the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  4. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.

  5. Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the drive's controller is enabled. See "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide.

  6. Partition and logically format your drive before proceeding to the next step.

See the documentation for your operating system for instructions.

  1. Test the hard drive by running the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics."

  2. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, install your operating system on the hard drive.


Installing a SCSI Controller Card

See "Installing an Expansion Card" in "Installing System Options" for instructions about installing the card and routing the cables. Also see Figure 6-2 for additional cable routing details.

NOTE: Most SCSI controller cards are capable of sending a drive activity indicator signal that powers a drive activity LED. This signal is sent via a cable from the controller card connected to the AUX_LED connector on the system board. See Figure A-3 for connector locations.

Installing a Diskette Drive

The system supports an optional standard diskette drive.

Removing the Diskette Drive

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See "Opening the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  3. Remove the front drive bezel. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Drive Bezel" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  4. Disconnect the power and interface cables from the diskette drive. See Figure 6-6.

  5. Pull the drive bay sliding plate downward in the direction of the arrow on the plate. See Figure 6-6.

  6. Hold the sliding plate in position and slowly pull the drive out of the bay.

  7. If the drive is being permanently removed, install a front drive panel insert. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Drive Bezel Insert" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  8. Replace the front drive bezel. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Drive Bezel" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  9. Close the system. See "Closing the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  10. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.

Installing a Diskette Drive

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See "Opening the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  3. Unpack the replacement diskette drive, and prepare it for installation.

  4. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your system.

  5. Attach the four shoulder screws to the drive as shown in Figure 6-5.

NOTE: Spare shoulder screws are attached to the inside of the front drive bezel.
  1. Remove the front drive bezel. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Drive Bezel" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

Figure 6-5. Installing Diskette Drive Shoulder Screws

  1. Remove the front drive panel insert. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Drive Bezel Insert" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  2. Verify that the drive-stop tab is in the proper position. It should be in its lowermost position so that the diskette icon on the drive cage is visible. See Figure 6-6.

NOTE: Inserting a diskette drive into the drive bay with the drive-stop tab in the improper position will cause the drive to be positioned too deep in the bay.
  1. From the front of the chassis, slide the drive into the drive bay until the shoulder screws snap securely into the sliding plate.

  2. Connect the power cable to the drive. See Figure 6-6.

Figure 6-6. Removing or Installing an Optional Diskette Drive

  1. Connect the interface cable from the drive to the FLOPPY connector on the system board. See Figure 6-6 and Figure A-3.

  2. Close the system. See "Closing the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  3. Replace the front drive bezel. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Drive Bezel" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  4. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.

  5. Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the drive's controller is enabled. See "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide.

  6. Test the drive by running the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics."


Installing 5.25-Inch Optical and Tape Drives

You can install an additional 5.25-inch drive of your choice in the second 5.25-inch drive bay. See Figure 6-1. If you are installing a tape backup unit (TBU), it must be installed in the second bay.

Installing a 5.25-Inch Drive

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Unpack the drive and prepare the drive for installation.

For instructions, see the documentation that accompanied the drive. Also, see "SCSI Installation Guidelines" for information on configuring the drive.

  1. Attach the three shoulder screws to the drive. See Figure 6-7.

NOTE: Spare shoulder screws are attached to the inside of the front drive bezel.

Figure 6-7. Installing 5.25-Inch Drive Shoulder Screws

  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See "Opening the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  3. Remove the front drive bezel. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Drive Bezel" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  4. If necessary, remove the front-panel insert for the empty drive bay. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Drive Bezel Insert."

  5. From the front of the chassis, slide the drive into the drive bay until the shoulder screws snap securely into the sliding plate.

  6. Connect the power cable to the drive. See Figure 6-8.

Figure 6-8. Installing a 5.25-Inch Drive

  1. Connect the interface cable from the drive to the IDE connector on the system board to the drive. See Figure 6-8 and Figure A-3.

  2. Close the system. See "Closing the System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  3. Replace the front drive bezel. See "Removing and Replacing the Front Drive Bezel" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  4. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on the system and attached peripherals.

  5. Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the drive's IDE controller is enabled. See "Using the System Setup Program" in your User's Guide.

  6. Test the drive by running the system diagnostics. See "Running the System Diagnostics."


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