Apple Xserve DIY Procedure for Thermal Grease Kit User Manual

 Xserve (Late 2006/Early 2008)

Thermal Grease Kit

Instructions

The thermal bond between the processor heat sink and the processor requires thermal grease
for proper operation. Every time you remove or replace the processor heat sink, you must replace
the thermal grease on the processor below the heat sink. New grease and alcohol wipes for

cleaning o the old grease are included with certain replacement parts and in a separate thermal

grease kit. Instructions for applying the grease are provided in this procedure.

Follow the instructions in this document carefully. Failure to follow these instructions could
damage your equipment and void its warranty.

Note: Online instructions are available at http://www.apple.com/support/diy/.

Kit Contents

The following are included in the thermal grease kit:

2 syringes of pre-measured thermal grease•

2 alcohol wipes for cleaning previous thermal grease o processors and heat sinks•

Working Safely Inside the Xserve

Always touch the Xserve enclosure to discharge static electricity before you touch any
components inside the Xserve. To avoid generating static electricity, do not walk around the

room until you have nished working inside the server and have replaced the cover. To minimize

the possibility of damage due to static discharge, wear an antistatic wrist strap while you work
inside the Xserve.

Warning: Always shut down the Xserve, and disconnect the power cords before opening
it to avoid damaging its internal components or the components you are installing. Don’t
open the server while it is turned on. Even after you shut down the Xserve, its internal
components can be very hot. Let it cool before you open it.

073-1108 Rev. B

Removing the Xserve from a Rack

Latches

Thumbscrews

Alert users that the server will be unavailable for a period of time. 1.

Shut down the Xserve (see the Xserve User’s Guide for help) and then wait to let the Xserve 2.
internal components cool.

Warning: Always shut down the Xserve before opening it to avoid damaging its internal
components or the components you want to install or remove. Don’t open the Xserve
or try to install or remove items inside while it is turned on. Even after you shut down
the Xserve, its internal components can be very hot. Let it cool down for 5 to 10 minutes
before you open it.

Unplug all cables from the Xserve. 3.
Note: If you have trouble releasing a cable from the back panel, try using a small screwdriver

or other at tool to depress the tab on the cable connector.

To avoid inadvertently unlatching a drive module during handling, use the enclosure key to 4.
lock the enclosure lock on the front panel.

Touch the server’s metal case to discharge any static electricity. 5.

Loosen the thumbscrews at both ends of the front panel.6.

Grasp the thumbscrews and pull the Xserve forward until the safety latches engage (about 7.
halfway out of the rack).

When the safety latches engage, grip the Xserve where it emerges from the rack, press down 8.
on the latch tabs with your thumbs, and slide the Xserve the rest of the way out of the rack.

Set the Xserve on a at surface and unlock it. 9.

Xserve (Late 2006/Early 2008) Thermal Grease Kit Instructions 2

Opening the Xserve

Unscrew the two
captive thumbscrews.

Slide the cover back and lift it off.

Loosen the thumbscrews at the back of the top cover and slide the cover back and up to remove

it. If you have diculty removing the cover, check the enclosure lock on the front panel.

Warning: Even after you shut down the Xserve, its internal components can be very hot. Let
it cool before you open it.

Important: To minimize the possibility of damage to Xserve components due to static discharge,

wear an antistatic wrist strap, if possible, while you work inside the Xserve.

Removing the Processor Heat Sinks

Note: Before removing the processor heat sinks, you must remove the airow duct.

Airow Duct

Loosen the ve Phillips screws that fasten the airow duct to the fan array.1.

Pull up on either side of the airow duct, and lift it straight up and out of the Xserve. 2.

Caution: Try not to completely remove the screws from the airow duct. Tiny black rubber
washers hold these screws captive on the underside of the airow duct. If the screws are

completely removed, these washers can easily fall into the enclosure and become lost.

Xserve (Late 2006/Early 2008) Thermal Grease Kit Instructions 3

Processor Heat Sink

Note: Server congurations with a single processor have a regular heat sink and a blank heat sink

installed. The blank heat sink is silver colored (as shown below) and should not be removed
except when replacing a logic board.

Xserve (Late 2006/Early 2008) Thermal Grease Kit Instructions 4

Loosen the four screws securing the heat sink in the order indicated below. 1.

Xserve (Late 2006/Early 2008) Thermal Grease Kit Instructions 5