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VPD card

Use this procedure to service the Vital Product Data (VPD) card.

Attention: The VPD card contains data which is vital to system operation:
Note: If you plan to replace the VPD card and have the replacement card available, you can contact the following e-mail address from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. U.S. Central Time, Monday through Friday, to obtain replacement activation codes prior to repair. You must supply machine type and serial number, and the part number and serial number of the replacement VPD card. For System p® systems contact pcod@us.ibm.com, and for System i® systems contact icod@us.ibm.com.
  1. Access the ASMI

    The Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI) is the interface to the service processor that is required to perform general and administrator-level service tasks, such as reading service processor error logs, reading vital product data, setting up the service processor, and controlling the system power. The ASMI may also be referred to as the service processor menus.

    To access the ASMI, refer to Accessing the Advanced System Management Interface.

    When you have accessed the ASMI, continue with the next step.
  2. Save the system identifiers
    1. On the ASM Welcome pane, specify your user ID and password, and click Log in.

      Note: To perform this operation, your authority level must be Administrator or Authorized service provider.

    2. In the navigation area, expand System Configuration and Program Vital Product Data.
    3. Select System Brand.
    4. In the right pane, manually record the value for the System Brand.
    5. Select System Keywords under Program Vital Product Data.
    6. In the right pane, manually record the values for the machine type-model, system serial number, system unique ID, and (if applicable) activation codes for Capacity on Demand (COD) and Virtualization Engine Technologies (VET).
  3. Power off the unit

    Power should be removed from the unit containing the VPD card. If this unit is powered on, power it off now.
  4. Disconnect the power cords
    Disconnect all power cords from the unit you are servicing.
    Disconnecting the power cords.
  5. Place into service position

    Note to expansion unit users: The instructions in this procedure are written based on the rack model. Expansion unit users can still use this procedure; however, expansion unit users should ignore specific references to rack-only features such as rack doors, rack thumbscrews, and rack-specific FRU orientation.

    Attention: When placing the model rack into the service position, it is essential that all stability plates are firmly in position to prevent the rack from toppling. Ensure that only one system unit is in the service position at a time.

    Remove two screws (A) securing the system unit (B) to the rack.
    Placing into service position.
  6. Place into service position (continued)

    While holding the system unit release latches (A) down on both the left and right sides, pull the system unit (B) out from the rack until the rails are fully extended and locked.

    Notes:

    1. Ensure that the cables at the back of the system unit do not catch or bind as you pull the unit forward in the rack.
    2. When the system unit rails are fully extended, the rail safety latches lock into place. This action prevents the system from being pulled out too far.
    Placing into service position.
  7. Remove the service access cover
    1. Loosen the two thumbscrews (A) located at the back of the cover.
    2. Slide the cover (B) toward the back of the system unit. When the front of the service access cover has cleared the upper frame ledge, lift the cover up and off the system unit.

    Attention: For proper cooling and airflow, replace the cover before turning on the system. Operating the system without the cover for more than 30 minutes could damage the system components.
    Removing the service access cover.
  8. Remove the VPD card

    Remove the VPD card (B) from the VPD card guide (A) on the planar by pulling the blue handle.
    Removing the VPD card.
  9. Install the VPD card
    1. Insert the VPD card (B) into the VPD card guide (A).
    2. Push until the VPD card is fully seated.
    Installing the VPD card
  10. Install the service access cover
    1. Place the service access cover (A) on the top of the system, about 25 mm (1 in.) from the front of the system.
    2. Hold the service access cover against the system unit and slide it toward the front of the system. The tabs of the service access cover slide beneath the upper chassis ledge.
    3. Align the two thumbscrews (B) located on the back of the service access cover with the two holes on the back of the system chassis.
    4. Tighten the thumbscrews to secure the service access cover.
    Installing the service access cover.
  11. Place into operating position
    1. To unlock the rail safety latches (B), slide the latches towards the front of the system.
    2. Push the system unit (A) back into the rack until both system-unit release latches have locked into position.

      Note: Ensure that the cables at the back of the system do not catch or bind as you push the system unit back into the rack.
    Placing the unit into operating position.
  12. Place into operating position (continued)

    Replace and tighten the two screws (B) that secure the system unit (A) to the rack.
    Securing the system unit to the rack with screws.
  13. Connect the power cords
    If you removed the power cords, connect all power cords to the unit you are servicing.
    Connecting the power cords.
  14. Power on the system.

    Power on the system.
  15. Access the ASMI

    The Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI) is the interface to the service processor that is required to perform general and administrator-level service tasks, such as reading service processor error logs, reading vital product data, setting up the service processor, and controlling the system power. The ASMI may also be referred to as the service processor menus.

    To access the ASMI, refer to Accessing the Advanced System Management Interface.

    When you have accessed the ASMI, continue with the next step.
  16. Set the system identifiers
    1. On the ASM Welcome pane, if you have not already logged in, specify your user ID and password, and click Log In.

      Note: To perform this operation, your authority level must be Administrator or Authorized service provider.

    2. In the navigation area, expand System Configuration.
    3. Expand Program Vital Product Data.
    4. Select System Brand.
    5. If the backed up system brand is correct, click Accept backed up setting and save. Otherwise, enter the correct system brand and click Continue.

    6. Note: If you do not know the correct system brand, contact your next level of support.

    7. Click Save setting to update the system brand to the VPD.
    8. Select System Keywords under Program Vital Product Data.
    9. If the backed up system keywords is correct, click Accept backed up setting and save. Otherwise, enter the values for the machine type-model, system serial number, system unique ID, and (if applicable) activation codes for Capacity on Demand (COD) and Virtualization Engine Technologies (VET). Set the Reserved field to blank spaces unless directed otherwise by Level 4 technical support.

      Note: If you do not know the system unique ID, contact your next level of support. You cannot boot the system until valid values are entered for all fields. You can change these entries only once.

    10. Click Save settings to update the system keywords and save them to the VPD.
  17. Go to Verifying a repair .
Parent topic: Removing and replacing FRUs
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Last updated: Thu, May 03, 2012