Desktop Computer Hardware Maintenance Manual

Replacing the system board
Attention
Do not open your computer or attempt any repair before reading and understanding the
“Important safety information” in the ThinkCentre Safety and Warranty Guide that came with
your computer. To obtain a copy of the ThinkCentre Safety and Warranty Guide, go to:
http://www.lenovo.com/support
This section provides instructions on how to replace the system board.
CAUTION:
The heat sink and microprocessor might be very hot. Turn off the computer and
wait three to five minutes to let the computer cool before opening the computer
cover.
To replace the system board:
1. Open the computer cover. See “Opening the computer cover” on page 128.
2. Pivot the drive bay assembly upward to gain access to the system board. See
“Accessing the system board components and drives” on page 129.
3. Remove the hard disk drive. See “Replacing the hard disk drive” on page 148.
4. Remove all memory modules and adapter cards that are currently installed.
See “Replacing a memory module” on page 133 and “Replacing an adapter
card” on page 135.
5. Carefully take note of the location of all cable connections on the system
board and disconnect all the cables. See “Locating parts on the system board”
on page 131.
6. Remove the heat sink and fan assembly from the failing system board. See
“Replacing the heat sink and fan assembly” on page 140.
7. Carefully slide the system board so that it can be released from the four
mounting studs that secure the system board in place.
8. Lift the system board out of the chassis.
9. Remove the microprocessor from the failing system board and install it on the
new system board. See “Replacing the microprocessor” on page 142.
10. Install the new system board into the chassis by aligning the four mounting
studs in the chassis with the corresponding holes on the new system board,
and then carefully slide the new system board in to the chassis until it is
secured in place by the four mounting studs.
11. Install all memory modules and adapter cards removed from the failing
system board on the new system board.
12. Install the heat sink and fan assembly and connect the heat sink and fan
assembly cable to the new system board. See “Replacing the heat sink and fan
assembly” on page 140.
13. Reinstall the hard disk drive. See “Replacing the hard disk drive” on page
148.
14. Reconnect all remaining cables to the system board. See “Locating parts on the
system board” on page 131.
15. Go to “Completing the FRU replacement” on page 158.
146 Hardware Maintenance Manual