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Replacing the Hard-Disk Drive: Dell™Latitude™L400User'sGuide
Read the following notices carefully before attempting to replace your hard-disk drive:
NOTICE: To prevent data loss, turn off your computer before you remove the hard-disk drive. Do not remove the hard-disk drive if
the computer is in suspend (or standby) mode or if the drive access indicator is lit. Removing the drive under these conditions will
lead to loss of data.
NOTICE: Hard-diskdrivesareextremelyfragileandmustbehandledcarefullytoavoiddamage.Followtheseguidelines:
l Handle the hard-disk drive only by its carrier; do not touch the drive itself. The drive comes in a metal carrier for protection and
easy installation. The drive is vulnerable to static electricity and scratches when outside the computer because the drive carrier
protects only the sides of the drive, leaving the top and bottom of the drive exposed.
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l Never press down on the top of the drive.
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l Do not drop the drive. Even a slight jar or bump can damage the drive heads and spinning plates, thus rendering the drive
inoperable.
To replace a hard-disk drive, perform the following steps:
1. Save any open files, turn off the computer, and remove the system battery (see step 3 in "Replacing the Battery").
NOTICE: To avoid scratching the top of the computer, make sure that your work surface is clean. You may want to put down a
protective mat before turning over the computer.
NOTICE: When the hard-disk drive is not in the computer, protect the drive by following the guidelines at the beginning of this
section.
2. Remove the old hard-disk drive carrier assembly from the drive bay.
Close the display and turn the computer over. Using a #0 (very small) Phillips-headscrewdriver,removethetwoscrewsthatsecurethe
drive carrier assembly (see Figure 1). Save the screws for use later in this procedure.
With the computer still upside-down, press down on the drive carrier assembly's three grip lines and pull the assembly straight out to
the side to remove it.
Figure 1. Removing a Hard-Disk Drive
3. Remove the new hard-disk drive carrier assembly from its packaging.
Save the original packaging to use when you store or ship the hard-disk drive.
NOTICE: If the hard-disk drive carrier assembly does not slide in easily, pull it out and try again. To avoid damage, do not force the
drive carrier assembly into the bay.
4. Install the new hard-disk drive in the computer.
Insert the hard-diskdrivecarrierassemblyintothedrivebay,connectorfirstandlabelfacingdown(towardthetopofthecomputer).Pushthe
CAUTION: The hard-disk drive may be hot to the touch under extreme environmental conditions. If the drive is hot, allow it to
cool before you replace it.