PCI Riser Card insertion issue - IBM System x3690 X5

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H197348

Symptom

If the PCI riser card, Option part number 49Y5285, is inadvertently installed at a significantly large angle, and then slid through the card edge connector on the main system board, damage may be incurred by system board connector pins. Unexpected PCIe behavior, logged events, and a lit PCI Light Path Diagnostics (LPD) Light Emitting Diode (LED) may result.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• System x3690 X5, type 7148, any model
• System x3690 X5, type 7149, any model

This tip is not software specific.

This tip is not option specific.

Workaround

The riser card should be installed flat.

Improper install method. The card should not be installed at an angle.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Note: That when installed on an angle the card edge can enter the planar connector several contacts from the end. If the card is then slid back in the connector when installed, the planar connector can be damaged.

Figure 3

Close up view of potential pin damage.

Figure 4

Proper method for installing the card is to hold it flat and push it straight down into the planar connector.

Additional information

The issue only occurs if the card is installed at a significant angle. If the card is installed improperly, then damage to the system system board can occur. The system board replacement part number (FRU) is 49Y9497.