Trying to add extra hd - do I need something else?

[Scorpio]

Ok. Running out of space on hd, HP computer. So I asked somebody over the internet what all I'd need and such. He told me hd, molex adapter, SATA cable. Bought all of those.

Got all of those. But the hd won't fit inside the computer. ...

There's a guide/manual by the manufacturer for upgrading the PC, with pics. But it's confusing. In the text it would say "insert drive into bay" etc, but in the pics it would show the hd being inserted into a compartment BELOW the original hd - which is not there inside my PC.

So, do I need to buy something else? If so, what is it, and where do I acquire it? Since it's some hardware compartment specifically for the inside of my pc I don't think something generic would work? Or, I don't know.

Pics:
Manual pic:http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3272/whatj.png
Actual pic: http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/83-107-191-S06?$S640W$

As you can see, there's nothing beneath the long set of compartments, which is where the original hd rests. I tried inserting the extra hd into the slot/long compartment just above the original hd, but I couldn't get it in because the fan is too close. I tried removing the fan but getting those screws is very hard work and I just can't seem to do it.

So, what do I do. Am I DOING IT WRONG, do I need this extra contraption beneath the original hd, or is my only option to remove the fan, put the hd in the slot, then replace the fan?

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00311110.pdf

 

[Aastii]

If you cant negociate around the fan, there is another option, but it is a hell of alot more fiddly.

I know for a fact that fan comes off, as does the whole heatsink, I've worked with the system you have, but the screws are buggers to get off at first.

Before I start explaining, always touch the bare metal of your case before touching any components. It drains your body of static

If you can't do it, uplug all of the wires from your motherboard, and undo the screw on the video card (the one at the bottom of the motherboard). Next take out all of the screws on the motherboard that connect it to the case. They are all lined up, if I remember correctly there are 6 all together. The motherboard, with fan, should now just lift off, giving you the space to slide your new drive in.

Once it is in, just do the same in reverse, remembering to plug your new hard drive in, as well as all other cables to your motherboard. Are you sure your system has a spare SATA slot on the motherboard though

 

[Scorpio]

If you cant negociate around the fan, there is another option, but it is a hell of alot more fiddly.

I know for a fact that fan comes off, as does the whole heatsink, I've worked with the system you have, but the screws are buggers to get off at first.

Before I start explaining, always touch the bare metal of your case before touching any components. It drains your body of static

If you can't do it, uplug all of the wires from your motherboard, and undo the screw on the video card (the one at the bottom of the motherboard). Next take out all of the screws on the motherboard that connect it to the case. They are all lined up, if I remember correctly there are 6 all together. The motherboard, with fan, should now just lift off, giving you the space to slide your new drive in.

Once it is in, just do the same in reverse, remembering to plug your new hard drive in, as well as all other cables to your motherboard. Are you sure your system has a spare SATA slot on the motherboard though

Thank you for the reply!

The screws on the heatsink(?)/fan were the problem. I was able to get one off, but because I was using a very short screwdriver and I'm not too good with my hands anyway, I wasn't able to even budge the others. But it seems I have no choice other than to remove the whole thing, except for more difficult alternatives (taking off the motherboard), so I am definitely going to try it again. My only worry is I may have screwed over the hd because I touched the bare underside with my hands quite a bit while trying to finagle it in. But oh well, only thing we can do is try it and see.

Thanks for the static tip! Very useful, as I don't have one of those grounding pads.

 

[Aastii]

Thank you for the reply!

The screws on the heatsink(?)/fan were the problem. I was able to get one off, but because I was using a very short screwdriver and I'm not too good with my hands anyway, I wasn't able to even budge the others. But it seems I have no choice other than to remove the whole thing, except for more difficult alternatives (taking off the motherboard), so I am definitely going to try it again. My only worry is I may have screwed over the hd because I touched the bare underside with my hands quite a bit while trying to finagle it in. But oh well, only thing we can do is try it and see.

Thanks for the static tip! Very useful, as I don't have one of those grounding pads.

Yea when I undid it I had a proper crosshead screwdriver. I have a small toolkit I usually use for working with as it can get into smaller areas and easier to use, but they needed a larger one to get down to screws and to get enough grip to initially unscerew them.

Don't worry about touching the bottom of the hard drive, it shouldn't have done any damage at all