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Installing optional devices

This chapter provides detailed instructions for installing optional hardware devices in the server.

In addition to the instructions in this chapter for installing optional hardware devices, updating the firmware and device drivers, and completing the installation, Business Partners must also complete the steps in Instructions for Business Partners.

Important: To help ensure that the devices that you install work correctly and do not introduce problems, observe the following precautions.

  1. Make sure that the server and the installed firmware levels support the devices that you are installing. If necessary, update the UEFI and IMM firmware and any other firmware that is stored on the system board. For information about where firmware is stored in the server, see Updating the firmware. For a list of supported optional devices for the server, see the Lenovo ServerProven website.
  2. Use the best practices to apply current firmware and device-driver updates for the server and optional devices. To download the Lenovo System x Firmware Update Best Practices document, go to the IBM System x Firmware Update Best Practices document website. Additional hints and tips are available from the following sites:
  3. Before you install optional hardware devices, make sure that the server is working correctly. Start the server and make sure that the operating system starts, if an operating system is installed, or that a 19990305 error code is displayed, indicating that an operating system was not found but the server is otherwise working correctly. If the server is not working correctly, see Running DSA Preboot diagnostic programs for information about how to run diagnostics.
  4. Follow the installation procedures in this chapter and use the correct tools. Incorrectly installed devices can cause system failure because of damaged pins in sockets or connectors, loose cabling, or loose components.