This chapter provides safety instructions to follow when using and maintaining your system. It also describes how to install and remove a module's customer-replaceable units (CRUs). This information is covered in the following sections:
Before you perform any type of maintenance to your system, read the following safety instructions:
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product and noted in this and other documentation included with the product.
Unplug this product from the wall outlet before you clean it. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Do not use this product near water.
Never operate the system with the top cover removed, overheating and failure will result.
Do not place this product or components of this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table. The product may fall, causing serious damage to the product. Slots and openings on the cabinet and components are provided for ventilation, reliable operation, and protection from overheating of the product. These slots and openings must not be blocked or covered.
This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided.
This product should be operated with the type of power indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local power company.
Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this product where people will walk on the cord.
Do not use extension cords with your SGI system.
Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots because they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock.
Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.
Do not attempt to service this product yourself except as noted in this guide. Opening or removing covers of internal components may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
If the power cord or plug is damaged or frayed.
If the product has been exposed to rain, water, or other type of liquid.
If the product does not operate normally when the operating instructions are followed.
Note: Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions, because improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to normal condition. If the product has been dropped or if the cabinet has been damaged.
If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, which indicates a need for service.
Only qualified service personnel should replace a soldered lithium battery (or batteries) in the SGI Altix 330 server system.
Use only the proper type of power supply cord set (provided with the system) for this unit.
All of the procedures in this chapter require the removal and replacement of the top cover to access the internal component(s) you are adding, removing, or replacing. You will need torx (Tx 10) and (Tx 20) screw drivers to complete the procedures.
Use the following steps and Figure 6-1 to open the cover:
To remove the module's top cover and access the internal system components, remove the two torx (Tx 20) screws holding the top to the back of the unit as shown in Figure 6-1.
Remove the system power cord from the top cover channel and adjust it so that is does not interfere with the top cover removal process.
Working from the rear of the system, pull the cover back about two inches (5 cm) then lift it up and to the left into a fully open position.
Set the cover aside and go to the remove/replace instructions for the component.
Always replace the system top cover before operating the system. Running the system without the cover may result in overheating and system failure.
Running the system without the cover may result in overheating and system failure.
To properly replace the system top cover, reference Figure 6-2 and use the following steps:
Adjust the system power cord so that it is clear of the top cover placement area.
Working from the rear of the system, place the left side of the top cover under the lip on the system's left side.
With the top cover positioned about two inches (5 cm) from the front panel, lower the cover down and to the right until it is fully seated.
Push the cover forward until it locks in place under the front panel sheetmetal.
Replace the system power cord in the channel on the left side of the top cover.
Secure the cover to the system using the two torx (Tx 20) retention screws at the rear.
Your system module and various optional modules in your system support optional PCI and PCI–X cards.
The following instructions, which describe how to install and remove a PCI or PCI–X card from the system base compute module, can also be used to install and remove a PCI or PCI–X card from an expansion compute module.
Figure 6-3 shows the rear of the module. The PCI and PCI–X card slot is located on the left-rear side in the base compute module.
For an updated list of supported PCI and PCI-X cards, see the SGI Supportfolio at:
This section describes the following:
When installing or removing a PCI or PCI–X card from your system, be aware of the following precautionary rules:
 | Caution: Electronic equipment can be irreparably damaged by electrostatic discharge (ESD). Always follow these preventive measures when you handle a system component: - Remove a component from its antistatic bag only when you are ready to install it. - If you handle a component before installation, do not place it on surfaces that produce ESD (carpeting, for example) or near devices that create static electricity. - Attach a static wrist strap to a grounded connection on your system when you install or remove a component. |
Each Altix 330 module supports one PCI/PCI-X option card.
To remove, replace, or install a PCI or PCI–X card, follow these steps:
Power off the server system. For power off instructions, see “Powering the System On and Off Manually” in Chapter 1.
Disconnect all of the cables at the rear of the module. The module power cable should be disconnected from the power source and freed from any obstructions.
Warning: Components may be hot. To avoid injury, allow the components to cool for approximately five minutes before you proceed with these instructions. If your module is rackmounted, remove the two screws that secure the module retaining brackets to the front rails of the rack. If your module is not rackmounted, proceed to step 5.
Preferably using two people, pull the module from the rack carefully (do not pull on the plastic front panel). Support the unit from below and place it on a stable work surface. The power cable will come out with the module.
Open the top cover as described in “Accessing the System's Internal Components”.
Make sure that you read “Safety Instructions ”, and “Rules for Card Installation and Removal” before beginning your card installation.
If you are replacing an existing PCI/PCI-X card remove it as shown in Figure 6-4. If there is only a blank panel in the slot, go on to the next step and remove it.
If a blanking plate covers the PCI/PCI-X slot, slide the blank cover to the left and remove it.
If you are installing a card, slide the PCI card into the connector slot as shown in Figure 6-5.
Insert the card into the slot by pushing the card into the connector until it is properly seated. There is no retention screw, the cover acts as a retaining piece for the PCI board.
If you have no other internal services to perform, go to “Replacing the Top Cover” and follow the directions to reinstall the top cover.
If you removed the module from a rack, perform the following substeps. (If you have not removed the module from a rack, go on to the next step.)
With one person holding each side of the module, align the inner lip on each side to fit over the rack rails. Note that the left side rail must be placed under the inner lip or the unit will not fit.
Slide the unit onto the rails until the module is stopped by the rear retention bracket at the back of the right rail. The front bezel of the Altix 330 should be flush with the front of the rack.
Install the two retention brackets that secure the module to the front rails of the rack by aligning the screw holes and attaching them with screws.
Install all of the cables at the rear of the module.
Power on the server system, see “Powering the System On and Off Manually” in Chapter 1.
Each base compute module contains one or two hard disk drives (see Figure 6-6 and “Installing or Replacing a Disk Drive” for installation). Note that a CPU expansion module may or may not contain disk drives. The expansion modules have a disk drive(s) as optional components.
You will need both torx Tx 10 and Tx 20 screwdriver for these procedures. These steps can also be used if you want to remove an already installed drive.
 | Important: The system disk (disk 0) is located nearest the impellers (fans). The data disk (disk 1) is the disk that is located nearest the front of the chassis, (see panel A in Figure 6-7). |
To install/replace a disk drive, follow these steps:
Power off the server system. For power off instructions, see “Powering the System On and Off Manually” in Chapter 1.
Disconnect all of the cables at the rear of the module. The module power cable should be disconnected from the power source and freed from any obstructions.
Warning: Components may be hot. To avoid injury, allow the components to cool for approximately five minutes before you proceed with these instructions. If your module is rackmounted, remove the two screws that secure the module retaining brackets to the front rails of the rack. If your module is not rackmounted, proceed to step 5.
Preferably using two people, pull the module from the rack carefully (do not pull on the plastic front panel). Support the unit from below and place it on a stable work surface. The power cable will come out with the module.
Open the top cover as described in “Accessing the System's Internal Components”.
Locate the drive you want to replace, or identify the drive carrier you will be installing the new drive on. See panel A in Figure 6-7.
Locate and remove the power and data cables from any existing drive you want to replace.
Remove the two Tx 20 screws that hold the drive carrier in place on the chassis. See panel B in Figure 6-7.
Turn the assembly over carefully and remove the four Tx 10 screws that connect the drive to the sheetmetal carrier. See panel C in Figure 6-7.
Place the new drive on the disk carrier, align the screw holes and secure the drive using the four Tx 10 screws. See panel D in Figure 6-7.
Orient the disk/carrier assembly on the chassis and secure it with the Tx 20 screws.
Connect the power and data cables to the new drive.
Close the system cover, see “Replacing the Top Cover”.
If you removed the module from a rack, perform the following substeps. (If you have not removed the module from a rack, go on to the next step.)
With one person holding each side of the module, align the inner lip on each side to fit over the rack rails. Note that the left side rail must be placed under the inner lip or the unit will not fit.
Slide the unit onto the rails until the module is stopped by the rear retention bracket at the back of the right rail. The front bezel of the Altix 330 should be flush with the front of the rack.
Install the two retention brackets that secure the module to the front rails of the rack by aligning the screw holes and attaching them with screws.
Install all of the cables at the rear of the module.
Power on the server system, see “Powering the System On and Off Manually” in Chapter 1.
You will need a torx Tx 20 screwdriver for these procedures. To install/replace a DVD drive in the Altix 330, follow these steps:
Power off the server system. For power off instructions, see “Powering the System On and Off Manually” in Chapter 1.
Disconnect all of the cables at the rear of the module. The module power cable should be disconnected from the power source and freed from any obstructions.
Warning: Components may be hot. To avoid injury, allow the components to cool for approximately five minutes before you proceed with these instructions. If your module is rackmounted, remove the two screws that secure the module retaining brackets to the front rails of the rack. If your module is not rackmounted, proceed to step 5.
Preferably using two people, pull the module from the rack carefully (do not pull on the plastic front panel). Support the unit from below and place it on a stable work surface. The power cable will come out with the module.
Open the top cover as described in “Accessing the System's Internal Components”.
Working from the front of the unit, remove the Tx 20 retention screw at the right-rear of the DVD drive, (see Figure 6-8).
Remove the DVD data and power cable connectors.
Slide the DVD drive forward and out of the chassis.
Replace a new DVD drive in the chassis by reversing the previous three steps, (see Figure 6-8).
Close the system cover, see “Replacing the Top Cover”.
If you removed the module from a rack, perform the following substeps. (If you have not removed the module from a rack, go on to the next step.)
With one person holding each side of the module, align the inner lip on each side to fit over the rack rails. Note that the left side rail must be placed under the inner lip or the unit will not fit.
Slide the unit onto the rails until the module is stopped by the rear retention bracket at the back of the right rail. The front bezel of the Altix 330 should be flush with the front of the rack.
Install the two retention brackets that secure the module to the front rails of the rack by aligning the screw holes and attaching them with screws.
Install all of the cables at the rear of the module.
Power on the server system, see “Powering the System On and Off Manually” in Chapter 1.
Memory is contained on cards that are referred to as DIMMs (dual inline memory modules). Each server system base compute module and system expansion compute module can contain four, or eight DIMMs installed in DIMM slots located on the module's mother board.
These eight DIMM slots are organized into two groups of (4 DIMMs each) as shown in Figure 6-10.
DIMMs are installed one per DIMM slot, and four at a time (group of four).
You must note these guidelines when installing DIMM groups:
Memory is increased or decreased in four-DIMM group increments only.
Each of the four DIMMs that make up a DIMM group must be the same memory size and speed; however, the two 4-DIMM groups can differ in memory size.
The first four DIMMs (group 0) must be in place for the base module to operate properly.
Mixing DIMM groups with different access speeds will cause the memory bus to default to the speed used for the slowest group.
The DIMMs used in the Altix 330 server system base compute module, or expansion compute module, are not compatible with DIMMs used in the Origin 200, Origin 300, Origin 350 series, SGI 3000 series, SGI 2000 series, Onyx systems, Fuel, Octane or Tezro systems.
Note: Installation of DIMMs not certified or approved by SGI for use in the Altix 330 may impair the functionality or performance of your system. Installation of DIMMs not approved by SGI may also violate your warranty and/or support contract. Check with your SGI sales or service representative before installing any DIMMs not specifically designated for the Altix 330. Caution: Electronic equipment can be irreparably damaged by electrostatic discharge (ESD). Always follow these preventive measures when you handle a system component:
- Remove a component from its antistatic bag only when you are ready to install it.
- If you handle a component before installation, do not place it on surfaces that produce ESD (carpeting, for example) or near devices that create static electricity.
- Attach a static wrist strap to a grounded connection on your system when you install or remove a component.
To install or replace a DIMM group, follow these steps:
Power off the server system. For powering off instructions, see “Powering the System On and Off Manually” in Chapter 1.
Disconnect all of the cables at the rear of the module.
Warning: Components may be hot. To avoid injury, allow the components to cool for approximately five minutes before you proceed with these instructions. If your module is rackmounted, remove the two screws that secure the module retaining brackets to the front rails of the rack. If your module is not rackmounted, proceed to step 5.
Preferably using two people, pull the module from the rack carefully (do not pull on the plastic front panel). Support the unit from below and place it on a stable work surface. The power cable will come out with the module.
Open the top cover as described in “Accessing the System's Internal Components”.
If you need to remove a DIMM or DIMM group, use the following substeps:
Push out and down on the two ejector latches (located at each end of the DIMM socket) to disengage the DIMM from its connector, see Figure 6-11.
Carefully grasp the DIMM and pull it up and out of the guide rails.
Note: Hold the DIMM only by its edges. Be careful not to touch its components or gold edge connectors. Place the DIMM on an ESD-safe surface or in an anti-static bag.
If you are installing a new DIMM(s), proceed to the next steps.
Note: If you need to find the correct locations in which to install the DIMMs, make sure to read the introductory material in “Memory DIMM Group Placement and Guidelines”.
Install the DIMMs, as follows (see Figure 6-12):
Ensure the ejector latches are in the open position (leaning away from the slot).
Hold the DIMM only by its edges and remove it from its antistatic package.
Align the bottom edge of the DIMM with the keyed socket.
Insert the bottom edge of the DIMM into the socket, and then press down evenly on the DIMM until it seats correctly. Use extreme care when you install a DIMM. If you apply too much pressure, you can damage the socket.
When the DIMM is fully seated in the connector, the ejector latches snap into place flush with each end of the DIMM, see Figure 6-12. Repeat until all DIMMs are installed.
Close the system cover, see “Replacing the Top Cover”.
If you removed the module from a rack, perform the following substeps. (If you have not removed the module from a rack, go on to the next step.)
With one person holding each side of the module, align the inner lip on each side to fit over the rack rails. Note that the left side rail must be placed under the inner lip or the unit will not fit.
Slide the unit onto the rails until the module is stopped by the rear retention bracket at the back of the right rail. The front bezel of the Altix 330 should be flush with the front of the rack.
Install the two retention brackets that secure the module to the front rails of the rack by aligning the screw holes and attaching them with screws.
Install all of the cables at the rear of the module.
Power on the server system as described in “Powering the System On and Off Manually” in Chapter 1.
