If you suspect there is a problem with your hardware, use the diagnostic flowchart in “Diagnosing the Problem” to help isolate the problem before calling your local Silicon Graphics service provider.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
Before calling your local Silicon Graphics provider, have the following information ready. You can record the information in the space provided in Table 5-1.
system serial number (see “Locating Your Workstation's Serial Number”)
hardware configuration information including hardware upgrades, and IRIX software version (choose Toolchest > System Manager)
description of the problem
Use this space to record the information you need for your support call.
Table 5-1. Information Needed for Support Call
System Serial Number
Model Number
IRIX Version
Description of Problem
Remove the faulty part if instructed by your service provider to do so. See these sections:
If you are instructed by your service provider to replace the system module, follow these steps.
Before replacing your system module, you must remove the memory modules, PCI tray, CPU module, and digital display adapter board (if one is installed) from your existing module and reinstall them on the replacement module you received.
 | Note: It's important that you remove the PCI tray, because the printed circuit board beneath it contains a host chip with important information such as the workstation's serial number. |
Follow these steps:
Remove the power cable, and remove the system module from the chassis. See “Removing the System Module” and “Reinstalling the System Module.”
Remove all of the DIMM modules from the system module you are returning and reinstall them on the replacement system module. See “Removing Memory Modules” and “Installing Memory Modules.”
Remove the PCI tray from the system module you are returning, and reinstall it on the replacement system module. If a PCI board is installed in the tray, do not remove it from the tray.
R5000 workstations, see “Removing a PCI Board: R5000 Workstation” and “Installing a PCI Board: R5000 Workstation.”
R10000 workstations, see “Removing the PCI Tray: R10000 Workstation” and “Installing a PCI Board: R10000 Workstation.”
Remove the CPU module from the system module you are returning, and reinstall it on the replacement system module.
R5000 workstations, see “Replacing the R5000 CPU Module.”
R10000 workstations, see “Replacing the R10000 CPU Module.”
Remove the digital display adapter board, if one is installed, and reinstall it on the replacement system module. See “Removing a Digital Display Adapter Board” and “Installing a Digital Display Adapter Board.”
Ship the stripped-down system module back to Silicon Graphics in the container that held the new system module.
If you are instructed by your service provider to replace the R5000 CPU module, follow these steps.
If you haven't already done so, turn off the workstation, remove the power cable, and remove the system module from the chassis. See “Removing the System Module.”
Release the PCI tray by pushing up the lever on the side (Figure 5-1). The tray pops up.
Push down slightly on the rear of the PCI tray and remove it from the system module (Figure 5-2). Do not remove the PCI board (if one is installed) from the tray.
Before touching any of the components, ground yourself to a metal part of the chassis. Attach the wrist strap to your wrist and to the metal flange (Figure 5-3).
Locate the R5000 CPU module (Figure 5-4). Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws from the locations shown.
Grasp the CPU module on both sides and gently rock it out (Figure 5-5). Do not exaggerate the rocking motion, or you will bend the pins.
Install the replacement R5000 CPU module (Figure 5-6).
Align the connector beneath the module with the connector on the system board. Make sure it is positioned correctly before pressing down.
Press down gently on the CPU module until it is securely seated. You hear a click as it connects.
Insert and tighten the two Phillips screws in the locations shown (Figure 5-6).
Remove the wrist strap.
Reinstall the PCI tray in the system module (Figure 5-7).
Engage the hinge on the PCI tray in the slot.
Lower the tray and insert the connector into the slot, pushing toward the back of the module as you do this (Figure 5-7).
Push the tray down firmly until it is completely seated. Check that the lever returns to its starting position (Figure 5-8).
Note: If the PCI tray is not completely seated, the system module will not slide back into the chassis.
Reinstall the system module, and reconnect the cables. See “Reinstalling the System Module.”
Ship the old CPU module to Silicon Graphics in the container that held the replacement CPU module.
If you are instructed by your service provider to replace the R10000 CPU module, follow these steps.
To remove the R10000 CPU module, you must first remove the plastic face plate of the system module and the PCI tray.
If you haven't already done so, turn off the workstation, remove the power cable, and remove the system module from the chassis. See “Removing the System Module.”
Remove the plastic face plate from the system module:
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove five screws on the rear and two screws on the underside, in the locations shown (Figure 5-9).
Caution: On the underside, remove only two screws. Do not remove the third screw that attaches the lever to the face plate.
Lift the face plate away from the module (Figure 5-10).
There is a filler panel covering the I/O port which falls away as you remove the face plate.
Release the PCI tray from the system module as follows. If a PCI board is installed in the tray, do not remove it from the tray.
Insert a screwdriver in the small opening shown in Figure 5-11 and use and a prying or twisting motion to release the PCI connector from the system module.
Pull the PCI tray straight up to remove it and set it aside.
Before touching any of the components, ground yourself to a metal part of the chassis. Attach the wrist strap to your wrist and to a metal part of the chassis (Figure 5-12).
Locate the R10000 CPU module. It is protected by a metal heat sink (Figure 5-13). Do not remove the heat sink.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove four screws from the locations shown (Figure 5-13).
Caution: Do not remove the four hex screws. Do not remove the two screws that secure the fan.
Grasp the CPU module on both sides and gently rock it out (Figure 5-14). Do not exaggerate the rocking motion, or you will bend the pins.
Install the replacement R10000 CPU module (Figure 5-15).
Align the screw holes on the CPU module with the screw holes on the CPU support. Make sure it is positioned correctly before pressing down.
Press down gently on the CPU module until it is securely seated. You hear a click as it connects.
Insert and tighten the four Phillips screws in the locations shown.
Remove the wrist strap.
Replace the PCI tray in the system module as follows:
Lower the PCI tray, engaging it on the tab on the side of the system module (Figure 5-16).
Insert the PCI connector beneath the tray into the slot on the system module.
Once the connector is aligned, push down firmly until it is completely seated.
Note: If the PCI tray is not completely seated, the system module will not slide back into the chassis.
Replace the plastic face plate on the system module as follows.
Replace the filler panel over the I/O opening on the inside of the face plate.
Align the face plate on the system module (Figure 5-17).
Use a Phillips screwdriver to insert and tighten two screws on the underside in the locations shown (Figure 5-18).
Use a Phillips screwdriver to insert and tighten five screws in the locations shown (Figure 5-19).
Ship the original CPU module to Silicon Graphics in the container that held the replacement CPU module.
If you are instructed by your service provider to replace the system drive, follow these steps.
Before replacing the system drive, you must turn off the workstation, remove the power cable and other exterior cables, and attach the wrist strap. Follow these steps:
-
Remove the power cable from the rear.
Note: The illustrations show an R5000 workstation. Replacing the system drive is the same on an R10000 workstation.
Pull down the lever on the left side of the system drive module to release it (Figure 5-22).
Pull the system drive module out of the chassis (Figure 5-23).
Slide the replacement system drive module into the system drive bay (Figure 5-24).
Push the lever up to lock the tray in place (Figure 5-25).
Reconnect the power cable and turn on the workstation.
If you are instructed by your service provider to replace the audio-visual module, follow these steps.
Turn off the workstation.
Remove the power cable and any cables that are connected to the rear or side panel of the audio-visual module (Figure 5-28).
Note: The illustrations show an R5000 workstation. Replacing the audio-visual module is the same on an R10000 workstation.
Pull down the lever on the left side of the audio-visual module to release it (Figure 5-29).
Pull the audio-visual module out of the chassis (Figure 5-30).
Slide the replacement audio-visual module into the chassis (Figure 5-31).
Push the lever up to lock the tray in place (Figure 5-32).
Reconnect the power cable any audio-visual cables that you removed earlier (Figure 5-33).
Turn on the workstation (Figure 5-34).
If you are instructed by your service provider to replace the power supply, follow these steps.
Turn off the workstation (Figure 5-35).
Remove the power cable from the rear (Figure 5-36).
Note: The illustrations show an R5000 workstation. Replacing the power supply is the same on an R10000 workstation.
To release the bezel that covers the power supply, press the latch at the top of the bezel (Figure 5-37). It swings out toward you. Remove it from the chassis.
Slide the lever to the right to release the power supply (Figure 5-38).
Grasp the pull ring and slide the power supply out of the chassis (Figure 5-39). Put it aside.
Slide the new power supply in to the chassis, pushing it until it stops (Figure 5-40).
Push the lever to the left until it clicks (Figure 5-41).
Replace the bezel over the power supply. Place the tabs at the bottom of the bezel in the slots on the chassis and snap it up into place (Figure 5-42).
Reconnect the power cable and turn on the workstation.
If you are instructed by your service provider to replace the CD-ROM drive, follow these steps.
Replacing the CD-ROM drive involves several steps. You must first remove the exterior covers before you can reach the drive. Follow these steps:
If the CD eject button does not work, insert a straightened paper clip in the tiny hole beneath the eject button to release the CD-ROM tray (Figure 5-44). (The CD eject button may not work if the CD-ROM has failed.)
Remove the CD-ROM drive face plate as follows (Figure 5-45).
Hold the face plate between the thumb and forefinger of one hand while bracing the tray with the other hand.
Push the face plate (but not the tray) upward with the thumb until it snaps away from the tray.
Push the tray gently back into the drive until it is just inside the bezel. Do not push it all the way. It will be easier for you later to extract the tray to reinstall the face plate.
Turn off the workstation and remove the power cable from the rear.
To release the bezel that covers the power supply, press the latch at the top of the bezel. It swings out toward you (Figure 5-46). Remove it from the chassis.
Note: The illustrations show an R5000 workstation. Replacing the CD-ROM drive is the same on an R10000 workstation.
Remove the top cover of the CD-ROM drive as follows (Figure 5-47).
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three screws that secure the outer cover (Figure 5-48).
Remove the outer cover by grasping the plastic cross-piece and lifting up the cover (Figure 5-49).
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws that secure the CD-ROM drive (Figure 5-50).
Tilt the CD-ROM drive upward and unhinge it from the chassis. (Figure 5-51).
Caution: The CD-ROM drive has sharp metal edges. Be cautious when you handle it.
Disconnect the SCSI and power cables as follows (Figure 5-52).
Place the faulty CD-ROM drive aside.
Pick up the replacement CD-ROM drive.
Reconnect the SCSI cable and the four-wire power cable to the replacement CD-ROM drive (Figure 5-53).
Press each connector in firmly.
Tuck the excess length of the SCSI cable with the terminator into the cavity between the connector and the sheet metal.
Install the replacement CD-ROM drive by sliding the two hinges on the drive's bezel into the slots on the chassis and lowering the drive until it is fully seated (Figure 5-54). Make sure that you do not pinch the SCSI and power cables as you lower the drive.
Insert and tighten the two screws that secure the CD-ROM drive (Figure 5-55).
Replace the outer cover by aligning the three screw holes on the cover with the screw holes in the CD-ROM tray and lowering the cover until it is fully seated (Figure 5-56).
Insert and tighten the three screws that secure the outer cover (Figure 5-57).
Replace the top cover (Figure 5-58).
Replace the plastic bezel over the power supply by inserting the hinges into the slots beneath the power supply and pivoting the bezel up until it snaps into place (Figure 5-59).
Replace the CD-ROM drive face plate as follows (Figure 5-60).
Pull the tray out gently.
Align the guides on the sides of the face plate with the grooves on the sides of the CD-ROM tray.
Push the face plate down while supporting the tray, until the release tabs lock. Do not place too much downward pressure on the tray.
Push the tray back into the drive.
Reconnect the power cable and turn on the workstation.
If you are instructed by your service provider to replace the chassis, follow these steps.
Replacing the chassis consists of several steps. You must remove all of the removable modules and reinstall them on the new chassis.
| Caution: The chassis has sharp metal edges. Be cautious when you handle it. |
Turn off the workstation, remove the power cable, and remove the system module from the chassis. See “Removing the System Module”. Reinstall the system module on the replacement chassis. See “Reinstalling the System Module.”
Remove the system disk drive and reinstall it on the replacement chassis. See “Replacing the System Drive.”
R5000 workstations: If an optional internal hard drive is installed, remove it and reinstall it on the replacement chassis. See “Removing the Second Internal Hard Disk Drive.”
Remove the audio-visual module and reinstall it on the replacement chassis. See “Replacing the Audio-Visual Module.”
Remove the power supply and reinstall it on the replacement chassis. See “Replacing the Power Supply.”
Remove the CD-ROM drive and reinstall it on the replacement chassis. See “Replacing the CD-ROM Drive.”
Ship the stripped-down chassis shown in Figure 5-62 to Silicon Graphics.
Reconnect the power cable and turn on the workstation.
The system serial number is stored electronically (nvram) on the printed circuit board on the PCI tray. If nvram is corrupted, you may be instructed by your service provider to replace the PCI tray that contains the printed circuit board. Follow these steps:
Turn off the workstation, remove the power cable, and remove the system module from the chassis. See “Removing the System Module.”
Note: You can find illustrations for all the following steps in “Installing a PCI Board: R5000 Workstation,” “Removing the PCI Tray: R5000 Workstation,” “Installing a PCI Board: R10000 Workstation,” and “Replacing the R10000 CPU Module.” Remove the PCI tray from the system module.
If a PCI board is installed in the tray, remove it. If not, remove the filler panel and screw.
Reinstall the PCI board into the new PCI tray. If no PCI board was installed, reinstall the filler panel and screw.
Reinstall the PCI tray into the system module.
Reinstall the system module into the chassis. See “Reinstalling the System Module.”
Ship the PCI tray with the faulty PCB to Silicon Graphics in the container that contained the new PCI tray.