Gateway E4200 Manual

							viii          Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your E-4200 System 
						

							1
Chapter 1:
Case Access
Static electricity precautions ................................... 2
Identifying your computer case............................... 3
Opening the case...................................................... 4
Replacing the cover ................................................. 9 
						

							2          Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your E-4200 System
Static electricity precautions
Static electricity can permanently damage electronic components in your 
computer. When opening your computer case, always perform the 
following procedure:
1.Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores).
2.Turn off the system power.
3.Touch the back of the power supply fan, located on the back of the 
case, to discharge any static electricity.
4.Unplug all power cords from AC outlets.
5.Remove the computer case cover.
Follow these precautions to avoid electrostatic damage to your system 
components:
•Avoid static-causing surfaces such as plastic and styrofoam in your 
work area.
•Remove the parts from their antistatic bags only when you are 
ready to use them. Do not lay parts on the outside of antistatic bags 
since only the inside of the bag provides antistatic protection.
•Always hold cards by their edges and their metal mounting bracket. 
Avoid touching components on the cards and the edge connectors 
that connect to expansion slots.
•Never slide cards or other parts over any surface.
 Caution!
Prevent electrostatic 
damage to your system by 
following static electricity 
precautions ever y time you 
open your computer case.
 Warning!
To avoid exposure to 
dangerous electrical 
voltages and moving parts, 
turn off your computer and 
unplug the power cord 
before removing the system 
cover. 
						

							Case Access     3
Identifying your computer case
This chapter includes the procedures for opening and closing the case for 
each of the four models shown below. Refer to the section appropriate to 
your case style.
Mid-tower caseTower case
Desktop case 
						

							4          Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your E-4200 System
Opening the case
The system is available in three basic models: 
•Desktop
•Mid-tower
•Towe r
The desktop case has a removable top panel and a removable front bezel. 
The mid-tower and tower cases have two removable side panels, and a 
removable front bezel.
To install or remove components inside your desktop system, you must 
remove the top cover panel. For some procedures you must remove the front 
bezel. For the mid-tower and tower systems, you must remove the panel on 
the right side (as seen from the back of the system). For some procedures 
you must remove the left side panel and the front bezel.
Your system includes an anti-intrusion switch on the case. If you attempt to 
open the case without turning off the system, your system automatically 
turns off.
Because the components inside your computer are extremely sensitive to 
static electricity, be sure to follow the precautions for avoiding static 
electricity damage at the beginning of this chapter.
Removing the desktop case cover
You need a grounding wrist strap and a Phillips screwdriver to open the 
case.
1.Turn off the computer and disconnect all power cords.
2.Remove the two thumbscrews at the back of the computer and set 
them aside.
To remove the desktop case cover
 Important!
Only qualified personnel 
should open the system for 
maintenance. You need a 
grounding wrist strap and a 
Phillips screwdriver to 
remove the computer’s 
cover. 
						

							Case Access     5
3.Slide the top cover panel back, lift it up, and set it aside.
4.If you are replacing or adding a drive you may also need to remove the 
bezel. To do this, lift up on the tabs at each end of the top edge of the 
case bezel and pull the bezel away from the system frame. 
						

							6          Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your E-4200 System
Removing the mid-tower case cover
You need a grounding wrist strap and a Phillips screwdriver to open the 
case.
1.Turn off the system and disconnect all power cords.
2.Remove the thumbscrews on the right side of the back of the 
computer.
3.Remove the right side panel by pulling on the handgrip between the 
thumbscrew holes.
4.If you are replacing externally accessible drives, remove the two 
Phillips screws on the other side of the back of the computer and 
remove the side panel. Both side panels must be removed to access the 
four screws that attach such devices to the drive cage.
5.Remove the four screws that attach the 5.25-inch CD-ROM drive to 
the drive cage. Pull the CD-ROM drive out half-way. This allows the 
bezel to be removed.
To remove the mid-tower case cover 
						

							Case Access     7
6.If you are installing externally accessible drives or replacing existing 
ones, remove the bezel by inserting a f inger into each of the two 
circular openings at the front of the computer, pushing in on the spring 
clips, and pulling the upper portion of the bezel slightly forward to 
release it.
7.Lift the bezel up until the bottom tabs release.
8.Pull the bezel away from the computer.
Removing the tower case cover
You need a grounding wrist strap and a Phillips screwdriver to open the 
case.
1.Turn off the system and disconnect all power cords.
To open the case  
						

							8          Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your E-4200 System
2.With the back of the computer facing you, remove the three 
thumbscrews and the three Phillips screws that attach the side panels 
to the chassis.
3.Grasp the right panel by the handholds on the panel and slide the panel 
towards you until the panel comes off the chassis. 
4.Grasp the left panel by the handholds on the panel and slide the panel 
towards you until the panel comes off the chassis.
Right side 
panel
Left side 
panel 
						

							Case Access     9
5.Push in the tabs on each side of the front bezel and pull the bezel off 
the chassis.
Replacing the cover
Replace the cover as soon as you f inish installing or removing components 
so that dust and dirt (which could damage the computer) do not collect 
inside the computer.
Replacing the desktop case cover
You need a grounding wrist strap and a Phillips screwdriver to close the 
case.
1.If you removed the case bezel, replace the bezel by inserting it at the 
bottom of the system frame and snapping the top tabs back in place.
2.Slide the top panel cover back on to the case frame.
3.Secure the top panel cover with the thumbscrews you removed.
To replace the desktop case cover
1. Press in tabs 
on both sides 
of chassis
2. Pull off 
bezel