This explains the procedure for upgrading the CPU to one of higher speed and also provides information on upgrading the memory. You can also install expansion cards to increase your system’s capabilities.

Your system can support up to four CPUs. They all must be of the same speed and type.

Important Note

This system has been tested to comply with CE marking and its strict legal requirements. Use only Apricot tested and approved parts. Failure to do so may result in invalidating both the compliance and your warranty. All expansion cards must carry CE approvals.

Gaining Access to the Machine Interior

To gain access to the interior of the machine, you must remove the side panels. The following illustration shows the securing screws and key lock which are present on each side panel:

1 Floating Fasteners 2 Keylock

To remove the side panel:

1. Refer to the SMA and note down the value of the TimeOnCharge variable. This value expresses, in seconds, the remaining charge in the UPS battery pack. Since isolating the battery pack (see below) sets the TimeOnCharge variable to zero, you will need to reset the variable in the SMA after you have completed the work and set the switch back to the On position.

2. Power down the system to Standby mode.

3. Ensure that the battery pack is isolated (the circuit breaker switch on the rear of the server must be in the Off position).

4. Disconnect the system from the AC supply.

5. Loosen the floating fasteners, located at the top left and right corners of the panel, until they move in and out freely. These fasteners are mounted in a spring fitting and should not be separated from the panel.

6. Insert the side panel key into the keylock and turn it ¼ turn clockwise to unlock the panel. Your system is equipped with one pair of side panel keys. Both keys in the pair will unlock both side panels.

Press the panel firmly downwards, against the springs, in order to pull it outward and then upward as shown:

Refitting the Side Panel

Use the following steps to refit the side panel: 

1. Ensure that the lip on the inner surface of the side panel fits over the chassis ridge at the panel bottom edge.

2. Press the panel downwards against the springs, then fit it in under the top edge.

3. Tighten the floating fasteners.

4. Insert the side panel key into the lock and turn it clockwise as far as it will go.

5. Push the lock inward until you feel the resistance of the metalwork.

6. Turn the lock ¼ turn anti-clockwise and remove the key.

7. Use the SMA and the front door key, as appropriate, to ensure that Security is enabled.

Upgrading the CPU

Important Note

The procedures explained in this section are for authorised engineers only.

The first two CPU positions are located on the motherboard, towards the top of the electronics chamber. A second pair of processors can be located on an additional card which may be fitted at the top of the motherboard.

To gain access, it is required to remove the protective metal plate which covers the upper part of the electronics chamber. On completion of any work it is important to replace this panel for airflow integrity.

Remove the securing screws as shown in the following diagram:

1 Protective Metal Plate 2 Securing Screws

2. Lift the metal plate away from the metalwork.

Memory and CPU locations

This diagram shows the positions of the CPUs and main memory:

1 VRM for processor ‘B’ 2 DIMM sockets 1-4 3 Processor ‘B’ 4 Processor ‘A’ 5 DIMM sockets 5-8 6 VRM for processor ‘A' 7 Clock and multiplier SWs

Caution

All electronic computer components are sensitive to static electricity. Always take antistatic precautions before handling such components (see the Appendix for more details). An earthing stud is provided at the rear of the server.

To remove the existing processor

1. If the system was in use just before starting this procedure, the processor will be hot, wait at least 15 minutes for it to cool down.

2. If there is no processor fan, a strong spring clip secures the large heatsink to the processor. Release the end of the spring from the hook on the front of the ZIF socket with care and slide the heatsink clear. Handle carefully as there may be heat transfer compound on the heatsink face.

There may be a power lead for a fan if the processor has one fitted in the place of a simple heatsink. Take note of the fan power lead polarity before releasing it from its board connection.

A lever attached to the ZIF socket secures the processor in the socket. Unhook the lever from the locked position. Lift it upright (at right-angles to the motherboard). There may be a little stiffness at the beginning and end of the lever’s movement.

4. Lift the processor out of the socket and place it on an anti-static surface outside the system unit. Hold the processor by its edges and avoid touching any of the metal pins.

Warning

If the processor does not easily lift out of, or fit into the socket, do not force it or damage may be caused to the processor and the socket. Consult your supplier or an Apricot dealer.

To fit the upgrade processor

Complete kits of Processor, Spring clip, Heatsink and Voltage Regulator Module (VRM8) are available from your Apricot dealer.

1. Ensure that the securing lever on the ZIF socket is still in the upright position.

 Caution

If the computer has more than one CPU fitted it requires all CPUs to be upgraded. They must all be of the same speed and type.

Take the upgrade processor out of its anti-static packaging. Hold the processor by its edges and avoid touching the metal pins. The processor and ZIF socket are designed to ensure that the processor can only install in the correct orientation. (The pin pattern is totally different at one end.) It will only fit into the socket one way.

Place the processor in the socket, making sure that it is correctly aligned and that you do not bend or otherwise damage the pins. Do not use excessive force.

4. Move the ZIF socket lever to the locked position. Apply just enough pressure to overcome the resistance offered by the lever. Ensure that it is firmly locked into its down position.

5. Refit the heatsink if the new processor was supplied without one and secure correctly the retaining spring. Ensure the heatsink is central on the processor and is securely held.

If the spring is no longer required, remove it completely by disengaging it from its hook on the rear of the ZIF socket.

The upgrade processor may have a fan power lead to be connected to the pins on the board. The ‘Overdrive’ type processor however may have its own internal connection for the fan power supply.

6. It is vital when fitting an additional processor, that the Voltage Regulator Module (VRM8) is inserted into its socket/connector adjacent to the processor’s ZIF socket. It will only fit one way.

Now adjust the processor multiplier and external bus clock speed switches on the motherboard (in conjunction with the new processor’s data sheet), as in the following tables. Note that all other switch positions are reserved.

Warning

Do not alter the processor or clock settings under normal operation unless upgrading all the fitted processors. It could result in permanent damage to either the motherboard or the processors.

Additional CPUs, ‘C’ and ‘D’

If there are two processors fitted to the motherboard and if it is required to fit a third+fourth processor, the extra processor board will need to be fitted.

The procedure for fitting processors to this extra board is identical to that for the motherboard, but for safety and ease of assembly it is recommended to be completed before installing the card in the system, on a suitable antistatic surface or mat. The processors and VRMs must be exactly the same as the ones fitted to the motherboard. The additional processor board must be inserted in the slot at the top of the motherboard:

1 VRM for processor ‘D’ 2 VRM for processor ‘C’ 3 ZIF socket for processor ‘C’ 4 Fan connection (if required) 5 Fan connection (if required) 6 ZIF socket for processor ‘D’

1. Disengage the termination board from its slot at the top of the motherboard and place it in suitable packaging.

2. The additional CPU board then fits into the same socket, with the processors facing downwards.

3. Fit the metal support strut into place. Hooks at one end fit into the fan housing and the other end is fixed with a screw at the chamber rear. Ensure that it is firmly fitted onto the edge of the CPU board.

Upgrading Memory

Important Note

The procedure explained in this section is for authorised engineers only.

There are two memory locations each with sockets for four Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMMs). Slots are numbered from 1 to 8 (top to bottom).

Slots 1, 3, 5, 7, form bank one and slots 2, 4, 6, 8, form bank two.

You must populate the slots according to the following rules:

If more than 1 DIMMs is to be fitted in a bank, they must all be the same capacity. (See the supported memory configuration table overleaf).

EDO and FPM type DIMMs can be mixed.

Bank two can have different capacity modules, but must have the same population of modules as bank one. It must also match the supported configurations in the table overleaf.

Use only 3.3 volt, gold contact modules.

All fitted modules should be the same speed.

80ns, 70ns and 60ns are all supported, but 60ns may provide performance benefits with some operating systems.

The BIOS will adjust to the speed of the slowest module if they differ.

The minimum configuration is one DIMM, but there are benefits in fitting 2 or 4 DIMMs, as 2 or 4 way interleave, respectively, then become available. The following restrictions however, must be applied:

If memory is to be fitted in both banks their interleave population must be identical, e.g. populating sockets 2 and 3 is not allowed. (see the scheme tabled below.)

You must fill one, two or all four slots in bank one. Three DIMMs in a bank is not supported. You must therefore fit 1, 2, 4, or 8 modules.

When 2 or 4 modules are to be fitted it is preferable to keep them in one bank.

Interleave scheme

The following table lists the supported memory configurations for bank one. Bank two when used must have an identical number of modules. They may be of different value but must be a supported configuration from this table.

Removing DIMMs

Caution

Before attempting to remove or fit a DIMM, be sure to take proper antistatic precautions, such as using an antistatic strap. (See the Appendix for more details on antistatic precautions). An earthing stud is provided at the rear of the server.

If you wish to install an upgrade in a bank which is already occupied you may need to first remove the existing DIMMs. For each DIMM in the bank:

Press gently the clips on each side of the socket gently outwards using your forefingers. This will disengage the clips and lift the DIMM up and out of the socket.

2. Taking care to avoid touching any of the components on the DIMM, grip the top corners of the DIMM between thumb and first finger and carefully lift the module out of the socket.

3. Place the DIMM in a suitable antistatic package.

Inserting DIMMs

Important

Apricot Computers Ltd extensively tests many types of memory modules. DIMMs obtained from any other source cannot be guaranteed to operate correctly or safely with the rest of the system and software. Non Apricot parts may invalidate both the CE approvals and the system warranty.

For each socket in the bank:

The DIMM will only install in one orientation. There are indents along the DIMM’s edge connector as shown:

 Hold the DIMM with its metal connector strip nearest the board surface.

Press the DIMM gently into the socket and ensure the end clip at each end clicks into place, retaining the module in the socket.

If the clips will not latch easily, remove the module and start again.

Do not use excessive force.

Installing and Removing Expansion Cards

Important Note

The procedures explained in this section are for authorised engineers only.

 The following illustration shows the positions of the expansion card slots in the electronics chamber:

1 PCI Slots 2 EISA/ISA Slots 3 SMIC card (bottom slot)

Important

You must always replace the System Management Interface Card in its original fitted position, i.e. the bottom EISA slot.

Installing

1. Study the expansion board’s installation guide and follow its directions. The guide should tell you what kind of slot (i.e. PCI or EISA/ISA) you will use and whether there are any jumpers or switches on the card that you need to configure before fitting.

2. Remove the blanking plate from the rear panel access opening that corresponds to the chosen PCI or EISA slot.

Remember that one EISA/PCI slot is shared and therefore can only accept one card of either type.

3. Detach the SMIC ribbon cable from the SMIC card temporarily, to allow cards into the chamber.

4. Now fit the expansion card carefully into the slot. You can only install it in one orientation. If your card is full-length, be sure to insert one edge into the slider guide, attached to the cooling fan assembly metalwork, as you fit the card.

Position rules

Additional SCSI controllers

These must be fitted in one of the bottom three PCI slots to avoid boot-up conflicts with the onboard controllers.

RAID controllers

These should also be fitted to the lower slots

PCI Ethernet cards

Fit from the topmost PCI slot downwards

EISA Ethernet cards

Any slot bar the lowest, which is strictly reserved for the SMIC

1 Card end guide/support 2 Expansion Card 3 Securing Screw 4 Blanking plates 5 SMIC cable

1. Ensure that the card is firmly seated in its slot, but do not use excessive force.

2. Fasten the card in place using the blanking plate securing screw.

3. Fit any required cables to the board, ensuring their correct orientation. Do not allow them to obstruct airflow from any of the cooling fans.

4. Refit the SMIC ribbon cable to the SMIC card.

5. Run the EISA Configuration Utility (ECU) to complete the installation process. Full details are in the preceding chapter.

Caution

Remember to copy the RAMdrive back to the Flash disk on the ECU. Otherwise any configuration files added or updated will be lost when you exit the ECU.

Removing

1. Unplug all cables connected to the board and remove them completely.

2. Remove the securing screw and pull the board out of the slot, leaving an empty space on the rear panel for the blanking plate again.

3. Replace the original blanking plate to cover the rear opening to maintain airflow integrity.

4. Run the EISA Configuration Utility (ECU) to inform the system that you have removed the board.

Caution

Remember to copy the RAMdrive back to the Flash disk on the ECU. Otherwise all the updated configuration files will still be present when you exit the ECU.