Apple Front Panel Board Cable User Manual

Front Panel Board Cable

Replacement Instructions

 Mac Pro

First Steps

Shut down computer.1

Wait 10 minutes.

2

Warning: Parts inside
computer can be very
hot. Allow computer
to cool down before
continuing.

Unplug all external 3

cables except power
cord.

Touch metal PCI cover 4

on back of computer.

Unplug power cord.5

Note: Follow these instructions carefully. Failure to do so could damage your equipment and
void its warranty.

Opening the
Computer

Hold side access 1

panel and lift latch on
back of computer.

Warning: Edges of
access panel and
enclosure can be
sharp. Be careful
when handling.

Remove access panel 2

and place it on at

surface covered by
soft, clean cloth.

© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

073-1257 Rev. A 1

Required Tools

Phillips #2 screwdriver •
RIght-angle, 2.5 mm •
hex driver
Flatblade screwdriver•
Long-handled Phillips •
#1 screwdriver

Removing the
Installed Cable

Before removing the front
panel board cable, you
must remove:

Hard drive in far-left •
drive bay
Graphics card in slot 1•
Processor tray•
PCIe fan•
Processor cage•

Hard Drive

1 Make sure latch on

back panel is up, so
that drive is unlocked.

Pull hard drive out of 2

far-left drive bay.

© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

073-1257 Rev. A 2

Graphics Card

3 Locate graphics card

in slot 1.

4 Using Phillips #1

screwdriver, loosen 2
captive screws
securing card’s
bracket to enclosure.

Remove bracket from 5

enclosure.

© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

073-1257 Rev. A 3

Note: Card is held in place
by retention bar. Following
two steps explain how to
release bar.

Press button on PCIe 6

fan.

Move fan to left, 7

which releases
retention bar.

Note: Some graphics
cards require 1 or 2
booster cables connecting
card to auxiliary power
connectors on backplane
board. If your card has
booster cables, disconnect
them from backplane
board.

© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

073-1257 Rev. A 4

8 Holding card by top

corners, pull it up out
of slot.

Remove card from 9

computer.

Checklist for handling card:

When removing or installing card, handle it only by the edges. Do not touch its connectors •
or any components.
Don’t rock card from side to side; instead, lift card straight up from connecotr to remove it, •
and press card straight into slot to install it.
Don’t force card. If you meet a lot of resistance, pull card out. Check connector and slot for •
damage or obstructions, then try inserting card again.
Pull card gently to see if it is properly connected. If it resists and stays in place and its gold •
connectors are barely visible, card is connected.

© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

073-1257 Rev. A 5