Caring for Drives
Drives are fragile notebook components that must be handled
with care. The following cautions apply to all drives at all times.
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CAUTION: To prevent loss of work, or damage to the notebook or a
drive:
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Electrostatic discharge can damage electronic components. To
prevent electrostatic damage to the notebook or a drive, follow
these two precautions: 1) Discharge yourself from static
electricity before handling a drive by touching a grounded metal
object, and 2) Avoid touching the connectors on a drive.
■
Excessive force can damage drive connectors. When you insert
a drive, use only enough force to seat the drive.
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Handle a drive carefully. Do not drop it.
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Avoid exposing a hard drive to devices with magnetic fields.
Products with magnetic fields include video and audio tape
erasure products, monitors, and speakers. Security devices
with magnetic fields include airport walk-through devices and
security wands. Airport security devices that check carry-on
luggage via a conveyor belt typically use x-rays instead of
magnetism, which will not damage a hard drive.
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Do not spray a drive with cleaning fluids.
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Avoid exposing a drive to liquids or temperature extremes.
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If you mail a drive, ship it in packaging that protects it from
shock, vibration, temperature, and humidity, then label the
package "fragile."
Maintenance, Shipping and Travel
Maintaining Your Hardware
2–7