POWER7 information

Removing the Midplane

If your system is managed by the Hardware Management Console (HMC) use the HMC to remove the Midplane. For instructions see, Removing a part by using the Hardware Management Console.

If your system is managed by the IBM® Systems Director Management Console (SDMC), use the SDMC to remove the Midplane. For instructions, see Removing a part by using the Systems Director Management Console.

  1. Perform the prerequisite tasks as described in Before you begin.
  2. Stop the system. For instructions see, Stopping the system or logical partition.
  3. Disconnect the power source from the system by unplugging the system.
    Disconnecting the power source from the system
    Attention: You must disconnect the power source from the system by disconnecting all power cords to prevent system damage during this procedure.

    (L003)

    Hazardous voltage or energy levels are present inside any component that has this label attached. Do not open any cover or barrier that contains this label.
    or
    Hazardous voltage or energy levels are present inside any component that has this label attached. Do not open any cover or barrier that contains this label.

  4. Before removing a SAS conduit card, inspect the signal connector pins to ensure that the pins are not bent or damaged.
    Attention: Bent pins damage the backplane receptacle. Be careful not to touch or damage the signal connector pins.
  5. Remove the disk drives and fillers as shown in the following figure. Record the location of each of the disk drives you remove. The disk drives must be reinstalled to the same location again.
    1. Squeeze the latch of the disk drive and pull the handle (A) toward you to release the drives.
    2. Supporting the bottom of the disk drive with your hand, slide it out of the backplane.
    Figure 1. Removing the disk drives from the backplane
    Picture of sliding the disk drives out of the backplane.
  6. Remove the port cards and fillers as shown in the following figure.
    1. Grasp the end of the latching handle (A) and pull it upward to unlock the port card.
    2. Using your hand to support the bottom of the port card, slide it out of the backplane.
    3. Place the port card on an electrostatic discharge (ESD) surface.
    Figure 2. Removing the port card from the backplane
    Picture of removing the port cards
  7. Remove the backplane as shown in the following figure.
    CAUTION:
    The backplane might be heavy. Ensure that you can safely complete the procedure.
    1. Squeeze the blue latches (A) to unlock the handles.
    2. Pull the handles (B) outward in the direction shown to release the backplane.
    3. Slide the backplane out of the enclosure, using your hand to support the bottom of the backplane.
    Figure 3. Removing the backplane from the enclosure
    Picture of sliding the backplane out of the enclosure
  8. Disconnect both offline converter assembly (OCA) power cords by doing the following:
    1. On the front of both OCAs, slide the power cord holders (A) to the left.
    2. Label and disconnect both OCA power cords (B) from each OCA.
    Figure 4. Disconnecting the OCA power cords
    Disconnect (OCA power cords
  9. Remove the offline converter assemblies by doing the following steps:
    1. Pull the OCA handle (A) all the way down in the direction shown to unseat the OCA.
    2. Grasp both sides of the OCA and pull it out of the enclosure.
      Note: Use 2 hands to support the OCA as it is pulled out of the enclosure.
    3. Repeat these steps to remove both OCAs.
    Figure 5. Remove the offline converter assemblies
    Remove OCA assemblies
  10. Remove the I/O backplane
    1. Label and disconnect any cable connected to the back of the I/O backplane.
    2. Pinch the latches (A) to unlock the handles.
    3. Pull the handles (B) outward in the direction shown to unseat the I/O backplane.
    4. Supporting the bottom of the I/O backplane, slide the I/O backplane out of the enclosure.
    Remove the I/O backplane
  11. Remove the enclosure management controller card by doing the following steps:
    1. Label and disconnect any cables connected to the enclosure management controller card.
    2. Pinch the latch (A) to unlock the handle (B).
    3. Pull the handle outward in the direction shown to unseat the EMC card.
    4. Slide the enclosure management controller card straight out of the enclosure.
    Figure 6. Remove the enclosure management controller
    Remove the EMC card
  12. Remove the power cord plate by turning the thumbscrew (A) and pulling the plate away from the system.
    Figure 7. Removing the power cord plate
    Remove power cord plate
  13. Remove the SAS conduit card and midplane from the enclosure by doing the following steps:
    1. Pull the spring plungers (A) up and turn them one quarter to the left.
    2. Turn the captive screws (B) and (C) counterclockwise until they are completely loosened.
    3. Pull the SAS conduit and midplane component out of the enclosure.
    Figure 8. Removing the SAS conduit card and midplane
    Remove SAS conduit card and midplane
  14. Push the handles (A) on the conduit card down to disengage the card from the midplane, and remove the card.
    Figure 9. Removing the SAS conduit card from the midplane
    Remove midplane
Parent topic: Servicing the Midplane (FRU)

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Last updated: Thu, January 10, 2019