Remove a Processor

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Caution - Processors should be removed only by an Oracle qualified service technician.

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Caution - Processor removal and replacement must be done using the correct removal/replacement tool; otherwise, damage might result to the processor or the processor socket. For information on how to select the correct removal/replacement tool, see Selecting the Correct Processor Removal/Replacement Tool.

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Caution - Be careful not to touch the processor socket pins. The processor socket pins are very fragile. A light touch can bend the processor socket pins and damage the board beyond repair. Always use the processor removal/replacement tool to remove and replace the processor.

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1. Prepare the server for service.
   1. Power off the server and disconnect the power cords from the power supplies.

      See Powering Down the Server.

   2. Extend the server to the maintenance position.

      See Extend the Server to the Maintenance Position.

   3. Attach an antistatic wrist strap to your wrist, and then to a metal area on the chassis.

      See Take Antistatic Measures.

   4. Remove the server top cover.

      Remove the Server Top Cover.

2. Identify the location of the faulty processor by pressing the Fault Remind button on the motherboard.

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   Note - When the Fault Remind button is pressed, a LED located next to the Fault Remind button lights green to indicate that there is sufficient voltage present in the fault remind circuit to light any fault LEDs that were lit due to a failure. If this LED fails to light when you press the Fault Remind button, it is likely that the capacitor powering the fault remind circuit has lost its charge. This can happen if the Fault Remind button is pressed for a long time with fault LEDs lit or if power has been removed from the server for more than 15 minutes.

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   The processor fault LEDs are located next to the processor(s).

   • If the processor fault LED is off, then the processor is operating properly.

   • If the processor fault LED is on (amber), then the processor is faulty and should be replaced.

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     Note - Processor 0 (P0) is on the left side when viewing the server from the front.

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3. Gently press down on the top of the heatsink to counteract the pressure of the captive spring-loaded screws that secure the heatsink to the motherboard and loosen the four Phillips captive screws in the heatsink for the processor [1].

   Using a No. 2 Phillips screwdriver, turn the screws counterclockwise alternately one and one half turns until they are fully removed.

   
   
4. To separate the heatsink from the top of the processor, gently twist the heatsink left and right, while pulling upward, and then lift off the heatsink and place it upside down on a flat surface [1].

   A thin layer of thermal grease separates the heatsink and the processor. This grease acts as an adhesive.

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   Note - Do not allow the thermal grease to contaminate the work space or other components.

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5. Use an alcohol pad to clean the thermal grease from the underside of the heatsink.

   Be careful not to get the thermal grease on your fingers.

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   Caution - Failure to clean the heatsink prior to removing the processor could result in the accidental contamination of the processor socket or other components. Also, be careful not to get the grease on your fingers as this could result in contamination of components.

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6. Disengage the processor ILM assembly hinge lever on the right side of the processor socket (viewing the server from the front) by pushing down on the lever and moving it to the side away from the processor, and then rotating the lever upward [2].
7. Disengage the processor ILM assembly load lever on the left side of the processor socket (viewing the server from the front) by pushing down on the lever and moving it to the side away from the processor, and then rotating the lever upward [2].
8. To lift the processor ILM assembly load plate off of the processor socket, rotate the ILM hinge lever on the right side of the processor toward the closed position (the ILM load plate is lifted up as the hinge lever is lowered toward the closed position) and carefully swing the ILM load plate to the fully open position [3].

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   Caution - Whenever you remove a processor, you should replace it with another processor and reinstall the processor heatsink; otherwise, the server might overheat due to improper airflow. For instructions for installing a processor, see Install a Processor.

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9. To remove the processor from the processor socket, acquire the correct processor removal/replacement tool and perform the following steps:

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   Caution - Before removing the processor, ensure that you are using the correct color-coded processor removal/replacement tool. For information on how to select the correct processor removal/replacement tool, see Selecting the Correct Processor Removal/Replacement Tool.

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   1. Locate the button in the center of the top of the processor removal/replacement tool and press it to the down position (see Removing a Processor [1]).
   2. Properly position the tool over the processor socket and lower it into place over the processor socket [2].

      To properly position the tool over the processor socket, rotate the tool until the green or pink triangle (depending on which color-coded tool is being used) on the side of the tool is facing the front of the server and it is over the left side of the processor socket when viewing the server from the front.

   3. Press the release lever on the tool to release the center button and engage the processor [3].

      An audible click indicates that the processor is engaged.

   4. Grasp the tool by the sides and remove it from the server [4].
   5. Turn the tool upside down and verify that it contains the processor [5].
   6. While holding the processor tool up side down, press the center button on the tool to release the processor [5].
   7. Carefully grasp the processor by the front and back edges, lift it out of the tool and place it with the circuit side down (the installed orientation) on a clean antistatic mat [6].

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      Caution - Ensure that the antistatic mat is clean and free of debris; otherwise, the processor pins might be damaged.

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   8. Carefully clean the thermal grease off the top of the processor.

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      Caution - The following figure shows the green color-coded processor removal/replacement tool. If you are removing a 12-core processor, you must use the pink color-coded processor removal/replacement tool; otherwise, damage might result to the processor or the processor socket. For information on how to select the correct processor removal/replacement tool, see Selecting the Correct Processor Removal/Replacement Tool.

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      Figure 61 Removing a Processor

      

Related Information

• Install a Processor