30/03/2011

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Removing and Replacing Parts: Dell PowerEdge 6450

Systems Service Manual
Overview

Power Supplies

Front Bezel

Power Input Cable Assembly

Control Panel Assembly

Power-Supply Paralleling Board (PSPB)

Panel Doors

Expansion Cards

Top-Cover Panel

PCI Insulator

Cooling Fan Assembly

DIMMs

Diskette Drive

Microprocessor and Heat Sink

CD-ROM Drive

Battery

Hard-Disk Drives

System Board

SCSI Backplane Board

Microprocessor Guide Brackets

Overview
This section provides procedures for removing and replacing parts inside the computer. Before you start
any of the procedures in this section, perform the following steps:
Perform the troubleshooting tests outlined in the system Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.
Perform the procedures described in "Using the System Setup Program."
Read the safety instructions in "Safety Instructions."
You need the following items to perform the procedures in this section:
Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD and a blank, formatted 3.5-inch diskette; the CD
contains the two following system user documents in HTML format:
User's Guide
Installation and Troubleshooting Guide
Key to the system keylock
#2 Phillips screwdriver
1/4-inch nut driver, preferably with magnetic insert
T25 Torx driver
After you perform an upgrade or replace a system component, you should run the Dell Diagnostics and
select the appropriate diagnostic device group(s) or subtest(s). The diagnostics test(s) will analyze the
new component to make sure that it is functioning properly.

Front Bezel
NOTE: The front bezel locks to prevent unauthorized access to the hot-pluggable hard-disk
drives and the power button. The lock also secures the front bezel to the chassis.

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drives and the power button. The lock also secures the
front bezel to the chassis.
Unlocking the Front Bezel
1. If the front bezel door is locked, access the bezel lock by pushing in on the product identification
badge on the front bezel (see Figure 1).
The lock access panel unlatches.
2. Open the lock access panel and unlock the bezel.
Removing the Front Bezel
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Unlock the front bezel.
3. Use your fingertips to gently pry loose the four sides of the bezel and pull the bezel straight out from
the chassis (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Removing the Front Bezel
1 Bezel lock
2 Ball studs (4)
3 Front bezel
4 Product ID badge

Replacing the Front Bezel

1. Align the four ball studs on the back of the bezel with the clips on the front of the chassis.
2. Press the bezel into place until it snaps into position.
3. Lock the front bezel door.

Control Panel Assembly

Removing the Control Panel Assembly
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Remove the front bezel.
3. Remove the screw securing the control panel assembly to the front of the chassis (see Figure 2).
4. Slide the control panel assembly upward to disengage it from the chassis hooks.
5. Disconnect the ribbon cable from its connector on the left side of the control panel assembly.

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Figure 2. Removing the Control Panel Assembly

1 Control panel assembly

2 Screw
3 System-board data cable

Panel Doors
The computer has two panel doors on the top of the system that provide access to the system board,
memory board, microprocessors, and expansion cards. The right panel door provides access to the
expansion slots; the left panel door opens to the microprocessor and memory board (see Figure 3). The
doors interlock so that the keylock on the right-side panel door secures both doors and the fan assembly.
NOTE: The panel doors lock to prevent unauthorized access to internal system components.
Opening the Panel Doors
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn the keylock on the top of the chassis to the unlocked position (designated by the open lock
icon).
If necessary, unlock the keylock using the system key (see Figure 3).
NOTE: You can open the right panel door without powering down the system. This allows you to
remove and replace hot-plug expansion cards. However, before you open the left panel door,
you must power down.
2. Press the two slide latches to release the right door, and lift the door open.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before opening the left panel door. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
3. Lift the left door open.
When closing the panel doors, be sure to close the left door first and then the right door so that the right
door overlays the left door. The doors must be in this position for the keylock to secure both doors
properly.
Figure 3. Accessing the Interior of Your System
1 Keylock
2 Left panel door
3 Right panel door
4 Slide latches (2)

In Figure 4, the panel doors on the top of the computer are open to provide an interior view. Figure 4 also
shows an exploded view of several components that provide access to other components inside the
chassis. Refer to this illustration to identify interior features and components discussed later in this guide.

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chassis. Refer to this illustration to identify interior features and components discussed later in this guide.
The system board holds the computer's control circuitry and other electronic components. The SCSI
backplane board connects the system's hard-disk drives to a SCSI host adapter on the system board or
on an expansion card. Cables leading from the PSPB provide power to the system board, SCSI
backplane board, and externally accessible drives.
For non-SCSI drives such as the diskette drive, an interface cable connects each drive to an interface
connector on the system board or on an expansion card. For SCSI devices, interface cables connect
externally accessible SCSI devices and the SCSI backplane board to a SCSI host adapter either on the
system board or on an expansion card.
During an installation or troubleshooting procedure, you may be required to change a jumper or switch
setting. For information on the system board jumpers, see "Jumpers, Switches, and Connectors."
Figure 4. Inside the System (Left-Rear View)
1 Cooling fan assembly
2 Power supplies (3)
3 Microprocessor(s)
4 PCI expansion slots
5 System board
6 Memory board
7 PCI insulator
8 SCSI backplane board
9 Top-cover panel

Top-Cover Panel
Removing the Top-Cover Panel
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Remove the front bezel.
3. Remove the six screws securing the top-cover panel to the chassis.
4. Lift the panel from the chassis.
Figure 5. Removing the Top-Cover Panel
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Figure 5. Removing the Top-Cover Panel

1 Top-cover panel
2 Screws (6)

Cooling Fan Assembly

A cooling fan assembly is mounted in the middle of the chassis, just behind the power supplies and the
drive bays.
NOTICE: You can hot-plug the cooling fan assembly only if you immediately install a
replacement assembly. Removing the fan assembly from a running system for any period of
time beyond what is needed for immediate replacement can result in system overheating.
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
The fan assembly is hot-pluggable, which means that you can remove the entire fan assembly and replace
it with another fan assembly while the system is running.
Removing the Cooling Fan Assembly
To remove the cooling fan assembly, grasp the recessed grip slot at the top of the fan assembly, press in
on the release lever inside the slot, and lift up to remove the fan assembly from the system (see Figure 6).
Figure 6. Removing the Cooling Fan Assembly
1 Grip slot (release lever inside the slot)
2 Cooling fan assembly

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NOTICE: Do not use excessive force when sliding the cooling fan assembly into the chassis.
To install a fan assembly, slide the assembly down into place, making sure that the electrical connector at
the bottom of the assembly is fully seated in its connector on the PSPB. To ensure a complete connection,
the top of the fan assembly must be flush with the top-cover panel.

Diskette Drive
Figure 7 shows the hardware devices for the diskette drive installed in the system. Refer to this figure
when necessary while servicing the diskette drive. To identify the appropriate components when
connecting cables, see "System Board Connectors" and "PSPB Connectors."
Figure 7. Diskette Drive Hardware

1 Interposer board
2 Diskette drive
3 PSPB
4 System board
5 Diskette drive interface connector (FLOPPY)
6 Diskette/CD-ROM drive DC power connector (FD)
7 Diskette drive interface cable
8 Diskette drive DC power cable
Replacing the Diskette Drive
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more

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disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Remove the front bezel.
3. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.
4. Remove the cooling fan assembly.
5. Remove the top-cover panel.
6. Inside the chassis, detach the diskette drive interface cable and DC power cable from the interposer
board at the back of the diskette drive bracket (see Figure 7).
7. Remove the control panel assembly.
NOTE: It is not necessary to disconnect the ribbon cable from the connector on the left
side of the control panel assembly.
8. Remove the screw at the front of the diskette drive bracket, and pull the drive assembly forward out
of the slot (see Figure 8).
Figure 8. Removing the Diskette Drive Assembly
1 Control panel assembly
2 Diskette drive
3 Diskette drive bracket
4 Interposer board
5 Diskette drive slot

8. Disconnect the interface cable from the back of the diskette drive.
9. Press down on the bracket latch to release the drive, and pull the drive away from the bracket (see
Figure 8).
10. Install the new diskette drive on the bracket.
11. Attach the cable on the interposer card to the back of the diskette drive.
12. Insert the diskette drive assembly into the diskette drive slot.
NOTE: Position the flat side of the diskette drive bracket against the left wall of the diskette
drive slot and slowly slide the assembly into the chassis. When the assembly extends into
the chassis approximately 1 inch, the bracket should engage the slide tracks on the slot
wall.

13. Replace the screw at the front of the diskette drive bracket to secure the diskette drive assembly in
the chassis.
14. Inside the chassis, attach the diskette drive interface cable and DC power cable to the interposer
card at the back of the diskette drive bracket.
15. Reattach the control panel to the chassis.
16. Replace the top-cover panel.
17. Replace the cooling fan assembly.

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17. Replace the cooling fan assembly.

18. Replace the front bezel.
19. Close and lock the panel doors.
20. Reconnect the computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.

CD-ROM Drive
Figure 9 shows the hardware devices for the IDE CD-ROM drive installed in the system. Refer to this
figure when necessary while servicing the CD-ROM drive. To identify the appropriate components when
connecting cables, see "System Board Connectors" and "PSPB Connectors."
Figure 9. CD-ROM Drive Hardware

1 IDE CD-ROM drive

2

PSPB

3 CD-ROM drive interface connector (SECONDARY SCSI/IDE)

4 System board
5 Diskette/CD-ROM drive DC power connector (FD)
6 CD-ROM drive interface cable
7 CD-ROM drive DC power cable
8 Interposer board
Replacing the CD-ROM Drive
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Remove the front bezel.
3. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.
4. Remove the cooling fan assembly.
5. Remove the top-cover panel.
6. Inside the chassis, detach the CD-ROM drive interface cable and DC power cable from the
interposer board at the back of the CD-ROM drive carrier (see Figure 9).
7. Remove the CD-ROM drive assembly.

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a. Place a flat-blade screwdriver under the tab at the left edge of the drive carrier.
b. Lift the tab up so that the drive carrier clasps disengage from the chassis.
c. Lift the carrier out of the chassis.
8. Install the new CD-ROM drive assembly in the chassis.
9. Inside the chassis, attach the CD-ROM drive interface cable and DC power cable to the interposer
card at the back of the CD-ROM drive carrier.
10. Replace the top-cover panel.
11. Replace the cooling fan assembly.
12. Replace the front bezel.
13. Close and lock the panel doors.
14. Reconnect the computer and peripherals to their AC power sources, and turn them on.

Hard-Disk Drives
This section describes how to install and configure SCSI hard-disk drives in the computer's hard-disk
drive bays. For information on the following, see "SCSI Backplane Board":
Connecting cables for SCSI hard-disk drives
Installing a RAID controller
The hard-disk drive bays provide space for up to four 1.6-inch, hot-pluggable SCSI hard-disk drives. Your
system supports Ultra3 (Ultra 160) SCSI hard-disk drives, which can operate on a single bus or on two
independent buses in a split configuration.
SCSI Hard-Disk Drive Configuration
NOTE: Dell recommends that you use only drives that Dell has tested and approved for use with
the SCSI backplane board.
The SCSI drives must be configured as follows:
Disable termination on the drives. The SCSI backplane board provides termination for the SCSI
bus.
Set the SCSI ID on all drives to 0. All SCSI ID numbers for the drives are set by the SCSI backplane
board (the topmost drive is set to SCSI ID 0).
Configure the drives so that the drive motor waits for a Start Unit command from the SCSI host
adapter before spinning.
Partitioning and Formatting SCSI Hard-Disk Drives
You may need to use different programs than those provided with the operating system to partition and
format SCSI hard-disk drives. See "Installing and Configuring SCSI Drivers" in the system User's Guide
for information and instructions.
NOTICE: Do not turn off or reboot your system while the drive is being formatted. Turning off or
rebooting your system while the drive is being formatted can cause a drive failure.
When you format a high-capacity SCSI hard-disk drive, be sure to allow enough time for the formatting to
complete. Long formatting times for these drives are normal. A 9-gigabyte (GB) hard-disk drive, for
example, can take up to 2.5 hours to format.
Configuring the Boot Device
If you plan to boot the system from a hard-disk drive, the drive must be attached to the primary (or boot)
controller or SCSI host adapter card. You can select the primary controller using the System Setup
Program.
Replacing SCSI Hard-Disk Drives
SCSI hard-disk drives are supplied by Dell in special drive carriers that fit in the hard-disk drive bays. To

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SCSI hard-disk drives are supplied by Dell in special drive carriers that fit in the hard-disk drive bays. To
install a SCSI hard-disk drive, perform the following steps.
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."

NOTICE: Hot-plug hard-disk drive replacement is not supported for systems without a RAID
controller.
1. If the system does not have a RAID controller installed, turn off the computer and disconnect it from
its electrical outlet.
2. Unlock the front bezel and open the door.
3. For systems with RAID controllers, power down the hard-disk drive bay. If a hard-disk drive is
currently installed in the bay, wait until all three SCSI hard-disk drive indicators on the hard-disk drive
carrier are turned off before proceeding.
4. Open the drive carrier handle and slide the carrier toward you until it is free of the drive bay.
5. Open the handle on the new hard-disk drive carrier.
6. Align the edge of the carrier with the notches in the hard-disk drive bay keys and insert the carrier
into the drive bay (see Figure 10).
Figure 10. Installing a SCSI Hard-Disk Drive Carrier
1 Hard-disk drive carrier
2 Hard-disk drive carrier handle
3 Front bezel door
4 Hard-disk drive keylock

7. Close the drive carrier handle to lock the new drive carrier in place.
8. Close and relock the front bezel.
9. Install any required SCSI device drivers.
See Installing and Configuring SCSI Drivers, in the system Users Guide for information.

SCSI Backplane Board

Figure 11 shows the hardware devices for the SCSI hard-disk drives installed in the system. Refer to this
figure when necessary while servicing the CD-ROM drive. To identify the appropriate components when
connecting cables, see "System Board Connectors" and "PSPB Connectors."
Figure 11. Hard-Disk Drive Hardware

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1 SCSI hard-disk drive bays

2 PSPB
3 Hard-disk drive DC power connector (HD_B/P)
4 SCSI interface cable
5 Ultra3 SCSI interface connectors (PRIMARY SCSI A)
6 Ultra3 SCSI interface connectors (PRIMARY SCSI B)
7 System Board
8 System-board data connector (BACKPLANE)
9 System-board data cable
10 SCSI hard-disk drive DC power cable
11 SCSI backplane board
SCSI Backplane Board Cabling
The four hard-disk drive connectors on the front of the SCSI backplane board are designated as SLOT0
(top) through SLOT3. Hard-disk drives installed in these bays can operate in two configurations:
1 x 4 configuration: a single bus operates up to four hard-disk drives. To operate in a 1 x 4
configuration, attach a single host adapter to connector SCSIA on the backplane board.
2 x 2 configuration: two independent buses, each operates up to two hard-disk drives. To operate
in a split 2 x 2 configuration, connect a second SCSI host adapter to connector SCSIB on the
backplane board. In split mode, the SCSI host adapter attached to connector SCSIA on the
backplane board controls slots 0 and 1, while the host adapter connected to SCSIB controls slots 2
and 3.
Replacing the SCSI Backplane Board
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Remove the front bezel.
NOTICE: You must remove all hard-disk drives before you remove the SCSI backplane board.
3. Remove each SCSI hard-disk drive by opening the drive carrier handle for each drive and sliding the
carrier toward you until it is free of the drive bay (see Figure 12).
Figure 12. Removing the SCSI hard-disk drives
1 SCSI hard-disk drive bays (below CD-ROM drive)
2 Hard-disk drive carrier
3 Hard-disk drive carrier handle

4. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.

5. Remove the cooling fan assembly.

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5. Remove the cooling fan assembly.

6. Remove the top-cover panel.

NOTICE: You must remove the auxiliary SCSI backplane board before you remove the SCSI
backplane board.
7. Remove the auxiliary SCSI backplane board.
Loosen the captive thumbscrew securing the auxiliary SCSI backplane board in the chassis, slide
the auxiliary SCSI backplane board toward the front of the chassis to disconnect it from the vertically
mounted SCSI backplane board, and lift it away from the chassis (see Figure 13).
Figure 13. Removing the Auxiliary SCSI Backplane Board
1 SCSI hard-disk drive bays
2 Auxiliary SCSI backplane board

8. Inside the chassis, disconnect all cables from the SCSI backplane board connectors.
9. Remove the SCSI backplane board.
Loosen the captive thumbscrew securing the SCSI backplane board in the chassis, then lift the
backplane board off of the L-shaped mounting tabs and away from the chassis (see Figure 14).
Figure 14. Removing the SCSI Backplane Board
1 Backplane board anchor tabs (2)
2 SCSI backplane board
3 Backplane board mounting tabs (4)
4 SCSI hard-disk drive bays

10. Install the new SCSI backplane board:

a. While holding the backplane board by its edges, position the board so that the L-shaped
mounting tabs fit through the corresponding slots in the SCSI backplane board.
b. Slide the SCSI backplane board down, toward the bottom of the chassis.
The bottom of the backplane board will fit in the anchor tabs on the bottom of the chassis (see
Figure 14).
c. Secure the SCSI backplane board by tightening the captive thumbscrew.

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d. Connect the cables to the SCSI backplane board connectors.

11. Replace the auxiliary SCSI backplane board.
Slide the auxiliary SCSI backplane board into the chassis until it is firmly connected to the SCSI
backplane board, and then tighten the captive thumbscrew.
12. Replace the top-cover panel.
13. Replace the cooling fan assembly.
14. Replace the front bezel.
15. Close and lock the panel doors.
16. Reconnect the computer and peripherals to their AC power sources, and turn them on.
17. Reflash the SCSI backplane board firmware.
NOTE: Whenever you disconnect the auxiliary SCSI backplane board from the SCSI
backplane board, you must reflash the SCSI backplane board firmware after you
reassemble and restart the system.
Installing a RAID Controller
Follow these general guidelines when you install a RAID controller such as the optional PowerEdge
Expandable RAID Controller (PERC) or PERC 2. For specific instructions, refer to the documentation
supplied with the RAID controller.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.
3. Unpack the host adapter card and prepare it for installation.
Refer to the documentation accompanying the host adapter card.
4. Install the host adapter card.
See Expansion Cards."
5. Connect the SCSI backplane board to the host adapter card.
a. Detach the SCSI interface cable from the primary SCSI interface system board connector.
b. Connect the SCSI interface cable to the host adapter card.
To identify the correct connector, refer to documentation for the host adapter card.
NOTE: If you will be attaching external SCSI devices using the external SCSI
connection slot on the computer's back panel, perform steps 6 through 7; otherwise,
go to step 8.

6. Connect the optional SCSI external access cable from the computer back panel to one of the SCSI
host adapter connectors on the system board.
7. If you are attaching multiple external SCSI devices, daisy-chain the devices to each other using the
cables shipped with each device.
See each device's documentation for information on cabling that device as part of a daisy chain.
Figure 15. Sample Configuration for a Dell Host Adapter Card

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1 Ultra3 (Ultra 160) SCSI interface connector

2 Optional SCSI interface cable (to computer back panel)
3 System board
4 SCSI interface cable
5 Dell PERC host adapter card
6 SCSI backplane board
8. Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and peripherals (including the external SCSI
device[s]) to their AC power sources, and turn them on.
9. Install any required SCSI device drivers.
See "Installing and Configuring SCSI Drivers" in the system User's Guide for more information.

Power Supplies
Your system can have up to three power supplies. Each power supply has two LED indicators on top to
signal the power supply's current status.
Replacing a Power Supply
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
NOTICE: A power supply is heavy. Support it with both hands when installing or removing it.
1. Remove the power supply (see Figure 16):
a. Disengage the power supply handle from the latched position by pressing down on the handle
and releasing it.
b. Rotate the handle outward and then pull up on the handle to slide the power supply out of the
chassis.
Figure 16. Removing a Power Supply
1 Power supply handle
2 Power supply
3 Chassis slots (2 for each power supply)
4 Power supply switch

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NOTICE: Do not use excessive force when sliding the power supply into the chassis.
2. With the new power supply's handle in the open position, align the front and rear tabs on the power
supply with the slots in the chassis and slide the power supply into the chassis.
3. Rotate the power supply handle to the closed position and push down on the handle to ensure that it
snaps into place.
The handle activates a power switch that turns on the power supply when the handle is properly
closed.

Power Input Cable Assembly

WARNING: The power input cable conducts electricity from the AC power receptacle on
the back of the computer to the PSPB inside the computer. Before performing the
following procedure, it is critical to make certain that the AC power cable is disconnected
from the back of the computer.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Remove the three screws that secure the power input cable assembly to the back of the computer
(see Figure 17).
3. Remove the five screws securing the PSPB cover plate, and remove the cover plate.
4. Unplug the power input cable from the PSPB connector.
5. Pull the power input cable assembly toward the back of the system to disengage its hooks from the
slots in the chassis, and lift it away from the chassis.
Figure 17. Removing the Power Input Cable Assembly
1 PSPB cover plate
2 Power input cable
3 Power input cable
assembly

Power-Supply Paralleling Board (PSPB)

The PSPB receives AC power from an external source via the power input cable. The PSPB then
provides DC power to the system. Refer to this illustration when necessary while servicing the system. To
identify the appropriate components when connecting cables, see "PSPB Connectors."
Replacing the PSPB
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."

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NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."

1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Remove the front bezel.
3. Remove the cooling fan assembly.
4. Remove the power supplies.
5. Remove the top-cover panel.
6. Inside the chassis, disconnect the power cables from the PSPB connectors for the following
components:
System board: see "System Board Connectors" to identify the corresponding components on
the system board.
SCSI backplane board: see "SCSI Backplane Board Connectors" to identify the
corresponding components on the back of the SCSI backplane board.
Diskette and CD-ROM drives: see Figure 7 and Figure 9 to identify the corresponding
components on the diskette drive and CD-ROM drive interposer boards.
7. Remove the five screws securing the PSPB cover plate to the left side of the chassis, and remove
the cover plate (see Figure 18).
8. Loosen the two captive thumbscrews securing the PSPB in the chassis (one internal screw secures
the PSPB to the floor of the chassis, and one external screw secures the PSPB through the front of
the chassis).
9. Disconnect the power input cable from the connector at the side of the PSPB.
10. Slide the PSPB out the side of the chassis, and lift it away from the chassis.
Figure 18. Removing the Power Supply Paralleling Board

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1 Cooling fan assembly

2 Power supplies (3)
3 Screws (5)
4 PSPB cover plate
5 PSPB
6 Thumbscrews (2)
7 Power input cable

Expansion Cards
Hot-Plug Expansion Cards
If your computer uses the Novell NetWare 5.0 or Microsoft Windows 2000 Server or Advanced
Server operating system, all seven expansion-card connectors support hot-plug replacement and addition
of PCI expansion cards.
For systems using NetWare 5.0, the following minimum configuration is required to support hot-plug
expansion cards:
Novell NetWare 5.0 symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) operating system with Support Pack 2A or
later
The latest Dell system-bus driver, as provided on the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD
NOTE: Not all of your cards may be qualified for hot-plug operation. Contact Dell for information
on qualified hot-plug cards.
NOTICE: If you attempt hot-plug addition or replacement of an unsupported card, the system
may freeze or shut down unexpectedly.
Choosing an Expansion Slot
Follow these guidelines when you install an expansion card in the system board expansion card
connectors:
Install 64-bit, 33-megahertz (MHz), 5-volt (V) PCI expansion cards in connectors PCI2 through PCI5.
(You may also install 32-bit cards in these connectors.)
Install 64-bit, 66-MHz, 3.3-V PCI expansion cards in connectors PCI6 and PCI7.
NOTES: If connectors PCI6 and PCI7 are both empty and you hot-add a 66-MHz card, the
card will operate at 33 MHz until you reboot the system.
Installing a 33-MHz card in either connector will limit the bus speed of both connectors to
33 MHz.
Install 32-bit, 33-MHz cards in connector PCI1.
NOTE: If you install a Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant Card (DRAC) version 2.0, you
must install this expansion card in connector PCI1.
Removing an Expansion Card
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
NOTE: To facilitate the removal of some of the smaller PCI expansion cards (such as the Intel
EtherExpress PRO/100+ NIC), card extractors are available for purchase from other suppliers.
1. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.

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NOTICE: To avoid damage to the card or your computer, you must power down the expansion
slot before you remove an expansion card.
2. Remove power from the expansion slot by using one of the following methods:
If your computer uses the NetWare 5.0 operating system , run ncmcon.nlm to place the
affected slot in the off state.

NOTE: If all slots are reported with No in the Hot Plug column, press <Esc> to
exit the ncmcon utility and ensure that dellsbd.nlm is loaded; then restart the
utility by running the load ncmcon.nlm command.

If your computer uses the Microsoft Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server
operating system (or a later version), press the switch next to the expansion slot to
power down the expansion-card connector (see Figure 19), or run the Unplug or Eject
Hardware control applet from the status bar.
The green and amber LEDs will flash as the expansion-card connector is powered
down (see Figure 19). When both indicator lights adjacent to the expansion slot
are off, the card may be safely removed.
See "Hot-Plug Expansion Card Indicators" for more information on the expansion
card power switch and LEDs.
If your computer's operating system does not support hot-plug PCI cards, or the
expansion card itself does not support hot-plug removal, turn off the computer and any
attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
Figure 19. Hot-Plug Expansion Card Indicators and Controls
1 Green LED
2 Amber LED
3 Hot-plug switch

3. Disconnect any cables attached to the expansion card you want to remove, noting where the cables
connected.
4. The bracket on the expansion card is secured by a plastic latch (see Figure 20).
Rotate the latch away from the expansion-card bracket to release the bracket.
Figure 20. Expansion-Card Latches
1

Expansion-card latch

2 Expansion-card slot
3 Plastic card guide
4 Expansion card

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5. If the expansion card is a full-length card, release the card's inner end by opening the tab on the
plastic card guide (see Figure 20).
CAUTION: Some expansion cards can become quite warm during system operation. Be
sure that the card has had sufficient time to cool after the connector is powered down
before you touch the card.
6. Grasp the expansion card by its top corners, and carefully remove it from the expansion-card
connector on the system board.
7. If you are removing the card permanently, install a metal filler bracket over the empty card-slot
opening.
NOTE: You must install a filler bracket over an empty expansion slot to maintain Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) certification of the system. The brackets also keep
dust and dirt out of the computer and help to maintain proper cooling and airflow inside the
computer.
8. Close and lock the panel doors.
9. If you shut down the system prior to installing the expansion card, reconnect the computer and
peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Installing an Expansion Card
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.
NOTICE: If your computer's operating system does not support hot-plug PCI cards, or the
expansion card itself does not support hot-plug removal, you must power down the system
before you remove an expansion card: turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and
disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
NOTICE: You can only perform hot-plug replacement of an existing card with an identical
replacement card.
2. If you are replacing an expansion card, remove the existing card by following steps 2 through 6 of
"Removing an Expansion Card."
3. Prepare the expansion card for installation.
See the documentation that came with the expansion card for information on configuring the card,
making internal connections, or otherwise customizing the card for the system.
4. To remove the expansion-slot filler bracket from an unoccupied expansion slot, rotate the latch away
from the expansion-card bracket to release the bracket (see Figure 20).
5. Insert the card-edge connector firmly into the expansion-card connector on the chassis.
6. When the card is firmly seated in the connector and the card-mounting bracket is aligned with the
brackets on either side of it, close the expansion-card latch.
7. If the expansion card is a full-length card, secure the inner end of the card by closing the plastic latch
on the card guide over the top edge of the card (see Figure 20).
8. Connect any cables that should be attached to the expansion card.
See the documentation that came with the card for information about cable connections.
9. If your computer uses the Microsoft Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server operating system,
press the PCI hot-plug switch to restore power to the expansion slot.
The green LED adjacent to the expansion slot will light up when power is restored.
See "Hot-Plug Expansion Card Indicators" for more information on the expansion card power switch
and LEDs.
10. Close and lock the panel doors.
11. If you shut down the system prior to installing the expansion card, reconnect the computer and

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peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.

12. If your computer uses the NetWare 5.0 operating system, perform the following:
Run the ncmcon.nlm utility to restore power to the expansion slot occupied by the new PCI
expansion card.
If the replacement adapter card is not automatically bound when the slot is turned on, and you
are using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), enter the following
command on the system console to reinitialize the system and bind the new card to the
network:
reinitialize system

PCI Insulator
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
NOTICE: To avoid damage to the expansion cards or your computer, you must power down the
computer and remove the expansion cards before you remove the PCI insulator.
1. Remove the expansion cards.
2. Remove the PCI insulator (see Figure 21):
a. Squeeze the two retaining tabs to release the insulator from the slots in the chassis wall.
b. Lift the PCI insulator up and away from the chassis.
Figure 21. Removing the PCI Insulator
1 Retaining tabs (2)
2 PCI insulator

DIMMs
The 16 dual in-line memory module (DIMM) sockets on the memory board can accommodate 256
megabytes (MB) to 8 gigabytes (GB) of 64-, 128-, 256-, and 512-MB, 3.3-V registered DIMMs. You can
purchase memory upgrade kits from Dell as needed.
NOTE: The DIMMs must be PC133-compliant.
DIMM Installation Guidelines
The 16 DIMM sockets are arranged in four banks with four interleaved sockets per bank. When you install
DIMMs, follow these guidelines:
Install DIMMs in sets of four, beginning with BANK 1, then BANK 2, and so on.
Do not mix sizes of DIMMs within a given bank.
You can install banks with different capacities of DIMMs in each bank. For example, you can install
four 128-MB DIMMs in BANK 1 and four 64-MB DIMMs in BANK 2.
If you install different sizes of DIMMs, install them in order of descending capacity, beginning with the
highest-capacity DIMMs in BANK 1.
To identify the appropriate sockets and the arrangement of banks when installing DIMMs, see "Memory

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To identify the appropriate sockets and the arrangement of banks when installing DIMMs, see "Memory
Board Connectors." Table 3 illustrates several sample memory configurations based on these guidelines.
Table 3. Sample DIMM Configurations
DIMMs Installed
Total Memory 64 MB 128 MB 256 MB 512 MB
256 MB

512 MB

512 MB

1 GB

2 GB

16

3 GB

4 GB

16

8 GB

16

Removing and Replacing the Memory Board

To remove the memory board, grasp it by the top corners and pull it up from its system board connectors.
Lift the memory board away from the chassis.
To replace the memory board, position the board with the DIMM sockets facing the microprocessors.
Align the connectors on the memory board with the corresponding system board connectors, and press
the board carefully but firmly into place.
Performing a Memory Upgrade
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.
3. Remove the memory board, and place it on an antistatic surface.
4. Identify the DIMM sockets in which you will install or remove DIMMs.
5. Install or remove DIMMs as necessary to reach the desired memory total.
6. Replace the memory board.
7. Close and lock the panel doors.
8. Reconnect the computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
After the system completes the power-on self-test (POST) routine, it runs a memory test that displays
the new memory total, which includes all newly installed memory.
NOTE: If the memory total is incorrect, turn off the system and peripherals, disconnect
them from their electrical outlets, open the panel doors on top of the computer, and check
all the installed DIMMs to make sure that they are seated properly in their sockets. Then
repeat step 7.
The system detects that the new memory does not match the system configuration information,
which is stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). The monitor displays an error
message that ends with the following words:
Press <F1> to continue; <F2> to enter System Setup
9. Press <F2> to enter the System Setup program, and check the System Memory field on the
System Setup screens.
The system should have already changed the value in the System Memory field to reflect the newly
installed memory. If the value is incorrect, one or more of the DIMMs may not be installed properly.
Repeat steps 1 through 8 again, checking to make sure that the DIMMs are firmly seated in their

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Repeat steps 1 through 8 again, checking to make sure that the DIMMs are firmly seated in their
sockets.
Installing a DIMM
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Press down and outward on the ejectors on the DIMM socket, as shown in Figure 22, to allow the
DIMM to be inserted into the socket.
Figure 22. Installing a DIMM
1 DIMM socket ejectors (2)
2 Alignment keys (2)

2. Align the DIMM's edge connector with the slot in the center of the DIMM socket, and insert the DIMM
in the socket (see step A in Figure 22).
The DIMM socket has two alignment keys that allow the DIMM to be installed in the socket in only
one way.
3. Press down on the DIMM with your thumbs while pulling up on the ejectors with your index fingers to
lock the DIMM into the socket (see step B in Figure 22).
When the DIMM is properly seated in the socket, the ejectors on the DIMM socket should align with
the ejectors on the other sockets with DIMMs installed.
Removing a DIMM
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
To remove a DIMM, press down and outward on the ejectors on each end of the socket until the DIMM
pops out of the socket (see Figure 23).
Figure 23. Removing a DIMM
1 DIMM socket ejectors (2)

Microprocessor and Heat Sink

Each microprocessor is contained within a single-edge contact (SEC) cartridge and heat sink assembly.
The system board has four guide-bracket assemblies, each holding a microprocessor or terminator card.
To identify the appropriate microprocessor, see "System Board Connectors."
NOTICE: Each microprocessor slot on the system board must be occupied by either a

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NOTICE: Each microprocessor slot on the system board
must be occupied by either a
microprocessor or a terminator card.
NOTICE: If you are upgrading a system by installing additional microprocessors, you must
order an upgrade kit from Dell. The upgrade kit from Dell contains the correct version of the
microprocessor for use as a secondary microprocessor.
Removing a Microprocessor or Terminator Card
CAUTION: The SEC cartridge and heat sink assembly can get extremely hot during
system operation. Be sure the assembly has had sufficient time to cool before you touch
it.
CAUTION: When handling the SEC cartridge and heat sink assembly, take care to avoid
sharp edges on the heat sink.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
2. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.
3. Lift the latches on each end of the guide bracket assembly. Pivot the retention clips away from the
guide bracket assembly, then slide the SEC cartridge or terminator card out of the guide bracket
assembly (see Figure 24).
NOTE: The procedure for removing a terminator card is identical to that for a
microprocessor.
Figure 24. Removing a Microprocessor or Terminator Card
1 Heat sink
2 SEC cartridge
3 Retention clip notches (2 on each end of the assembly)
4 Guide-bracket assembly

Installing a Microprocessor or Terminator Card

To install a replacement SEC cartridge and heat sink assembly, perform the following steps:
1. Remove the old microprocessor or terminator card.
2. Slide the new microprocessor or terminator card into the guide-bracket assembly until the edge

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2. Slide the new microprocessor or terminator card into the guide-bracket assembly until the edge
connector on the SEC cartridge or terminator card is firmly seated in the connector on the system
board.
3. Place the retention clips on each end of the guide bracket in the notches on the ends of the guide
bracket, then close the two latches to secure the microprocessor or terminator card in the bracket
(see Figure 25).
NOTE: The procedure for installing a terminator card is identical to that for a
microprocessor.
Figure 25. Installing a Microprocessor or Terminator Card
1 Retention clips (2)
2 Retention clip notches (2 on each
end of the assembly)
3 Retention latches (2)
4 Guide-bracket assembly
5 Heat sink
6 SEC cartridge

4. Close and lock the panel doors.

5. Reconnect the computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.

Battery
The system battery maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special section of
memory when you turn off the system. The operating life of the battery ranges from 2 to 5 years, depending
on how you use the system (for example, if you keep the system on most of the time, the battery gets little
use and thus lasts longer). You may need to replace the battery if an incorrect time or date is displayed
during the boot routine along with the following or similar message:
Time-of-day not set -- please run SETUP program
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility
or
System CMOS checksum bad -- Run SETUP
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility
or
Invalid configuration information -- please run SETUP program
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility
To determine if the battery needs replacing, reenter the time and date through the System Setup program.
Turn off and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet for a few hours, and then reconnect and turn
the system on again. Enter the System Setup program. If the date and time are not correct in the System

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the system on again. Enter the System Setup program. If the date and time are not correct in the System
Setup program, replace the battery.
NOTES: Some software may cause the system time to speed up or slow down. If the system
seems to operate normally except for the time kept in the System Setup program, the problem
may be caused by software rather than by a defective battery.
If the system is turned off for long periods of time (for weeks or months), the NVRAM may lose its
system configuration information. This situation is not caused by a defective battery.
You can operate the system without a battery; however, the system configuration information maintained
by the battery in NVRAM is erased each time you shut down the computer. Therefore, you must reenter the
system configuration information and reset the options each time the system boots until you replace the
battery.
The battery is a 3.0-V, coin-cell CR2032-type battery. To remove the battery, perform the following steps.
Replacing the Battery
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed.
Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the
manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturers instructions.

NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."

1. Enter the System Setup program and, if possible, make a printed copy of the System Setup
screens.
See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions.
2. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
3. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.
4. Remove all expansion cards.
5. Remove the PCI insulator.
6. Remove the battery.
Pry the battery out of its system board connector with your fingers or with a blunt, nonconductive
object such as a plastic screwdriver.
7. Install the new battery with the side labeled "+" facing up (see Figure 26).

Figure 26. Installing the Battery

8. Reinstall the PCI insulator.

9. Reinstall the expansion cards.
10. Close and lock the panel doors.
11. Reconnect the computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
12. Enter the System Setup program to confirm that the battery is operating properly.

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12. Enter the System Setup program to confirm that the battery
is operating properly.
13. Enter the correct time and date through the System Setup program's Time and Date settings. Also
reenter any system configuration information that is no longer displayed on the System Setup
screens, and then exit the System Setup program.
14. Test the new battery:
a. Turn off the computer and disconnect it from its electrical outlet for at least an hour.
b. After an hour, reconnect the computer to its electrical outlet, turn it on, and enter the System
Setup program.
c. If the time and date are still incorrect, replace the system board.

System Board
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, a trained service technician must
disconnect all power supply cables before performing this procedure. For more
information, see "Safety Instructions."
NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge."
1. Run the Resource Configuration Utility (RCU) to record the configuration information of your Plug
and Play and PCI devices.
See the system User's Guide for more information.
2. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals, and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
3. Disconnect all external peripheral cables from their connectors at the back of the computer.
4. Open the panel doors on top of the computer.
5. Inside the chassis, disconnect all cables from the system board connectors.
6. Remove the center brace.
The center brace is secured in the chassis by two screws, and each end of the brace hooks into a
slot in the chassis wall. Remove the screws, and slide the brace up and away from the chassis (see
Figure 27).
7. Remove the memory board.
8. Remove the memory board retention bracket by pulling it up from its guides; lift the bracket away
from the chassis (see Figure 27).
9. Remove any expansion cards you want to move to a new system board.
NOTE: If you are removing expansion cards, disconnect any internal and/or external
cables attached to the cards, noting where the cables connected. Also note the slot
number for each expansion card so that you can install the card in the same location on
the new system board.
10. Remove the PCI insulator.
11. If you are moving components such as microprocessor assemblies to a new system board, remove
those components from the current system board.
12. Loosen the thumbscrew securing the system board in the chassis (see Figure 27).
13. Slide the system board toward the front of the chassis to disengage the chassis hooks, and lift the
system board up and away from the chassis (see Figure 27).
Figure 27. Removing the System Board
1 Center brace screws (2)
2 Center brace
3 Memory board retention
bracket
4 Thumbscrew

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4 Thumbscrew
5 System board
6 Memory board

Before installing the new system board, install any components you removed from the old system board.
To retain the same system configuration and appropriate resource sharing, install the expansion cards in
the same slots they occupied on the old system board. Also verify that the jumper settings on the new
system board are correct.

Microprocessor Guide Brackets

1. Remove the system board.
2. Remove each microprocessor guide bracket (see Figure 28):
a. From the underside of the system board, remove the screw at each end of the bracket using a
T25 Torx driver.
b. From the underside of the system board, squeeze the bracket retaining tabs to release the
bracket from the system board.
c. Lift the bracket up and away from the system board.
Figure 28. Removing the Microprocessor Guide Brackets

1 Bracket 4 (at PROC_4 system board connector)

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2 Bracket 3 (at PROC_3 system board connector)

3 Bracket 2 (at PROC_2 system board connector)
4 Bracket 1 (at PROC_1 system board connector)
5 Bracket mounting screws (2 for each bracket)
6 Bracket key hole (1 at each end of the bracket)
7 Bracket retaining-tab slots (1 at each end of the bracket)
8 Bracket screw hole (1 at each end of the bracket)
NOTE: Because of the way the microprocessor guide brackets interlock with each other, the
brackets must be removed in the following order: PROC_4 (shown being removed in Figure 28),
PROC_3, PROC_2, PROC_1. Reinstall the guide brackets in reverse order.

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