Drives
Hardware and Software Guide
5–2
Drive Care
Drives are fragile notebook components that must be handled
with care. The following cautions apply to all drives. Additional
cautions are included with the procedures to which they apply.
Ä
CAUTION:
To reduce the risk of data loss, initiate standby before you
move a computer or external hard drive from one location to another. To
initiate standby, select
Start > Turn Off Computer > Standby.
For
more information, refer to
“Standby and Hibernation”
in
Chapter 2,
“Power.”
Ä
CAUTION:
To prevent damage to the computer, damage to the primary
hard drive, or loss of information, observe these precautions:
■
A discharge of static electricity from fingers or other electrostatic
conductors can damage electronic components. To prevent
electrostatic damage to the drive:
❏
Before handling the drive, discharge static electricity by
touching the unpainted metal surface of the drive or the lug
nuts on the back of the computer.
❏
Do not touch the connector pins on the drive or on the
computer.
■
Avoid exposing the drive to devices with magnetic fields. Security
devices with magnetic fields include airport walk-through devices
and security wands. The airport security devices that check carry-on
luggage, usually while it is placed on a conveyor belt, use x-rays
instead of magnetism and will not damage a drive or a diskette.
■
Handle the drive carefully; do not drop it.
■
Do not use excessive force when inserting the drive into the hard
drive bay.
■
Avoid exposing the drive to temperature extremes.
■
Avoid exposing the drive to liquids. Do not spray it with cleaning
products.
■
If the drive must be mailed, place it in a bubble-pack mailer or
other suitable protective packaging and label the package
“FRAGILE.”
