How to Add More Hard Drive to a Dell 4600

Add a hard drive to the Dell 4600 for additional storage.

The Dell 4600 Series desktop computer comes standard with the Intel Pentium 4 processor and Intel 865PE or 865G chip set. Graphics are provided by either an ATI integrated video chip, or an ATI dedicated video card. The 4600 Series desktop uses DDR RAM in a dual channel configuration. Storage is provided by an internal IDE hard drive, and the 4600 Series has an extra drive bay so that another IDE hard drive can be installed.

Things You'll Need

• Ground strap (optional)
• Small non-magnetic Phillips-head screwdriver
• IDE ribbon cable, if original cable does not have connector for second hard drive
• IDE hard drive

Instructions

1. Power down the Dell 4600. Unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet or from the back of the power supply on the 4600. Unhook any devices and cables, such as a printer, modem or router.

2. Remove the left side cover by pushing down on the cover latch at the rear of the computer, slide the cover back and away from the case.

3. Attach a ground strap to your wrist and clip it to a bare metal part of the case. In the alternative, just touch the case with your hand periodically to prevent static buildup.

4. Locate the hard drive in the lower front of the case. Remove 4-pin Molex power connector and the 40-pin ribbon cable. If this cable does not have an extra connector about 4 inches from the one in the hard drive, you will have to purchase one that does. If you have to get a new ribbon cable, remove the original cable from the motherboard too. Some models have a very short cable with only one connector at each end.

5. Unscrew the hard drive bracket with the Phillips-head screwdriver.The screw in in the middle of the hard drive bracket, attached to the case. Rotate the bracket out toward you and disengage the two tabs that hold it to the case. This will expose the empty hard drive bracket. Set the hard drive on a folded towel. The hard drive is held in the bracket by two small Phillips-head screws on each side of the bracket.

6. Set or verify that the jumpers on the new hard drive are set to "cable select." The jumpers are on the back of the hard drive. There is usually a diagram for the jumper settings on the hard drive. These settings vary from drive to drive.

7. Unscrew and remove the empty hard drive bracket the same way as the first one. Remove the screw, rotate and disengage the tabs. Install the new hard drive in the bracket by lining up the holes in the bracket with the holes in the hard drive, and install two screws on each side. Insert the two tabs into the case, rotate the bracket into the case and install the retaining screw. Reinstall the original hard drive.

8. Install the ribbon cable with the first plug in the original hard drive and the second plug in the new one. If you had to replace the cable, plug the other end of the new cable into the motherboard. Plug in a four-pin Molex power connector to each hard drive. The ribbon cable has a raised tab in the middle of the connector that fits into a slot in the hard drive and on the motherboard.

9. Install the case cover. Hook up all cables and devices. Power on the computer. It will automatically detect the new hard drive.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your jumpers are set correctly.

• Be careful when you plug in the ribbon cable connectors so you do not bend any of the pins on the hard drives.

References

• Dell: Before You Begin
• Dell: Removing and Installing Parts