Apple XSERVE Service Manual
Service Source
Xserve
Xserve, Xserve (Slot Load), and Xserve (Cluster Node)
Updated: 7 May 2003
© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
Service Source
Take Apart
Xserve
© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
General Information
Overview
Xserve is a server designed to mount into a rack; Apple recommends that y ou remo ve the
Xserve from the rack before replacing or installing all parts except hard drives. You can
replace hard drives while the server is operating and still in the rack.
There are three versions of the Xserve server. To identify the versions, check the front
panel. The original Xserve includes a tray-load optical drive on the far right side; Xserve
(Slot Load) includes a slot-load optical drive. Xserve (Cluster Node) has no optical drive
and just one hard drive.
Note:
When different procedures are required, the version is specified in the topic heading.
General Information
For the most part, the procedures in this chapter apply to all versions of the server.
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Mounting in a Rack
For information on mounting Xserve in a rack, see the Xserve User’s Guide.
Tools
Many take-apart procedures do not require tools. You may, however, find a medium-sized
flatblade and Phillips screwdriver useful, as indicated at the beginning of some
procedures. If the server is locked, you will also need the server’s Allen wrench key.
Server Identifier Light/Button
The identifier light on the server’s front panel turns on when internal sensors or a systems
administrator detects a problem with the server. (The light can also be turned on by
pressing the identifier button.) This indicator will help you locate which server in a rack
needs servicing. In addition, you can use the identifier button on the Xserve (Slot Load)
and Xserve (Cluster Node) to initiate several firmware commands to the system. See
“Entering Firmware Boot Commands From the Front Panel” in the Troubleshooting
chapter.
Note:
A duplicate identifier light/button is on the server’s back panel.
Before Opening the Server
Serial Number
Be sure to write down the server’s serial number bef ore opening it. If the server’s softw are
must be set up after service is complete, the serial number will be required for login.
Unlocking the Server
If the server is in the locked position (the yello w security LED on the front panel is on), use
the Allen key that came with the server to unlock it.
Important:
optical drive, keyboard and mouse, and other peripherals connected to the USB and
FireWire ports on the server.
Shutting Down
You must shut down the server before replacing or installing all parts except the hard
drives. Before shutting down, be sure to alert users that the server will be unavailable for a
period of time.
When the lock on the server’s front panel is locked, the software ignores the
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Xserve Take Apart
Warning:
to allow internal components to cool.
After shutting down the server, you must wait a few minutes before servicing it
General Information
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Precautions
Follow these steps to avoid damage from ESD before working inside the server.
1. Shut down the server.
2. If the cable management arm is not in use, unplug all external cables except the
power cord.
3. Touch the server’s metal case to discharge static electricity.
4. Unplug the power cord.
5. Slide the server open, remove it from the rack, and place it on a flat surf ace , pref erably
covered by an ESD mat.
6. Put on an ESD wrist strap.
7. To avoid static electricity building back up in your body, do not walk around the room
until after you have finished working and closed the server.
Top Cover
The top cover is attached to the rac k where the server is mounted. If you are replacing the
top cover, you must remove it both from the server and from the rack. For detailed
information on how the top cover is mounted in the rack, see the User’s Guide.
General Information
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Hard Drive
The original Xserve and Xserve (Slot Load) include four hard drive bays at the front of the
server; Xserve (Cluster Node) includes just one drive bay. Drives come as modules
attached to carriers; they are removed from or installed in the server as a unit.
Note:
Blank drive carriers, which may fill some of the hard drive bays, follow the same
take-apart procedure as hard drives. If you are replacing a blank carrier with a drive
module, instruct the server’s administrator to keep the blank for possible future use. Blank
carriers must be installed in all empty bays to maintain proper airflow through the server.
Tools
No tools are required for this procedure.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, make sure the drives are in the unlocked position. No other preliminary
steps are required. You can replace or install hard drives while the server is running; you
do not need to shut down or open the server first.
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Xserve Take Apart
Note:
There are two LED indicators on the front of each drive.
• The upper LED shows drive status: a green light indicates the drive is good; a yellow
or red light indicates the drive should be replaced.
• The lower LED shows drive activity: when the light is blinking, the system is reading
from or writing to the drive. To avoid losing data, never remove a drive when the lower
LED is blinking.
WARNING:
If the drives are locked, pulling on the drive to remove it could damage the drive handle.
Drives must be in the unlocked position before you attempt to remove a drive.
Part Location
Hard Drive
Procedure
1. Make sure the drive being replaced is not in use by any application and is not being
shared by the server. (See the Mac OS X Server documentation for information about
shared drives.)
2. Unmount the drive (by using the command-line tools or by dragging the disk icon to
the Trash).
3. Press the handle on the front of the drive module so that the handle pops out.
Hard Drive
4. Wait for the upper LED on the drive to go out. Then grasp the drive handle, and pull
the drive module out of the server.
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Opening the Server
The server slides open from the front of the rack. The server’s top cover remains in place
in the rack; the bottom housing (containing all internal components) should be placed on a
sturdy, flat surface.
Tools
No tools are required for this procedure. You may, however, find a Phillips screwdriver
useful in releasing the thumb screws in step 1 below.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin this procedure, write down the server’s serial number located on the
back panel. If it is necessary to set up the server’s software after service is complete, the
serial number will be required for login.
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Xserve Take Apart
Opening the Server
Procedure
1. Release the two thumb screws at the front of the server.
Note:
The thumbscrews are captive and do not separate from the bottom housing.
2. Grasp the thumbscrews and slide the bottom housing forward part way to expose the
two chassis levers.
3. While depressing both levers , pull the bottom housing all the w ay forward and remov e
it from the rack. Place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface and ESD mat.
Opening the Server
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DIMMs
Xserve has four memory slots. For the original Xserve, DIMMs must be PC2100 doubledata-rate (DDR) SDRAM (also known as DDR-266 DIMMs). For the Xserve (Slot Load)
and Xserve (Cluster Node), DIMMs must be PC2700 DDR SDRAM (also known as DDR333 DIMMs). The DIMMs from older Macintosh computers are not compatible with Xserve.
Tools
No tools are required for this procedure.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the server and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
Part Location
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Xserve Take Apart
DIMMs
Procedure
1. Push down the ejectors on the DIMM slot.
2. Holding the DIMM by both top corners, lift it straight up out of the server.
Warning:
touch its connectors. Lift the DIMM straight up from the connector to remove it, and insert
it straight down into the connector to install it. Do not rock the DIMM from side to side.
Replacement Note:
align the notch in the DIMM with the small rib inside the slot.
When removing or installing the DIMM, handle it only by the edges. Do not
The DIMM is designed to fit into the slot only one way. Be sure to
DIMMs
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PCI or AGP Card
In the original Xserve and Xserve (Slot Load), there are three slots available for PCI
expansion cards. Two slots are on a riser card located at the back left corner of the logic
board; an additional slot is on a riser card at the back right corner of the logic board. A PCI
card that is 7 inches long can be installed in either riser card; a PCI card that is 12 inches
long can be installed only in the dual-slot riser. In addition, an AGP card can be installed in
the single-slot riser. The Xserve (Cluster Node) includes just two slots f or PCI cards on the
dual riser card.
Dual-Slot Riser Card
• Accommodates long cards (12") or short cards (7")
• Standard config comes with PCI video card installed; other cards are CTO options.
• Takes 3.3V, 64-bit/66-MHz or 32-bit/33-MHz cards. If one 33-MHz card is installed, all
cards run at 33-MHz
• Compatible with PCI only
Single-Slot Riser Card
• Accommodates short cards (7") only
• Standard config comes with no card installed; a PCI Gigabit Ethernet card and an AGP
video card are available as CTO options for this slot.
• Takes 3.3V, 32-bit/66-MHz cards
• AGP/PCI riser compatible with PCI cards; AGP/AGP riser compatible with AGP cards
Note:
Power consumption for all expansion slots, combined, should not exceed 45 W.
Tools
No tools are required for this procedure. You may, however, find a flatblade screwdriver
useful in releasing the thumb screw in step 1 below.
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Xserve Take Apart
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the server and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
Warning:
not touch its connectors or any of the components on the card. Lift the card straight out
from the connector to remove it, and insert it straight into the connector to install it. Do not
rock the card from side to side and don’t force the card into the slot. Once the replacement
card is installed, pull on it gently to check that it is properly connected.
When removing or installing a PCI or AGP card, handle it only by the edges. Do
PCI or AGP Card
Part Location
Card in Single-Slot Riser
Card in Dual-Slot Riser
Procedure for Card in Dual-Slot Riser
1. Release the thumb screw that secures the card fence to the back of the server.
2. If there are latches on either side of the riser, lift them slightly to release the riser from
the logic board.
3. Pull the riser a short distance to the side to disconnect it, and then tilt the riser and
attached card(s) up so that the card ports clear the enclosure. Remove the riser and
card(s) from the server.
PCI or AGP Card
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4. Disconnect the card(s) from the riser.
Procedure for Card in Single-Slot Riser
1. Release the thumb screw that secures the card fence to the back of the server.
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Xserve Take Apart
PCI or AGP Card
2. Pull the clip on the riser forward to release the riser from the logic board connector.
3. Disconnect the riser from the logic board and remove the riser and card from the
server.
4. Disconnect the card from the riser.
PCI or AGP Card
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Optical Drive, Xserve
Tools
The following tools are required for this procedure:
• Flatblade screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
If you are removing the drive faceplate, you will also need a jeweler’s (#00) Phillips
screwdriver.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the server and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
Part Location
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Xserve Take Apart
Optical Drive, Xserve
Procedure
1. Disconnect the optical drive cable from the optical drive.
2. Press in on the drive’s side bracket to release the drive from the chassis.
3. Lift up the bracket side of the drive and remove the drive from the server.
Optical Drive, Xserve
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Note:
If you are replacing the optical drive faceplate, do the following:
4. Open the optical drive tray by inserting a straightened paperclip into the manual eject
hole on the front of the drive.
5. Turn the drive over so the bottom of the drive faces up. Using a small (#00) Phillips
screwdriver, remove the two screws that secure the faceplate.
6. Using a small flat-blade screwdriver, release the latch on the far right end of the
faceplate.
7. Remove the faceplate from the drive.
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Xserve Take Apart
Optical Drive, Xserve
Replacement Note:
Before installing the replacement drive, you must transfer the side
bracket and the guide screws from the original drive to the replacement drive.
8. Remove the two screws that secure the side bracket to the original drive.
9. Remove the bracket and transfer it to the replacement drive, using the two screws
from the original drive to secure the bracket.
10. Remove the two guide screws from the side of the original drive and install them on
the replacement drive.
Optical Drive, Xserve
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11. Align the corner of the replacement drive with the two guides in the chassis and press
the drive down until you hear it snap into place.
12. Reconnect the optical drive cable to the drive.
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Xserve Take Apart
Optical Drive, Xserve
Optical Drive, Xserve (Slot Load)
Tools
The only tool required for this procedure is a jeweler’s Phillips (#0) screwdriver.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the server and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
Part Location
Optical Drive, Xserve (Slot Load)
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Procedure
1. Disconnect the optical drive cable.
2. Rotate the optical drive clip clockwise to release it.
3. Placing your thumbs on the tab on either side of the drive, carefully slide the drive
back from the front bezel.
Important: When removing or replacing the optical drive, be careful not to put
pressure on the top of the drive or the top of the front bezel that covers the optical
drive slot.
4. LIft the drive out of the server.
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Optical Drive, Xserve (Slot Load)
Replacement Note: Before installing the replacement drive, you must transfer the side
brackets and the screws from the original drive to the replacement drive.
5. Remove the mounting screw for the left bracket and transfer the bracket to the new
drive, using the same screw to secure it.
6. Remove the three mounting screws f or the right brac ket and tr ansfer the br ack et to the
new drive, again using the same screws to secure it.
Optical Drive, Xserve (Slot Load)
Xserve Take Apart - 21
Optical Drive Cable
Tools
No tools are required for this procedure.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the server and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
Part Location
22 - Xserve Take Apart
Optical Drive Cable
Procedure
1. Disconnect the optical drive cable from the optical drive.
2. Disconnect the cable from the drive interconnect board and remov e the cable from the
server.
Optical Drive Cable
Xserve Take Apart - 23
Heatsink, Xserve
Note: This procedure applies to the original Xserve only. The heatsink for Xserve (Slot
Load) and Xserve (Cluster Node) is part of the processor and should not be removed
separately.
Tools
The only tool required for removing the heatsink is a Phillips screwdriver.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the server and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
Part Location
24 - Xserve Take Apart
Heatsink, Xserve
Procedure
1. Release the latch on the heatsink duct from its slot, slide the cover away from the
blower, and lift the end of the duct as shown. Remove the duct from the server.
2. Release the three captive screws that secure the heatsink.
3. Lift the heatsink straight up and remove it from the server.
Heatsink, Xserve
Xserve Take Apart - 25
WARNING: Whenever you remove the heatsink, before reinstalling it, you must replace
the thermal grease on the MPU. To replace the grease, do the following:
• Using the alcohol pad included with the replacement part or kit, clean off any used
thermal grease from the MPU and the bottom of the heatsink.
• Using the thermal grease included with the replacement part or kit, apply one dot of
fresh grease to the middle of the MPU (or both MPUs if the server is a dual processor).
• Spread the grease evenly across the MPU(s) to a thickness of approximately 1 mm.
• Carefully align the posts on the heatsink with the holes in the processor card, and
lower the heatsink straight down onto the processor.
• To ensure the grease spreads evenly over the processor, lightly tighten the screws in
the order indicated below.
• Again tighten the screws in the order indicated to affix the heatsink securely to the
processor.
• Replace the heatsink duct on the heatsink.
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Heatsink, Xserve
Processor, Xserve
Tools
No tools are required for this procedure.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, do the following:
• Open the server and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
• Remove the heatsink.
Part Location
Processor, Xserve
Xserve Take Apart - 27
Procedure
1. Lift the processor straight up to disconnect it from the logic board.
2. Remove the processor from the server.
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Processor, Xserve
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