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Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX620
User's Guide

  Drives

Drives

Your computer supports:

• One serial ATA drive
  
  
• One FlexBay drive (floppy drive or Media Card Reader)
  
  
• One CD or DVD drive
  
  

1	FlexBay for optional floppy drive or Media Card Reader
2	CD/DVD drive
3	hard drive

General Installation Guidelines

Connect CD/DVD drives to the connector labeled "IDE" on the system board. Serial ATA hard drives should be connected to the connectors labeled "SATA0" or "SATA2" 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.

NOTICE: When you connect an IDE interface cable, do not place the colored stripe away from pin 1 of the connector. Reversing the cable prevents the drive from operating and could damage the controller, the drive, or both.

Power Cable Connectors

1	power cable
2	power input connector

Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables

When connecting and disconnecting a serial ATA data cable, hold the cable by the black connector at each end.

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.

1	interface cable connector
2	interface 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 electrical outlet before removing the computer cover.

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.

1. If you are replacing a hard drive that contains data you want to keep, back up your files before you begin this procedure.
   
   
2. Check the documentation for the drive to verify that it is configured for your computer.
   
   

Removing a Hard Drive

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Remove the computer cover.
   
   
3. Lay the computer on its side so that the system board is on the bottom of the inside of the computer.
   
   
4. Press in on the two blue securing tabs on each side of the drive and slide the drive up and out of the computer.
   
   

NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.

5. Lift the drive out of the computer and disconnect the power and hard-drive cables from the drive.
   
   

1	securing tabs (2)
2	hard drive

6. Disconnect the power and hard-drive cable from the drive.
   
   

1	power cable
2	serial ATA data cable

Installing a Hard Drive

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

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.

2. Unpack the replacement hard drive, and prepare it for installation.
   
   
3. If your replacement hard drive does not have the plastic drive bracket attached, remove the bracket from the existing drive by unsnapping it from the drive.
   
   

1	drive
2	release tabs (2)
3	hard drive bracket

4. Connect the power and hard-drive cables to the drive.
   
   

1	power cable
2	serial ATA data cable

5. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.
   
   
6. Gently position the drive until it clicks into place.
   
   

1	release tabs (2)
2	hard drive

7. Check all connectors to be certain that they are properly cabled and firmly seated.
   
   
8. Replace the computer cover.
   
   
9. If the drive you just installed is the primary drive, insert a bootable medium into your boot drive.
   
   
10. Turn on the computer.
    
    
11. Enter system setup and update the appropriate Primary Drive option (0 or 2).
    
    
12. Exit system setup, and reboot the computer.
    
    
13. Partition and logically format your drive before you proceed to the next step.
    
    

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

14. Test the hard drive by running the Dell Diagnostics.
    
    
15. Install your operating system on the hard drive.
    
    

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

CD/DVD 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 electrical outlet before removing the computer cover.

Removing a CD/DVD Drive

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Lay the computer on its side so that the system board is on the bottom of the inside of the computer.
   
   
3. Remove the computer cover.
   
   

NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.

4. Pull up on the drive release latch and slide the drive towards the back of the computer. Then lift up to remove the drive from the computer.
   
   

1	drive release latch
2	CD/DVD drive

NOTE: You must remove the drive bracket from the CD/DVD drive before you can remove the CD/DVD drive cable from the drive.

5. Disconnect the CD/DVD drive cable from the system board connector labeled (IDE).
   
   

6. Remove the two screws from the side of drive and remove the drive bracket. Then disconnect the CD/DVD drive cable from the back of the drive.
   
   

1	screws (2)
2	drive bracket
3	CD/DVD drive
4	CD/DVD drive cable

Installing a CD/DVD Drive

1. Unpack the drive and prepare it for installation.
   
   

Check the documentation that accompanied the drive to verify that the drive is configured for your computer. Configure the drive for the cable select setting.

2. Connect the CD/DVD drive cables to the drive.
   
   
3. Lower the drive into the drive bracket and align the two drive bracket tabs with the holes on the side of the drive. Then attach the two screws to the side to secure it.
   
   

1	CD/DVD drive
2	CD/DVD drive cable
3	screws (2)
4	drive bracket
5	alignment tabs (2)

4. Gently position the drive until it clicks into place.
   
   

5. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
6. Replace the computer cover.
   
   
7. See the documentation that came with the drive for instructions on installing any software required for drive operation.
   
   
8. Enter system setup and select the appropriate Drive option.
   
   
9. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
   
   

Floppy 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 electrical outlet before removing the computer cover.

Removing a Floppy Drive

1. Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin."
   
   
2. Remove the computer cover.
   
   
3. Lay the computer on its side so that the system board is on the bottom of the inside of the computer.
   
   
4. Remove the CD/DVD drive and carefully set it aside.
   
   

NOTICE: Do not pull the drive out of the computer by the drive cables. Doing so may cause damage to cables and the cable connectors.

5. Pull up the cable release tab to unlock it and disconnect the floppy-drive cable from the back of the floppy drive.
   
   
6. Pull up the cable release tab to unlock it and disconnect the floppy-drive cable from the system board.
   
   

1	cable release tab
2	data-cable edge connector

7. Pull up on the drive release latch and slide the floppy drive towards the back of the computer. Then lift up to remove the drive from the computer.
   
   

Installing a Floppy Drive

NOTE: In the event the replacement or new floppy drive does not have the shoulder screws, use the screws located within the drive-panel insert.

1	drive
2	screws (3)
3	bracket rails (3)

1. Remove the floppy drive.
   
   
2. Align the screws on the drive with the bracket rails in the computer, and gently position the drive until it clicks into place.
   
   
3. Insert the floppy-drive cable into the cable release tab on the floppy drive and press down on the tab until it clicks to lock it in place.
   
   
4. Insert the floppy-drive cable into the cable release tab on the system board and press down on the tab until it clicks to lock it in place.
   
   

1	cable release tab
2	data cable edge connector

5. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
6. Replace the CD/DVD drive.
   
   
7. Check all cable connections, and fold cables out of the way to provide airflow for the fan and cooling vents.
   
   
8. Replace the computer cover.
   
   
9. Enter and use the Diskette Drive option to enable your new floppy drive.
   
   

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

10. Verify that your computer works correctly by running the Dell Diagnostics.
    
    

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