Remove the Motherboard

Caution:

Use the Oracle ILOM backup utility prior to removing the motherboard. This utility backs up the Oracle ILOM configuration of the service processor. For more information, see the Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) 5.1 documentation at Servers Documentation Systems Management.

1. Prepare the server for service.
   1. Power off the server, disconnect the power cords from the power supplies, and label each power cord that you disconnect.

      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.

      See Remove the Server Top Cover.

2. Remove all cables from the reusable components listed in the following step, and label each cable upon removal.

   Labeling removed cables helps with cable replacement later.

3. Remove the following reusable components:

   Caution:

   During the motherboard removal procedure, it is important to label power supplies with the slot numbers from which they were removed (PS0, PS1). This is required because the power supplies must be reinstalled into the slots from which they were removed; otherwise, the server key identity properties (KIP) data might be lost. When a server requires service, the KIP is used by Oracle to verify that the warranty on the server has not expired. For more information on KIP, see Key Identity Properties (KIP) Automated Update.

   • Air baffles

   • Fan modules

     See Remove a Fan Module.

   • Power supplies

     See Remove a Power Supply.

   • PCIe risers and attached PCIe cards

     See Servicing PCIe Risers and Servicing PCIe Cards.

4. Remove cables from the motherboard.
   1. Disconnect the disk backplane power cable from the motherboard by pressing in on the connector latch and then pulling out the cable connector [1].
      
      
      
   2. Disconnect the disk backplane data cable by opening the ejectors and pulling out the cable connector [2].
   3. Disconnect the front indicator module (FIM) cable connector by opening the ejectors and pulling out the cable connector [2].
   4. Disconnect the NVMe cables and carefully lift them from the left-side and center cable troughs and set them aside [3].

      Note:

      You do not need to remove the NVMe cables or the chassis mid-wall when removing the motherboard from the server chassis.
5. Remove the motherboard from the server chassis.
   1. Using a Torx T25 screwdriver, loosen the green captive screw that secures the motherboard bracket/handle to the server chassis [4].
   2. Grasp the motherboard handle located just to the rear of the DIMM slots and the finger loop, and then slide the motherboard toward the front of the server and lift it slightly to disengage it from the eight mushroom-shaped standoffs located on the server chassis under the motherboard [5].
   3. Lift the motherboard out of the server chassis and place it on an antistatic mat and next to the replacement motherboard [6].
6. Remove the following reusable components from the motherboard and install them onto the replacement motherboard.

   • DIMMs

     See Servicing the DIMMs.

     Note:

     Install the DIMMs only in the slots (connectors) that correspond to the slots from which they were removed. Performing a one-to-one replacement of the DIMMs significantly reduces the possibility that the DIMMs will be installed in the wrong slots. If you do not reinstall the DIMMs in the same slots, server performance might suffer and some DIMMs might not be used by the server.

   • OCP Network Interface Card

     See Servicing the OCP Network Interface Card.

7. Remove the processors from the failed motherboard.

   See Identify and Remove a Processor.

8. Remove the processor socket covers from the replacement motherboard and install the processors.
   1. Grasp the processor socket cover finger grips (labeled REMOVE) and lift the socket cover up and off the processor socket.
      
      
      
   2. Install a processor into the socket from which you removed the processor socket cover.
      See Install a Processor
   3. Repeat Step 8.a and Step 8.b to remove the second processor socket cover from the replacement motherboard and install the second processor.
9. Install the processor socket covers on the faulty motherboard.

   Caution:

   The processor socket covers must be installed on the faulty motherboard; otherwise, damage might result to the processor sockets during handling and shipping.
   1. Align the processor socket cover over the processor socket alignment posts. Install the processor socket cover by firmly pressing down on all four corners (labeled INSTALL) on the socket cover.

      You will hear an audible click when the processor socket cover is securely attached to the processor socket.

      
      
      
   2. Repeat Step 9.a to install the second processor socket cover on the faulty motherboard.
10. Check to see if the replacement motherboard has a locate light pipe installed.

    • If it does, no action is necessary.

    • If it does not, perform the following steps.

    1. Check to see if the replacement motherboard came with a light pipe. It should be in a separate plastic bag.

       • If you find a replacement light pipe, skip to 10.b.

       • If you do not find a replacement light pipe, perform the following steps to remove the light pipe from the faulty motherboard.

       1. Insert a flat tool such as a screwdriver or penknife blade between the light pipe housing and the light pipe.

          Caution:

          Equipment damage. The light pipe is fragile. Handle it carefully.
          
          
          
       2. Twist the tool back and forth to release the light pipe from the housing.
       3. Pull the light pipe away from the housing.
    2. Install the light pipe on the replacement motherboard.
       1. Match the rectangular holes on the outside of the light pipe with the retaining clips on the housing.
          
          
       2. Push the light pipe onto the housing until the clips latch in the holes.

Replaceable Components