Installing System Components 135
SAS Backplane
Removing the SAS Backplane
 CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You 
should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your 
product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and 
support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered 
by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the 
product.
1
Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system 
from the electrical outlet.
2
Open the system. See "Opening the System" on page 78.
  CAUTION: To prevent damage to the drives and backplane, you must remove the 
hard drives from the system before removing the backplane. 
 
CAUTION: You must note the number of each hard drive and temporarily label 
them before removal so that you can replace them in the same locations. 
3
Remove all hard drives. See "Removing a Hard-Drive Carrier" on page 84.
4
Disconnect the power cable from the SAS backplane. 
5
Disconnect the SAS data cables from the backplane. See Figure 3-25.
6
Remove the optical drive cable, control panel cable, power cable, data 
cables, and USB cables.
7
Press the two blue retention latches at either ends of the SAS backplane 
and lift it upwards and out of the retention hooks. Be careful to avoid 
damaging the other components on the face of the board. See Figure 3-25.
8
Place the SAS backplane face down on a work surface.
R310HOM.book  Page 135  Thursday, March 4, 2010  1:03 AM