MaximumPC 2006 04

Continued from page 48

50 MA XIMUMPC APRIL 2006

SO-DIMMs. We used a pair of 512MB DDR2

modules. Install the fi rst module in the lower

bank by pressing the contact edge of the

RAM into the slot about an eighth of an inch,

while holding the module at an angle.

Step 15: Snap the RAM into Place

Once it’s fi rmly in the slot, tilt the module

down into place until the two retention

arms lock. While you’re here, reinstall

the two screws from Step 3 that hold the

middle panel in place. You should now

replace the panel from Step 2 and reinstall

all four screws.

Step 16: Open the Hard Drive Bay

Remove the hard drive bay cover, which

is to the left of the battery compartment

(image a). Pull out the hard drive caddy

(image b). Because we’re building a note-

book aimed at midrange power instead of

all-out battery performance, we selected

a 7,200rpm, 100GB Seagate Momentus

SATA hard drive.

Step 17: Mount the Drive

Mount the hard drive to the caddy using

the screws provided by the kit. Our kit only

came with two screws even though there

were four holes. We split the difference and

used one screw on the bottom and another

on the side (image a). Then lower the entire

caddy into the drive bay and slide it forward

using the black tab on the caddy until you

make a connection (image b). Replace the

hard drive bay cover.

Step 18: Prepare to Remove the

Optical Drive

Now we need to replace the stock combo

drive with a spiffy double-format, dual-

layer burner. To begin, remove the screw

next to the foot of the optical drive.

Step 19: Use Your Fingernails

Slide the drive out of its housing. Your

fi ngernails should do the trick, but you

might need to use a fl at screwdriver to

pull the old optical drive out of bay.

Step 20: Underneath, They’re All the

Same Connector

On the top we have the original Philips

combo drive that came with the AOpen kit.

Under that is a Fujitsu drive, then an older

Compaq Armada drive, and fi nally our new

8x NEC ND-6750A burner that we picked

up from Newegg.com for $80. Although the

Fujitsu and Compaq look like they have dif-

ferent connectors, they’re really the same—

you just have to remove the proprietary

attachments. Why the different connectors?

Compaq, Fujitsu, and the rest use modular

bays for fl oppy drives, batteries, and other

accessories, which require different pins and

power than a standard slim optical drive.

Luckily, our AOpen chassis uses a standard

slim optical interface so there’s no need to

tinker with the connectors.

Step 21: Convert the Bezel

The bezel, however, is unique for each note-

book, so you’ll need to switch the stock unit

on the NEC drive with the one that came

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17a