● Before removing or inserting a hard drive, shut down the computer. If you are unsure whether the 
computer is o or in Hibernation, turn the computer on, and then shut it down through the operating 
system.
● Before handling a drive, be sure that you are discharged of static electricity. While handling a drive, 
avoid touching the connector.
● Before removing an optical drive, be sure that a disc is not in the drive, and be sure that the optical drive 
tray is closed.
● Handle drives on surfaces covered with at least 2.54 cm (1 inch) of shock-proof foam.
● Avoid dropping drives from any height onto any surface.
● After removing a hard drive or an optical drive, place it in a static-proof bag.
● Avoid exposing an internal hard drive to products that have magnetic elds, such as monitors or 
speakers.
● Avoid exposing a drive to temperature extremes or liquids.
● If a drive must be mailed, place the drive in a bubble pack mailer or other suitable form of protective 
packaging, and label the package “FRAGILE.”
Electrostatic discharge information
A sudden discharge of static electricity from your nger or other conductor can destroy static-sensitive 
devices or microcircuitry. Often the spark is neither felt nor heard, but damage occurs. An electronic device 
exposed to electrostatic discharge (ESD) might not appear to be aected at all and can work perfectly 
throughout a normal cycle. The device might function normally for a while, but it has been degraded in the 
internal layers, reducing its life expectancy.
Networks built into many integrated circuits provide some protection, but in many cases, the discharge 
contains enough power to alter device parameters or melt silicon junctions.
IMPORTANT: To prevent damage to the device when you remove or install internal components, observe 
these precautions:
● Keep components in their electrostatic-safe containers until you are ready to install them.
● Before touching an electronic component, discharge static electricity by using the guidelines described 
in Personal grounding methods and equipment on page 25.
● Avoid touching pins, leads, and circuitry. Handle electronic components as little as possible.
● If you remove a component, place it in an electrostatic-safe container.
Generating static electricity
Follow these static electricity guidelines:
● Dierent activities generate dierent amounts of static electricity.
● Static electricity increases as humidity decreases.
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Chapter 4Removal andreplacement procedures preliminary requirements