Apple xserve early 2009 User Manual

							Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Video 71 2010-06-28
No Video
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
External display has no video, 
but activity lights flash at 
startup, drive operates, fan array 
is spinning, and power LED is 
illuminated.
• Device has power and boots, 
but no video output
1. Confirm the system configuration supports 
an external display.  Not all configurations do, 
although the Mini DisplayPort connector on 
the rear of the unit is present regardless. Using 
System Profiler you can check the Graphics/
Displays section for the presence of a video card.
2.  Reseat the external Mini DisplayPort adapter and 
cable connections.
3. If you are using a Mini DisplayPort adapter, 
inspect the adapter pins and replace the adapter 
if necessary.
4.  Reset PRAM/NVRAM.
5. Test with a known good display. 
6.  Remove all third party devices.
7. Run complete AXD Diagnostics.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1.  Press the SMC Reset button 
on the logic board to reset 
the SMC. Is the issue resolved? 
YesIssue resolved.
NoGo to Step 2
2.  Check internal diagnostic LEDs.  
Go to diagnostic LED section 
for more information. Is the 
issue resolved? 
YesIssue resolved.
NoGo to Step 3
3. Reseat the mezzanine video 
card. Is the issue resolved?
YesIssue resolved.
NoReplace mezzanine video 
card. Go to step 4.
M03
4.  With replacement mezzanine 
video card is the issue 
resolved?
YesIssue resolved.
NoReplace Logic Board.M03  
						

							Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mechanical Issues: Thermal and Enclosure 72 2010-06-28
Mechanical Issues: Thermal and Enclosure
Failed or Fast Fans
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
System Fast/Failed Fans
• System feels very warm
• Computer is sluggish
• Fan(s) running fast
• Fan(s) not running at all
1. Verify the System has adequate airflow around 
the enclosure, front and rear vents not blocked.
2.  Verify the issue is not user perception - System 
functions correctly, and not running any warmer 
than expected. Compare to a similarly configured 
System. Processes running in the background may 
go unnoticed by the user.
3. Understand temperatures and fan speed will 
fluctuate within a normal range depending on 
processes running, and attached peripherals. 
Fan(s) speeds may take several minutes to return 
to idle after heavy CPU or I/O activity has ceased.
4.  Verify correct specification memory is used.  
Ensure the installed memory is configured 
correctly to optimize performance. 
5. If there is abnormal temperature the overall 
System speed will be noticeably reduced. If the 
abnormal temperature cannot be reduced to 
within the normal range a force shutdown will 
occur. These events are recorded in System.log. 
Check Xserve logs for any “runaway” applications 
or processes consuming the CPU’s.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify if the issue is user 
perception of intermittent 
noisy fans. Is the System 
running as expected 
(compared to a similar 
system)?
YesNo problem found. Inform 
the customer the system is 
operating normally.
NoGo to step 2.  
						

							Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mechanical Issues: Thermal and Enclosure 73 2010-06-28
2. Determine if there are runaway 
applications or processes 
consuming the CPU’s - Verify 
using ‘Activity Monitor’. Are 
any runaway applications or 
processes present?
YesThe application or process 
may have crashed. 
Alternatively check with 
the software vendor for 
compatibility and software 
update.
NoThere are no runaway 
applications or processes. Go 
to step 3.
3. Press the SMC Reset button 
on the logic board to reset the 
SMC. Verify all fans are rotating 
at close to minimum speed 
within a few minutes after the 
system is idle
YesIssue resolved.
NoGo to Step 4
4.  Check internal diagnostic LEDs.  
Go to diagnostic LED section 
for more information. Verify 
all fans are rotating at close 
to minimum speed within a 
few minutes after the system 
is idle.
YesIssue resolved.
NoGo to Step 5
5. Boot the System from a known 
good external volume. Verify 
all fans are rotating at close 
to minimum speed within a 
few minutes after the system 
is idle.
YesSuspect issue is caused by 
customer software or Mac 
OS X install. Backup all data, 
restore unit from the Mac 
OS X install discs and restore 
from the backup.
NoGo to step 6  
						

							Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mechanical Issues: Thermal and Enclosure 74 2010-06-28
6. Clear out any obstructions 
such as dust or internal 
cables from the fan array 
and heatsinks. Reseat fan 
array connections to drive 
interconnect backplane. Ensure 
no damage to heatsinks ie 
bent or crushed fins. Reseat 
CPU(s) and heatsink(s). Run 
Server Monitor  and AXD to 
verify the thermal sensor and 
fan circuity is functioning 
correctly. Verify all fans are 
rotating at close to minimum 
speed within a few minutes 
after the system is idle.
YesIssue resolved
NoReplace affected component 
based on AXD, internal 
diagnostic LEDs, and Server 
Monitor findings: 
 
- Fan Array failures        
- Drive Interconnect 
Backplane  won’t drive the 
known good fan failures                  
- Sensor related failures        
- For Heatsink failures
 
 
 
 
X18 
M18 
 
 
M23        
M99  
						

							© 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
 Apple Technician Guide 
Take Apart
Xserve (Early 2009)   
						

							Xserve (Early 2009) Take Apart — General Information 76 2010-06-28
General Information
Orientation
For most take-apart procedures, Apple recommends removing the computer from the rack 
before removing or installing the part. 
Tools
The following tools are required to service all configurations of the computer:
• Magnetized Phillips #1 screwdriver
• Magnetized Phillips #2 screwdriver
• Magnetized 3 mm Hex screwdriver
• Xserve Allen wrench key
• Thermal grease kit (Apple part number 076-1225)
• Nylon probe tool (Apple part number 922-5065)
• Alcohol wipes
• Soft cloth (for protecting the enclosure from scratches)
How to Identify Single- and Dual-Processor Configurations
See “How to Identify Single- and Dual-Processor Configurations” in the Basics chapter.
Mounting in a Rack
For information on mounting Xserve (Early 2009) in a rack, see the Xserve (Early 2009) Setup 
Guide.   
						

							Xserve (Early 2009) Take Apart — General Information 77 2010-06-28
Icon Legend
The following icons are used in this chapter:
IconMeaning
Warning or caution
Check; make sure you do this
Challenging procedure; requires more 
thought and/or time until you are 
familiar with it
Note on Illustrations
Because a pre-production model was used for the illustrations in this manual, you may notice 
small differences between the image pictured and the computer you are servicing.  
						

							Xserve (Early 2009) Take Apart — Apple Drive Module 78 2010-06-28
First Steps
Caution: Make sure data 
is backed up before 
removing or replacing the 
drive.
.
Tools
• Xserve Allen wrench 
key
Apple Drive Module  
						

							Xserve (Early 2009) Take Apart — Apple Drive Module 79 2010-06-28
Removal
1 Make sure the locking 
mechanism is in the 
unlocked position.
4 Press the handle on 
the drive. Wait for the 
upper LED to turn off
2  
						

							Xserve (Early 2009) Take Apart — Apple Drive Module 80 2010-06-28
5 Grasp handle on the 
replacement drive. 
Pull module out of 
the Xserve.
Replacement
1 Slide module into the 
bay until it is firmly 
seated.
2 Press the handle flush 
with the front panel.
Replacement Note: If you 
replace the hard drive 
with a new one, format 
the new drive.