Installing and removing drives
When installing drives, follow these guidelines:
●
The primary Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive must be connected to the dark blue primary SATA
connector on the system board labeled SATA0.
●
Connect secondary hard drives and optical drives to one of the light blue SATA connectors on
the system board (labeled SATA1 and SATA2).
●
HP has provided four extra 6-32 silver mounting screws installed next to the hard drive bays (1).
The mounting screws are required for hard drives installed in the upper (secondary) hard drive
bay. If you are replacing a primary hard drive in the lower bay, remove the silver and blue
mounting screws from the old drive and install them in the new drive.
CAUTION:
To prevent loss of work and damage to the computer or drive:
If you are inserting or removing a drive, shut down the operating system properly, turn off the
computer, and unplug the power cord. Do not remove a drive while the computer is on or in standby
mode.
Before handling a drive, ensure that you are discharged of static electricity. While handling a drive,
avoid touching the connector. For more information about preventing electrostatic damage, refer to
Electrostatic discharge on page 37
.
Handle a drive carefully; do not drop it.
Do not use excessive force when inserting a drive.
Avoid exposing a hard drive to liquids, temperature extremes, or products that have magnetic fields
such as monitors or speakers.
If a drive must be mailed, place the drive in a bubble-pack mailer or other protective packaging and
label the package “Fragile: Handle With Care.”
Installing and removing drives 19
