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Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX620
User's Guide

  Drives


Drives

Your computer supports:

General Installation Guidelines

NOTE: For information on installing D-module drives, see the documentation that came with your optional device.

Serial ATA hard drives should be connected to the connector labeled "SATA0" on the system board.

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

Serial ATA Connector

1

interface cable connector

2

interface connector

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 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.

Power Cable Connectors

System Board Power Connector

Serial ATA Power Connector

1

power cable

2

power input 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 power supply before removing the hard drive.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
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.

Installing a Hard Drive

  1. If you are installing a new drive, rather than replacing a drive, attach the drive rails—located inside the cover—to the new drive and proceed with step 8.

  2. If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before you begin this procedure.

  3. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer.

  4. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."

  5. Grasp the drive rails, push the two rails toward each other, slide the drive slightly forward, and rotate the hard drive up (see the illustration below) and away from the bracket.

1

hard drive

2

drive rails (2)

3

power cable connector

4

data cable connector

  1. Remove the data and power cables from the drive connectors.

  2. Remove the drive rails from the existing hard drive, and attach the drive rails to the replacement hard drive.

1

drive

2

drive rails (2)

3

screws (4)

NOTICE: Serial ATA data and power 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. When connecting cables to a drive, ensure that the connectors are oriented properly before you attach the cables to the drive.
  1. Attach the data and power cables to the hard drive connectors, ensuring that the connectors are properly oriented before connecting them.

  2. Slide the hard drive into the bracket.

  1. Replace the computer cover.

  2. Replace the cable cover, if used.

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

  1. Reboot the computer.

  2. Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step.

For instructions, see the documentation that came with your operating system.

  1. Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics.

  2. Install your operating system on the hard drive.

For instructions, see the documentation that came with your operating system.

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