How to Replace System Board for PowerEdge R750XS

Follow this comprehensive guide to safely replace your system board. From uninstalling components to precise installation, this tutorial covers every step, ensuring a successful replacement without compromising system integrity.

Prerequisites
Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions.
Power off the system and all attached peripherals.
Disconnect the system from the electrical outlet, and disconnect the peripherals.
If applicable, remove the system from the rack.
Remove the system cover.

Removing System cover:
Using a 1/4-inch flat head or Phillips #2 screwdriver, rotate the lock counterclockwise to the unlock position.
Lift the release latch until the system cover slides back.
Lift the cover from the system.

Removing Air shroud:
Hold the air shroud at both ends and lift the air shroud out of the system.

Removing Cooling fan cage:
Lift the blue release levers to unlock the cooling fan cage from the system.
Hold the release levers, and lift the cooling fan cage away from the system.

Removing Expansion cards:
Pull and lift the expansion card retention latch lock to open.
Hold the expansion card by its edges and pull the card until the card edge connector disengages from the expansion card connector on the riser.
If the expansion card is not going to be replaced, install a filler bracket and close the card retention latch.
NOTE: You must install a filler bracket over an empty expansion card slot to maintain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification of the system. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of the system and aid in proper cooling and airflow inside the system.
NOTE: The numbers on the image do not depict the exact steps. The numbers are for representation of sequence.

Removing Expansion card risers:
For Riser 1A and Riser 1B, loosen the two thumb screws with Phillips #2 screwdriver and pull up the expansion card riser.

Removing Intrusion switch:
Remove the power cable from the power interposer board and the system board and then disconnect and remove the intrusion switch cable from the connector on the system board.
Observe the routing of the cable as you remove it from the system.
Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the screw securing the intrusion switch module.
Lift the intrusion switch module out of the system.

Removing IDSDM module (if installed):
Holding the blue pull tab, lift the IDSDM card out of the system.

Internal USB key (if installed):
Holding the blue tag, lift the internal USB card to disconnect from the connector on the system board.
Remove the USB memory key from the internal USB card.

Removing Processor heat sink module:
Place the heat sink with the processor side facing up.
Using the thumb finger lift up the Thermal Interface Material (TIM) break lever to release the processor package from the TIM and carrier.
NOTE: Ensure to hold the carrier to the heat sink as the TIM break is rotated.
Push the retaining clips on the processor bracket to unlock the bracket from the heat sink.
Lift the processor away from the carrier and place it into the processor tray. Ensure pin1 marks are aligned.
Flex the outer edges of the bracket to release the bracket from the processor.
NOTE: Ensure that the processor is placed in the processor tray after you remove it from the heat sink.

Removing Memory modules:
Locate the appropriate memory module socket.
To release the memory module from the socket, simultaneously press the ejectors on both ends of the memory module socket to fully open.
CAUTION: Handle each memory module only by the card edges, ensuring not to touch the middle of the memory module or metallic contacts.
Lift the memory module away from the system.

Removing OCP:
Open the blue latch to unlock the OCP card.
Push the OCP card towards the rear end of the system to disconnect from the connector on the system board.
Slide the OCP card out of the slot on the system.

Disconnect all cables from the system board.

Removing the system board:
Using the system board holder, slide the system board toward the front of the chassis.
Hold and pull the plunger that is located on system board and lift the system board out of the chassis leaning at an angle.

Installing the system board:
Unpack the new system board assembly.
CAUTION: Do not lift the system board by holding a memory module, processor, or other components.
CAUTION: Take care not to damage the system identification button while placing the system board into the chassis.
Using the system board holder, lower the system board leaning at an angle into the system as shown in the image.
Slide the system board towards the rear of the chassis until the connectors are firmly seated in the slots.

Installing Trusted Platform Module (TPM):
To install the TPM, align the edge connectors on the TPM with the slot on the TPM connector.
Insert the TPM into the TPM connector such that the plastic rivet aligns with the slot on the system board.
Press the plastic rivet until the rivet snaps into place.
Replace the screw that secures the TPM to the system board.

Installing the IDSDM module
Locate the IDSDM connector on the system board.
To locate IDSDM, see the System board jumpers and connectors section.
Align IDSDM module with the connector on the system board.
Push IDSDM module until it is firmly seated in the connector on the system board.

Installing the Internal USB key:
Connect the USB key to the internal USB card.
Align the internal USB card with the connector on the system board and press firmly until the internal USB card is seated.

Installing the Intrusion switch:
Align and insert the intrusion switch module into the slot on the system until firmly seated.
Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, tighten the screw securing the intrusion switch module.
Connect the intrusion switch cable to the connector on the system board.
NOTE: Route the cable properly when you replace it to prevent the cable from being pinched or crimped.

Installing the Expansion cards:
Pull and lift up the expansion card retention latch lock to open.
Hold the card by the edges, and align the card edge connector with the expansion card connector on the riser.
Insert the card edge connector firmly into the expansion card connector until the card is fully seated.
Rotate and close the card holder and side card holder.
Push the side holder and make sure the latch hook holds the riser cover.
NOTE: Store the filler bracket for future use. Filler brackets must be installed in empty expansion card slots to maintain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification of the system. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of the system and aid in proper cooling and airflow inside the system.

Installing the Expansion card risers:
Re-connect all the riser cables to the system board.
Align and fasten the expansion card riser thumb screws.

Installing the Cooling fan cage assembly:
Align the guide rails on the cooling fan cage with the standoffs on the system.
Lower the cooling fan cage into the system.
Lower the blue release levers to lock the cooling fan cage into the system.

Installing the Processor:
Place the processor in the processor tray.
NOTE: Ensure that the pin 1 indicator on the processor tray is aligned with the pin 1 indicator on the processor.
Place the processor carrier on top of the processor that is in the processor tray aligning pin 1 indicator on the processor.
NOTE: Ensure that the pin 1 indicator on the carrier is aligned with the pin 1 indicator on the processor before placing the carrier on the processor.
NOTE: Ensure that the processor and the carrier are placed in the tray before you install the heat sink.
Align the processor with processor carrier by using your fingers to press the carrier on all the four sides until it clicks into place.
NOTE: Ensure that the processor is securely latched to the processor carrier.
If you are using an existing heat sink, remove the thermal grease on the heat sink by using a clean lint-free cloth.
Use the thermal grease syringe included with your processor kit to apply the grease in a thin quadrilateral spiral on the bottom of the heat sink.
CAUTION: Applying too much thermal grease can result in excess grease coming in contact with and contaminating the processor socket.
NOTE: The thermal grease syringe is intended for single use only. Dispose of the syringe after you use it.
For new heat sink. remove the Thermal Interface Material (TIM) protective film from the base of the heat sink.
Place the heat sink on the processor and press the heat sink until the carrier locks onto the heat sink at all the four corners.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the fins on the heat sink, do not press down on the heat sink fins.
NOTE: Ensure that the pin 1 indicator on the heat sink is aligned with the pin 1 indicator on the carrier before placing the heat sink onto the processor carrier.
NOTE: Ensure latching features on processor carrier and heat sink are aligned during assembly.

Installing the Heat sink:
Align the pin 1 indicator of the processor heat sink module (PHM) to the system board and then place the processor heat sink module (PHM) on the processor socket.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the fins on the heat sink, do not press down on the heat sink fins.
NOTE: Ensure that the processor heat sink module (PHM) is held parallel to the system board to prevent damaging the components.
Set the anti-tilt wires to the locked position (outward position), and then using the Torx #T30 screwdriver, tighten the screws (8 in-lbf) on the heat sink in the order below:
In a random order, tighten the first nut three turns.
Tighten the nut diagonally opposite to the nut you tighten first.
Tighten the nut diagonally opposite to the nut you tighten first.
Return to the first nut to tighten it completely.
Check all the nuts to ensure they are firmly secured.

Installing the Memory modules:
Locate the appropriate memory module socket.
CAUTION: Handle each memory module only by the card edges, ensuring not to touch the middle of the memory module or metallic contacts.
If a memory module blank is installed in the socket, remove it.
NOTE: Ensure the socket ejector latches are fully open, before installing the memory module.
Align the edge connector of the memory module with the alignment key of the memory module socket, and insert the memory module in the socket.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory module or the memory module socket during installation, do not bend or flex the memory module; insert both ends of the memory module simultaneously.
NOTE: The memory module socket has an alignment key that enables you to install the memory module in the socket in only one orientation.
CAUTION: Do not apply pressure at the center of the memory module; apply pressure at both ends of the memory module evenly.
Press the memory module with your thumbs until the ejectors firmly click into place. When the memory module is properly seated in the socket, the levers on the memory module socket align with the levers on the other sockets that have memory modules installed.

Installing the OCP:
Open the blue latch on the system board.
Slide the OCP card into the slot in the system.
Push until the OCP card is connected to the connector on the system board.
Close the blue latch to lock the OCP card to the system.

Installing the Air shroud:
Align the slot on the air shroud with the standoff on the system.
Lower the air shroud into the system until it is firmly seated.

Installing the System cover:
Align the tabs on the system cover with the guide slots on the system.
Close the system cover release latch.
Using a 1/4-inch flat head or Phillips #2 screwdriver, rotate the lock clockwise to the lock position.