CAUTION: To reduce the risk of damage to the computer, damage to a drive, or loss of information, observe these precautions:

Before you move a computer that is connected to an external hard drive, initiate Standby and allow the screen to clear, or properly disconnect the external hard drive.

Before handling a drive, discharge static electricity by touching the unpainted metal surface of the drive.

Do not touch the connector pins on a removable drive or on the computer.

Handle a drive carefully; do not drop a drive or place items on it.

Before removing or inserting a drive, shut down the computer. If you are unsure whether the computer is off, in Standby, or in Hibernation, turn the computer on and then shut it down through the operating system.

Do not use excessive force when inserting a drive into a drive bay.

Do not type on the keyboard or move the computer while an optional optical drive is writing to a disc. The write process is sensitive to vibration.

When the battery is the only source of power, be sure that the battery is sufficiently charged before writing to media.

Avoid exposing a drive to temperature or humidity extremes.

Avoid exposing a drive to liquids. Do not spray the drive with cleaning products.

Remove media from a drive before removing the drive from the drive bay, or traveling with, shipping, or storing a drive.

If a drive must be mailed, place the drive in a bubble-pack mailer or other suitable protective packaging and label the package “FRAGILE.”

Avoid exposing a drive to magnetic fields. Security devices with magnetic fields include airport walk- through devices and security wands. The airport security devices that check carry-on luggage, such as conveyor belts, use X-rays instead of magnetism and will not damage a drive.

Using external drives

Removable external drives expand your options for storing and accessing information .

USB drives include the following types:

1.44-megabyte diskette drive

Hard drive module (a hard drive with an adapter attached)

DVD-ROM Drive

DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive

DVD+RW/R and CD-RW Combo Drive

DVD±RW/R and CD-RW Combo Drive

Using external drives 61