Apply only the tension required to unseat or seat the cables during removal and insertion. Handle cables by
the connector whenever possible. In all cases, avoid bending, twisting, or tearing cables. Be sure that cables
are routed so that they cannot be caught or snagged as you remove or replace parts. Handle flex cables with
extreme care; these cables tear easily.
Drive handling
Note the following guidelines when handling drives.
IMPORTANT:
Drives are fragile components. Handle them with care. To prevent damage to the computer,
damage to a drive, or loss of information, observe these precautions:
Before removing or inserting a hard drive, shut down the computer. If you are unsure whether the computer is
off or in Hibernation, turn the computer on, and then shut it down through the operating system.
Before handling a drive, be sure that you are discharged of static electricity. While handling a drive, avoid
touching the connector.
Before removing an optical drive, be sure that a disc is not in the drive, and be sure that the optical drive tray is
closed.
Handle drives on surfaces covered with at least 2.54 cm (1 inch) of shock-proof foam.
Avoid dropping drives from any height onto any surface.
After removing a hard drive or an optical drive, place it in a static-proof bag.
Avoid exposing an internal hard drive to products that have magnetic fields, such as monitors or speakers.
Avoid exposing a drive to temperature extremes or liquids.
If a drive must be mailed, place the drive in a bubble pack mailer or other suitable form of protective packaging,
and label the package “FRAGILE.”
Electrostatic discharge information
A sudden discharge of static electricity from your finger or other conductor can destroy static-sensitive devices
or microcircuitry. Often the spark is neither felt nor heard, but damage occurs. An electronic device exposed to
electrostatic discharge (ESD) might not appear to be affected at all and can work perfectly throughout a normal
cycle. The device might function normally for a while, but it has been degraded in the internal layers, reducing its
life expectancy.
Networks built into many integrated circuits provide some protection, but in many cases, the discharge contains
enough power to alter device parameters or melt silicon junctions.
IMPORTANT:
To prevent damage to the device when you remove or install internal components, observe these
precautions:
Keep components in their electrostatic-safe containers until you are ready to install them.
grounding methods and equipment on page 27
Avoid touching pins, leads, and circuitry. Handle electronic components as little as possible.
If you remove a component, place it in an electrostatic-safe container.
26
Chapter 4 Removal and replacement procedures preliminary requirements