How to Replace HDD Backplane for PowerEdge R760

This tutorial walks you through replacing the drive backplane and PERC module. Follow safety guidelines, power off, and remove the cover. Learn to remove the drive backplane cover, cooling fan cage assembly, drive carrier, and rear mounting front PERC module. Install components securely for optimal system functionality.

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 the drive backplane cover:
Slide the drive backplane cover in the direction of the arrows marked on the drive backplane cover.
Lift the drive backplane cover from the system.

Removing the air shroud:
Hold the edges of the air shroud, and lift the air shroud out of the system.

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

Removing a drive carrier:
Press the release button to open the drive carrier release handle.
Holding the drive carrier release handle, slide the drive carrier out of the drive slot.
NOTE: If you are not replacing the drive immediately, install a drive blank in the empty drive slot to maintain proper system cooling.

Removing the rear mounting front PERC module:
Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, loosen the captive screws on the rear mounting front PERC module.
Slide the rear mounting front PERC module to disengage from the connector on the drive backplane.
Disconnect the battery power cable from the front PERC card.
Tilt and lift the battery holder assembly from the front PERC shroud.
NOTE: Remove the battery cable from the front PERC shroud cable holder.
NOTE: The numbers on the image do not depict the exact steps. The numbers are for representation of sequence.
Press and remove the battery from the battery holder.
Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, remove the four screws on the front PERC shroud.
Remove the front PERC shroud from the PERC card.
Remove the front PERC card from the PERC tray.

Observe and disconnect the drive backplane cables from the connector on the system board and backplane.

Removing the Drive Backplane:
Press one or more release tabs to disengage the drive backplane from the hooks on the system.
Lift and pull the drive backplane out of the system.
NOTE: To avoid damaging the backplane, remove the disconnected backplane cables from the cable routing clips before removing the backplane.

Installing the drive backplane:
Align the slots on the drive backplane with the guides on the system.
Slide the drive backplane into the guides on the system and lower the backplane until one or more blue release tabs clicks into place.

Connect the drive backplane cables to the connectors on the system board and backplane.

Installing the drive carrier:
Slide the drive carrier into the drive slot and push until the drive connects with the backplane.
Close the drive carrier release handle to lock the drive in place.

Installing the rear mounting front PERC module:
Align and install front PERC card to the guides on the front PERC tray.
Align and Install the front PERC shroud on the front PERC card.
Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, tighten the four screws to secure the front PERC shroud to the front PERC card.
NOTE: Route the battery cable to the clips on the front PERC shroud.
Insert the battery tab into the battery holder and ensure the battery that it is firmly seated.
Tilt the battery holder assembly to align the tabs with the front PERC shroud.
Press the battery holder assembly on to the front PERC shroud.
Connect the battery power cable to the front PERC card.
NOTE: Route the battery cable into the front PERC shroud cable holder.
Align the connectors and guide slots on the rear mounting front PERC module with the connectors and guide pins on the drive backplane.
Slide the rear mounting front PERC module until the module is connected to the drive backplane.
Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, tighten the captive screws on the rear mounting front PERC module.
NOTE: The numbers on the image do not depict the exact steps. The numbers are for representation of sequence.

Installing the cooling fan cage assembly:
Holding the blue release lever of the cooling fan cage, align the guide rails with the guides on the system.
Lower the cooling fan cage assembly into the system until seated firmly.
Lower the blue release lever and press to lock the cooling fan cage assembly into the system.

Installing the drive backplane cover:
Align the drive backplane cover with the guide slots on the system.
Slide the drive backplane cover to the front of the system until the drive backplane cover fits into place.

Replace the system cover.
If applicable, install the system into the rack.
Reconnect the peripherals and connect the system to the electrical outlet, and then power on the system.