HP Pavillion - swap out Pocktet media drive

[no-mbr]

I went to HP support to find a manual on a a6400 Pavillion desktop. I wanted to swap out the pocket media drive with an another drive but cannot find a tech manual that diagrams the bays.

The HP support site directs me to the wrong manual, for an older box, no matter, even with correctly model and serial # supplied, any idea, without resorting to voice mail, or voice support hell?

[Sylvander]

What is a "pocket media drive"?
An optical disk drive?

If so, is this of any help?
Installing or Replacing a CD, CDRW, or DVD Drive (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07164&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=uk&lang=en&product=3686671).

[no-mbr]

If so, is this of any help?
Installing or Replacing a CD, CDRW, or DVD Drive.
NO, but you did find the same - "wrong" support file, that comes up a through a correctly executed search. The new chassis uses an entirely different drive bay latching/locking system.

Its a drive/cage basket, with latches on both sides. Evidently the chassis will separate, - but I can't "'solve the puzzle" at this time, would prefer official instructions.

Pocket media is a proprietary "great idea" from HP - that as far I know has not "caught on." It's the same form factor as a 3.5" disk drive.

Like so many geeks, I bought a budget box, (HP a6400) and then of course decide I need to run three OSs in two or three configurations, requiring a third disk. (for convenience and back up)

[Sylvander]

Is this it? (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00771372&dlc=en)

[no-mbr]

That's not the tech upgrade sheet, but it is the pocket media FAQ. However, I did find the correct pdf -http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?product=3686671&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&cc=us

Feel pretty stupid now, there was no special way to get the drive out, all I had to know was that face plate (front panel on entire box) used a "hinge" type plastic tab on the left-hand side, to get to the drive cages all you have to do is pop the three right hand tabs loose, the "swing" the panel off the front of the box like a door. Then drive bays, unlatch, much like the older Compaq style box....

Thanks for looking around. PS - The pocket media bay is nothing but a USB header (cable) mounted in the back a 3.5" HD disk cage. When you push the PM cart into the bay, a rear jack on the media cart is connected to the fixed USB plug, and Voila, you have Pocket Media... Big whupp....
the button on the right operates a rear mounted hinge to help eject the cart.

In any case, this gives the case the ability to use any "normal" floppy or 3.5" drive. However, now i wonder if another big SATA drive a good idea, "cooling wise."

Take care?

[Sylvander]

Seems liable to be more hassle than simply connecting the drive externally. :confused:

I had no trouble whatever with the hardware of my external USB connected HDD. :D