What is the purpose of the Top Shelf internally in an 8300-CMT?

[Mike-Lynch]

With the cover off, there are three Shelves available for Devices.

From the bottom, the first two fit / accommodate 3.5" HDDs.

The topmost Shelve doesn't.

My question is what type of Device is this Shelf designed to accommodate?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

See page 4 of the HP Quickspecs for what is supported in the available drive bays:

HP Compaq Elite 8300 Business PC

[Mike-Lynch]

Paul,

I went to that Page but did not find my answer!

INTERNALLY, the three Bays appear to accommodate 3.5" Devices.

The very top one does NOT accommodate a 3.5" HDD.

I do not want to break or damage my 8300-CMT.

Might you have another look at this situation!

PLEASE.

With the 8300-CMT standing vertically, with the cover off there are three Bays BELOW the External Bay housing.

The topmost off these three is what I cannot understand. 

Can you?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Perhaps the hardware reference guide will help better.

See chapter page 32.

User Guide

There are 3 bays for 3.5" drives.

The bottom 5.25-inch drive bay above the top 3.5" bay has a shorter depth than the upper two bays.

The bottom bay supports a half-height drive or other device that is no more than 14.5 cm (5.7 inches) in depth. Do not try to force a larger drive, such as an optical drive, into the bottom bay.

This could cause damage to the drive and the system board.

The use of unnecessary force when installing any drive into the drive bay may result in damage to the drive

[Mike-Lynch]

Drive Positions
Figure 2-13 Drive Positions (Minitower Configuration Shown)
Table 2-2 Drive Positions
1
2
Three 5.25-inch drive bays for optional drives (optical drives and media card reader shown)
Three 3.5-inch internal hard drive bays
NOTE: The drive configuration on your computer may be different than the drive configuration shown above.
The bottom 5.25-inch drive bay has a shorter depth than the upper two bays. The bottom bay
supports a half-height drive or other device that is no more than 14.5 cm (5.7 inches) in depth. Do not
try to force a larger drive, such as an optical drive, into the bottom bay. This could cause damage to
the drive and the system board. The use of unnecessary force when installing any drive into the drive
bay may result in damage to the drive.
To verify the type and size of the storage devices installed in the computer, run Computer Setup.

Paul,

This diagram is what I am working with.

Drive positions 2 is what I am referring to.

The Top Drive position "is not" for a 3.5" HDD.

I do not know what can or will go in there but it's not a 3.5" HDD.

I'll try and take a photo of the Bays, without any Drives in them.

Perhaps it will be the clue to what this Bay was intended for.

I have never Attached a photo with a Post, how is it done?

Mike

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Mike.

I copy and paste the photo to my reply.

I have an 8000 Elite CMT which uses the same case, and I just opened it up and removed the front bezel and it has 3 x 5.25" drive positions and 3 x 3.5" drive positions, but I have a 3.5" to 2;5" adapter in the top 3.5" bay

Mine looks exactly like the 8300 CMT picture in this eBay listing:

HP Compaq Elite 8100 CMT PC Intel Core i5-650 3.20GHz COA **No HDD No OS No RAM | eBay

I don't believe that you can fit anything in the space above the top 3.5" drive bay.

[Mike-Lynch]

Not above but in the Top Bay.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I guess I won't be able to help you because all I see are 3 bays to install optical drives and 3 bays to install hard drives. 

[Mike-Lynch]

Paul,

Perhaps the answer to my question is the same as the answer to my question regarding Drivers for Ethernet.

There isn't one and never was one.

HP made an error(s) / omission and would never admit it.

I respect the fact that you're not an HP employee but a very loyal and proud HP supporter.

As such, to conclude this Post on a positive note, can I ask you to try one last item.

In the topmost Bay of the 3.5" segment of Bays, PLEASE try and mount a 3.5" Drive in it.

I believe you will be unsuccessful, and this would confirm my suspicion.

I believe that Bay was intended for some other type of Device and HP forgot to mention what that Device is.

After all the years since the release of the 8300-CMT I would have expected "someone" would have asked.

However, if HP ignores giving an answer, or updating the documentation, maybe it will be forgotten.

I have intended to use my HP PC's, per the specs, but that has proven to be a challenge.

Can you help me close out this "chapter" and tell me your results?

Best regards,

Mike

[Mike-Lynch]

Why an Adapter?

You stated " I have a 3.5" to 2;5" adapter in the top 3.5" bay

Didn't a 3.5" Drive fit"

Why an Adapter?