Chapter 1. Installing and Removing the Indigo2 ICO Board
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Chapter 1. Installing and Removing the Indigo2 ICO Board

This chapter covers installing and removing the Indigo2 IMPACT Channel
Option (ICO) board in your Indigo2 IMPACT workstation.

The following topics are covered in this chapter:

Installing a New Version of the IRIX Operating System

Before shutting down your system and installing the ICO board, check to be sure you have the current version of the IRIX™ operating system installed on your system. Install the operating system that came with your ICO board before installing the hardware.

Installing the Software

Read the flier on software that comes with this package. Also read the release notes on the CD for detailed information about the software.

Checking the Indigo2 IMPACT Channel Option Board Package Components

Figure 1-1 shows the components included in the Indigo2 ICO board package.

Figure 1-1. Indigo2 IMPACT Channel Option Board Package Components


Preparing to Install the Indigo2 ICO Board

Before you can install the Indigo2 ICO board, turn off the power, remove the cover, and remove the graphics board set and any attached option boards. (See the option board manual or the Indigo2 IMPACT Workstation Owner's Guide for instructions on removing attached option boards.) You will attach the ICO board to the graphics board set. Depending on your system, the graphics board set in your workstation may consist of an Indigo2 Solid IMPACT (single), Indigo2 High IMPACT (double) or Indigo2 Maximum IMPACT (triple) board set. See Appendix A, “Identifying Graphics and Option Boards.”

The installation procedure is the same for a single, double, or triple graphics board set.

Turning Off the Power

To turn off the system power, follow these steps:

  1. Save your current work and then shut down the system by choosing “System Shutdown” from the System menu in the Toolchest.

  2. Open the front cover, as shown in Figure 1-2.

  3. Press and release the power button on the front of the system to turn off the power. The power indicator light turns off. See Figure 1-2.

  4. If you have a lockbar installed, remove it.

    Figure 1-2. Turning Off the Power


Removing the Cover

You must remove the bezel before you can remove the cover. Follow these steps:

  1. Disconnect the cables connected to EISA boards and the graphics boards on the back of the workstation. Unplug the power cable.

  2. Remove the bezel.

    • Press down on the tabs on each side of the bezel See Figure 1-3.

      Figure 1-3. Releasing the Bezel


    • Pull the bezel down and away from the chassis. See Figure 1-4.

      Figure 1-4. Removing the Bezel


  3. Remove the cover.

    • Press up on the tabs on each side of the drive openings. See Figure 1-5.

      Figure 1-5. Pressing Up the Tabs


    • Pull up on the cover and rotate it back and away from the chassis. See Figure 1-6.

      Figure 1-6. Removing the Cover


Tip: If the cover is difficult to raise, check the locking levers of the drives to be sure that they are completely locked. The lever should be pushed all the way to the right.

Removing the Graphics Board Set

Before installing the Indigo2 ICO board, you must remove the graphics board set.

Caution: If your workstation has been turned on, the heat sink on the graphics board becomes hot. Wait a few minutes for the heat sink to cool before removing the graphics board set.

Attaching the Wrist Strap

Wear the wrist strap to prevent the flow of static electricity, which can damage the board.

Caution: The components inside the Indigo2 IMPACT workstation are extremely sensitive to static electricity; you must wear the wrist strap while replacing parts inside the workstation.

To attach the wrist strap, follow these steps:

  1. Unwrap the first two folds of the band and wrap the exposed adhesive side firmly around your wrist.

  2. Unroll the rest of the band and peel the liner from the copper foil at the opposite end.

  3. Attach the copper foil to a convenient and exposed electrical ground, such as a metal part of the Indigo2 IMPACT workstation.

To remove the graphics board set, follow these steps:

  1. Open the metal panel by pulling up and then lowering it. See Figure 1-7.

    Figure 1-7. Opening the Metal Panel


Note: The illustrations in this chapter (with certain exceptions) are of the Indigo2 Maximum IMPACT graphics board set. Except as noted, the installation procedures are the same for all three Indigo2 IMPACT graphics board sets.

  1. Remove the retention pin that secures the graphics board set. See Figure 1-8.

Tip: Note the position of the retention pin. It sits in front of the board, not beside it.

Figure 1-8. Removing the Retention Pin


  1. Locate the slot directly above the top graphics board slot currently being used. This is the slot you will use to install the Indigo2 ICO board.

  2. Remove the screws that attach the I/O blank panel and the graphics boards to the chassis. See Figure 1-9.

    Figure 1-9. Removing the Slot Cover Screws


  3. Pull the straps to remove the graphics board set from the chassis. See Figure 1-10.

Tip: It may take some pressure to detach the boards from the midplane connectors. Place your thumbs against the chassis for added leverage while you pull.

Figure 1-10. Removing the Graphics Board Set


  1. Place the board set on a flat, antistatic surface. An empty antistatic bag or a clean, dry desktop works well.

Installing the Indigo2 ICO Board

This section describes how to install the Indigo2 ICO board. Below is an overview of the process:

  1. Attach the Indigo2 ICO board to the graphics board set.

  2. Replace the pull straps.

  3. Reinstall the board set into the system.

  4. Replace the cover.

Each step is described more fully in the following section.

Attaching the Indigo2 ICO Board to the Graphics Board Set

This section describes how to attach the Indigo2 ICO board to the graphics board set.

  1. Locate a Phillips screwdriver, a hex nut removal tool, and the board's standoffs, screws, and pull straps.

  2. Identify your board set:

    • If you have an Indigo2 Solid IMPACT graphics board, go to step 9.

    • If you have an Indigo2 High IMPACT or Indigo2 Maximum IMPACT graphics board set, go to step 3.

Note: See Appendix A if you need help identifying the board set.

If you have an Indigo2 High IMPACT or Indigo2 Maximum IMPACT graphics board set, remove the four screws from the corners. See Figure 1-11.

Figure 1-11. Removing Graphics Board Set Screws


  1. Install the four (female/male) standoffs in the same corner screw holes from which you removed the screws. See Figure 1-12.

    Figure 1-12. Installing the Standoffs


  2. Remove the screws that attach the pull straps to the bottom of the graphics board set. See Figure 1-13. You can turn the board set upside down and rest the board on the standoffs to replace the pull straps.

  3. Remove the pull straps and throw them away.

    Figure 1-13. Removing the Screws That Attach the Pull Straps


  4. Select the pull straps for the graphics board set:

    • If you have an Indigo2 High IMPACT graphics board set with two boards, select the three-board pull straps.

    • If you have an Indigo2 Maximum IMPACT graphics board set with three boards, select the four-board pull straps.

  5. Attach the pull straps to the bottom of the graphics board set.

    • Pull the plastic strip off the adhesive on the end of the pull strap.

    • Line up the hole in the pull strap and the hole in the board and attach the pull strap to the bottom of the board.

    • Replace the screws. See Figure 1-13.

  6. Skip to “Installing the ICO-Graphics Flex Cables”.

  7. If you have an Indigo2 Solid IMPACT graphics board, follow these steps to remove the pull straps:

    • Remove the two screws that pass through the pull straps. See Figure 1-14.

    • Detach the pull strap only from the top of the board.

      Figure 1-14. Removing the Pull Straps From the Indigo2 Solid IMPACT Graphics Board


Note: Should the pull straps become detached from the bottom of the board, use the three-board pull straps included with your ICO board.

  1. Insert the screws through the bottom of the board and pull straps. See Figure 1-15.

    Figure 1-15. Inserting the Screws and Attaching the Standoffs


  2. Install two (female/female) standoffs onto the screws.

  3. Locate holes on the rear two corners of the board and insert a screw from beneath the board through each hole.

  4. Install two standoffs onto the screws you just placed through the holes.

Installing the ICO-Graphics Flex Cables

The following instructions apply to the Indigo2 Solid IMPACT, Indigo2 High IMPACT, and Indigo2 Maximum IMPACT graphics board sets.

  1. Attach the two ICO-graphics cables to the graphics board connectors. See Figure 1-16 and Figure 1-17.

    • Attach one end of the single cable to the single connector on the graphics board.

    • Attach the two connectors from one end of the double cable to the pair of connectors on the graphics board.

      Figure 1-16. Attaching the ICO-Graphics Cables to the Graphics Board


      Figure 1-17. Inserting the ICO-Graphics Cables Into the Connectors


Tip: Use your thumb and fingers to squeeze the cable connectors into the connectors on the board. See Figure 1-17.

Attach the connectors one at a time. Figure 1-18 provides a side view of a correctly and incorrectly seated cable connector.

Figure 1-18. Seating the ICO-Graphics Flex Connectors


  1. Slip the inner cable through the levers of the outer cable of the two-cable set. See Figure 1-19.

    Figure 1-19. Slipping the Inner Cable Through the Outer Cable Levers


  2. Align the Indigo2 ICO board with the graphics board set and place it on the standoffs. See Figure 1-20.

  3. Insert two screws through the Indigo2 ICO board into the rear standoffs.

  4. Attach the pull straps to the top of the Indigo2 ICO board.

    • Remove the plastic strip from the adhesive at the end of the pull strap.

    • Align the holes of the pull strap with the holes in the board and press firmly to attach.

  5. Insert the remaining two screws through the pull straps and into the standoffs.

    Figure 1-20. Aligning and Attaching the ICO Board to the Graphics Board Set


  6. Attach the single ICO-graphics cable to the corresponding connector on the ICO board. See Figure 1-21.

  7. Attach the lower or outside ICO-graphics flex connector of the double-cable set to the connector on the ICO board.

  8. In the double-cable set, slip the upper cable through the lower cable's release levers. See Figure 1-21.

  9. Attach the upper ICO-graphics flex cable connector to the connector on the ICO board.

Note: If the upper cable slips out from between the levers of the lower cable, detach the cable connector, reposition the upper cable, and reattach the connector.

Figure 1-21. Attaching the ICO-Graphics Cables to the ICO Board


Installing the Indigo2 ICO Board and the Indigo2 IMPACT Graphics Board Set

Install the graphics and ICO board set in the same slot from which you removed the graphics board. If you need help determining which slots to use, see the following tables. Otherwise, skip to step 1.

See Figure 1-22 for the locations of the slots. Check your option board manual for any additional information.

Table 1-1. Placement of Indigo2 Solid IMPACT and Indigo2 ICO Board

If you have this configuration:

Use these slots:

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board in Slots B and C

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board and 1 EISA option board

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board /Indigo2 ICO board in Slots B and C, and the EISA option board in Slot A

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board /Indigo2 ICO board and 2 EISA option boards

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board /Indigo2 ICO board in Slots C and D and the EISA option boards in Slots A and B

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board and an Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board (Dual Head Configuration)

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board /Indigo2 ICO board in Slots B and C and second Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board in Slot D

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board /Indigo2 ICO board and a standalone GIO option board

Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board in Slots B and C and the standalone GIO option board in Slot D


Table 1-2. Placement of Indigo2 High IMPACT and Indigo2 ICO Board

If you have this configuration:

Use these slots:

Indigo2 High IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board

Indigo2 High IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board in Slots A, B, and C

Indigo2 High IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board and 1 EISA option board

Indigo2 High IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board in Slots B, C, and D and the EISA board in Slot A

Indigo2 High IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board and an Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board (Dual Head Configuration)

Indigo2 High IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board in Slots A, B, and C, and an Indigo2 Solid IMPACT board in Slot D

Indigo2 High IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board and a standalone GIO option board

Indigo2 High IMPACT board/Indigo2 ICO board in Slots A, B, and C and the standalone GIO option board in Slot D


Note: All slots are utilized in the Indigo2 Maximum IMPACT/Indigo2 ICO board configuration.

Figure 1-22. Locating Graphics and Option Board Slots


  1. Align the board set with the slots on the left side of the chassis See Figure 1-23.

    Figure 1-23. Aligning the Board Set With the Chassis


  2. Slide the boards into the chassis and push the board connectors into the corresponding midplane connectors. See Figure 1-24. Putting pressure on the topmost board of the set helps to seat the boards completely.

    Figure 1-24. Inserting the Board Set Into the Chassis


You must use a great deal of pressure to push the board connectors completely into the midplane connectors. When the connectors are completely seated, the metal panels on the left should be flush with the chassis.

Figure 1-25 provides a top-down view of a GIO connector that is seated correctly and one that is not. A correctly seated connector has no gap between the connector on the ICO board and the connector on the midplane.

Figure 1-25. Checking the Seating of the GIO Connector


  1. Install the screws that secure the graphics boards and ICO board to the chassis.

    Figure 1-26. Attaching the Graphics Board Set to the Chassis


  2. Replace any standalone option boards.

  3. Replace the retention pin.

Tip: Use the retention pin as a plumb line to determine if the board set is properly seated. If the pin is tilted, push on the board set until it is properly connected.

Figure 1-27. Replacing the Retention Pin


  1. Lift the metal panel and snap it down into place. See Figure 1-28.

    Figure 1-28. Closing the Metal Panel


  2. Remove the antistatic wrist strap.

Congratulations! You are finished installing your Indigo2 ICO board.

To replace the cover see, “Replacing the Cover”.

Removing the Indigo2 ICO Board

To remove the Indigo2 ICO board, you must shut down the system, remove the cover, remove the board set, detach the ICO board, replace the graphics board set, and replace the cover. The steps below describe this process in detail:

  1. Go to “Turning Off the Power” and follow the steps through step 10.

    Tip: To identify the ICO board and graphics board sets, check the illustrations in Appendix A, “Identifying Graphics and Option Boards,” page 97.

  2. Remove the flex cables from the top of the ICO board. See Figure 1-29 and Figure 1-30.

    • Press down on the release levers at the end of each connector.

      Figure 1-29. Pressing the Release Levers on the Flex Connectors


    • Pull each flex cable connector up and off the board.

      Figure 1-30. Removing Standoff and Pull Strap Screws


  3. Remove the screws from the four corners of the Indigo2 ICO board. See Figure 1-31.

    Figure 1-31. Removing the Standoff and Pull Strap Screws


  4. Detach the adhesive-backed pull straps only from the top of the ICO board.

  5. Lift the Indigo2 ICO board off the standoffs and place it on an antistatic surface.

  6. Remove the flex cables from the top of the graphics board set.

    • Press down on the release levers at the end of each connector.

    • Pull each flex cable connector up and off the board.

  7. Remove the standoffs from the top of the graphics board set. See Figure 1-32.

    Figure 1-32. Removing the Flex Cables and Standoffs From the Graphics Board


  8. Attach the pull straps on the top of the graphics board set. See Figure 1-33.

    Figure 1-33. Attaching the Pull Straps


  9. Insert the screws into the four corners of the top graphics board.

    • Insert the rear screws and tighten.

    • Insert the front screws through the pull straps and tighten.

  10. To replace the board set, see the instructions beginning on page 24. Follow the instructions to the end of the section.

  11. To replace the cover, turn to page 34.

Replacing the Cover

To replace the top cover, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the tabs on the inside and back of the top cover and the slots on the back of the workstation. See Figure 1-34.

  2. Face the front of the workstation. Look through the slots as you lower the cover and move the tabs into place.

  3. Insert the locator tabs into the holes. Rotate the cover forward and push it down until it snaps into place. See Figure 1-34. The cover fits tightly over the workstation.

    Figure 1-34. Replacing the Cover


  4. Replace the bezel. See Figure 1-35.

    • Insert the tabs on the bottom of the bezel into the grooves.

    • Pull up the bezel and snap it into place.

  5. Replace the lockbar if you removed it.

  6. Close the front cover of the bezel.

    Figure 1-35. Replacing the Bezel


To install the ICO cable breakout box, see Chapter 2.

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Introduction  Chapter 2. Connecting to the Breakout Box