Installing a PCIe adapter in the 8247-42L, 8286-41A, or 8286-42A system with the power turned off

Learn how to install the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express (PCIe) adapters in the system with the system power turned off.

1. Ensure that you have the electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap on and that the ESD clip is connected to an unpainted metal surface. If not, do so now.
2. Ensure that the target slot is empty.
   Note: If you are installing the PCIe gen3 x16 GPU adapter (FC EC47 or EC4B) in the 8247-42L, it requires two empty PCI adapter slots in P1-C3 and P1-C4.
3. If the target slot contains a filler, remove the filler.
   To remove the filler, carefully grasp the filler by its top edge or tailstock, and remove it from the system. See Figure 1 for a rack-mounted system and see Figure 2 for a stand-alone 8286-41A system.

   • You can store the filler in a safe place to use it later to install in an empty slot.
   • You can use the filler tailstock to attach it to a new adapter.

   Figure 1. Removing a filler from a PCIe adapter slot in a rack-mounted system

   

   Figure 2. Removing a filler from a PCIe adapter slot in a stand-alone 8286-41A system

   
4. If you are installing the PCIe gen3 x16 GPU adapter (FC EC47 or EC4B) in the 8247-42L, remove the PCI adapter divider that is located between slots P1-C3 and P1-C4.
   1. Hold the top edge of the PCI adapter divider.
   2. Press down on the retaining latch at the back edge of the divider. Pull the divider away from the system chassis, then lift out to remove it from the system.
5. If necessary, remove the adapter from the antistatic package.
   Attention: Avoid touching the components and gold connectors on the adapter.
6. Place the adapter, component-side up, on a flat, antistatic surface.
   Note: Some PCIe adapters are shipped from the manufacturer with a blue handle or support bracket along the back edge of the adapter. To use adapters of this type, you must remove the blue handle or the support bracket from the adapter.
   Attention: A pin on the tailstock of the adapter resembles a removable screw. Do not remove this pin. It is required for correct alignment and seating.
   Note: The PCIe gen3 x16 GPU adapter (feature code EC47 or EC4B) has a protective shield that is attached to the tailstock. The protective shield is attached to the rear bulkhead after you install the adapter. The adapter has an air baffle that is attached at the edge opposite to the tailstock. Do not attempt to remove the air baffle. To remove the protective shield, pull out the locking button as shown in Figure 3. Holding the protective shield, disengage the shield from the tailstock and then pull out the shield.

   Figure 3. Removing the protective shield from the GPU adapter

   
7. If you are installing or replacing the PCIe gen3 x16 GPU adapter (FC EC47 or EC4B) in an 8247-42L system, connect the auxiliary power cable (A) to its connectors on the system backplane, as shown in Figure 4, and then continue with step 8. If you are installing any other adapter, go to step 8.
   Figure 4. Connecting the power cords for the GPU adapter PCIe adapter in the 8247-42L system

   
8. If the adapter latch (B) at the target slot is not already in the open position, pull the latch into the open position by rotating the latch outwards from its clip on the back of the system, as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6.
   Attention: Before you insert the adapter in the PCIe slot, ensure that the adapter has no cables, protective shields, or transceivers that are attached to it. If the adapter has cables, protective shields, or transceivers that are attached, remove them. For instructions to remove protective shields or transceivers, see Removing and replacing the tailstock on a PCIe adapter. The cables, protective shields, or transceivers must be attached to the adapter after the adapter is inserted in the PCIe slot.
9. Carefully grasp the adapter by its top edge or tailstock, and align the adapter with the slot and its connector on the system backplane (A), as shown in Figure 5, Figure 7, and Figure 6.
   Note: If you are installing the PCIe gen3 x16 GPU adapter (feature code EC47 or EC4B) in the 8247-42L, you can install the GPU adapter only in slot P1-C3. The GPU adapter being installed must also be identical to the one in the server.
   Figure 5. Installing or replacing a PCIe adapter in a rack-mounted system

   
   Figure 6. Installing or replacing a PCIe adapter in a stand-alone 8286-41A system

   
10. On the system, press the adapter firmly into its connector.
11. If you are installing or replacing the PCIe gen3 x16 GPU adapter (FC EC47 or EC4B), complete the following steps:
    1. Rotate the adapter latch (A) in the direction shown in Figure 7.
    2. Press the latch (B) on the air baffle to lock in place, as shown in Figure 7.
    If you are installing or replacing any other adapter, go to the next step.
    Figure 7. Installing or replacing the GPU adapter PCIe adapter in a rack-mounted system

    
12. To lock the adapter in its slot, rotate the adapter latch (B) in the direction that is shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6.