NOTE: If you are installing a drive in the external 3.5" drive bay for the first time, use a flatblade
screwdriver to pry out the metal shield covering the bay.
There are a total of eight extra guide/retainer screws on the front of the chassis behind the bezel. Four
have 6-32 standard threads and four have M3 metric threads. Standard screws are used for hard drives
and have a silver finish. Metric screws are used for all other drives and have a black finish. Be sure to
install the appropriate guide screws into the drive.
Removing a 3.5" Hard Drive
CAUTION: Make sure to create a Recovery Disc Set through HP Backup and Recovery Manager and
back up your personal files on the hard drive to an external storage device before removing the hard
drive. Failure to do so will result in data loss. After replacing the primary hard drive, you will need to load
the HP factory-installed files from the Recovery Disc Set.
1. Remove/disengage any security devices that prohibit opening the computer.
2. Remove all removable media, such as diskettes or compact discs, from the computer.
3. Turn off the computer properly through the operating system, then turn off any external devices.
4. Disconnect the power cord from the power outlet and the computer, and disconnect any external
devices.
WARNING! When the computer is plugged into an AC power source, voltage is always applied
to the system board. To reduce the risk of personal injury from electrical shock and/or hot surfaces,
be sure to disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet and allow the internal system components
to cool before touching.
5. Remove the access panel and front bezel. Refer to Removing the Computer Access Panel and
Front Bezel on page 5.
6. Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the hard drive.
7. Remove the four retainer screws that secure the drive to the bay (1) then slide the drive back and
out of the bay (2).
Figure 2-12 Removing a 3.5” Hard Drive
NOTE: To install a hard drive, reverse the removal procedure. No guide screws are required for drives
installed in a 3.5" hard drive bay.
ENWW Replacing or Upgrading a Drive 17