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Removing an adapter from a PCI riser-card assembly

Use this information to remove an adapter from a PCI expansion slot in a PCI riser-card assembly. These instructions apply to PCI adapters such as video graphic adapters and network adapters.

The following table shows the locations of the adapter expansion slots from the rear of the server.
Table 1. The maximum adapter dimension supported in each slot (rear view).

PCI riser-card assembly 1PCI riser-card assembly 2
1Full height, up to full length4Full height, up to full length
2Full height, half length5Full height, up to full length
3Full height, half length6Full height, half length
Note
If you are replacing a high power graphics adapter, you might need to disconnect the internal power cable from the system board before removing the adapter.

To remove an adapter, complete the following steps:

  1. Read the safety information that begins on Safety and Installation guidelines.
  2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect all power cords; then, remove the cover (see Removing the cover).
  3. Remove the PCI riser-card assembly that contains the adapter (see Removing a PCI riser-card assembly).
    • If you are removing an adapter from PCI expansion slot 1, 2, or 3, remove PCI riser-card assembly 1.
    • If you are removing an adapter from PCI expansion slot 4, 5, or 6, remove PCI riser-card assembly 2.
    Figure 1. Adapter removal
    Adapter removal
  4. Disconnect any cables from the adapter (make note of the cable routing, in case you reinstall the adapter later).
  5. Carefully grasp the adapter by its top edge or upper corners, and pull the adapter from the PCI expansion slot.
  6. If the adapter is a full-length adapter in the upper expansion slot of the PCI riser-card assembly and you do not intend to replace it with another full-length adapter, remove the full-length-adapter bracket and store it on the underside of the top of the PCI riser-card assembly.
  7. If you are instructed to return the adapter, follow all packaging instructions, and use any packaging materials for shipping that are supplied to you.