Dell Dimension 4600 Case Question

[Carbo]

I'm trying to add a Plextor DVD burner to the above case. Problem is, for the life of me, I can't access more than one screw hole to mount it. I'm not too comfortable securing the unit with only one screw. Can anyone who has experience with this case tell me how to go about securely this drive? Thank you.

 

[Delbert]

doesnt it use the little green plastic rails?

 

[Carbo]

None that I can see.

 

[akira34]

Well, dude, you bought/got a dull... Did you really expect it to be easy to alter/upgrade it?? LMAO!

 

[Delbert]

I'm rather certain it uses rails. It's the clam shell opening type, black and silver case? There should be spare (green plastic) rails clipped to the inside of the case. You screw those rails to the drive, and then slide the drive/rails into the drive cage. The rails snap in when they are inserted all the way. Do you have another optical drive in there now? What is holding it in? The hard drive and floppy use similiar but different rails. There could be some of those stored inside the case also.

 

[Carbo]

I rechecked. There are definitely no green rails of any kind inside the case. The DVD-ROM that came installed is screwed into a metal bracket. The other bracket for the DVD burner is the same. Problem is, three of the four screw holes are not accessible as I can see.
The two hard drive brackets are the same type of setup, too. But, they are easy to completely remove from the case, insert the hard drive, screw it in, and then reinstall the bracket to the case. I don't see that possibility with the disc drive brackets. I'm sure someone here has run into this situation and figured it out.

 

[xbassman]

Keep looking. I had a similar problem with an old 4100. There is probably a few screws hidden pretty good that will release the 5 1/4" cage from the box. (that's how my 4100 was)

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: xbassman
Keep looking. I had a similar problem with an old 4100. There is probably a few screws hidden pretty good that will release the 5 1/4" cage from the box. (that's how my 4100 was)

There is no 5 1/4" cage because I don't have a floppy drive in the case. That should make things even easier. But, I have looked and pondered and cannot see any possible way to have full access to those CD drives. Strange....I hate to have to call Dell on this one, but I just might.

 

[kamper]

And I had similar trouble the first time I tried to add a drive to my 8100. Mine has a tray that slides out the front. There are two tabs on the sides of the bay (at the front) which you push towards eachother and then the tray slides out.

 

[HappyPuppy]

According to the Dell Field Replacement Manual, the Dimension only has one screw holding the optical drive in. Remove the screw and slide it out. It has a screw in each side of the optical drive to act as a guide.

 

[mrwxyz]

Originally posted by: akira34
Well, dude, you bought/got a dull... Did you really expect it to be easy to alter/upgrade it?? LMAO!

wow, u really helped him.

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
According to the Dell Field Replacement Manual, the Dimension only has one screw holding the optical drive in. Remove the screw and slide it out. It has a screw in each side of the optical drive to act as a guide.

Indeed, that's it! There are two "alignment screws" that are included and mounted behind the front bezel. They are inserted into the drive case, slide into the bracket, and then one additional screw is used to secure the drive.
Thanks, guys. Much appreciated.

 

[HappyPuppy]

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: akira34
Well, dude, you bought/got a dull... Did you really expect it to be easy to alter/upgrade it?? LMAO!

I smell elite member already :roll: