Handling drives
Observe these precautions when handling drives:
●
Before removing or installing a drive, shut down the computer. If you are unsure whether the
computer is off, in the Sleep state, or in Hibernation, turn the computer on, and then shut it down
through the operating system.
●
Before handling a drive, discharge static electricity by touching the unpainted metal surface of
the drive.
●
Do not touch the connector pins on a removable drive or on the computer.
●
Do not use excessive force when inserting a drive into a drive bay.
●
When the battery is the only source of power, be sure that the battery is sufficiently charged
before writing to media.
●
If a drive must be mailed, place the drive in a bubble-pack mailer or other suitable protective
packaging and label the package “FRAGILE.”
●
Avoid exposing a drive to magnetic fields. Security devices with magnetic fields include airport
walk-through devices and security wands. Airport conveyer belts and similar security devices
that check carry-on baggage use X-rays instead of magnetism and do not damage drives.
●
Remove media from a drive before removing the drive from the drive bay, or traveling with,
shipping, or storing a drive.
●
Do not type on the keyboard or move the computer while an optical drive is writing to a disc. The
write process is sensitive to vibration.
●
Before you move a computer that is connected to an external hard drive, initiate Sleep and allow
the screen to clear, or properly disconnect the external hard drive.
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Chapter 8 Maintaining your computer
