Installation

Before proceeding to install any new components into a PC case, it’s necessary to shutdown the PC and discharge the PSU (Power Supply Unit).  To do this, simply use the Windows Shutdown sequence and wait until the power lights and fans turn off.  Then, pull the plug from the PSU and press on the front panel Power Button.  Very often there will be a very brief power up of the system that will last only a second or two.

Now that the PSU has been discharged, be sure to touch a metal part of the PC Case prior to touching anything else.  The reason for this is to discharge any static electricity that may be built up in your own body.  Many others highly recommend using an Anti-static Wrist Strap that can be purchased from most computer shops or electronic supply stores. The main thing we want to accomplish is to eliminate the chance for static electricity doing any damage to the PC components while we’re moving around and working on the inside of the case.  Additionally, and for added precaution, a Grounding Strap may be acquired that can be connected from the PC Case to the wall outlet’s ground socket.  If the work is being done on a carpeted floor, this is a very important matter to consider.  Moving around on carpet very quickly allows for the build up of static electricity.  So, the less moving around while working inside the case, the better.

Once everything is set, it’s time to determine how we want to install the EZ-SWAP EX. It’s simply a matter of deciding whether to use the 5-1/4 inch bracket or to use a vacant Floppy Drive bay.  The following image shows how it would look using the 5-1/4 inch bracket:


The above photo shows the Enclosure inserted into the Insertion Rack.

A view of the rear of the Insertion Rack:


If you look closely at the above photo, you can see where the Four-pin Power Connection (white plug) is located near the left side of the unit.  To the right is the SATA cable connector.

The following photos show how the Enclosure is accessed in order to install the HDD. This model of the EZ-SWAP is designed to support 2.5-inch SATA hard drives.  So, before checking it out, I had to first acquire a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive for testing purposes.


The HDD I selected is a 120 GB Western Digital “Scorpio” drive. 

NOTE: It has to be mentioned that when the Vantec EZ-SWAP EX first arrived, we had some trouble getting it to work.  Vantec was very gracious to send a second unit just in case the one that was originally sent was not a working model.  However, after receiving the second unit, it was determined that the original HDD we tried to use was not being recognized.  Upon acquiring the Western Digital drive as shown above, we were able to get the tests rolling along.


The HDD is secured by four screws shown above:

Although I’ve shown how the unit can be installed into a 5-1/4 inch drive bay, I opted rather to use a vacant Floppy Drive bay.  These days, most new computers don’t even come with a Floppy Drive and I’ve even begun eliminating them myself.  So, this makes for a logical location for this testing.


Insertion Rack shown in upper Floppy Drive Bay above:

The connections on the rear of the unit simply connect to an empty SATA port on the motherboard and, using either the PSU’s Floppy Drive Power plug, or the adapter included in the kit, the Rack is powered for use.