How to Replace a Hard Drive on a Controller

In this article, it will introduce how to physically replace a hard drive for some controllers such as PXIe-8840. Please review the article Replace a PXI/PXIe or USRP Controller Hard Drive for different hard drives used on specific controllers, guidelines before replacing hard drives, and explanations on why some controllers' hard drives should not be replaced by users themselves. 

1. Shutdown the controller and chassis before removing the controller from the chassis.
2. Once the system has been turned off, loosen the screws on the front panel of the controller, then pull down on the lever to pull out the controller from the chassis.
   
3. Locate the hard drive on the controller.
   
4. Remove the screws on the hard drive.
   
5. Remove the band connector from the hard drive and remove the hard drive completely.
   
6. Connect the new hard drive to the band connector and screw in the hard drive to the controller. 
   
7. Place controller back into the chassis.

Once the controller with the new hard drive is placed back into the chassis, you can turn back on your system. 

Next Steps

If a completely new and blank hard-drive is installed, you will still need to install appropriate software (i.e. Windows) onto the blank drive. For information on operating system installation and boot options for PXIe controllers, refer to your controller's user manual. 

Following are examples of how you can obtain the media for Windows OS installation: 

• Recovery discs or USBs are sent out for specific controllers and Windows operating systems at purchase. NI cannot replace recovery discs if the CD or USB is misplaced or harmed. You will have to return the device via RMA for NI to reinstall the OS that it was shipped with.
• You can purchase recovery media from NI as long as it is for the same OS your controller was sold with.
• You can purchase a new license from Microsoft. If you are prompted to re-activate your Windows OS with a Product Registration Key, please follow the instructions in Windows Product Registration key for My NI Controller.

Note: Recovery CDs are no longer sent out with Windows 10. All Windows 10 recovery information and images can be found online. Alternatively, you can purchase a Windows 10 IoT Enterprise USB Recovery Media For PXI (PN: 787269-03) from NI.