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Before you begin
- Turn off the computer. Disconnect the Ethernet or modem cable. Then disconnect the power cord.
- Transfer the computer to a clear, flat, stable work surface over a non-carpeted floor.
- HP strongly recommends the use of an anti-static wrist strap and a conductive foam pad when working on the computer.
- To add an additional serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drive, an additional SATA data cable is required.
WARNING:The edges of metal panels can cut skin. Be careful not to slide skin along any interior metal edge of the computer.
CAUTION:This product contains components that can be damaged by electrostatic discharge (ESD). To reduce the chance of ESD damage, work over a noncarpeted floor, use a static dissipative work surface (such as a conductive foam pad), and wear an ESD wrist strap connected to a grounded surface.
If you are adding an additional hard drive
When adding a hard drive, it is important to identify the connectors on the motherboard.
The hard drive connectors on the motherboard must match the type of hard drive you wish to connect. If your motherboard has SATA data connectors and one is not in use, you can attach an additional SATA hard drive. If your motherboard has an IDE connector available, you can attach an IDE hard drive.
NOTE:If you want to install an IDE hard drive to a motherboard that has only SATA data connectors, a third-party adapter is necessary.
Video overview
View the following video before using the steps in this article.
NOTE:For best quality on dial-up connections, wait until the video has fully loaded before viewing.
Find which steps to use
Removing the primary disk drive
Use the steps in this section to remove a hard drive so that an empty bay can be used to install a new drive.
WARNING:Make sure the computer is disconnected from power before starting.
| Step 1. With all cables disconnected from the computer, remove both side panels and the front cover. For more information about removing the side panels and the front cover, refer to the HP support documents Opening the PC Case and Removing the Front Cover . |  |
| Step 2. Remove the power and data cables from the back of the hard drive. |  |
CAUTION:If you are disconnecting a serial ATA SATA drive, make sure to press in on the latch when removing the data cable. Failure to do so, can damage the cable. |  |
| Step 3. Remove the USB connector that connects the motherboard to the hard drive. |  |
| Step 4. Remove the HP Personal Media Drive, if present ... |  |
| ... and then remove the two screws that secure the removable hard drive cage to the front of the computer. |  |
| Step 5. Pull the quick-release latch, and then pull the removable hard drive cage out of the computer. |  |
| Step 6. Remove the four screws that connect the hard drive to the hard drive cage. |  |
| Step 7. Pull the hard drive off the drive cage. |  |
Installing a primary disk drive
Use the steps in this section to install a new hard drive into an empty drive bay.
| Step 1. Slide the hard disk drive between the guides on the side of the hard drive cage. NOTE:The original hard drive is fitted with 4 large-headed screws that fit into slots on the drive cage.
If this is a new hard drive, transfer the screws from the old drive to the new one.
|  |
| Step 2. Align the screw holes on the hard drive with the screw holes on the hard drive cage ... |  |
| ... and then reattach the screws. | |
| Step 3. Align the guide rails of the hard drive cage into the track on the computer ... |  |
| ... and then insert the hard drive cage into the computer. |  |
| Step 4. Attach the two screws that connect the hard drive cage to the computer. | |
| Step 5. Connect the power and data cables to the drive. The connectors are keyed and can be attached in only one way. | |
| Connect the USB cable that connects the motherboard to the hard drive. | |
| If you are installing an Parallel ATA drive (IDE flat ribbon cable) check the jumpers on the new drive to make sure they are correct. Normally, the drive should have the jumper set to Cable Select (CS). Jumper positions can vary from drive to drive. Look for etchings or diagrams printed on the drive for instructions. For more information about how to set jumpers on hard drives, please refer to Jumper Settings for the Installation of IDE Hard Disks and CD, CDRW, and DVD |   |
| Step 6. Replace the side panels and the front panel, and then reconnect the cables. For more information about replacing the side panels and the front cover, refer to the HP support documents Opening the PC Case and Removing the Front Cover . |  |
| Step 7. Perform a system recovery to replace the original software that came with the computer or install a new operating system. |
Removing the secondary disk drive
Use the steps in this section to remove the secondary hard drive.
WARNING:Make sure the computer is disconnected from power before starting.
| Step 1. With all cables disconnected from the PC, remove both side panels and the front cover. For more information about removing the side panels and the front cover, refer to the HP support documents Opening the PC Case and Removing the Front Cover . | |
| The secondary hard drive is attached to the bottom of the PC case ... |  |
| ... by four screws. |  |
| Step 2: Use a screwdriver to remove the four screws. |  |
| Step 3. Lift the hard drive out of the system. |  |
| Step 4. Remove the power and data cable from the hard drive. |  |
| Some Serial ATA (SATA) connectors have a latch that must be squeezed to remove the connector. | |
Installing a secondary disk drive
Use the steps in this section to install a new secondary hard drive into an empty drive bay at the bottom of the computer case.
| The secondary disk drive is attached to the bottom of the PC case by four screws. | |
| Step 1. With all cables disconnected from the PC, remove both side panels and the front cover. For more information about removing the side panels and the front cover, refer to the HP support documents Opening the PC Case and Removing the Front Cover . | |
| Serial ATA (SATA) drives use power and data cables designed especially for them. |  |
| Step 2: Attach the SATA data cable to the motherboard. |  |
| Step 3. Attach the power and data cables to the hard drive. | |
| Step 4. Place the drive in the PC case. |  |
| Step 5. Attach the hard drive to the floor of the PC case using four screws. | |
| Step 6. Replace the side panels and the front panel, and then reconnect the cables. For more information about replacing the side panels and the front cover, refer to the HP support documents Opening the PC Case and Removing the Front Cover . | |
