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- I cannot find how to install a third 3.5 inch hard drive in...

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12-06-2020 05:43 AM - edited 12-06-2020 05:44 AM
In the last few days I purchased a second-hand HP Compaq Elite 8300 Microtower PC. (I plugged it in and it works fine, and fast.) It came installed with an SSD and a 3.5 inch hard disk in bays 4 and 5. My object is to replace that hard disk with my two "old" 3.5 -inch hard disks from my previous computer. The hard disk that I am replacing was in bay 5; I just pulled it out, reinserted its 4 guide screws in my old disk, and slid it into bay 5; no problem. I wish to install my second old disk in bay 3. I have the relevant manuals, but the procedure is so unclear that I am at a loss. I would greatly appreciate some guidance, such as a step-by-step procedure, I might add that all four "extra" blue guide screws (6-32, I believe) supplied by HP are apparently being used to hold the existing hard disk. But all the spare M3 screws are in where HP placed them, but they are no suitable for my disks.
I would appreciate guidance, because the computer cannot serve my needs, and I do need this computer.
12-06-2020 08:57 AM - edited 12-06-2020 09:16 AM
so this is 100% pure physical drive question, no wiring or software or boot drive questions,
just how to stuff it and and screw it down.
well you need the HDD HP drive caddy, sets. to put in a drive, in the 3.5" bays.
or is this a 5inch DVD drive bay , adaptation questions.
wish i could see inside your PC as things might be missing or wrong
I guess full size tower, sure. bay 5 yes.
some PCs used trays and caddies.
others use what I call articulated slots in the cage and those 3..5" uses USA screws not metric ever, they use 6-32 screws USA imperial measurements spec. (hdd invented by USA and IBM) infact, AL Shugart and screws same. (RIP)
do you have the 8300 service manual in hand it covers all this but not how to fit 3.5" drives in 5.25inch bays,
page 49, hdd istalll
then