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Installing System Board Options

Dell™ PowerVault™ 715N Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide

  Removing and Replacing the Fan Assembly

  Expansion Card

  Adding Memory

  Microprocessor Upgrades

  Replacing the System Battery


This section describes how to install the following options:

Use Figure 5-1 to locate the system board features.

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For You and Your System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

Figure 5-1. System Board Features

Removing and Replacing the Fan Assembly

The fan assembly, which is located behind IDE hard drive 1, contains one fan.

Removing the Fan Assembly

  1. Turn off the system.

  2. Remove the system cover.

  3. Lift the fan out of the chassis carefully, making sure that the connector disconnects from the system board (see Figure 5-2).

Figure 5-2. Removing the Fan Assembly

Replacing the Fan Assembly

  1. Align the fan assembly with its connector on the system board and the peg on the chassis.

  2. Push down on the fan assembly until it is connected to the system board.

  3. Replace the system cover.

  4. Turn on the system.

Expansion Card

The system has capacity for one, low-profile PCI expansion card. You install the card by using a riser card (see Figure 5-3).

Installing an Expansion Card

To install an expansion card, perform the following steps.

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For You and Your System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the cover (see "Removing and Replacing the System Cover" in "Troubleshooting Your System").

CAUTION: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your System Information document.
  1. Open the expansion-card latch and remove the filler bracket.

NOTE: Keep this bracket in case you need to remove the expansion card. Installing a filler bracket over an empty expansion slot is necessary 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. Without removing the riser card, insert the card firmly into the expansion-card connector on the riser card until the card is fully seated (see Figure 5-3).

  2. Close the expansion-card latch (see Figure 5-3).

Figure 5-3. Installing the Expansion Card

  1. Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.

  2. Replace the system cover, and then reconnect the system and peripherals to the power source and turn on the system.

Removing an Expansion Card

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For You and Your System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the cover.

See "Removing and Replacing the System Cover" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  1. Disconnect any cables connected to the expansion card.

  2. Rotate the expansion-card latch away from the expansion card to release the card.

  3. Grasp the expansion card and carefully pull it away from the riser-card connector.

  4. If you are removing the card permanently, install a metal filler bracket over the empty card-slot opening.

NOTE: Installing a filler bracket over an empty expansion slot is necessary 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. Rotate the expansion card latch to the closed position.

  2. Replace the system cover, and then reconnect the system and peripherals to the power source and turn on the system.

Adding Memory

The two memory module sockets on the system board can accommodate a minimum of 128 MB of registered SDRAM. The memory module sockets are located near the back edge of the system board (see Figure 5-1), behind hard drive 2.

Memory Upgrade Kits

You can upgrade the system by installing combinations of registered memory modules. If you receive an error message stating that maximum memory has been exceeded, see "Indicators, Messages, and Codes" for more information. You can purchase memory upgrade kits from Dell.

NOTE: The memory modules must be PC-133 compliant.

Memory Module Installation Guidelines

NOTE: Parts of this procedure require you to use the console redirection function on the serial port. See your System Administrator's Guide for information about connecting to the system through console redirection.

Performing a Memory Upgrade

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For You and Your System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
CAUTION: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your System Information document.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the cover.

See "Removing and Replacing the System Cover" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  1. Locate the memory module sockets in which you want to install or replace memory module pairs.

Figure 5-1 shows the location of the memory module sockets.

  1. Install or replace the memory module(s) as necessary to reach the desired memory total (see "Installing Memory Modules" or "Removing Memory Modules").

  2. Replace the system cover, reconnect the system to the electrical outlet, and turn on system.

  3. (Optional) Press <F2> to enter the BIOS Setup utility, and check the Extd Memory setting on the Standard CMOS Setup screen. The system should have already changed the value in the Extd Memory setting to reflect the newly installed memory.

NOTE: If you use a version of Microsoft® Windows® 2000 earlier than Service Pack 2, the function keys do not work. You must press <Esc><2>.
  1. If the Extd Memory value is incorrect, one or more of the memory modules might not be installed properly. Repeat step 2 through step 5, checking to make sure that the memory modules are firmly seated in their sockets.

  2. Run the system memory test in the System Diagnostics.

  3. Close the front bezel.

Installing Memory Modules

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For You and Your System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
CAUTION: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your System Information document.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the cover (see "Removing and Replacing the System Cover" in "Troubleshooting Your System").

  3. Locate the memory module sockets in which you want to install or replace the memory module(s).

Figure 5-1 shows the location of the memory module sockets.

  1. Press down and outward on the ejectors on the memory module socket, as shown in Figure 5-4, to allow the memory module to be inserted into the socket.

Figure 5-4. Installing and Removing a Memory Module

  1. Align the memory module's edge connector with the alignment keys of the memory module socket, and insert the memory module in the socket (see Figure 5-4).

The memory module socket has two alignment keys that allow 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 (see Figure 5-4).

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 with memory modules installed.

  1. Repeat step 4 through step 6 of this procedure to install the remaining memory modules.

  2. Perform step 5 through step 9 of "Performing a Memory Upgrade."

Removing Memory Modules

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For You and Your System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
CAUTION: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your System Information document.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the cover.

See "Removing and Replacing the System Cover" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

  1. Locate the memory module sockets in which you want to remove memory modules.

Figure 5-1 shows the location of the memory module sockets.

  1. Press down and outward on the ejectors on each end of the socket until the memory module pops out of the socket (see Figure 5-4).

Microprocessor Upgrades

To take advantage of future options in speed and functionality, you can replace the processor.

Each processor and its associated Level 2 (L2) cache memory are contained in a pin grid array (PGA) package that is installed in a ZIF socket on the system board. The following subsection describes how to install or replace the microprocessor.

Replacing a Microprocessor

The following items are included in the microprocessor upgrade kit:

NOTE: Dell recommends that only a technically knowledgeable person should perform this procedure.
  1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

  2. Remove the cover.

See "Removing and Replacing the System Cover" in "Troubleshooting Your System."

CAUTION: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your System Information document.
  1. Press down on the heat-sink securing clip to release the clip from the retaining tab on the ZIF socket (see Figure 5-5).

  2. Remove the securing clip.

CAUTION: Never remove the heat sink from a microprocessor unless you intend to remove the microprocessor. The heat sink is necessary to maintain proper thermal conditions.
CAUTION: The microprocessor and heat sink can become extremely hot. Be sure the microprocessor has had sufficient time to cool before handling.

Figure 5-5. Securing Clip

  1. Remove the heat sink.

  2. Pull the socket release lever straight up until the microprocessor is released (see Figure 5-5).

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

NOTICE: Be careful not to bend any of the pins when removing the microprocessor. Bending the pins can permanently damage the microprocessor.
  1. Unpack the new microprocessor.

If any of the pins on the microprocessor appear bent, see "Getting Help" for information about obtaining technical assistance from Dell.

  1. Align the pin-1 corner of the microprocessor with the pin-1 corner of the microprocessor socket (see Figure 5-5).

NOTE: Identifying the pin-1 corners is critical to positioning the microprocessor correctly.

Identify the pin-1 corner of the microprocessor by locating the tiny gold triangle that extends from one corner of the large central rectangular area. The gold triangle points toward pin 1, which is also uniquely identified by a square pad.

  1. Install the microprocessor in the socket (see Figure 5-5).

NOTICE: Positioning the microprocessor incorrectly can permanently damage the microprocessor and the system when you turn on the system. When placing the microprocessor in the socket, be sure that all of the pins on the microprocessor enter the corresponding holes. Be careful not to bend the pins.

If the release lever on the microprocessor socket is not positioned all the way up, move it to that position.

With the pin-1 corners of the microprocessor and socket aligned, set the microprocessor lightly in the socket and make sure all pins are matched with the correct holes in the socket. Because the system uses a ZIF micro-processor socket, do not use force, which could bend the pins if the microprocessor is misaligned. When the microprocessor is positioned correctly, it drops down into the socket with minimal pressure.

When the microprocessor is fully seated in the socket, rotate the socket release lever back down until it snaps into place, securing the microprocessor.

  1. Place the new heat sink on top of the microprocessor (see Figure 5-5).

  2. Orient the securing clip as shown in Figure 5-5.

  3. Hook the end of the clip without the heat-sink latch to the tab on the edge of the socket facing the front of the system.

  4. Push down and pivot the heat-sink latch until the hole on the clip latches onto the ZIF socket tab.

  5. Make sure that the latches engage.

  6. Replace the system cover.

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

  8. Press <F2> to enter the BIOS Setup utility, and check that the processor information matches the new system configuration.

NOTE: If you use a version of Windows 2000 earlier than Service Pack 2, the function keys do not work. You must press <Esc><2>.

See the system User's Guide for instructions.

  1. As the system boots, it detects the presence of the new processor and automatically changes the system configuration information in the BIOS Setup utility.

  2. Enter the BIOS Setup utility, and confirm that the top line in the system data area correctly identifies the installed processor(s).

See "Using the BIOS Setup Utility" in your User's Guide.

  1. Run the System Diagnostics to verify that the new microprocessor operates correctly.

See "Running System Diagnostics" for information about running the diagnostics and troubleshooting any problems that might occur.

Replacing the System Battery

NOTE: Parts of this procedure require you to use the console redirection function on the serial port. See your System Administrator's Guide for information about connecting to the system through console redirection.

The system battery maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special section of memory when you turn off the system. The operating life of the battery ranges from 2 to 5 years, depending on how you use the system (for example, if you keep the system turned on most of the time, the battery gets little use and, thus, lasts longer).

You might need to replace the battery if an incorrect time or date displays during the boot routine along with a message about wrong time, invalid configuration information, or bad CMOS checksum.

To determine if you need to replace the battery:

  1. Re-enter the time and date through the BIOS Setup utility.

  2. Turn off and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet for a few hours.

  3. Reconnect and turn the system on again.

  4. Enter the BIOS Setup utility.

If the date and time are not correct in the BIOS Setup utility, replace the battery.

NOTE: Some software might cause the system time to speed up or slow down. If the system seems to operate normally except for the time kept in the BIOS Setup utility, the problem might be caused by software rather than by a defective battery.
NOTE: If the system is turned off for long periods of time (for weeks or months), the SDRAM might lose its system configuration information. This situation is not caused by a defective battery.

You can operate the system without a battery; however, the system configuration information maintained by the battery in SDRAM is erased each time you shut down the system. Therefore, you must re-enter the system configuration information and reset the options each time the system boots until you replace the battery. The battery is a 3.0-volt (V) battery.

To remove the battery, perform the following steps.

CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For You and Your System" in "Troubleshooting Your System."
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.
  1. Enter the BIOS Setup utility and, if possible, make a printed copy of the BIOS Setup screens.

See "Using the BIOS Setup Utility," in the User's Guide for instructions.

  1. Shut down the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.

CAUTION: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your System Information document.
  1. Remove the system cover.

  2. Locate the battery (see Figure 5-1 for the battery location).

  3. Pull the tab back on the battery socket and remove the battery out of its socket with your fingers.

  4. Pull the tab back on the battery socket and place the new battery with the side labeled "+" facing up (see Figure 5-6).

Figure 5-6. Installing the Battery

  1. Replace the system cover, and then reconnect the system and peripherals to the power source and turn on the system power.

  2. Enter the BIOS Setup utility to confirm that the battery operates properly.

  3. Enter the correct time and date through the BIOS Setup utility's Standard CMOS Setup settings.

Also, re-enter any system configuration information that is no longer displayed on the BIOS Setup screens, and then exit the BIOS Setup utility.

  1. To test the newly installed battery, shut down and disconnect the system from the power source for at least an hour.

  2. After an hour, connect the system to a power source and turn on the power.

  3. Enter the BIOS Setup utility and if the time and date are still incorrect, see "Getting Help" for information about obtaining technical assistance.

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