Power off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and all external cables. See Power off the server.
Prevent exposure to static electricity, which might lead to system halt and loss of data, by keeping static-sensitive components in their static-protective packages until installation, and handling these devices with an electrostatic-discharge wrist strap or other grounding system.
Remove the M.2 drive with heat sink from the interposer.
Figure 1. Remove the M.2 drive with heat sink
Loosen one screw that secures the M.2 drive.
Lift one side of the drive as illustrated above.
Remove the M.2 drive from the interposer slot.
Remove the M.2 interposer.
Figure 2. Removing M.2 interposer
Loosen four screws that secure the M.2 interposer.
Lift the interposer off the tray.
If necessary, separate the M.2 drive and the heat sink.
Note
Once the heat sink and bottom plate are separated from the M.2 drive, the used thermal pads are not reusable. If the heat sink and bottom plate are to be reused, clean up the thermal pad residue and apply new thermal pads.
Figure 3. Removing M.2 drive
Loosen four screws that secure the heat sink.
Lift the heat sink off the bottom plate.
Lift the drive off the bottom plate.
If the bottom plate and heat sink are to be reused, clean up the residue of the thermal pads.
Figure 4. Cleaning heat sink and bottom plate
Clean up the thermal pad residue on the back of the heat sink with an alcohol cleaning pad.
Peel off the thermal pad on the bottom plate.
Clean up the residue by swiping with an alcohol cleaning towel in one direction.
After you finish
If you are instructed to return the component or optional device, follow all packaging instructions, and use any packaging materials for shipping that are supplied to you.