How to Replace the Motherboard

The server can be powered off remotely or on the hardware itself.

Remote Power Down: Login to the server to power it off.

shutdown -h now;exit

Hardware Power Down: Press and hold the power switch for at least three seconds, as annotated.

Disconnect the Mini-SAS cable by pulling on the pull-tab, as shown.

Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the server.

Press the tab on the end of the cable to release it.

Disconnect the 10G SFP+ cable by pulling on the pull-tab, as shown.

Pull the retention plunger upwards.

Grasp the server as shown.

Remove the server from the rack.

Engage the two thumbscrews.

Unscrew the two thumbscrews.

Engage the riser cage, as shown.

Lift the cage upwards.

Engage the HDD SATA / power connector, as shown.

Disconnect the cable.

The SATA connector has a retention tab. It must be depressed to release the connector.

Press the four nylon NIC retention tabs downwards, as shown.

Exerting too much force may damage the tabs. Press each tab lightly.

Lift the NIC up and away from the front of the server.

Engage the server lid, as shown.

Push the lid towards the rear of the server.

Lift the cover.

The heatsink may be hot. Take care when handling the CPU heatsink.

Loosen four Phillips #2 screws. Select screws in a diagonal order.

To loosen, use about two screwdriver rotations.

Apply a small amount of pressure on the corner of the heatsink near each screw being loosened.

After two screwdriver rotations, completely loosen all four heatsink screws.

Engage the heatsink, as shown.

Lift the heatsink away from the CPU.

Remove the second heatsink.

The process to remove the second heatsink is identical to the first heatsink.

Press the CPU retention lever down and away from the CPU.

The CPU socket retention lever is spring loaded. Keep pressure on the lever as it lifts.

Release the left CPU retention lever.

Engage the CPU bracket, as shown.

Rotate the CPU bracket towards the middle of the server.

Engage the CPU, as shown.

Lift the CPU away from its socket.

Remove the remaining CPU.

Engage the thumbscrew, as shown.

Loosen the thumbscrew.

Push the middle plane board towards the rear of the server.

Screw in the thumbscrew.

This secures the middle plane board to allow for motherboard serviceability.

Slide the motherboard towards the rear of the chassis.

There are eight motherboard guide keys to free the motherboard from the chassis.

Lift the motherboard away from the chassis.

Install the DIMMs into their respective slots.

When installing DIMMs, be aware of the orientation of the slot key. If the DIMM is not seating correctly, it is possible the DIMM needs to be rotated.

Install the CPUs that were previously removed.

When installing CPU, be aware of the orientation of the CPU socket. The arrows on the CPU and the CPU socket must align. If the CPU is not seated correctly, it is possible to damage the CPU socket pins.

Install the two heatsinks.

Heatsink installation is opposite of its removal process.

Install the lid on the server.

Lid installation is opposite of the removal process.

Install the riser cage.

Riser cage installation is opposite of the removal process.

Place the server in the slot where it was previously removed.

Push the server into the slot.

Do not use the chassis handle as it could pinch your hand.

Connect the Ethernet cable to the RJ45 port on the server motherboard.

Connect the 10G SFP+ cable to the network interface controller port.

A distinctive 'click' will be audible when the cable is seated correctly.

Connect the Mini-SAS cable to the RAID controller.

Press the power button.