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Remove the system board

Use this information to remove the system board.

About this task

A system board, also known as the motherboard, provides different connectors or slots to connect different components or peripherals of the system for communication. If the system board fails, it must be replaced.

Attention

  • Read Installation guidelines to ensure that you work safely.

  • Power off the server and disconnect all power cords for this task.

  • 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.

Procedure

  1. Prepare your server.
    1. Remove the top cover. See Remove the top cover.
    2. If your server comes with an air baffle, remove it first. See Remove the air baffle.
    3. If your server comes with a rear drive assembly, remove it first. See Remove the hot-swap rear drive assembly.
    4. Record where the cables are connected to the system board; then, disconnect all the cables.
      Attention
      Disengage all latches, cable clips, release tabs, or locks on cable connectors beforehand. Failing to release them before removing the cables will damage the cable connectors on the system board. Any damage to the cable connectors may require replacing the system board.
    5. Remove any of the following components that are installed on the system board and put them in a safe, static-protective place.
    6. Pull out the power supplies slightly. Ensure that they are disconnected from the system board.
  2. Remove the system board.
    Figure 1. System board removal
    System board removal

    1. Hold the lift handle 1 and lift the release pin 2 at the same time and slide the system board toward the front of the server.
    2. Lift the system board out of the chassis.

After you finish

If you are instructed to return the old system board, follow all packaging instructions and use any packaging materials that are provided.
Important

Before you return the system board, make sure that the CPU socket is covered. There is a CPU external cap covering the CPU socket on the new system board. Slide the CPU external cap out from the CPU socket on the new system board, and install the external cap on the CPU socket on the removed system board.

If you are planning to recycle the system board, follow the instructions in Disassemble hardware for recycle for compliance with local regulations.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube