Compaq 517212-001 User Manual

Upgrading and Servicing Guide

Printed in

Removing and Replacing the
Hard Disk Drive

Features may vary by model.

Removing and Replacing the Hard Disk Drive

20 to 40 minutes

Before You Begin

After you replace the hard disk drive, you have to perform
a system recovery. Refer to the documentation that came
with your computer for detailed system recovery steps.

IMPORTANT: A hard drive is extremely sensitive to
shock impact. Do not bang or drop it. Do not touch the
circuit board. Static electricity can damage the drive.

Observe the following requirements before removing and
replacing a hard disk drive.

Tools Needed

 Flathead screwdriver

Hewlett-Packard recommends using a magnetic
tipped screwdriver. You can use a flathead
screwdriver with the following screw.

WARNING:

1 Never open the cover with

the power cord attached
or power applied. You
may damage your
computer or be injured
from the spinning fan
blades.

2 Avoid touching sharp

edges inside the
computer.

NOTE: Computer features may vary by model.

CAUTION: This product contains

components that are easily damaged by
electrostatic discharge (ESD). To reduce the
chance of ESD damage, work over a
noncarpeted floor. If possible, ground
yourself while touching the metal frame of
the computer, prior to handling
components.

IMPORTANT: Treat an optical disc drive with care. It is
easy to damage. It is sensitive to shock impact. Do not
bang or drop it.

517212-001 — Removing and Replacing the Hard Disk Drive 3

Removing the Hard Disk Drive

1 Remove all removable media such as CDs or DVDs

from the computer.

2 Turn off the computer using the shutdown procedure

for your operating system.

3 Disconnect the power from the wall and from the back

of the computer.

7 Slide the left side panel about 1.27 cm (0.5 in)

toward the rear of the computer.

8 Pull the panel away from the computer and set it

aside.

4 Turn off all peripheral devices (such as monitor,

printer, and external drives) and disconnect them from
the computer.

5 Disconnect the mouse, keyboard, ethernet cable,

and/or phone line.

6 Remove the two screws that fasten the left side panel

to the computer.

4 517212-001 — Removing and Replacing the Hard Disk Drive

9 Release the two latching tabs on the left side of the

front bezel by pulling them slightly outward. When
the left side of the front bezel is released, pull it away
from the computer.

10 Spread a towel or soft cloth on your working surface.

Then lay the computer on its side, with the open
side up.

12 Lift the front edge of the optical drive and cage

assembly (1), and then slide the tabs (2) out of the
notches at the rear of the computer.

1

2

13 Disconnect the power cable and data cable from the

back of the optical drive.

Press the release button on the end of the power cable
and the data cable while disconnecting these cables
from the drive.

NOTE: The location of the cable connections may
vary with the optical drive model in your computer.

NOTE: You must remove the optical drive before you
can remove the hard drive.

11 Remove the two screws that secure the optical drive

cage to the front of the computer.

14 Carefully set the optical drive aside.

517212-001 — Removing and Replacing the Hard Disk Drive 5

15 Remove the two hard drive retention screws. Set them

aside for use with the new hard drive.

CAUTION: Using retention screws that are
too long can damage some hard disk
drives. The hard disk drive retention screws
are slightly shorter than the rest of the
screws. Set these screws aside for use with
the replacement hard disk drive.

17 Lift the hard drive straight up and out.

18 Press the release button on the end of the power cable

and the data cable while disconnecting these cables
from the drive.

16 Slide the hard drive to the rear of the computer until it

stops. Then slide the hard drive toward the center of
the computer to release it.

6 517212-001 — Removing and Replacing the Hard Disk Drive