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Drives

Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX280 Systems User's Guide

  General Installation Guidelines

  Hard Drive

  Adding a Second Hard Drive

  Front-Panel Inserts

  Floppy Drive

  CD/DVD Drive

  Cable Routing

Your computer supports:

• two serial ATA hard drives
  
  
• two floppy or optional Zip drives
  
  
• two CD or DVD drives
  
  

General Installation Guidelines

Connect CD/DVD drives to the connector labeled "IDE" on the system board. Serial ATA hard drives should be connected to the connectors labeled "SATA0," SATA1," "SATA2," or "SATA3" on the system board.

NOTE: Your computer may or may not have the "SATA1" or "SATA3" connectors.

IDE Drive Addressing

When you connect two IDE devices to a single IDE interface cable and configure them for the cable select setting, the device attached to the last connector on the interface cable is the master or boot device (drive 0), and the device attached to the middle connector on the interface cable is the slave device (drive 1). See the drive documentation in your upgrade kit for information on configuring devices for the cable select setting.

Connecting Drive Cables

When you install a drive, you connect two cables—a DC power cable and a data cable—to the back of the drive and to the system board.

Drive Interface Connectors

IDE Drive Connector	Serial ATA Connector

1	interface connector
2	interface cable
3	colored stripe on IDE cable

Most interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector. Keyed connectors ensure that the pin-1 wire in the cable (indicated by the colored stripe along one edge of the IDE cable—serial ATA cables do not use a colored stripe) goes to the pin-1 end of the connector. The pin-1 end of a connector on a board or a card is usually indicated by a silk-screened "1" printed directly on the board or card.

NOTICE: When you connect an IDE interface cable, do not place the colored stripe away from pin 1 of the connector. Reversing the cable prevents the drive from operating and could damage the controller, the drive, or both.

Power Cable Connector

Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables

When removing an IDE drive data cable, grasp the colored pull tab and pull until the connector detaches.

When connecting and disconnecting a serial ATA data cable, hold the cable by the black connector at each end.

Like IDE connectors, the serial ATA interface connectors are keyed for correct insertion; that is, a notch or a missing pin on one connector matches a tab or a filled-in hole on the other connector.

Hard Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

1. If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before you begin this procedure.
   
   
2. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
   
   
3. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   

Removing a Hard Drive

1. Disconnect the power and hard-drive cables from the drive.
   
   

2. Press in on the tabs on each side of the drive and slide the drive up and out.
   
   

Installing a Hard Drive

1. Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation.
   
   
2. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
   
   
3. If your replacement hard drive does not have the bracket rails attached, remove the rails from the old drive by removing the two screws that secure each rail to the drive. Attach the bracket rails to the new drive by aligning the screw holes on the drive with the screw holes on the bracket rails and then inserting and tightening all four screws (two screws on each rail).
   
   

4. Gently slide the drive into place until you hear a click or feel the drive securely installed.
   
   
5. Connect the power and hard-drive cables to the drive.
   
   

6. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.
   
   
7. Close the computer cover.
   
   

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

8. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets.
   
   

See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.

9. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable medium into your boot drive.
   
   
10. Turn on the computer.
    
    
11. After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:
    
    

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

12. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

13. Enter system setup and update the appropriate Primary Drive option (0 or 1).
    
    
14. Exit system setup, and reboot the computer.
    
    
15. Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step.
    
    

See the documentation for your operating system for instructions.

16. Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics.
    
    
17. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, install your operating system on the hard drive.
    
    

Adding a Second Hard Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the drive, do not set it on a hard surface. Instead, set the drive on a surface, such as a foam pad, that will sufficiently cushion it.

1. If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before you begin this procedure.
   
   
2. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
   
   
3. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
4. Remove the two green plastic rails from the inside of the hard-drive bay by gently pulling the rails up and out of the bay.
   
   
5. Attach the rails to the hard drive using the two screws attached to the rails.
   
   

Ensure that the rail tabs are positioned at the back of the hard drive.

NOTICE: Do not install any drive into the lower hard-drive bay until you have removed the green drive rails from the inside of the hard-drive bay.

6. Move the first hard drive from the upper bay to the lower bay:
   
   
   1. Disconnect the power and the hard-drive cables from the back of the first hard drive.
      
      
   2. Press in the two green rail tabs and pull the first hard drive out of the upper bay.
      
      
   3. Gently slide the drive into place until you hear a click or feel the drive securely installed.
      
      
7. Gently slide the new drive into place until you hear a click or feel the drive securely installed.
   
   

8. Connect a power cable to the drives.
   
   
9. Locate an unused serial ATA connector on the system board and attach a drive cable to this connector and to the second hard drive.

10. Close the computer cover.
    
    

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into the computer.

11. Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    
12. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.
    
    

After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

13. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

Front-Panel Inserts

If you are installing a new floppy or CD/DVD drive instead of replacing a drive, remove the front-panel inserts.

1. Open the cover to a 90-degree angle.
   
   
2. Locate the insert that is in front of the drive bay that you want to use.
   
   
3. From inside the computer, press in the release tab of the insert.
   
   

4. From the outside of the computer, pull the insert away from the computer's front panel.
   
   
5. Remove the insert from the insert frame by pressing on the four tabs.
   
   

6. Reattach the empty insert frame over the front of the drive bay.
   
   

The insert frame fits only one way.

Floppy Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."

Removing a Floppy Drive

1. Disconnect the power and floppy-drive cables from the back of the floppy drive.
   
   
2. Disconnect the other end of the floppy-drive cable from the system board (labeled DSKT).

3. Press inward on the two tabs on the sides of the drive, slide the drive upward, and remove it from the floppy-drive bay.
   
   

Installing a Floppy Drive

1. If you are replacing a drive and the new drive does not have the bracket rails attached, remove the rails from the old drive by removing the two screws that secure each rail to the drive. Attach the bracket to the new drive by aligning the screw holes on the drive with the screw holes on the bracket rails and then inserting and tightening all four screws (two screws on each rail).
   
   

2. Gently slide the drive into place until you hear a click or feel the drive securely installed.
   
   
3. Attach the power and floppy-drive cables to the floppy drive.
   
   
4. Connect the other end of the floppy-drive cable to the connector labeled "DSKT" on the system board.

5. If you are installing a new floppy drive rather than replacing a drive, remove the front-panel inserts.
   
   
6. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
7. Close the computer cover.
   
   

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.

8. Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
   
   

See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.

9. After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:
   
   

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

10. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

11. Enter system setup and use the Diskette Drive option to enable your new floppy drive.
    
    
12. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
    
    

CD/DVD Drive

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.

CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."

Removing a CD/DVD Drive

1. Disconnect the power and CD/DVD drive cables from the back of the drive.

2. Press inward on the two tabs on the sides of the drive, and then slide the drive upward and remove it from the drive bay.
   
   

Installing a CD/DVD Drive

1. If you are installing a new drive, unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.
   
   

Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer. If you are installing an IDE drive, configure the drive for the cable select setting.

2. Connect the new drive to the set of rails that are attached to the inside of the cover. If a set of rails is not attached inside the cover, contact Dell.
   
   
3. If you are installing a replacement drive and the new drive does not have the bracket rails attached, remove the rails from the old drive by removing the two screws that secure each rail to the drive. Attach the bracket to the new drive by aligning the screw holes on the drive with the screw holes on the bracket rails and then inserting and tightening all four screws (two screws on each rail).
   

4. Gently slide the drive into place until you hear a click or feel the drive securely installed.
   
   
5. Connect the power and CD/DVD drive cables to the drive.

6. If you are installing a new CD/DVD drive rather than replacing a drive, remove the front-panel inserts.
   
   
7. If you are installing a drive that has its own controller card, install the controller card in a card slot.
   
   
8. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
9. Close the computer cover.
   
   

NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable in to the network wall jack and then plug it in to the computer.

10. Connect your computer and devices to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
    
    

See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.

11. After you open and close the cover, the chassis intrusion detector, if installed and enabled, causes the following message to appear on the screen at the next computer start-up:
    
    

ALERT! Cover was previously removed.

12. Reset the chassis intrusion detector by changing Chassis Intrusion to On or On-Silent.
    
    

NOTE: If an admin password has been assigned by someone else, contact your network administrator for information on resetting the chassis intrusion detector.

13. Update your configuration information by setting the appropriate Drive option (0 or 1) under Drives. See "System Setup" for more information.
    
    
14. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
    
    

Cable Routing

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