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Remove the system board

Use this information to remove the system board.

Before removing the system board:
  1. If the server is in a rack, remove it from the rack.

  2. Remove any locking device that secures the server cover, such as a Kensington lock or a pad lock.

  3. Remove the server cover (see Remove the server cover).

  4. Make note of 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. See the related topics in Hardware replacement procedures.
    • Front and rear system fans

    • PCIe adapters

    • DIMMs

    • Heat sink and fan assembly

    • Processor

    • CMOS battery

    • M.2 backplane

    • TPM card (for Chinese Mainland only)

To remove the system board, complete the following steps:

  1. Place the server on the side with the system board facing up.
  2. Remove the eight screws that secure the system board following the recommended numerical sequence as shown; then , carefully remove the system board out of the chassis.
    Figure 1. Screw removal that secures the system board
    Screw removal that secures the system board
  3. Place the old system board on a clean, flat, and static-protective surface.

After removing the system board:

If you are instructed to return the defective component, please package the part to prevent any shipping damage. Reuse the packaging the new part arrived in and follow all packaging instructions.

Important
Before you return the system board, make sure that you install the processor socket dust covers from the new system board. To replace a processor socket dust cover:
  1. Take a dust cover from the processor socket assembly on the new system board and orient it correctly above the processor socket assembly on the removed system board.

  2. Gently press down the dust cover legs to the processor socket assembly, pressing on the edges to avoid damage to the socket pins. You might hear a click on the dust cover is securely attached.

  3. Make sure that the dust cover is securely attached to the processor socket assembly.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube