Removing the base function system backplane from the 8247-42L, 8286-41A, or 8286-42A

Learn how to remove the base function system backplane from a server to replace a failing part or as part of another service procedure.

1. Ensure that you have the electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap on and that the ESD clip is connected to an unpainted metal surface. If not, do so now.
2. Remove the hinged air baffle. For instructions, see Opening the air baffle and Removing the air baffle.
3. Remove the fan cage. For instructions, see Removing a fan cage.
4. Remove the cover from the front SAS cable. Grasp the handle (A) and pull away from the side of the system, then slide the cover toward the rear to remove it as shown in Figure 1.
   Figure 1. Removing the SAS cables cover

   
5. Label the front SAS cables, paying attention to the connectors each cable attaches to on the disk drive backplane and the SAS RAID internal adapter. Disconnect the front SAS cables from the disk drive backplane by pressing the latch (A) and unplugging the cable as shown in Figure 2.
   Figure 2. Disconnecting the front SAS cables

   
6. Label and remove the signal, and control panel cables (A), and the power Y cable (B), from the disk drive backplane and system backplane. Refer to Figure 3.
   Figure 3. Removing the power, signal, and control panel cables

   
7. Carefully unscrew the disk drive backplane's captive thumbscrews (A) until fully loose as shown in Figure 4.
8. Tilt the disk drive backplane in the direction that is shown and then slide it to the side so that the disk drive backplane cutouts clear the tabs in the chassis.
9. Remove the disk drive backplane.
   Figure 4. Removing the disk drive backplane

   
10. Label and remove each PCIe3 x8 SAS RAID internal adapter 6 Gb and the front SAS cables. For instructions, see Removing the PCIe3 x8 SAS RAID internal adapter 6 Gb.
11. Remove the time-of-day battery. For instructions, see Removing the time-of-day battery.
12. Remove the VPD card. For instructions, see Removing the vital product data card.
13. Remove the USB cable cover on the side of the system chassis. Grasp the top handle of the cover and pull out and away from the side of the chassis. Push the cover toward the rear of the system until the slots on the cover clear the pins on the side of the chassis, then remove the cover. See Figure 5.
    Figure 5. Removing the USB cable cover

    
14. Disconnect the front USB cable from the system backplane and route it over the side of the system and out of the way to provide clearance for removing the system backplane. See Figure 6.
    Figure 6. Disconnecting the front USB cable

    
15. Disconnect and remove the power distribution signal cable (A) from the rear of the power supply assembly and the system backplane connector. See Figure 7.
    Figure 7. Removing the power distribution signal cable

    
16. Label and remove the memory modules. For instructions, see Removing memory.
17. Remove the system I/O card. For instructions, see Removing the system I/O card with the power turned off.
18. Remove the rear USB cable. For instructions, see Removing the rear USB cable.
19. If your system is an 8247-42L, label and remove any graphics processing unit (GPU) adapters that are installed in PCIe adapter slot locations C3 and C6. Otherwise, skip this step.
    1. Disconnect the adapter power cable (A) from the power distribution board. See Figure 8.
       Figure 8. Disconnecting the GPU adapter power cable

       
    2. Remove the rear shield by pulling out the two plastic push-pins (A), then tilt the shield up to remove it. See Figure 9.
       Figure 9. Removing the GPU adapter rear shield

       
    3. Open the adapter latch (A) at the target slot by rotating the latch (A) at the rear of the system, in the direction shown. Pull up the locking latch (B) in the direction that is shown and remove the GPU adapter from its slot. See Figure 10.
       Figure 10. Removing the GPU adapter

       
20. Label and remove the PCI adapters. For instructions, see Removing a PCI adapter with the power turned off.
21. Remove the PCI adapter dividers.
    Note: The PCI adapter divider between PCI adapter slots P1-C1 and P1-C2 is unique and has three light pipes. This divider must be replaced into the same location.
    1. Hold the top edge of the PCI adapter divider (A) and flex the divider out of the bracket and toward the rest of the divider. Figure 11.
    2. Press down on the retaining latch at the back edge of the divider (B). Pull the divider away from the system chassis, then lift out to remove it from the system.
    3. Repeat step 21 for removing the remaining PCI adapter dividers.
       Figure 11. Removing the PCI adapter dividers

       
22. If your system is an 8286-41A and the plastic air flow assembly is covering one of the system backplane screws, remove the plastic air flow assembly to access the screw, otherwise skip this step.
    1. Grasp and lift the air duct, as shown in Figure 12.
       Figure 12. Removing the air duct

       
    2. Remove the front inner guide by carefully prying the top, side, and bottom edges away from the sheetmetal opening with a flat blade screwdriver. Pull the guide out of the opening, and lift out of the system, as shown in Figure 13.
       Figure 13. Removing the front inner guide

       
    3. Remove the front baffle bracket by pushing the bracket through the hole (A) in the sheetmetal with a screwdriver, then slide the bracket to left and pull the bracket away from the sheetmetal, as shown in Figure 14.
       Figure 14. Removing the front baffle bracket

       
23. If your system is an 8286-41A, you must remove the rear air baffle and rear air baffle guide so that they can be installed on the replacement system backplane during the replace procedure. If your system is not an 8286-41A, skip this step.
    1. Remove the three screws that secure the top cover attach bracket by using a T-10 Torx driver. Then, remove the top cover attach bracket, as shown in Figure 15.
       Figure 15. Removing the top cover attach bracket

       
    2. Grasp and lift the rear air baffle, as shown in Figure 16.
       Figure 16. Removing the rear air baffle

       
    3. Remove the rear air baffle guide by pressing the rear air baffle guide latch and lifting the rear air baffle guide, as shown in Figure 17.
       Figure 17. Removing the rear air baffle guide

       
    4. Install the top cover attach bracket. Then, install and tighten the three screws that secure the top cover attach bracket by using a T-10 Torx driver, as shown in Figure 18.
       Figure 18. Installing the top cover attach bracket

       
24. Remove the system backplane.
    1. Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew and remove 10 black screws (A) that mount the system backplane to the chassis as shown in Figure 19.
    2. Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew and remove two silver screws (B) as shown in Figure 19.
       Figure 19. Location of system backplane screws

       
    3. Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew and remove screw (A). See Figure 20.
    4. Unscrew the captive thumbscrew (C) until fully loose. See Figure 20.
    5. Slide the system backplane in the direction that is shown in Figure 20, then lift it up to remove it. Place the system backplane on an ESD surface.
       Figure 20. Removing the system backplane