Removing a 2.5-inch (x6) SATA hard drive or SSD and 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD
backplane
Prerequisites
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.
NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD
backplane or service other components inside the system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the hard drives or SSDs and the hard-drive or SSD
backplane, you must remove the hard drives or SSDs from the sled before removing the
hard-drive or SSD backplane.
CAUTION: You must note the number of each hard drive or SSD and temporarily label them
before removal so that you can replace them in the same locations.
4. Remove the hard drives or SSDs.
Steps
1. Disconnect the power cable from the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
2. Loosen the retention screws securing hard-drive or SSD backplane to the hard-drive or SSD cage.
3. Lift the hard-drive or SSD backplane by its edges until the retention screws disengage from the screw
holes on the hard-drive or SSD cage.
4. Remove the hard-drive or SSD cage.
5. Perform the following steps:
a. Loosen the two retention screws securing the PCIe SSD backplane cable connector to the system
board connector (J_PERC).
b. Loosen the two retention screws securing the SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane cable
connector to the system board connector (SATA_BP).
6. Open the retention clip securing the SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane cable.
7. Lift the SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane cable until the slot on the SATA hard-drive or SSD
backplane cable disengages from the standoff on the chassis.
8. Lift the backplane away from the system.
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