HP Pavilion a6157c Desktop PC Troubleshooting

Adding or Replacing a Hard Drive

This document pertains only to HP desktop computers with the following computer case:

Before you begin

Turn off the computer, disconnect all cables, and 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 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.

Figure 1: Motherboard with IDE and SATA data connectors

Motherboard with SATA and IDE connectors

1 - IDE connectors

2 - SATA data connectors

Figure 2: Example of SATA connections

1 - Power cable

2 - SATA data cable

Figure 3: Example of an IDE connection

1 - IDE ribbon cable

2 - Power cable

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

If you would like to add a second hard drive or replace the existing primary or secondary hard drive, use the section Removing or replacing a drive from the drive cage .

If you would like to replace the pocket media drive bay with a 3rd hard drive (or a replacement pocket media drive bay), use the section Replacing the pocket media drive bay with another drive .

If your computer does not have a pocket media drive bay and you would like to add a 3rd hard drive or add a pocket media drive bay, use the section Installing a drive into the optional drive bay .

Removing or replacing a drive from the drive cage

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 the right side panel and the front cover. If you need assistance, refer to HP support documents Opening the PC Case and Removing the Front Cover .
The hard drive or drives are mounted in a removable cage.
Step 2. Detach the two screws that secure the hard drive cage to the computer.
Step 3. Push down and hold the latch on the side of the cage.
Step 4. Slide the cage upward.
Step 5. Lift the cage out of the computer. If you are adding a second additional drive, skip to the next section Installing another drive into the cage .
Step 6. Remove the power and data cables from the back of the hard drive.
Your hard drive has either parallel or serial ATA power and data connectors. Serial ATA power and data connectors each have a latch that must be squeezed to remove the connector.
Step 7. Remove the four screws, two on each side, that secure the hard drive to the cage.
Step 8. Slide the hard drive out of the top of the drive cage. Go to the next section to install a drive into the drive cage.

Installing another drive into the cage

Use the steps in this section to install a new hard drive.

If installing a new parallel ATA hard drive, make sure the drive is set to CS (cable select).
Step 1. Slide the drive into the cage...
...until it is all the way in.
Step 2. Make sure the hard drive and cage screw holes align.
Step 3. Check that the connectors are at the top of the cage.
Step 4. Attach the four screws.
Step 5. Attach the power and data connectors to the back of the drive.
If the drive uses a flat ribbon cable (PATA) and only one drive is installed, attach it to the flat ribbon connector labeled Master . If two PATA drives exist, the second should attach to the middle connector on the flat ribbon cable labeled Slave . Once the hard drive cage is reinstalled in the computer, the third connector connects to the motherboard.
Step 6. To replace the hard drive cage, align the four tabs on the side of the cage...
...with the four slots inside the computer.
Step 7. Slide the cage down until it snaps into place.
Step 8. Reattach the two drive cage screws.
Step 9. Replace the side panels and the front panel, and then reconnect the cables and power cord.

Replacing the pocket media drive bay with another drive

To replace the pocket media drive bay with a 3rd hard drive (or another pocket media drive bay), use the following steps to remove the external drive bay located just below the CD/DVD drive bays on the front of the computer.

Step 1. Remove any media in the drive bay, and then remove the side panel and the front panel from the computer. If you need assistance, refer to the HP support documents Opening the PC Case and Removing the Front Cover .
Step 2. Squeeze tightly on the sides of the USB connector on the back of the drive bay and detach the connector.
Step 3. Remove the two screws on the side of the drive bay.
Step 4. Pull the drive bay out of the computer. Go to the next section to install a hard disk drive into the empty bay.

Installing a drive into the optional drive bay

Follow these steps to install a new pocket media drive or a hard disk drive into the 3.5-inch bay on front of your computer. These steps are easier if you remove the adjacent CD/DVD drive first.

Step 1. If the drive has not been used before, remove the break-away EMF shield from the front of the bay.
Step 2. Pry the shield with a flat-headed screwdriver...
...until it breaks away.
Step 3. Push the drive into the bay through the front of the computer...
...and press the drive all the way in.
Step 4. If installing an HP Pocket Media drive, be sure the screw holes on the drive bay align with the screw holes on the computer marked PMD 1 . Or...
If installing a hard disk drive, be sure the screw holes on the hard disk drive bay align with the screw holes on the computer marked HDD .
Step 5. Install the screws.
Step 6. Depending on the hard drive type, connect serial ATA or parallel ATA power and data cables to the drive and to the motherboard. If you are installing a pocket media drive bay, connect the USB cable to the USB riser on the motherboard.
Step 7. Replace the side panels and the front panel, and then reconnect the cables and power cord. Refer to the HP support document Opening the PC Case . NOTE: If the new drive is not recognized, the BIOS might need to be updated.