Upgrading your computer

    This chapter provides detailed information for opening your computer case, removing and installing drives, and upgrading memory.

    The upgrading procedures involve opening your computer case and removing and adding components. If you are not comfortable with these procedures, seek help from a more experienced computer user or computer service technician.

Selecting a place to work

    When working on your computer, find an area that:

Is clean (avoid a dusty area)
Is a low-static environment (avoid a carpeted area)
Has a stable platform on which to set your computer
Has enough room to place all the computer parts
Is near a grounded outlet so that you can test your computer after installation
Is near a phone (in case you need technical support assistance from Client Care). The phone must be directly connected to a phone jack and cannot be connected to your computer

Creating a tool kit

    Some tools and supplies that you may need to work on your computer are:

A Phillips screwdriver
A flat-head screwdriver
A notebook to take notes
Small containers to store the different types of screws
A grounding wrist strap (available at most electronic stores)

Preventing static electricity

To prevent static electricity:

    Before opening the computer case, read and follow these precautions to prevent damage from static electricity.

      Caution

      Static electricity can permanently damage electronic components in the computer. Prevent electrostatic damage to the system by following static electricity precautions every time you open the computer case.

      1. Turn off the computer power.
      2. Touch a bare metal surface on the back of the computer.
      3. Unplug all cords from the wall outlet.

      Also follow these static electricity precautions:

    Avoid static-causing surfaces such as plastic and styrofoam in your work area.
    Remove parts from their antistatic bags only when you are ready to use them. Do not lay parts on the outside of antistatic bags because only the insides provide antistatic protection.
    Always hold cards by their edges and their metal mounting brackets. Avoid touching components on the cards and the edge connectors that connect to expansion slots. Never slide cards or other parts over any surface.

    Micro-tower computer

      This section provides instructions for opening the micro-tower case and replacing drives.

    Opening the micro-tower case

      Warning

      To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer and unplug the power cord before opening the case.

      To open the micro-tower case:

        1. Turn off the computer.
        2. Disconnect all power cables.
        3. Remove the five screws at the back of the computer, then remove the cover by sliding it back and up.

      Replacing micro-tower drives

        The micro-tower case has a hard drive mount location on the inside-top of the case and a top drive cage. Use these procedures to replace hard drives, CD/DVD drives, 3.5-inch drives, tape drives, and other drives.

      To replace the hard drive:

        1. Remove the cover as described in Opening the micro-tower case.
        2. Disconnect the drive cables. See the drive manual for further instructions.
        3. Remove the 4 screws from the top of the case.
        1. Remove the drive.
        2. Install the new drive and secure with the 4 screws.
        3. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.
        4. Replace the cover.

      To replace a drive in the top drive cage
      (DVD/CD drive, hard drive, or diskette drive):

        1. Remove the cover as described in Opening the micro-tower case.
        2. Disconnect the drive cables. See the drive manual for further instructions.
        3. Remove the 4 screws.
        1. Remove the drive.
        2. Install the new drive and secure with the 4 screws.
        3. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.
        4. Replace the cover.

      Mid-tower computer

        This section provides instructions for opening the mid-tower case and replacing drives.

      Opening the mid-tower case

        Warning

        To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer and unplug the power cord before opening the case.

        To open the mid-tower case:

          1. Turn off the computer, and disconnect all power cables.
          2. Remove the thumbscrews on the right side of the back of the computer, then remove the right side panel by pulling on the hand grip between the thumbscrew holes.
          1. If you are replacing or installing drives, remove the two screws on the left side of the back of the computer and remove the left side panel.

        Replacing mid-tower drives

          The mid-tower case has a top and middle drive cage. Use these procedures to replace hard drives, CD/DVD drives, 3.5-inch drives, tape drives, and other drives.

        To replace a drive in the top drive cage
        (DVD/CD drive, hard drive, or diskette drive):

          1. Remove the covers as described in Opening the mid-tower case.
          2. Disconnect the drive cables. See the drive manual for further instructions.
          3. Remove the 4 screws.
          1. Remove the drive.
          2. Install the new drive and secure with the 4 screws.
          3. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.
          4. Replace the covers.

        To replace a drive in the middle drive cage (hard drive only):

          1. Remove the left cover as described in Opening the mid-tower case.
          2. Remove the support bracket screw.
          1. Remove the support bracket.
          2. Disconnect the drive cables. See the drive manual for further instructions.
          3. Remove the 3 drive cage screws.
          1. Remove the drive cage by lifting up and pulling out.
          2. Remove the 4 hard drive screws.
          1. Remove the hard drive.
          2. Install the new drive and secure with the 4 screws.
          3. Install the drive cage and secure with the 3 screws.
          4. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.
          5. Replace the cover.

        Tower computer

          This section provides instructions for opening the tower case and replacing drives.

        Opening the tower case

          Warning

          To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer and unplug the power cord before opening the case.

          To open the tower case:

            1. Turn off the computer.
            2. Disconnect all power cables.
            3. Remove the three thumbscrews and three screws on the back of the computer, then slide the side panels back until they come off the case.

          Replacing tower drives

            The tower case has a top, middle, and lower drive cage. Use these procedures to replace hard drives, CD/DVD drives, 3.5-inch drives, tape drives, and other drives.

          To replace a drives in the top drive cage
          (DVD/CD drive, hard drive, or diskette drive):

            1. Remove the covers as described in Opening the tower case.
            2. Disconnect the drive cables. See the drive manual for further instructions.
            3. Remove the 4 screws.
            1. Remove the drive.
            2. Install the new drive and secure with the 4 screws.
            3. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.
            4. Replace the covers.

          To replace a drives in the middle drive cage or bottom drive cage
          (hard drive only):

            1. Remove the left cover as described in Opening the tower case.
            2. Disconnect the drive cables. See the drive manual for further instructions.
            3. Remove the 3 drive cage screws.
            1. Remove the drive cage by lifting up and pulling out.
            2. Remove the 4 hard drive screws.
            3. Remove the hard drive.
            4. Install the new drive and secure with the 4 screws.
            5. Install the drive cage and secure with the 3 screws.
            6. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.
            7. Replace the cover.

          Upgrading memory

            When you upgrade your computer memory, make sure that you install the correct type of memory module for your computer. Your computer uses either DIMM or RIMM memory.

          Upgrading DIMM memory

            DIMM memory has chips on one side of the module.

          To upgrade DIMM memory:

            1. Turn off and unplug the computer.
            2. Open the computer case. Make sure that you follow all safety and static electricity guidelines.
            3. Find the memory module banks, or expansion slots, on your system board.
            4. If you are removing a memory module from the memory module bank, gently pull the plastic tabs away from the sides of the memory module and remove it.
            1. Align the notches on the new memory module with the notches on the memory module bank and press firmly into the bank.
              The tabs on the sides of the memory module should secure the memory module automatically. When the module is secure, you will hear a click.
            1. Close the computer case.
            2. Reconnect the power cables.
            3. Turn on the computer.
              Windows starts and the desktop screen appears.
            1. Right-click the My Computer icon, then select Properties .
              The amount of memory in your computer is shown at the bottom of the screen in the General tab.

          Upgrading RIMM memory

            If your computer uses RIMM system memory, you need to use a combination of Rambus Interface Memory Modules (RIMMs) and Continuity-RIMMs (C-RIMMs).

          RIMM

            RIMMs are your memory modules. A RIMM has a metal cover on one or both sides of the module.

          C-RIMM

            C-RIMMs are placeholders that let the memory modules work. A C-RIMM does not have a metal cover on either side of the module.

          To upgrade memory:

            1. Turn off and unplug the computer.
            2. Open the computer case. Make sure that you follow all safety and static electricity guidelines found in the original manual supplied with your system.
            3. Find the memory module banks, or expansion slots, on your system board.
            4. If you are removing a RIMM module from the memory module bank, gently pull the plastic tabs away from the sides of the memory module and remove it.
              - OR -
              If you are removing a C-RIMM module from the memory module bank, gently pull the plastic tabs away from the sides of the memory module and remove it.
            1. If you are installing one memory module, install the RIMM in
              RIMM Bank 0 and the C-RIMM in RIMM Bank 1 on the system board.
              - OR -
              If you are installing two memory modules, install the RIMMs in
              RIMM Bank 0 and RIMM Bank 1 on the system board.
              Make sure that you align the notches on the RIMM and C-RIMM with the notches on the memory module bank and press firmly into the bank.
            1. Make sure that the tabs on the sides of the RIMM and C-RIMM secure the memory module in the slot. When the module is secure, you will hear a click.
            2. Close the computer case.
            3. Reconnect the power cables.
            4. Turn on the computer.
              Windows starts and the desktop screen appears.
            1. Right-click the My Computer icon, then select Properties .
              The amount of memory in your computer is shown at the bottom of the screen in the General tab.

          Replacing the system battery

            If the computer clock does not keep time or the settings in the BIOS Setup Utility are not saved when you turn off the computer, replace the system battery.

            Replace the battery with the same or an equivalent of the original battery that was in the computer.

              Caution

              Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.

              Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.

            To replace the battery:

              1. Enter the BIOS setup utility, according to the instructions Using the BIOS setup utility.
              2. Write down all the values in the menus and submenus, then exit from the utility.
              3. Follow the static electricity precautions Preventing static electricity and open the computer case using the instructions in this chapter."
              4. Place the edge of a small screwdriver under the battery and lift up the battery until it pops out of the socket.
              1. With the positive (+) side of the battery face up, press the new battery into the socket until it snaps into place.
              2. Close the computer case.
              3. Plug in the power cable and peripherals.
              4. Turn on the computer.
              5. Enter the BIOS setup utility, according to the instructions Using the BIOS setup utility.
              6. In the BIOS setup utility, restore any settings that you wrote down in Step 2.
              7. Save and exit the BIOS Setup utility.

            Using the BIOS setup utility

              The BIOS Setup utility is used to determine the basic settings for your computer. These settings include basic system hardware configuration, system resource settings, and password security. These settings are stored and saved even when the power is off.

                Caution

                The options in the BIOS Setup utility have been set at the factory for optimal performance. Changes to these settings will affect the performance of the computer.

                Before changing any settings, write them down in case you need to restore them later.

                1. Restart the computer.
                  Your computer displays the message, "To change system settings press the F1 key."
                1. Press F1.
                  The main menu of the BIOS Setup utility opens.

                The following illustration shows the main menu screen of a typical BIOS Setup Utility. Your system BIOS Setup Utility may vary slightly from the illustration below.

                BIOS Setup Utility
                Main Advanced Security Power Boot Exit




                		Item Specific Help
                BIOS Version

                Processor Type
                Processor Speed
                Front Side Bus Speed
                Cache Ram

                System Memory
                Memory Bank 0
                Memory Bank 1
                Memory Bank 2

                Language:
                Cache ECC Support:

                System Time:
                System Date:

                                 		4W4SB0X0.15A.0004.P02

                Pentium II processor
                400 MHz
                100 MHz
                512 KB

                128 MB
                Not Installed
                128 MB SDRAM
                Not Installed

                [English (US)]
                [Disabled]

                [11:09:31]
                [09/16/1999]                                 		Select the display language for the BIOS.
                F1 Help
                ESC Exit                                 		Select Item
                Select Menu                                 		-/+ Change Values
                Enter Select > Sub-Menu                                 		F9 Setup Defaults
                F10 Save and Exit

                Use the navigation keys displayed at the bottom of the BIOS Setup utility screen to move through the BIOS menus and make selections. Press F1 to get more help about the BIOS Setup utility options.