Back to Contents Page

Installing System Components

Dell™ PowerEdge™ 2950 Systems Hardware Owner's Manual

  Recommended Tools

  Inside the System

  Front Bezel

  Opening and Closing the System

  Hard Drives

  Replacing a Hard-Drive Carrier

  Power Supplies

  System Fans

  Cooling Shroud

  Fan Brackets

  SAS Controller Daughter Card

  RAID Battery

  Configuring the Boot Device

  Expansion Cards

  Expansion-Card Cage

  Installing a RAC Card

  Optical Drive

  Diskette Drive

  SCSI Tape Drive

  System Memory

  Activating the Integrated NIC TOE

  Processors

  System Battery

  Expansion-Card Riser Boards

  Sideplane Board

  SAS Backplane Board

  Control Panel Assembly (Service-only Procedure)

  System Board (Service-only Procedure)


This section describes how to install the following system components:


Recommended Tools

You may need the following items to perform the procedures in this section:


Inside the System

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

In Figure 3-1, the bezel and system cover are removed to provide an interior view of the system.

Figure 3-1. Inside the System

1

RAID battery (optional)

2

SAS controller daughter card or SAS RAID controller daughter card (optional)

3

sideplane

4

power supply bay

5

power supplies (2)

6

left riser

7

central riser

8

memory modules (8)

9

heatsinks and microprocessors (2)

10

hot-pluggable fans (4)

11

SAS backplane

12

slimline optical drive (optional)

13

SAS or SATA hard drives (up to 8, depending on configuration)

14

control panel

 

 

The system board holds the system's control circuitry and other electronic components. Several hardware options, such as the microprocessors and memory, are installed directly on the system board. The expansion-card cage containing the left riser accommodates up to two full-length PCIe or PCI-X expansion cards, while the central riser accommodates one half-length PCIe expansion card.

The system provides space for an optional optical drive. The optical drive connects to the controllers on the system board through the sideplane board. For more information, see Optical Drive.

Depending on the hard drive configuration you ordered, an optional 3.5-inch diskette drive, and an optional tape drive may also be available for installation into a media bay. See Table 3-1 for configuration options.

Table 3-1. Hard Drive and Media Bay Configurations

Number of Hard Drives on Backplane

Hard-Drive Size

Media Bay

6

3.5-inch

No

4

3.5-inch

Yes

8

2.5-inch

Yes

The hard-drive bays provide space for up to eight 2.5-inch SAS drives or six 3.5-inch SAS or SATA hard drives. The hard drives connect to a RAID controller card through the SAS backplane board. For more information, see Hard Drives and SAS Controller Daughter Card.

During an installation or troubleshooting procedure, you may be required to change a jumper setting. For more information, see System Board Jumpers.


Front Bezel

A lock on the bezel restricts access to the power button, diskette drive, optical drive, and hard drive(s). A control panel LCD located on the front panel and accessible through the front bezel displays the system's status.

Removing the Front Bezel

  1. Using the system key, unlock the bezel.

  2. Press the tab at the left end of the bezel.

  3. Rotate the left end of the bezel away from the system to release the right end of the bezel.

  4. Pull the bezel away from the system. See Figure 3-2.

Figure 3-2. Removing the Front Bezel

1

bezel lock

2

control panel LCD

Replacing the Front Bezel

To replace the front bezel, perform the above steps in reverse.


Opening and Closing the System

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

Opening the System

To upgrade or troubleshoot the system, remove the system cover to gain access to internal components.

  1. Unless you are installing a hot-plug component such as a cooling fan or power supply, turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet and peripherals.

  2. To remove the system cover, turn the latch release lock counter-clockwise to the unlocked position. See Figure 3-3.

  3. Lift up on the latch on top of the system. See Figure 3-3.

  4. Grasp the cover on both sides and carefully lift the cover away from the system.

Closing the System

  1. Lift up the latch on the cover.

  2. Place the cover on top of the system and offset the cover slightly back so that it clears the chassis J hooks and lays flush on the system chassis. See Figure 3-3.

  3. Push down the latch to lever the cover into the closed position.

  4. Rotate the latch release lock in a clockwise direction to secure the cover.

Figure 3-3. Removing the Cover

1

latch

2

latch release lock

3

alignment J hooks


Hard Drives

This subsection describes how to install and configure SAS or SATA hard drives in the system's internal hard-drive bays. Your system features up to six 3.5-inch hard drives, or eight 2.5-inch hard drives. All drives connect to the system board through one of three optional SAS backplane boards. See SAS Backplane Board Connectors for information on these backplane options.

NOTE: Depending on the hard drive configuration you ordered, your hard drive(s) may come with a drive interposer that allows your SATA drive to attach to the SAS connector on the backplane.

Before You Begin

Hard drives are supplied in special hot-pluggable drive carriers that fit in the hard-drive bays. Depending on your configuration, you received one of the following two drive carrier types:

NOTICE: Before attempting to remove or install a drive while the system is running, see the documentation for the optional SAS RAID controller daughter card to ensure that the host adapter is configured correctly to support hot-plug drive removal and insertion.
NOTE: It is recommended that you use only drives that have been tested and approved for use with the SAS backplane board.

You may need to use different programs than those provided with the operating system to partition and format SAS or SATA hard drives.

NOTICE: Do not turn off or reboot your system while the drive is being formatted. Doing so can cause a drive failure.

When you format a high-capacity hard drive, allow enough time for the formatting to be completed. Long format times for these drives are normal. A 9-GB hard drive, for example, can take up to 2.5 hours to format.

Removing a Drive Blank

NOTICE: To maintain proper system cooling, all empty hard-drive bays must have drive blanks installed. If you remove a hard-drive carrier from the system and do not reinstall it, you must replace the carrier with a drive blank.

The process for removing a drive blank depends on whether your system is configured with 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hard drives.

For 3.5-inch hard drive configurations:

  1. Remove the front bezel, if attached. See Removing the Front Bezel.

  2. Insert your finger under the shrouded end of the blank and press in on the latch to eject the blank outward from the bay.

  3. Pry the ends of the blank outward until the blank is free.

For 2.5-inch hard drive configurations, remove the blank as you would the 2.5-inch hard drive carrier:

  1. Remove the front bezel, if attached. See Removing the Front Bezel.

  2. Open the drive blank release handle to release the blank. See Figure 3-4.

  3. Slide the drive blank out until it is free of the drive bay.

Installing a Drive Blank

The process for installing a drive blank depends on whether your system is configured with 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hard drives.

For 3.5-inch hard drive configurations, the drive blank is keyed to ensure correct insertion into the drive bay. To install a 3.5-inch drive blank, insert and rotate in the keyed side of the blank into the drive bay and press evenly on the other end of the blank until it is fully inserted and latched.

For 2.5-inch hard drive configurations, install the hard drive blank as a 2.5-inch hard drive carrier:

  1. Remove the front bezel, if attached. See Removing the Front Bezel.

  2. Open the handle on the drive blank.

  3. Insert the drive blank into the drive bay until the blank is fully seated.

  4. Close the handle to lock the blank in place.

  5. Replace the front bezel, if it was removed in step 1.

Removing a Hot-Plug Hard Drive

  1. Remove the front bezel, if attached. See Removing the Front Bezel.

  2. From the RAID management software, prepare the drive for removal and wait until the hard-drive indicators on the drive carrier signal that the drive can be removed safely. See your SAS RAID controller documentation for information about hot-plug drive removal.

If the drive has been online, the green activity/fault indicator will flash as the drive is powered down. When both drive indicators are off, the drive is ready for removal.

  1. Open the drive carrier release handle to release the drive. See Figure 3-4.

  2. Slide the hard drive out until it is free of the drive bay.

  3. If you do not replace the hard drive, insert a drive blank in the vacated drive bay. See Installing a Drive Blank.

NOTICE: To maintain proper system cooling, all empty hard-drive bays must have drive blanks installed.

Installing a Hot-Plug Hard Drive

NOTICE: When installing a hard drive, ensure that the adjacent drives are fully installed. Inserting a hard-drive carrier and attempting to lock its handle next to a partially installed carrier can damage the partially installed carrier's shield spring and make it unusable.
NOTICE: Not all operating systems support hot-plug drive installation. See the documentation supplied with your operating system.
  1. Remove the front bezel, if attached. See Removing the Front Bezel.

  2. If a drive blank is present in the bay, remove it. See Removing a Drive Blank.

  3. Install the hot-plug hard drive.

    1. Open the handle on the hard-drive carrier.

Figure 3-4. Installing a Hot-Plug Hard Drive

1

hard drive

2

drive carrier

3

drive carrier release handle

    1. Insert the hard-drive carrier into the drive bay until the carrier contacts the backplane.

    2. Close the handle to lock the drive in place.

  1. Replace the front bezel, if it was removed in step 1.


Replacing a Hard-Drive Carrier

Removing a Hard Drive From a Hard-Drive Carrier

  1. If you are removing a SATA hard drive from a SATAu drive carrier, remove the interposer card:

    1. Viewing the hard drive carrier from the rear, locate the release lever on the left end of the interposer card.

    1. Push the lever away from the carrier rail to release the left end of the card.

    2. Rotate the left end away from the hard drive to release the connector.

    3. Pull the right end of the interposer card clear of the slots in the carrier rail.

  2. Remove the four screws from the slide rails on the hard-drive carrier and separate the hard drive from the carrier.

Installing a SAS Hard Drive Into a SATAu Drive Carrier

NOTE: SAS hard drives must be installed only in SATAu drive carriers. The SATAu drive carrier is labeled "SATAu" and also has marks indicating the SAS and SATA mounting screws.
  1. Insert the SAS hard drive into the hard-drive carrier with the connector end of the drive at the rear. See Figure 3-5.

  2. Viewing the assembly as shown in Figure 3-5, align the bottom rear screw hole on the hard drive with the hole labeled "SAS" on the hard drive carrier.

When aligned correctly, the rear of the hard drive will be flush with the rear of the hard-drive carrier.

  1. Attach the four screws to secure the hard drive to the hard-drive carrier. See Figure 3-5.

Figure 3-5. Installing a SAS Hard Drive Into a SATAu Drive Carrier

1

screws (4)

2

SATAu drive carrier

3

SAS hard drive

Installing a SATA Hard Drive Into a SATA Drive Carrier

NOTE: SATA hard drives that connect directly to the SAS backplane must be installed in SATA drive carriers (labeled "SATA"). Only SATA hard drives with interposer cards can be installed in SATAu drive carriers.
  1. Insert the SATA hard drive into the hard-drive carrier with the connector end of the drive at the rear. See Figure 3-6.

  2. Align the screw holes on the hard drive with the holes on the hard-drive carrier. See Figure 3-6.

  3. Attach the four screws to secure the hard drive to the hard-drive carrier. See Figure 3-6.

Figure 3-6. Installing a SATA Hard Drive Into a SATA Drive Carrier

1

screws (4)

2

SATA drive carrier

3

SATA hard drive

Installing a SATA Hard Drive and Interposer Card Into a SATAu Hard-Drive Carrier

NOTE: When you install a SATA hard drive into a SATAu drive carrier, you must install an interposer card onto the back of the hard drive. The SATAu drive carrier is labeled "SATAu" and also has marks indicating the SAS and SATA mounting screws.
  1. Insert the SATA hard drive into the SATAu hard-drive carrier with the connector end of the drive at the rear. See Figure 3-7.

  2. Viewing the assembly as shown in Figure 3-7, align the bottom rear screw hole on the hard drive with the hole labeled "SATAu" on the hard drive carrier.

When aligned correctly, the rear of the interposer will be flush with the rear of the hard-drive carrier.

  1. Attach the four screws to secure the hard drive to the hard-drive carrier. See Figure 3-7.

  2. Attach the interposer card to the rear of the SATA hard drive:

    1. Angle the top of the interposer card into the inside top carrier rail so that the tabs on the interposer card bracket attach to the slots on the inside of the carrier rail. See Figure 3-7.

    1. Rotate the bottom end of the card toward the hard drive to seat the connector. See Figure 3-7.

    2. Push the bottom end of the card to the hard drive until the latch on the card bracket clicks into place.

Figure 3-7. Installing a SATA Hard Drive and Interposer Card Into a SATAu Drive Carrier

1

screws (4)

2

SATAu drive carrier

3

interposer card (SATA only)

4

SATA hard-drive

5

hole labels

 

 


Power Supplies

Your system supports one or two power supplies rated at an output of 750 W. If only one power supply is installed, it must be installed in the left power supply bay (1). If two power supplies are installed, the second power supply serves as a redundant, hot-plug power source.

NOTICE: To ensure proper system cooling, the power supply blank must be installed on the unoccupied power supply bay in a non-redundant configuration. See Installing the Power Supply Blank.

Removing a Power Supply

NOTICE: The system requires one power supply for the system to operate normally. The system is in the redundant mode when two power supplies are installed and both power supplies are connected to an AC power source. Remove and replace only one power supply at a time in a system that is powered on. Operating the system with only one power supply installed and without a power supply blank installed for extended periods of time can cause the system to overheat.
NOTICE: If only one power supply is installed, it must be installed in the left power supply bay (1).
NOTICE: If you connect the system to a power source in the range of 120 to 220 VAC, and if two power supplies are installed, the second power supply serves as a redundant, hot-plug power source.
NOTE: On your rack system, you may have to unlatch and lift the cable management arm if it interferes with power supply removal. For information about the cable management arm, see the system's Rack Installation Guide.
  1. If your system has a single power supply, turn off the system and all attached peripherals. For a redundant system, you can leave the system running and proceed to the next step.

  2. Disconnect the power cable from the power source.

  3. Disconnect the power cable from the power supply and remove the cable from the cable retention bracket.

  4. Release the locking tab on the left side of the power supply by pressing in toward the right, and rotate the power-supply handle up until the power supply is released from the chassis. See Figure 3-8.

  5. Pull the power supply straight out to clear the chassis.

Figure 3-8. Removing and Installing a Power Supply

locking tab

2

cable retention bracket

3

power-supply handle

Replacing a Power Supply

  1. With the power-supply handle in the extended position, slide the new power supply into the chassis. See Figure 3-8.

  2. Rotate the handle down until it is completely flush with the power-supply faceplate and the orange snap engages. See Figure 3-8.

  3. Insert the power cable through the cable retention bracket, connect the power cable to the power supply, and plug the cable into a power outlet.

NOTE: After installing a new power supply, allow several seconds for the system to recognize the power supply and determine whether it is working properly. The power supply status indicator will turn green to signify that the power supply is functioning properly. See Figure 1-4.

Removing the Power Supply Blank

Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the screw on the left side of the blank, rotate the blank slightly to clear the bay, and remove from the chassis.

NOTICE: To ensure proper system cooling, the power supply blank must be installed on the unoccupied power supply bay in a non-redundant configuration. Remove the power supply blank only if you are installing a second power supply.

Installing the Power Supply Blank

To install the power supply blank, insert the tab on the right edge of the blank into the slot in the power supply bay wall. Rotate the blank into the power supply bay and secure with the Phillips screw.


System Fans

The system includes four hot-pluggable cooling fans.

Removing a System Fan

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
NOTICE: The system fans are hot-pluggable. To maintain proper cooling while the system is on, replace only one fan at a time.
  1. Open the system. See Opening the System.

CAUTION: Use caution when handling the fan until the fan blades stop spinning.
  1. Raise the fan handle and pull the fan straight up from the fan cage to clear the chassis. See Figure 3-9.

Figure 3-9. Removing and Installing a Cooling Fan

1

fan bracket

2

fan handle

3

fan

Replacing a Cooling Fan

  1. Ensure that the fan handle is upright and lower the fan into its fan cage until the fan is fully seated. Then lower the fan handle until it snaps into place. See Figure 3-9.

  2. Close the system. See Closing the System.


Cooling Shroud

The cooling shroud produces and directs airflow over the system memory modules.

CAUTION: The DIMMs are hot to the touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow the DIMMs to cool before handling them.
NOTICE: Never operate your system with the memory cooling shroud removed. Overheating of the system can develop quickly resulting in a shutdown of the system and the loss of data.

Removing the Cooling Shroud

  1. The cooling shroud is secured with a latch at the end of the shroud. Release the latch by pulling it towards the outside wall of the chassis. See Figure 3-10.

  2. Rotate the shroud upward and toward the front of the system on its hinges, and then lift the shroud out of the system.

Figure 3-10. Removing and Installing the Cooling Shroud

1

shroud pivots (2)

2

cooling shroud

3

release latch

4

shroud hinges (2)

5

fan bracket

 

 

Installing the Cooling Shroud

  1. Align the hinges on the shroud pivots located on either end of the fan bracket. See Figure 3-10.

  2. Slowly lower the shroud straight down into the system until the fan connector engages and the latches snap into place.


Fan Brackets

Removing the Fan Bracket

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Remove the cooling shroud. See Removing the Cooling Shroud.

  4. Remove the SAS controller daughter card. See Removing a SAS Controller Daughter Card

  5. Remove the fans from the fan bracket. See Removing a System Fan.

  6. Remove the fan bracket from the system:

    1. Press down on the release latch on the left side of the fan bracket. See Figure 3-11.

If the bracket does not disengage completely, push down slightly on the bracket when releasing the latch.

    1. Rotate the left side of the bracket upward, releasing the plastic clip from its slot in the power supply cage.

    2. Draw the bracket out of the system.

Figure 3-11. Removing and Installing the Fan Bracket

1

release latch

2

fan bracket

3

plastic clip

4

fan bracket slot in power supply cage

5

tabs (2)

 

 

Replacing the Fan Bracket

  1. Insert the two tabs on the right side of the fan bracket into the two slots on the system board tray.

  2. Gently rotate the left end of the fan bracket downward into the system until the release latch and plastic clip fully engage.

  3. Reinstall the SAS controller daughter card. See Installing a SAS Controller Daughter Card.

  4. Replace the fans in the fan bracket. See Replacing a Cooling Fan.

  5. Close the system. See Closing the System.

  6. Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet and turn on the system and attached peripherals.


SAS Controller Daughter Card

Your system includes a dedicated slot on the sideplane for a SAS controller daughter card. The SAS controller daughter card provides the SAS storage subsystem for your system's internal hard drives. The optional SAS RAID controller daughter card allows you to set up any internal hard drives in a RAID configuration. Although the cabling for the two types of daughter cards is different (the SAS controller daughter card has only one connector, while the SAS RAID controller daughter card has two), both cards install into the sideplane as described below. The SAS RAID controller daughter card is shown in Figure 3-12.

Installing a SAS Controller Daughter Card

NOTICE: Do not press on the RAID card DIMM while installing the RAID card into the sideplane board.
NOTE: If you are installing a replacement RAID card, do not remove the plastic cover protecting the card until after installation of the card is complete.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Disconnect the control panel cable from the sideplane board. See Removing the Control Panel Assembly.

  4. Hold the SAS daughter card by its edges with the card connector facing the sideplane board.

  5. Aligning the chassis slots on the SAS daughter card tray with the corresponding hooks on the chassis, insert the card connector into the SAS daughter card connector on the sideplane board. See Figure 3-12.

Ensure that the card is aligned with the mid-section standoff on the SAS controller daughter card and fully seat the card in the sideplane board.

Figure 3-12. Installing a SAS Controller Daughter Card

1

SAS controller daughter card

2

SAS controller daughter card slot

3

release tab

4

SAS controller daughter card battery connector

5

SAS connectors 0 and 1 (for RAID card only) out to backplane SAS_A or SAS_B (for RAID card only) connector

6

chassis slots (2)

7

SAS controller daughter card tray

 

 

 

 

  1. Attach any cables from the SAS controller daughter card to the backplane, referring to Figure 3-13, Figure 3-14, Figure 3-15, or Figure 3-16 for the cabling guidelines for your system's card and backplane configuration.

SAS and SAS RAID Controller Daughter Card Cabling Guidelines

Figure 3-13. SAS Controller Daughter Card Cabling With all Backplanes

1

SAS controller daughter card

2

SAS controller 0

3

SAS backplane A

4

backplane

 

 

 

 

Figure 3-14. SAS RAID Controller Daughter Card Cabling With 3.5-inch x6 Backplane

1

SAS controller 0

2

SAS RAID controller daughter card

3

SAS controller 1

4

SAS backplane A

5

3.5-inch x6 backplane

6

SAS backplane B

Figure 3-15. SAS RAID Controller Daughter Card Cabling With 3.5-inch x4 Backplane

1

SAS controller 0

2

SAS RAID controller daughter card

3

SAS controller 1

4

SAS backplane A

5

3.5-inch x4 backplane

 

 

Figure 3-16. SAS RAID Controller Daughter Card Cabling With 2.5-inch x8 Backplane

1

SAS controller 0

2

SAS RAID controller daughter card

3

SAS backplane A

4

SAS controller 1

5

SAS backplane B

6

2.5-inch x8 backplane

Removing a SAS Controller Daughter Card

  1. Disconnect any battery connectors if applicable.

  2. Disconnect the control panel cable. See Removing the Control Panel Assembly

  3. Disconnect any SAS cables from the card.

  4. Gently press down on the release tab while sliding the SAS controller daughter card in its tray away from the sideplane connector, freeing the chassis slots on the tray from the chassis hooks, and lifting the card from the system. See Figure 3-12.


RAID Battery

Installing a RAID Battery

  1. Insert the RAID battery into the battery carrier. See Figure 3-17.

  2. Locate the battery bay to the right of the SAS daughter card on top of the hard drive bays.

  3. Insert the battery carrier and RAID battery into the chassis battery carrier slots and connect the battery cable to the storage daughter card, ensuring that the battery carrier is aligned and fully seated in the slots.

Figure 3-17. Installing a RAID Battery

1

chassis battery carrier slot (2)

2

battery cable

3

battery carrier

4

SAS RAID controller daughter card battery

 

 

 

 

Removing a RAID Battery

  1. Disconnect the cable between the RAID battery and the SAS RAID controller daughter card. See Figure 3-17.

  2. Press down and to the left on the battery carrier to disengage the carrier from the chassis battery carrier slots.

  3. Gently pulling back the two guides holding the RAID battery into the battery carrier, draw out the RAID battery from the battery carrier.


Configuring the Boot Device

NOTE: System boot is not supported from an external device attached to a SAS or SCSI adapter. See support.dell.com for the latest support information about booting from external devices.

If you plan to boot the system from a hard drive, the drive must be attached to the primary (or boot) controller. The device that the system boots from is determined by the boot order specified in the System Setup program.

The System Setup program provides options that the system uses to scan for installed boot devices. See Using the System Setup Program for information about the System Setup program.


Expansion Cards

The system is available with either a PCI-X or a PCI Express (PCIe) left riser board option. The PCI-X left riser board provides two PCI-X 64-bit/133-MHz expansion slots, while the PCIe left riser board provides one PCIe x8-lane expansion slot and one PCIe x4-lane expansion slot. The half-height center riser board provided with both PCI-X and PCIe left riser board options features one PCIe x8-lane expansion slot. The three expansion card slots are on separate buses.

Expansion Card Installation Guidelines

To identify expansion slots, see Expansion-Card Riser-Board Components and PCI Buses.

NOTE: The expansion-card slots are not hot-pluggable.
NOTE: Although the PCIe x4-lane expansion slot on the PCIe left riser option is physically a PCIe x8 connector, it functions only as a PCIe x4-lane slot.
NOTE: Slot 1 on the central riser supports half-length expansion cards only. Slots 2 and 3 on the left riser support full-length expansion cards.
NOTE: Your system supports up to two RAID expansion cards to manage external storage.

Installing an Expansion Card

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
NOTE: The procedure for installing expansion cards into the left and central risers is the same except that there is no card guide for cards installing into the central riser, and only half-height cards are supported on the central riser. Full-length expansion card installation is illustrated in Figure 3-18.
  1. Unpack the expansion card and prepare it for installation.

For instructions, see the documentation accompanying the card.

  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Open the expansion-card guide latch and remove the filler bracket. See Figure 3-18.

  4. Install the expansion card:

    1. If the expansion card is full length, align its front edge with the front card guide. See Figure 3-18.

    1. Position the expansion card so that the card-edge connector aligns with the expansion-card connector on the expansion-card riser board.

    2. Insert the card-edge connector firmly into the PCI card connector until the card is fully seated.

    3. When the card is seated in the connector, close the expansion-card latch. See Figure 3-18.

Figure 3-18. Installing an Expansion Card

1

front card guide

2

expansion-card connector

3

card-edge connector

4

expansion card

5

expansion-card guide latch

 

 

  1. Connect any expansion-card cables for the new card.

See the documentation that came with the card for information about its cable connections.

  1. Close the system. See Closing the System.

Removing an Expansion Card

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Disconnect all expansion-card cables.

  4. Release the expansion card:

    1. Open the expansion-card latch. See Figure 3-18.

    1. Grasp the expansion card by its top corners, and carefully remove it from the expansion-card connector.

  5. If you are removing the card permanently, install a metal filler bracket over the empty expansion slot opening and close the expansion-card latch.

NOTE: You must install a filler bracket over an empty expansion slot to maintain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification of the system. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of the system and aid in proper cooling and airflow inside the system.
  1. Reconnect all expansion-card cables.

  2. Close the system. See Closing the System.


Expansion-Card Cage

Removing the Expansion-Card Cage

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
NOTE: You must remove all expansion cards from the expansion-card cage before removing the expansion-card cage from the system.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Disconnect all expansion-card cables.

  4. Remove any expansion cards from the expansion-card cage. See Removing an Expansion Card.

  5. Press the two blue release latches on the expansion-card cage. See Figure 3-19.

Figure 3-19. Installing and Removing the Expansion-Card Cage

1

expansion-card cage

2

chassis pins (2)

3

release latches (2)

  1. Lift the cage straight up to clear the chassis. See Figure 3-19.

Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Align the guides on each end of the expansion-card cage with the pins on the system board, and lower the cage. See Figure 3-19.

  2. Install any expansion cards.

  3. Reconnect all expansion-card cables.

  4. Close the system. See Closing the System.


Installing a RAC Card

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.

The optional Remote Access Controller (RAC) provides a set of advanced features for managing the server remotely. The following procedure describes the steps for installing the optional RAC card.

  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Remove the plastic filler plug from the system back panel. See Figure 3-20.

  4. Remove the central riser board. See Removing the Central Riser Board.

  5. Angle the RAC card so that its NIC connector inserts through the back-panel RAC card opening, and then straighten the card.

Figure 3-20. Installing a RAC Card

1

RAC-card connectors (2)

2

RAC-card cables (2)

3

retention standoff hole

4

RAC card

5

filler plug

6

support standoffs holes(2)

  1. Align the front edge of the RAC card with the two front plastic retention standoffs adjacent to the RAC system board connector, and press down the side of the card until it is fully seated. See Figure 3-20.

When the front of the card is fully seated, the plastic standoff snaps over the edge of the card.

  1. Connect the two short ribbon cables to the RAC card and the system board. See Figure 6-2 for the connector locations

NOTICE: Be careful when attaching cables to the system board that you do not damage the surrounding system board components.
    1. Connect one cable to connector 1 on the RAC card and to RAC_CONN1 on the system board.

    1. Connect the second cable to connector 2 on the RAC card and to RAC_CONN2 on the system board. Reinstall the central riser board. See Installing the Central Riser Board.

NOTICE: When detaching the RAC cables from the system board, squeeze the metal ends of the cable connectors and gently work the connector out of the socket. Do not pull on the cable to unseat the connector. Doing so can damage the cable.
  1. Close the system. See Closing the System.

  2. Reconnect the system and peripherals to their power sources, and turn them on.

See the RAC card documentation for information on configuring and using the RAC card.


Optical Drive

An optional slimline optical drive is mounted on a tray that slides in the front panel and connects to the controllers on the system board through the SAS backplane board.

Removing the Optical Drive

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from its electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the bezel. See Removing the Front Bezel.

  3. Open the system. See Opening the System

  4. Disconnect the optical drive cable from the back of the drive.

  5. To remove the optical drive, press down and forward on the blue tray release tab and slide the drive tray out of the system. See Figure 3-21.

Figure 3-21. Removing and Installing the Optical Drive Tray

1

optical-drive cable

2

optical-drive release tab

3

optical -drive tray

4

optical drive

 

 

 

 

Installing the Optical Drive

  1. Align the optical drive tray with its opening in the front panel.

The optical drive opening is above the hard-drive slots on the far right, or the flex bay, depending on your system's drive configuration (the hard-drives slots are identified by labels on the front panel of the system).

  1. Slide in the drive tray until the tray snaps into place. See Figure 3-21.

  2. Connect the optical drive cable to the connector on the back of the drive.

  3. Close the system. See Closing the System.

  4. Replace the bezel. See Replacing the Front Bezel.

  5. Reconnect your system and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the system.


Diskette Drive

Removing the Diskette Drive From the System

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the front bezel, if attached. See Removing the Front Bezel.

  3. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  4. If your system configuration includes a tape backup device installed in the optional media bay, remove the tape backup device's strain relief bracket. See Removing and Replacing the Tape Drive Cable Retention Bracket.

  5. Disconnect the cable from the back of the diskette drive.

  6. Release the diskette drive carrier from its slot in the media bay:

    1. Gently squeeze down on the plastic tabs on the side of the carrier while pushing toward the front of the system until you feel the carrier sliding freely forward.

    1. Slide the carrier forward and out of the chassis. See Figure 3-23.

Figure 3-22. Installing and Removing the Diskette Drive From the System

1

diskette drive carrier

2

release tabs (2)

3

media bay

Installing the Diskette Drive Into the System

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the front bezel, if attached. See Removing the Front Bezel.

  3. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  4. Install the diskette drive carrier into the system:

    1. Align the slots on the bottom of the diskette drive carrier with the drive bay rails in the media bay.

    1. Push the carrier toward the system front plate until the plastic latch on the carrier locks into position.

  5. Attach one end of the ribbon cable to the floppy connector (FLOPPY) on the system board and the other end to the connector on the rear of the diskette drive. See Figure 6-2 for the location of the floppy cable connector on the system board.

  6. Close the system. See Closing the System.

  7. Replace the front bezel if removed in step 2. See Replacing the Front Bezel.

  8. Reconnect the system and peripherals to their electrical outlets.

Removing the Diskette Drive From the Drive Carrier

  1. Remove the diskette drive from the system. See Removing the Diskette Drive From the System.

  2. Gently draw one side of the carrier away from the diskette drive until the drive pops from the tray. See Figure 3-23.

Figure 3-23. Installing and Removing the Diskette Drive Into and From the Drive Carrier

1

diskette drive tray

2

shim

3

diskette drive

4

diskette drive release tabs (2)

 

 

 

 

Installing the Diskette Drive Into the Drive Carrier

  1. Align the back of the diskette drive with the back of the carrier.

  2. Add the shim to the drive.

  3. Gently push the drive into the carrier until it pops in securely. See Figure 3-23.


SCSI Tape Drive

This section describes how to configure and install an internal SCSI tape drive.

NOTE: Installing a SCSI tape drive requires an optional SCSI controller card.

Removing and Installing an Internal SCSI Tape Drive

NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your Product Information Guide.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the tape drive carrier from the media bay by squeezing the release tabs on either side of the carrier down and forward, sliding the carrier gently from the bay. See Figure 3-24.

Figure 3-24. Removing and Installing the Tape Drive Carrier

1

tape drive blank

2

tape drive rails

3

release tab (2)

4

media bay

 

 

 

 

  1. Remove the four screws affixing the tape drive blank to the rails, and set the rails aside for installation onto the drive. See Figure 3-25.

  2. Prepare the tape drive for installation.

Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the system, unpack the drive (and controller card, if applicable), and compare the jumper and switch settings with those in the drive documentation.

  1. Aligning the four holes on the tape drive with the four screw holes on the tape drive rails, affix the rails to the drive.

  2. Insert the tape drive along the rails in the media bay. See Figure 3-25.

Figure 3-25. Removing and Installing an Internal SCSI Tape Drive

1

screws (4)

2

tape drive rails (2)

3

rail release tabs (2)

4

tape drive

 

 

 

 

  1. Route the tape drive's SCSI interface cable through the tape drive cable retention bracket and connect it to the connector on the SCSI controller card. See Removing and Replacing the Tape Drive Cable Retention Bracket.

  2. Connect the tape drive power cable to the tape drive power connector on the backplane. See Figure 6-4 or Figure 6-5 for the connector location.

  3. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any attached peripherals.

  4. Perform a tape backup and verification test with the drive as instructed in the software documentation that came with the drive.

Removing and Replacing the Tape Drive Cable Retention Bracket

The optional tape drive available with the 3.5" x4 and 2.5" x8 backplane configurations connects to the system board through an expansion card plugged into one of the PCI expansion card slots. The tape drive cable is routed along the right side of the chassis and behind the tape drive cable retention bracket.

To remove the tape drive cable retention bracket, gently draw the blue release latch toward the center of the system while sliding the cable retention bracket toward the front of the system and disengaging the bracket from the chassis wall. See Figure 3-26.

To replace the bracket, align the bracket clips with their slots on the chassis wall, then slide the bracket toward the back of the system until all the clips and the blue release latch are fully engaged.

Figure 3-26. Installing and Removing the Tape Drive Cable Retention Bracket

1

tape drive cable

2

SCSI controller card

3

release latch

4

bracket clips (6)

5

tape drive cable retention bracket

 

 


System Memory

You can upgrade your system memory to a maximum of 32 GB by installing 533MHz or 667MHz fully buffered (FB) DDR II memory modules in sets of 256-MB, 512-MB, 1-GB, 2-GB, or 4-GB. The eight memory sockets are located on the system board under the cooling shroud adjacent to the power supply bays. See Figure 6-2. You can purchase memory upgrade kits from Dell.

NOTICE: If you remove your original memory modules from the system during a memory upgrade, keep them separate from any new memory modules that you may have, even if you purchased the new memory modules from Dell. Use only 533 MHz or 667 MHz DDR II FB-DIMMs.

The memory module sockets are divided into two equal branches (0 and 1). Each branch consists of two channels:

Each channel consists of two DIMM sockets:

The first DIMM socket of each channel has white release tabs.

General Memory Module Installation Guidelines

To ensure optimal performance of your system, observe the following guidelines when configuring your system memory.

Non-Optimal Memory Configurations

System performance can be affected if your memory configuration does not conform to the preceding installation guidelines. Your system may issue an error message during startup stating that your memory configuration is non-optimal.

Memory Sparing Support

The system supports memory sparing if eight identical memory modules are installed in the system. The memory sparing feature must be enabled in the System Setup program and can be used only if memory mirroring is not enabled.

Memory sparing allocates four ranks of DIMM memory to the spare bank. These four ranks consist of the first rank of memory in DIMM sockets 1 through 4. For single-rank DIMMs, the entire capacity of the four DIMMs is allocated to sparing whereas for dual-rank DIMMs, only half of the four-DIMM capacity is allocated to sparing. Table 3-2 shows how memory sparing splits the available and spared memory in each of the single- and dual-ranked memory module combinations.

Table 3-2. Memory Sparing Configurations 

DIMMs

Size/Type

Total Memory

Available

Spare

8

256-MB single-rank

2 GB

1 GB

1 GB

 

512-MB single-rank

4 GB

2 GB

2 GB

 

1-GB single-rank

8 GB

4 GB

4 GB

 

2-GB single-rank

16 GB

8 GB

8 GB

 

2-GB dual-rank

16 GB

12 GB

4 GB

 

4-GB dual-rank

32 GB

24 GB

8 GB

Memory Mirroring Support

The system supports memory mirroring if eight identical memory modules are installed in the system. Mirroring must be enabled in the System Setup program and can be used only if memory sparing is not enabled. In a mirrored configuration, the total available system memory is one-half of the total installed memory.

Installing Memory Modules

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Remove the memory cooling shroud. See Removing the Cooling Shroud.

NOTICE: Never remove the memory cooling shroud without first powering down the system. Overheating of the system can develop quickly resulting in a shutdown of the system and the loss of data.
  1. Locate the memory module sockets on the system board. See Figure 6-2.

CAUTION: The DIMMs are hot to the touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow time for the DIMMs to cool before handling them. Handle the DIMMs by the card edges and avoid touching the DIMM components.
  1. Press the ejectors on the memory module socket down and out, as shown in Figure 3-27, to allow the memory module to be inserted into the socket.

Figure 3-27. Installing and Removing a Memory Module

1

memory module

2

memory module socket ejectors (2)

3

socket

4

alignment key

 

 

 

 

  1. Align the memory module's edge connector with the alignment key on the memory module socket, and insert the memory module in the socket.

NOTE: The memory module socket has an alignment key that allows you to install the memory module in the socket in only one way.
  1. Press down on the memory module with your thumbs while pulling up on the ejectors with your index fingers to lock the memory module into the socket.

When the memory module is properly seated in the socket, the ejectors on the memory module socket align with the ejectors on the other sockets that have memory modules installed.

  1. Repeat step 3 through step 7 of this procedure to install the remaining memory modules.

  2. Replace the memory cooling shroud. See Installing the Cooling Shroud.

NOTICE: Never operate your system with the memory cooling shroud removed. Overheating of the system can develop quickly resulting in a shutdown of the system and the loss of data.
  1. Close the system. See Opening the System.

  2. (Optional) Enter the System Setup program, and check the System Memory setting on the main System Setup screen. See Entering the System Setup Program.

The system should have already changed the value to reflect the newly installed memory.

  1. If the value is incorrect, one or more of the memory modules may not be installed properly. Repeat step 2 through step 11 of this procedure, checking to ensure that the memory modules are firmly seated in their sockets.

  2. Run the system memory test in the system diagnostics. See Running the System Diagnostics.

Removing Memory Modules

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Remove the memory cooling shroud. See Removing the Cooling Shroud.

NOTICE: Never remove the memory cooling shroud without first powering down the system. Overheating of the system can develop quickly resulting in a shutdown of the system and the loss of data.
  1. Locate the memory module sockets on the system board. See Figure 6-2.

CAUTION: The DIMMs are hot to the touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow the DIMMs to cool before handling them. Handle the DIMMs by the card edges, and avoid touching the DIMM components.
  1. Press down and out on the ejectors on each end of the socket until the memory module pops out of the socket. See Figure 3-27.

  2. Replace the memory cooling shroud. See Installing the Cooling Shroud.

NOTICE: Never operate your system with the memory cooling shroud removed. Overheating of the system can develop quickly resulting in a shutdown of the system and the loss of data.
  1. Close the system. See Closing the System.


Activating the Integrated NIC TOE

To add TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE) functionality to the system's integrated NIC, install the TOE NIC hardware key in the TOE_KEY socket on the system board (see Figure 6-2.)


Processors

You can upgrade your processor(s) to take advantage of future options in speed and functionality. Each processor and its associated internal cache memory are contained in a land grid array (LGA) package that is installed in a ZIF socket on the system board.

Removing a Processor

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Prior to upgrading your system, download the latest system BIOS version on support.dell.com.

  2. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  3. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  4. Remove the fans. See Removing a System Fan

  5. Remove the fan bracket. See Removing the Fan Bracket.

NOTICE: When you remove the heat sink, the possibility exists that the processor might adhere to the heat sink and be removed from the socket. It is recommended that you remove the heat sink while the processor is still warm.
NOTICE: Never remove the heat sink from a processor unless you intend to remove the processor. The heat sink is necessary to maintain proper thermal conditions.
  1. Press the blue tab on the end of one of the heat-sink retention levers to disengage the lever, then lift the lever 90 degrees. See Figure 3-28.

Figure 3-28. Installing and Removing the Heat Sink

1

heat sink

2

heat-sink retention levers (2)

3

retention lever latch

  1. Wait 30 seconds for the heat sink to loosen from the processor.

  2. Open the other heat sink retention lever.

  3. If the heat sink has not separated from the processor, carefully rotate the heat sink in a clockwise, then counterclockwise direction until it releases from the processor. Do not pry the heat sink from the processor.

  4. Lift the heat sink off of the processor and set the heat sink aside.

  5. Pull the socket-release lever 90 degrees upward until the processor is released from the socket. See Figure 3-29.

  6. Rotate the processor shield upward and out of the way.

Figure 3-29. Installing and Removing a Processor

1

notch in processor (2)

2

processor

3

socket-release lever

4

processor shield

5

ZIF socket

6

socket key (2)

  1. Lift the processor out of the socket and leave the release lever up so that the socket is ready for the new processor.

NOTICE: Be careful not to bend any of the pins on the ZIF socket when removing the processor. Bending the pins can permanently damage the system board.

Installing a Processor

  1. Unpack the new processor.

  2. Align the processor with the socket keys on the ZIF socket. See Figure 3-29.

  3. Install the processor in the socket.

NOTICE: Positioning the processor incorrectly can permanently damage the system board or the processor when you turn it on. When placing the processor in the socket, be careful not to bend the pins in the socket.
    1. If the release lever on the processor socket is not positioned all the way up, move it to that position.

    1. With the processor and the socket keys aligned, set the processor lightly in the socket.

NOTICE: Do not use force to seat the processor. When the processor is positioned correctly, it engages easily into the socket.
    1. Close the processor shield. See Figure 3-29.

    2. When the processor is fully seated in the socket, rotate the socket release lever back down until it snaps into place, securing the processor. See Figure 3-29.

  1. Install the heat sink.

NOTE: If you did not receive a replacement heat sink, use the heat sink that you removed in step 10.
    1. If you receive a heat sink and pre-applied thermal grease with your processor kit, remove the protective sheet from the thermal grease layer on top of the heat sink.

If you did not receive a replacement heat sink with your processor kit, do the following:

As the system boots, it detects the presence of the new processor and automatically changes the system configuration information in the System Setup program.

  1. Press <F2> to enter the System Setup program, and check that the processor information matches the new system configuration. See Entering the System Setup Program.

  2. Run the system diagnostics to verify that the new processor operates correctly.

See Running the System Diagnostics for information about running the diagnostics.


System Battery

The system battery is a 3.0-volt (V), coin-cell battery.

Replacing the System Battery

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions. See your System Information Guide for additional information.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System

  3. Locate the battery socket. See System Board Connectors.

NOTICE: If you pry the battery out of its socket with a blunt object, be careful not to touch the system board with the object. Ensure that the object is inserted between the battery and the socket before you attempt to pry out the battery. Otherwise, you may damage the system board by prying off the socket or by breaking circuit traces on the system board.
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the battery connector, you must firmly support the connector while installing or removing a battery.
  1. Remove the system battery.

    1. Support the battery connector by pressing down firmly on the positive side of the connector.

    1. While supporting the battery connector, press the battery toward the positive side of the connector and pry it up out of the securing tabs at the negative side of the connector.

Figure 3-30. Replacing the System Battery

1

positive side of battery connector

2

system battery

3

negative side of battery connector

NOTICE: To avoid damage to the battery connector, you must firmly support the connector while installing or removing a battery.
  1. Install the new system battery.

    1. Support the battery connector by pressing down firmly on the positive side of the connector.

    1. Hold the battery with the "+" facing up, and slide it under the securing tabs at the positive side of the connector.

    2. Press the battery straight down into the connector until it snaps into place.

  2. Close the system. See Closing the System.

  3. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any attached peripherals.

  4. Enter the System Setup program to confirm that the battery is operating properly. See Entering the System Setup Program.

  5. Enter the correct time and date in the System Setup program's Time and Date fields.

  6. Exit the System Setup program.

  7. To test the newly installed battery, turn off the system and disconnect it from the electrical outlet for at least an hour.

  8. After an hour, reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn it on.

  9. Enter the System Setup program and if the time and date are still incorrect, see Getting Help for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.


Expansion-Card Riser Boards

Removing the Left Expansion-Card Riser Board

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Remove any expansion cards from the left riser expansion-card slots. See Removing an Expansion Card.

  4. Remove the expansion-card cage. See Removing the Expansion-Card Cage.

  5. Remove the expansion-card riser board:

    1. Pull the expansion-card riser release pin. See Figure 3-31.

    1. While pulling the release pin, slide the riser board away from the expansion card openings.

    2. Lift the riser board from the six securing tabs.

Figure 3-31. Replacing the Left Riser Board

1

riser release pin

2

expansion-card rails

3

expansion-card cage

4

riser securing tabs (6)

5

riser securing slots (6)

 

 

Installing the Left Riser Board

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Place the riser board in the expansion-card cage so that the six securing tabs are fully inserted in the six securing slots on the riser board. See Figure 3-31.

  2. Slide the riser board toward the expansion card openings until you feel the riser-board release pin snap into place.

  3. Replace the expansion-card cage. See Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage.

  4. Install all expansion cards in the expansion-card slots. See Installing an Expansion Card.

  5. Close the system. See Closing the System.

Removing the Central Riser Board

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Press the blue release tab in the center of the central riser to release the board from the system board socket while easing both ends of the riser upward.

  2. Lift the central riser board from the two guide pins on either end, and draw the riser away from the system board.

Figure 3-32. Replacing the Central Riser Board

1

card guide (2)

2

release tab

3

central riser board

4

guide pins (2)

5

system board socket

 

 

Installing the Central Riser Board

  1. Fitting the two guides over the guide pins on the system board, gently lower the central riser board until the board connector is firmly seated into the system board socket. See Figure 3-32.


Sideplane Board

Removing the Sideplane Board

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. Remove the SAS controller daughter card. See Removing a SAS Controller Daughter Card.

  4. Remove any cables from the sideplane board.

  5. Pressing inward on the sideplane release tabs, lift the sideplane up and away from the system. See Figure 3-33

Figure 3-33. Sideplane Removal and Installation

1

sideplane board

2

sideplane release tabs (2)

3

guides (2)

4

backplane connector

5

pins (2)

 

 

Installing the Sideplane Board

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Align the two guides on the sideplane board with the two pins on the SAS backplane board, and gently lower the sideplane so that the sideplane connector is fully seated into the SAS backplane board connector. See Figure 3-33.

  3. Reattach any cables to the sideplane board.

  4. If applicable, replace the storage controller daughter card. See Installing a SAS Controller Daughter Card.

  5. Close the system. See Closing the System.


SAS Backplane Board

Removing the SAS Backplane Board

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  3. If applicable, disconnect the optical drive from the SAS backplane board. See Removing the Optical Drive.

  4. If applicable, disconnect the diskette drive. See Removing the Diskette Drive From the System.

  5. If applicable, disconnect the tape drive. See Removing and Installing an Internal SCSI Tape Drive.

  6. Remove the hard drives. See Removing a Hot-Plug Hard Drive.

NOTE: To properly reinstall the hard drives, ensure that you record which hard drive you remove from which bay.
  1. Disconnect the SAS cable(s) and control panel cable from the backplane connectors. See SAS and SAS RAID Controller Daughter Card Cabling Guidelines and Removing the Control Panel Assembly.

  2. If applicable, remove the storage controller daughter card. See Removing a SAS Controller Daughter Card.

  3. Remove the cooling shroud. See Removing the Cooling Shroud.

  4. Remove the fans. See Removing a System Fan

  5. Remove the fan bracket. See Removing the Fan Bracket.

  6. Remove the SAS backplane board:

    1. Pull the SAS-backplane board release pin. See Figure 3-34.

    1. While pulling the release pin, tilt the backplane board toward the back of the system.

    2. Lift the backplane board from its securing tabs and remove the backplane board from the chassis.

Figure 3-34. SAS Backplane Board Removal

1

drive carrier

2

SAS-backplane board release pin

3

SAS backplane board

4

securing slots (10)

5

securing tabs (10)

 

 

Installing the SAS Backplane Board

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Place the SAS backplane board so that the securing tabs on the drive cage are fully inserted into the securing slots on the backplane board. See Figure 3-34.

  2. Pull the SAS-backplane board release pin. See Figure 3-34.

  3. While pulling the release pin, tilt the SAS-backplane board toward the front of the system until it stops, then release the release pin and ensure that it snaps into place.

  4. Replace the fan bracket. See Replacing the Fan Bracket.

  5. Replace the fans. See Replacing a Cooling Fan.

  6. Replace the cooling shroud. See Installing the Cooling Shroud.

  7. Reinstall the SAS controller daughter card. See Installing a SAS Controller Daughter Card.

  8. Reattach the SAS controller daughter card cables and the control panel cable. See SAS and SAS RAID Controller Daughter Card Cabling Guidelines.

  9. Reinstall the hard drives. See Installing a Hot-Plug Hard Drive.

NOTE: Reinstall the hard drives in the same drive bays from which they were removed.
  1. If applicable, reconnect the internal tape drive. See Removing and Installing an Internal SCSI Tape Drive.

  2. If applicable, reconnect the diskette drive. See Installing the Diskette Drive Into the System.

  3. If applicable, reconnect the optical drive. See Installing the Optical Drive.

  4. Close the system. See Closing the System.


Control Panel Assembly (Service-only Procedure)

NOTE: The control panel assembly consists of two separate modules—the display module and the control panel circuit board. Use the following instructions to remove and install either module.

Removing the Control Panel Assembly

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. If applicable, remove the bezel. See Removing the Front Bezel.

  2. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet and peripherals.

  3. Open the system. See Opening the System.

  4. Disconnect the control panel cable at back of the control panel board. See Figure 3-35.

NOTICE: Do not pull on the cable to unseat the connector. Doing so can damage the cable.
    1. Squeeze the metal tabs on the ends of the cable connector.

    1. Gently work the connector out of the socket.

  1. Disconnect the display module cable from the control panel board. See Figure 3-35.

  2. Remove the three screws that secure the control panel board to the system chassis and remove the board. See Figure 3-35.

  3. Remove the display module:

    1. Insert the end of paper clip into the hole on the right side of the display module and gently pry off the label.

    1. Using a T10 Torx driver, remove the two screws that secure the display module to the system chassis.

    2. Remove the display module from the chassis cutout.

Figure 3-35. Control Panel Removal

1

display module label

2

display module securing screws (2)

3

display module

4

display module cable

5

control panel cable

6

control panel circuit board

7

control-panel circuit board securing screws (3)

 

 

 

 

Installing the Control Panel Assembly

  1. Insert the display module into the chassis cutout and secure with the two Torx screws.

  2. Affix the display module label to the display module.

  3. Install the control panel board in the system chassis and secure with the three Phillips screws. See Figure 3-35.

  4. Connect the display module cable to the control panel board. See Figure 3-35.

  5. Connect the control panel cable to the control panel board. See Figure 3-35.

  6. Close the system. See Closing the System.

  7. Reconnect the system to the power source and turn on the system and attached peripherals.

  8. If applicable, install the bezel.


System Board (Service-only Procedure)

Removing the System Board

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Open the system. SeeOpening the System

  3. If applicable, remove any expansion cards. See Installing an Expansion Card

  4. Remove the expansion-card cage. See Removing the Expansion-Card Cage

  5. Remove the cooling shroud. See Removing the Cooling Shroud.

  6. Remove the fans. See Removing a System Fan.

  7. Remove the fan bracket. See Removing the Fan Bracket

  8. If applicable, remove the RAC card. See Installing a RAC Card

CAUTION: The DIMMs are hot to the touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow time for the DIMMs to cool before handling them. Handle the DIMMs by the card edges and avoid touching the DIMM components.
  1. Remove the memory modules. See Removing Memory Modules.

NOTE: While removing the memory modules, record the memory module socket locations to ensure proper installation.
  1. Remove the heatsink(s) and microprocessor(s). See Removing a Processor.

  2. Remove the TOE key, if present. See Figure 6-2 for the location of the TOE key.

  3. Remove the sideplane. See Removing the Sideplane Board.

  4. Remove the SAS backplane. See Removing the SAS Backplane Board.

  5. Remove the system board:

    1. Pull the system-board tray riser release pin. See Figure 3-36.

    1. While pulling the release pin, slide the system-board tray toward the front of the chassis.

    2. Lift up the system-board tray and remove it from the chassis.

Figure 3-36. System Board Removal

1

system-board tray

2

system-board tray riser release pin

3

system board

4

system-board securing tabs

 

 

 

 

Installing the System Board

CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
  1. Lower the system-board tray until the tray sits flat on the bottom of the chassis.

  2. Ensure that all 17 system-board securing tabs are fully inserted into the 17 system-board securing slots. See Figure 3-36.

  3. Slide the system-board tray toward the back of the chassis until it locks into position.

  4. Replace the SAS backplane. See Installing the SAS Backplane Board.

  5. Replace the sideplane. See Installing the Sideplane Board

  6. Reinstall the TOE key, if applicable. See Figure 6-2 for the TOE key's location.

  7. Replace the heatsink(s) and microprocessor(s). See Installing a Processor.

  8. Replace the memory modules. See Installing Memory Modules.

  9. If applicable, replace the RAC card. See Installing a RAC Card.

  10. Replace the fan bracket. See Replacing the Fan Bracket.

  11. Replace the fans. See Replacing a Cooling Fan.

  12. Replace the cooling shroud. See Installing the Cooling Shroud.

  13. Replace the expansion-card cage. See Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage.

  14. If applicable, replace any expansion cards. See Installing an Expansion Card.

  15. Close the system. See Closing the System.


Back to Contents Page