Upgrading your computer

This chapter provides information about:

Opening your computer case

Removing and installing drives

Removing and installing expansion cards

Upgrading memory

You have to open your computer case to change or upgrade components. If you are not comfortable with these procedures, get help from a more experienced computer user or computer service technician.

Selecting a place to work

Work on your computer in an area that:

Is clean (avoid dusty areas)

Is a low-static environment (avoid carpeted areas)

Has a stable surface 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 help from Client Care). The phone must be directly connected to a phone jack and cannot be connected to your computer.

Gathering tools you need

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 electrostatic discharge

The components inside your computer are extremely sensitive to static electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD). Almost any object or material can accumulate an electrostatic charge.

Caution

ESD can permanently damage electrostatic discharge sensitive (ESDS) components in the computer. Prevent ESD damage to the system by following ESD precautions every time you open the computer case.

Before opening the computer case, prevent ESD damage by following these precautions:

Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores) and attach it to a bare metal part of the computer case. Warning To prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object into the vent holes of the power supply.

Turn off the computer power.

Touch a bare metal surface on the back of the computer.

Unplug all cords from the wall outlet.

If you are working on a mobile computer, remove the battery pack.

Before working with computer components, prevent ESD damage by following these additional precautions:

Avoid static-causing surfaces such as carpeted floors, plastic, and packing foam 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 inside of the bags provide electrostatic protection.

Always hold expansion 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 expansion cards or ESDS components 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 and disconnect the power cord and cables.

2. 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 hard drive is mounted on the top-inside of the micro-tower case and other drives are mounted in the 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 four screws from the top of the case, then remove the drive.

4. Install the new drive and secure with the four screws.

5. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.

6. Replace the cover.

To replace a drive in the top drive cage:

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 four screws, then remove the drive.

4. Install the new drive and secure with the four screws.

5. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.

6. 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 the power cord and 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.

3. 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:

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 four screws, then remove the drive.

4. Install the new drive and secure with the four screws.

5. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.
6. 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, then remove the support bracket.

3. Disconnect the drive cables. See the drive manual for further instructions.

4. Remove the three drive cage screws, then remove the drive cage by lifting it up and pulling it out.

5. Remove the four hard drive screws, then remove the hard drive.

6. Install the new drive and secure with the four screws.

7. Install the drive cage and secure with the three screws.

8. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.

9. 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 and disconnect the power cord and cables.

2. 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 drive in the top drive cage:

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 four screws, then remove the drive.

4. Install the new drive and secure with the four screws.

5. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.

6. Replace the covers.

To replace drives in the middle 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 three drive cage screws, then remove the drive cage by lifting it up and pulling it out.

4. Remove the four hard drive screws, then remove the hard drive.

5. Install the new drive and secure with the four screws.

6. Install the drive cage and secure with the three screws.

7. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.

8. Replace the cover.

To replace a drive in the 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 three drive cage screws, then remove the drive cage by lifting it up and pulling it out.

4. Remove the four hard drive screws, then remove the hard drive.

5. Install the new drive and secure with the four screws.

6. Install the drive cage and secure with the three screws.

7. Reconnect the cables according to the instructions in the drive manual.

8. Replace the cover.

Replacing expansion cards

An expansion card is a card used in the computer to add functionality to the system. Use the following procedures to replace, add, or reseat an expansion card.

To replace an expansion card:

1. Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cord and cables.

2. Open your computer using the instructions earlier in this chapter.

3. Find your expansion card in the ISA, PCI, or AGP expansion card slot.

4. If a bracket covers the expansion card, remove the screws that secure the bracket to the case.

- OR -

If a screw secures the expansion card to the slot opening on the back of the case, remove the screw.

5. Holding the card by its corners, carefully remove the expansion card by pulling it straight out of its slot.

You can slightly seesaw the card end-to-end to loosen the card, but do not bend the card sideways.

Caution

Do not touch the contacts on the bottom part of the expansion card. Touching the contacts may cause electrostatic damage to the card.

6. Replace, add, or reseat the card by holding the card by the corners and pushing the card straight into the slot.

You can slightly seesaw the card end-to-end to install the card, but do not bend the card sideways.

7. Secure the bracket to the case with the screws removed earlier.

- OR -

Secure the card to the expansion slot on the case with the screw you removed earlier.

Desktop computer

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

Opening the desktop 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 desktop case:

1. Turn off the computer, disconnect the power cord, and disconnect the modem cord, if your computer has a modem.

2. If your computer includes an optional thumbscrew or lock on the back of the case, remove it.

3. Locate the two release buttons on each side of the front bezel. Press and hold in both buttons and slide the cover forward approximately 1 1/2 inches.

4. Lift the cover up and off the chassis.

Replacing desktop drives

The desktop case has a 3 drive bays used for existing drives. Use this section to replace the 3.5-inch drive, CD/DVD drive, or hard drive.

Replacing the 3.5-inch diskette drive

The 3.5-inch diskette drive is attached to a drive cage with two screws. The drive cage is secured to the chassis by a tab. You do not have to remove any screws to take the drive cage out of the chassis.

To replace the diskette drive:

1. Turn off the computer, disconnect the power cord, and disconnect the modem cord, if your computer has a modem.

2. Open the case as described in "Opening the desktop case", observing the precautions in "Preventing electrostatic discharge".

3. Disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the diskette drive, noting the location and orientation of the cables. (You will reconnect the cables after you install the new drive.)

4. Press down and hold the locking tab on the drive cage. Then pull the drive cage towards the rear of the chassis and lift it out of the chassis.

5. Remove the old drive from the drive cage using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the drive from the drive cage.

6. Lift the edge of the drive and remove the drive from the drive cage.

Make sure the drive clears the pins on the side of the drive cage.

7. Place the new drive into the drive cage. Make sure the pins on the drive cage fit into the holes on the drive.

8. Using the screws you removed earlier, attach the drive to the drive cage.

9. Slide the drive cage into the drive bay until the locking tab snaps into place.

10. Connect the power and data cables, making sure the cables match the original position.

11. Close the case as described in "Closing the desktop case".

12. Reconnect the cords you removed, then turn on the computer.

Replacing the CD-ROM drive

The CD-ROM drive is secured to the drive bay by a tab. The tab lets you to easily detach the drive from the drive bay without removing any screws.

Warning

The laser beam used in this CD-ROM drive can be harmful to the eyes. Do not attempt to disassemble the CD-ROM drive.

To replace the CD-ROM drive:

1. Turn off the computer, disconnect the power cord, and disconnect the modem cord, if your computer has a modem.

2. Open the case as described in "Opening the desktop case" and observing "Preventing electrostatic discharge".

3. Disconnect the cable from the back of the drive, noting its location and orientation. (You will reconnect this cable after you install the new drive.)

4. Press and hold the CD-ROM drive locking tab. Then pull the drive out the front of the chassis.

5. Slide the new drive all the way into the bay until the locking tab snaps into place.

6. Reconnect the drive cable, making sure the cable matches the original position. (See the drive documentation for proper drive jumper settings and cable orientation.)

7. Close the case as described in "Closing the desktop case".

8. Reconnect the cords you removed, then turn on the computer.

Replacing the hard drive

The hard drive is secured to a drive bay located underneath the drive tray assembly.

To replace the hard drive:

1. Turn off the computer, disconnect the power cord, and disconnect the modem cord, if your computer has a modem.

2. Open the case as described in "Opening the desktop case" and observing "Preventing electrostatic discharge".

3. Remove the drive tray assembly by pulling the drive tray assembly tabs up and toward the front of the chassis. Make sure the tabs are all the way forward. When the tabs are all the way forward, the drive tray assembly is unlocked from the chassis.

4. Tilt the drive tray slightly forward while lifting it up and off the chassis.

5. Remove the hard drive from the drive tray assembly and turn the drive tray over and locate the hard drive.Pull the ring on the drive bay down and out. The locking tabs are released.

6. While holding the ring out, lift the drive out of the bay. Make sure that the drive clears the two pins on the bay that hold the drive in place. Be careful not to put pressure on the cables attached to the drive.

7. Disconnect the data and power cables from the back of the drive, noting the location and orientation.

8. Place the new drive into the drive bay, by holding the new drive above the bay and connect the data and power cables. Make sure the cables match the original positions. (See the drive documentation for proper drive jumper settings and cable orientation.)

9. Pull the ring on the drive bay down and out and hold it.

10. Place the drive into the bay, making sure to align the drive correctly with all pins on the tray. When the drive is in place, release the ring.

11. Replace the drive tray assembly by turning over the drive tray assembly so the hard drive is on the bottom and making sure the drive tray assembly tabs are pulled all the way forward. Align the pins at the front of the tray with the holes on the chassis. Then set the drive tray onto the chassis.

12. Push the drive tray assembly tabs all the way toward the back of the chassis. The drive tray is locked in place.

13. Close the case as described in "Closing the desktop case".

14. Reconnect the cords you removed, then turn on the computer.

Closing the desktop case

Replace the computer cover as soon as you finish installing or removing components so that dust and dirt (which could damage the computer) do not collect inside the computer.

To replace the computer cover:

1. Place the cover over the chassis, approximately 1 1/2 inches from the rear of the chassis.

2. Slide the cover towards the rear of the chassis until the side latches on the front bezel lock into place.

3. If a thumbscrew or lock is included with your computer, replace it.

4. Reconnect all cords you disconnected.

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

If your computer uses DIMM memory, the memory module has several memory chips on one side.

To upgrade DIMM memory:

1. Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cord and cables.

2. Open the computer case. Make sure that you follow all safety and static electricity guidelines.

3. Find the memory module banks, sometimes called 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.

5. 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 hear a click.

6. Close the computer case.

7. Reconnect the power cables.

8. Turn on the computer. Windows starts and the desktop screen appears.

9. 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 memory, you need to use a combination of Rambus Interface Memory Modules (RIMMs) and Continuity-RIMMs (C-RIMMs). All memory slots must be filled with either RIMM or C-RIMM.

RIMM

If your computer uses RIMM memory, the memory has a metal cover on one or both sides of the module.

C-RIMM

C-RIMMs are place holders 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 the computer and disconnect the power cord and cables.

2. Open the computer case. Make sure that you follow all safety and static electricity guidelines.

3. Find the memory module banks, sometimes called expansion slots, on your system board.

4. Gently pull the plastic tabs away from the sides of the RIMM or C-RIMM and remove it.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Close the computer case.

8. Reconnect the power cables.

9. Turn on the computer. Windows starts and the desktop screen appears.

10. 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 electrostatic discharge" 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.

5. With the positive (+) side of the battery face up, press the new battery into the socket until it snaps into place.

6. Close the computer case.

7. Plug in the power cable and peripherals.

8. Turn on the computer.

9. Enter the BIOS Setup utility, according to the instructions "Using the BIOS Setup utility".

10. In the BIOS Setup utility, restore any settings that you wrote down in Step 2.

11. 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.

To enter the BIOS:

1. Restart the computer. Your computer displays the message, "To change system settings press the F1 key."

2. 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	­¯ SelectItem ®¬ 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.