change Precision T3500 Vertical DVD Drive to horizontal position

Hi jfmy787,

I'm afraid it's not possible, The DVD drive is fitted in a cage which slides into the chassis housing and can't be rotated.

Ok How do i post a jpeg of several of the t3500s being offered for sale with the 3.5 bays vertical .  If not possible then maybe picture is not of item description.

I wanted to buy a couple of these but when i saw the vertical drive bays i stopped and looked again

Apologies for my confusion but your thread title says T3600 and the body of your text says T3500 (I assumed T3600 since you said the drive was vertical)

The T3500 DVD tray sits horizontally, whilst the T3600 is vertical. It's not possible to change either. You can see pictures here:

T3500 - www.dell.com/.../dell-precision-workstation-t3500-system-guide

T3600 - www.dell.com/.../dell-precision-workstation-t3600-system-guide

I hope this helps.

Looks like they've been modified for rack mounting, I'll need to look into whether or not there is an easy way of converting them back.

Thanks

I went and ordered 1 and i will just lay in sideways on a small stand that i have.  That should work for this one.

thanks for you help in figuring this out.  I googled but could not find any info on this type case installed in a rack mount system.

Beat me to it :emotion-1:

There is no need to lay on its side,  Alasdair R the 3500 has 2 drive configurations.  Drives can be rotated to horizontal or Vertical with a different Front Panel.  This is called "Switching From Tower to Desktop Orientation" on the T3400 as well as the T3500.

This is also the reason for the special plastic blade that holds the drives in via the shoulder screws.  Taking the metal faceplate off allows for the drives to be rotated and a  Dell GJ491 U8660 Precision T3400 T5400 T3500 Drive Bay Bezel

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Dell-U8660-Drive-Panel-for-Precision-380-390-490-T3400-T3500-T5400-T5500/401273366492

to be added for TOWER vs Desktop Configuration CW857 Bezel. 

This is Not a modification its a Feature.  The Plastic Bezel is DIFFERENT for the 2 orientation but I believe its the same for T3400 and T3500 etc.  Metal panel and plastic panel and drive mounting for these is EXACTLY the same. There are 2 versions of the plastic panel one Desktop and One Tower.

• Dell Precision Workstation 390 490 690 T3400 T5400 T7500 Removable Front Bezel T8794 CW857
• Manufacturer: Dell
• Part Number: CW857
• MPN: T8794

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-390-490-690-Removable/dp/B00LC9MY7U

While pressing the release tab down (1) slide the bezel toward the top of the computer (2).

This looks to be same thing as you are describing .

www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx

Ok I ordered one for the machine i have coming.   Let you know how it goes.

"The DVD drive is fitted in a cage which slides into the chassis housing and can't be rotated."

THATS COMPLETELY WRONG and False.

The DVD's and Floppy Drive/Flex bay reader slides in an out on shoulder Screws.

If you need the drive filler plates you flip over and squeeze to get them out.  You have to press down the spring loaded blue latch to get the plastic faceplate to come off.  Its the same latch to get the drives to go in.  You do not need to remove any screws.  The pictures below are 780 but the 3400 3500 Is the same after the metal faceplate comes off.

The plastic faceplate is latched on same as below.

In the orientation he has the drives have a plastic knife that hold the drives in.

The Precision 380 390 3400 3500 5400 5500 are ALL THE SAME.

Dell Precision T3500 Service Manual PDF

The only thing he needs is the black plastic Filler panel.  The screws do not need to be removed on anything.  With the latch depressed or the Knife removed the drives come out AND ROTATE Easily.

 I posted link to the T3400 manual because Change from TOWER to DESKTOP mode doesn't appear to be shown in the T3500 PDF online.  Starting on Page 222 it shows lots of views with the metal faceplate and plastic faceplate removed.

Well it was shown on the web page with drives sideways.  it arrived today as a  normal machine with drives in horizontal position.

Thanks for all the help and now i now how to change them if the next one i order comes like taht

The ONLY difference is the plastic bezel.  The hardware otherwise is identical.