Replace Hard Drive

It's time to say good-bye to your old hard drive. For some
reason or another it has stopped working or you've diagnosed
it with a problem for which there is no fix.

1. Before you replace hard drive units you may be able to
salvage some information. If you are lucky enough to have
warning signs that your hard drive is going to fail make sure
that you back up all the files you want to keep.

Head over to the Maintenance Section and read up on
Backing up your files.

2. Make sure the computer is turned off, remove the cables
from the back of the system and remove the cover from the
case.

4. Carefully take the replacement hard drive out of its anti-static
packaging. Avoid contact with the motherboard.

5. Reconnect the existing cables to the back and replace hard drive
making sure the orientation is correct. Push the connectors in gently
but firmly. It is important here to exercise some caution here, you don't
want to bend any pins over.

You should now have a working hard drive and won't experience any of the annoying crashes, freezes or
other symptoms of a failing hard drive. Remember to always back up as often as necessary to prevent loss
before having to replace hard drive units.

* Make sure that you follow the guidelines for working within
an open computer case and use a grounding strap or at least
touch the metal chassis before coming into contact with
internal components. When you replace hard drive units you
may come into contact with other components and cables.

3. The Hard Drive is located near the front of the computer
chassis. It has two connectors on the rear, one small
connector for the power and a ribbon connector for data
transfer. Be sure not to confuse it with a CD/DVD ROM or a
floppy drive. There will be no door or slot on the front of the
computer.
Remove the screws (usually four) that hold the drive in place
inside the chassis. Disconnect the ribbon cable from the
rear of the hard drive.

6. Installing the hard drive in the same position that the
original one was removed from. When in position, screw it back
into place.

7. Replace the computer cover and turn the system on.

8. Now that you had to replace hard drive units. The computer
will prompt you to install the operating system. At this point
use your Windows disk or the recovery disk that was provided
by the computer's manufacturer.

9. Install your programs and if you were lucky enough to back
up your personal files and folders copy these back to your new
hard disk drive.