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Safety instructions
Before working inside your system
After working inside your system
System board
A system board (also known as the motherboard) is the main printed circuit board found in systems. The system board allows
communication between many of the crucial electronic components of the system, such as the central processing unit (CPU) and
memory, and also provides connectors for other peripherals. Unlike a backplane, a system board contains significant number of sub-
systems such as the processor expansion cards, and other components.
Removing the system board
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and
simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support
team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety
instructions that are shipped with your product.
CAUTION: If you are using the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) with an encryption key, you may be prompted to create a
recovery key during program or System Setup. Be sure to create and safely store this recovery key. If you replace this
system board, you must supply the recovery key when you restart your system or program before you can access the
encrypted data on your hard drives.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the TPM plug-in module from the system board. Once the TPM plug-in module is
installed, it is cryptographically bound to that specific system board. Any attempt to remove an installed TPM plug-in
module breaks the cryptographic binding, and it cannot be re-installed or installed on another system board.
1.
Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2.
Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3.
Remove the following components:
a.
Processor expansion module, if installed
b.
Cooling shroud, if installed.
c.
Cooling fan assembly.
d.
Power supply units
e.
All expansion card risers
f.
Integrated storage controller card
g.
Internal dual SD module
h.
Internal USB key, if installed.
i.
PCIe card holder
j.
Heat sinks or heat sink blanks
k.
Processors or processor blanks
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the processor pins when replacing a faulty system board, ensure that you
cover the processor socket with the processor protective cap.
l.
Memory modules and memory module blanks
m.
Network daughter card
Steps
1.
Disconnect all cables from the system board.
CAUTION: Take care not to damage the system identification button while removing the system board from the
chassis.
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