In this video we show how to install the 4x SATA/SAS flex bay for the MegaRAID controller. This enables you to RAID a maximum of two hard drives in the flex bay and two hard drives in the internal hard-drive assembly through the MegaRAID controller. Before installing or removing the flex bays read through and follow the safety guidelines to protect your system from potential damage and ensure your personal safety. For more information about safety guidelines see the Precision 5860 Tower Service Manual at: Dell.com/support.
Before you begin turn off the computer disconnect all the attached peripherals on your computer. Ensure that you always use ESD protection when working inside the computer. To begin we’ll remove the hard-drive assemblies from the dual SATA flex bays. push the release button on the external flex bay bracket to open the release latch. Then hold the release latch and slide the hard-drive assembly out of the external flex bay. Repeat the process for the next external flex bay bracket. Next if the release latch is set to the locked position use a Phillips screwdriver to turn the latch to the unlocked position. Pull the release latch to release the side cover from the computer.
Open the side cover at an angle and lift the cover away from the chassis. Next with the computer laid on its right side hold the air shroud at the gripping points and pull it to remove it from the computer. Next we'll remove the dual SATA flex bay backplane. Begin by disconnecting the two SATA data and power cable from the system board. Then disconnect the two thermal sensor cables and the fan cable from the system board. And unhook them from the cable-routing bracket.
Open the cable-routing bracket and pull out the SATA data and power cable fan cable and thermal sensor cables. Now loosen the four captive screws that secure the flex bay backplane to the computer. Finally lift the flex bay backplane away from the computer along with the cables. Now we'll install the MegaRAID controller. Begin by opening the PCIe latch and removing the PCIe filler from the chassis. Next align the LSI card with the notch on the system board. Then insert the card into the PCIe slot on the chassis and close the PCIe latch.
Now let’s install the 4 x SATA/SAS flex bay. To begin align and insert the flex bay backplane into the slot on the computer and tighten the four captive screws to secure it. Next we’ll connect the cables from the flex bay to the computer. Begin by connecting the SATA-power cable from the flex bay to the system board. Then connect the fan and two thermal cables and secure them to the hook on the cable-routing bracket.
Next disconnect the two female SATA data-cables that connect the internal hard-drives to the system board. Then connect the female SATA-data cables to the two male SATA-data cables attached to the flex bay. Next remove the cover from the RAID connector and connect it to the slot on the MegaRAID controller. Place the SATA data cables power cable fan cable and thermal sensor cables inside the cable-routing bracket. And close it by pressing it until it clicks into place.
Now reinstall the air shroud by holding the air shroud at the gripping points and pushing down until it clicks into place. Close the side cover by aligning the tabs on the side cover with the slots on the chassis then move it inwards until it clicks in the place. To lock the side panel use a Phillips screwdriver to turn the latch to the locked position. Now we'll reinstall the hard-drive assemblies. To begin insert and slide the hard-drive assembly into the external flex bay slot.
Then close the release latch to secure the hard-drive assembly. Repeat the process for the next external flex bay bracket. You can now connect all the peripherals and the power cable. And then press the power button to power on the computer. For more information about the Precision 5860 Tower including a RAID configuration guide visit: Dell.com/Support.
