HP Pavilion a6826 User manual

Upgrading and Servicing Guide

The only warranties for Hewlett-Packard products and services are set forth in the express
statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or
omissions contained herein.
HP assumes no responsibility for the use or reliability of its software on equipment that is not
furnished by HP.
This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. No part of this
document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language without the prior
written consent of HP.
Hewlett-Packard Company
P.O. Box 4010
Cupertino, CA 95015-4010
USA
Copyright © 2007 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
May be licensed in the United States by one or both of U.S. Patents Nos. 4,930,158 and
4,930,160 until August 28, 2008.
HP supports lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use of our products
for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Table of Contents iii
Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................1
Safety Information...................................................................................2
Opening the Computer.............................................................................2
Preparing the Computer .....................................................................................3
Removing the Computer Cover............................................................................4
Locating Components Inside the Computer............................................................5
Closing the Computer...............................................................................7
Replacing the Computer Cover............................................................................7
After Closing the Computer.................................................................................7
Removing and Replacing an Optical Disc Drive.........................................8
Before You Begin...............................................................................................8
Removing an Optical Disc Drive ..........................................................................9
Replacing an Optical Disc Drive........................................................................11
Removing and Replacing a Hard Disk Drive ...........................................12
Before You Begin.............................................................................................12
Removing a Hard Disk Drive .............................................................................12
Replacing a Hard Disk Drive.............................................................................14
Removing and Replacing Memory..........................................................16
Before You Begin.............................................................................................16
Removing a Memory Module ............................................................................17
Replacing a Memory Module............................................................................18
Removing and Replacing a PCI Card ......................................................19
Before You Begin.............................................................................................20
Removing a PCI Card.......................................................................................20
Replacing a PCI Card ......................................................................................21
Removing a PCI-E Card ....................................................................................22
Replacing a PCI-E Card....................................................................................23
Removing and Replacing the Battery .....................................................24
Before You Begin.............................................................................................24

iv Upgrading and Servicing Guide

Upgrading and Servicing Guide 1
Upgrading and Servicing Guide
Introduction
The Upgrading and Servicing Guide provides instructions on how to remove and replace
the following hardware components in your HP Pavilion Slimline Desktop PC:
Optical disc drive
Hard disk drive
Memory module
PCI card
PCI-E card
Battery

2Upgrading and Servicing Guide
Safety Information
Please read the following important safety information before performing any procedure.
This product has not been evaluated for connection to an “IT” power system (an AC
distribution system with no direct connection to earth, according to IEC 60950).
Opening the Computer
Before you upgrade any component in your computer, prepare the computer so that you
can safely handle the unit and the components.
Read the following items before attempting to upgrade or service the computer:
Print out this document before attempting any removal/replacement procedures.
These procedures assume familiarity with the general terminology associated with
computers and with the safety practices and regulatory compliance required for using
and modifying electronic equipment.
Write down and save the system model number and serial number, all installed
options, and other information about the system. If you need this information later, you
will not need to open and examine the computer.
Hewlett-Packard recommends that you use an antistatic wrist strap and a conductive
foam pad when working on system electronic components.
You need a Phillips screwdriver.
WARNING: Please read “Additional Safety Information” in your Limited
Warranty and Support Guide before installing and connecting your system to
the electrical power system.
WARNING: Keep your hands away from the moving fan. Keep
fingers and tools clear of the fan when power is applied. Never
open the cover with the power cord attached or power applied.
You may damage your computer or be injured from the spinning
fan blades.
WARNING: Avoid touching sharp edges inside the computer.
CAUTION: Static electricity can damage the electronic components of the
computer or optional equipment. Ensure that you are discharged of static
electricity by briefly touching a grounded metal object.

Upgrading and Servicing Guide 3
Preparing the Computer
To avoid injury and equipment damage, always follow this procedure before opening the
computer:
1Remove any of the following:
Memory card from the memory card reader
Optical disc (CD or DVD) from the optical drive
Pocket Media Drive from the Pocket Media Drive bay
2Turn off the computer. Click the Windows Start Button®, click
the Arrow button next to the Lock button, and then click
Shut Down.
3Disconnect the modem/telephone cable, if present.
4Disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet and then from the computer.
5Disconnect all other attached cables (such as the keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, and
monitor).
6Disconnect all external devices.
WARNING: Always disconnect the modem cord from the telephone system
before opening the cover.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury from electrical shock or hot
surfaces, disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet. Then disconnect
the computer from the power source before removing the computer cover.
Failure to do so before you open the computer or do any procedures can result
in personal injury or equipment damage.

4Upgrading and Servicing Guide
Removing the Computer Cover
1Complete the procedure “Preparing
the Computer” on page 3.
2Lay the computer flat.
3Loosen the three screws on the back
cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
4Slide the computer cover back
about 1.25 centimeters (1/2 inch),
and then lift it off the computer. Set
it aside.
WARNING: Remove power before opening the computer cover. Allow the
internal system components to cool before touching.
WARNING: Avoid touching
sharp edges inside the
computer.
NOTE: Use the screwdriver slot on the back of the cover to loosen the cover, as
required.
r
T
1394
S-VIDEO
digitalaudio
OUT
wirelessLAN
antenna

Upgrading and Servicing Guide 5
Locating Components Inside the Computer
Computer component configurations vary by model. You can remove and replace the
following components:
Read the “Before You Begin” section at the start of each component procedure. This
section contains requirements and important information about the replaceable
component.
Component See:
AOptical disc drive. May be a
CD-ROM, CD-RW,
DVD-ROM, DVD+RW, or
combination drive
“Removing and Replacing an Optical Disc Drive”
on page 8.
BHard disk drive (located
under the optical drive bay)
“Removing and Replacing a Hard Disk Drive” on
page 12.
CMemory module (2) “Removing and Replacing Memory” on page 16.
DModem card (PCI card) and
graphics card (PCI-E card)
“Removing and Replacing a PCI Card” on
page 19.
EBattery “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page 24.

6Upgrading and Servicing Guide
The following illustration shows component locations:
S-VIDEO
digitalaudio
OUT
wi
relessLAN
an
tenna
A
E
B
D
C

Upgrading and Servicing Guide 7
Closing the Computer
Replacing the Computer Cover
1Place all cables inside of the computer case.
2Place the cover onto the computer about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) back. Make sure the
slots in the computer case align with the cover tabs.
3Slide the cover forward on the frame until it locks into place. Make sure the bottom of
the cover lines up with the computer case.
4Align the screws on the computer cover with the holes on the back of the computer
frame. Insert and then tighten the screws on the cover.
5Complete the procedure “After Closing the Computer” on page 7.
After Closing the Computer
To avoid injury and equipment damage, always follow this procedure in this order after
closing the computer:
1Reconnect the modem/telephone cable and all other attached cables, such as the
keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, and monitor cables.
2Reconnect external devices, such as a printer.
3Reconnect the power cord.
4Turn on the computer and all peripherals, such as the monitor.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, fire, or damage to the
equipment, do not plug telecommunications or telephone connectors into the
Ethernet network interface connector.
r
T
1394

8Upgrading and Servicing Guide
Removing and Replacing an Optical Disc Drive
Your computer includes an optical disc
drive that you can replace or upgrade.
See “Locating Components Inside the
Computer” on page 5.
Before You Begin
Observe the following requirements before
removing and replacing the component:
Your computer comes with a SATA (serial advanced technology attachment) drive that uses
a narrow data cable with an optional latch.
This procedure requires a Phillips screwdriver.
IMPORTANT: Due to the small computer
size, you can only install an optical disc
drive of less than the approximate length of
170 millimeters (6.7 inches). Optical disc drive

Upgrading and Servicing Guide 9
Removing an Optical Disc Drive
1Prepare the computer and remove the computer cover. Complete the “Opening
the Computer” procedures on page 2.
2Remove the front cover from the computer. Press the two tabs apart at the bottom of
the cover, and press the two tabs together at the top of the cover; then push the
cover out.
3If your computer includes a Pocket
Media Drive, lift the tab on the Pocket
Media Drive cage. Then pull the cage
back and out of the chassis.
S-VIDEO
digitalaudio
OUT
wirelessLAN
antenna

10 Upgrading and Servicing Guide
4Make a note of each cable and
plug orientation attached to the
back of the optical disc drive
before removing the cables.
5Disconnect the power cable
and then the data cable from
the back of the optical disc
drive. Pull the tab on the data
cable. Use a gentle rocking
motion on the power cable.
6Disconnect the sound cable, if present.
7Remove the screw from the optical disc drive side.
8Pull the latch away from the drive, and push the drive through the front of the
computer.
NOTE: The SATA data cable may include a latch. Press the latch, and pull the plug to
remove the data cable from the drive.
CAUTION: Pull the connector by the handle only.
IMPORTANT: Do not tilt the drive during removal.

Upgrading and Servicing Guide 11
Replacing an Optical Disc Drive
1Complete the procedure “Removing
and Replacing an Optical Disc Drive”
on page 8.
2Gently push the new optical disc drive
into the slot on the front of the chassis.
3Insert the screw on the side of the
optical disc drive.
4Connect the power cable and data
cable firmly to the back of the optical
disc drive. Ensure that the cables are
completely inserted.
5Some drive models may have a sound
cable. If so, connect the sound cable.
6If your computer includes a Pocket
Media Drive, insert the Pocket Media
Drive cage:
aAlign the arrow on the PMD cage
with the arrow on the bottom of the
chassis.
bPush the PMD cage toward the
front of the chassis until it locks
in place.
7Replace the front cover.
8Replace the computer cover and close
the computer. Complete the “Closing
the Computer” procedures on page 7.

12 Upgrading and Servicing Guide
Removing and Replacing a Hard Disk Drive
Your computer includes a hard drive that you
can replace or upgrade. See “Locating
Components Inside the Computer” on page 5.
The original hard disk drive is preloaded with
the computer system recovery partition. If you
remove this hard disk drive, store it in a
properly sealed antistatic bag.
The hard disk drive is a SATA (serial advanced
technology attachment) drive that uses a narrow
data cable with an optional latch.
Before You Begin
Observe the following requirements before removing and replacing the component:
This procedure requires a Phillips screwdriver.
Removing a Hard Disk Drive
1Prepare the computer and remove the
computer cover. Complete the “Opening
the Computer” procedures on page 2.
2If your computer includes a Pocket Media
Drive, lift the tab on the Pocket Media Drive
cage. Then pull the cage back and out of the
chassis.
CAUTION: Before you remove the hard disk drive, back up your personal files
on the hard disk drive to an external storage device, such as a DVD, CD, or
USB drive. Failure to do so will result in data loss.
After you replace the hard disk drive, perform the System Recovery procedure.
Use the recovery discs to load the factory-installed files. Refer to the
Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide for detailed System Recovery steps.
IMPORTANT: Before upgrading a hard disk drive, make sure a recovery disc is
available.
Hard disk drive

Upgrading and Servicing Guide 13
3Make a note of each cable attached to the hard
disk drive before removing the cables.
4Lift the wire latch, and disconnect the power
and data cables from the back of the hard
disk drive.
5Remove the retaining screw from the drive tray.
6Slide the hard disk drive tray out of the drive
bay by pulling the tab on the drive tray.
7Remove the four screws that secure the hard
disk drive to the drive tray, and slide the hard
disk drive out of the tray.
CAUTION: Handle hard disk drives
with care. Dropping or banging
the hard disk drive can result in
data loss.
NOTE: Ensure that the computer cables are
clear of the drive tray when removing. Push
them away, as required, before removing
the tray.

14 Upgrading and Servicing Guide
Replacing a Hard Disk Drive
1Complete the procedure “Removing a
Hard Disk Drive” on page 12.
2Slide the hard disk drive into the tray.
3Insert and tighten the four screws that
secure the hard disk drive to the
drive tray.
4Slide the hard disk drive tray into the
computer drive bay.
5Insert and tighten the hard disk drive retaining screw into the drive tray.

Upgrading and Servicing Guide 15
6Attach the data and power supply
cables to the back of the hard disk
drive and close the wire latch.
7If your computer includes a Pocket
Media Drive (PMD), insert the
Pocket Media Drive cage:
aAlign the arrow on the PMD
cage with the arrow on the
bottom of the chassis.
bPush the PMD cage toward the
front of the chassis until it locks
in place.
8Complete the procedures to
replace the computer cover and
close the computer. See “Closing
the Computer” on page 7.
9Perform a System Recovery, as
required. Use the recovery discs to
replace the factory-installed files.
Refer to the Troubleshooting and
Maintenance Guide for detailed
System Recovery procedures.

16 Upgrading and Servicing Guide
Removing and Replacing Memory
The motherboard contains one or two memory module sockets for DDR DIMMs (double
data rate dual in-line memory modules).
Before You Begin
Observe the following requirements before
removing and replacing the component:
To determine which type and speed of memory
module your computer uses, and for specific
memory module information and
specifications:
1Go to http://www.hp.com/support
in your Web browser.
2Select your country/region and language.
3From the Support and Drivers page, click
See support and troubleshooting
information, enter the model number of
your computer, and then click Search.
WARNING: Using the wrong type of memory module could damage the
system.
WARNING: Handle the memory module with care. Be careful to not touch any
memory module contacts. Touching the gold contacts may damage the module.
Avoid touching the memory chips.
Memory module