How to Replace a System Board
Introduction
Installing a new system board in your system is not difficult, but keep in mind that you need to take precautions against static electricity. The only tools you need are a phillips and a small reqular screwdriver.
Don’t damage the new part
Don’t remove the new part from its antistatic bag until necessary.
Return the old part
If you are replacing a part under warranty, you must return the old part to Gateway 2000 within 7 days of the new part’s delivery to avoid being charged for the new part.
Put the old part in the new box and use the shipping label supplied. This "ARS" label is a pre-paid label, so all you have to do is drop the part off at any UPS location.
Gateway 2000
RMA - Received at Dock 1 & 2 Only
700 East 54th Street N.
Sioux Falls, SD 57104Gateway pays to ship the new part to you, but you are responsible for sending the original part back.
Replacing the system board
You can find illustrations of the interior of your system in the User's Guide that came with the system. You can also order FaxBack®s illustrating many Gateway 2000 system boards. Refer to the FaxBack® catalog (document 1) for document numbers.
- Remove the system cover. If you need directions on removing the cover, consult FaxBack® document 1286. If you are working with a tower case, put the system on its side to allow better access to the system board.
- Note how any cables are oriented on the expansion cards. Remove the expansion cards. For detailed instructions, refer to FaxBack® document 1282. If you can remove any cards and set them out of the way without disconnecting their cables, do so. It's OK to set cards on top of the power supply and drives.
Mini desktop system: Remove the bracket that holds the 3.5-inch floppy drive (refer to FaxBack® document 1283 or 1285), then unfasten the screw holding the other end of the riser card bracket in place and lift out the riser card, still attached to its bracket.
- Note carefully how the power supply cables plug into the system board. Disconnect the two power supply cables from the system board one at a time by grasping the white plastic connectors and pulling straight up until they catch. Lean them away from the power supply and lift up and off.
- Make a record of the front panel wires, showing the colors and the way each connector faces. Note also the label on the system board next to each connector. Disconnect the wires.
- If any other cables are connected to the system board, make a note of their location and orientation and disconnect them.
- Remove the screws that secure the system board to the case. Retain the screws. The screws are all metal. The white plastic object on one corner that looks like a screw isn't a screw.
Desktop: There are five screws, all in sight (none is under the hard disk drive).
Tower: There are two screws. Some screws may screw into brass standoffs rather than directly into the case. Transfer these to the equivalent holes in the new system board.
Mini desktop: There are four or seven screws, depending on the system board.
- When you remove the system board, keep it oriented the way it was in the system to help you orient the new board correctly.
Desktop and tower: Slide the board about an inch away from the power supply and lift it out of the case.
Mini desktop: Lift the board out of the case.
- Remove the new system board from its antistatic bag and place it on the bag beside the old board, facing the same direction as the old board.
- If the boards are the same model: Compare all the jumpers, connectors, and DIP switches on the new board to the old board. If any are different, change them to match the old board. If the boards are different models: Follow the directions that came with the new board for setting jumpers and DIP switches.
- Look for a white plastic object (called a standoff) plugged into a hole in one corner of the system board. Remove the post by squeezing the tabs above the board together with your fingernails or a pair of pliers. With your other hand pull the post out of the hole from the underside of the system board.
Transfer the standoff to the same location on the new board. To install it into the new board, push it through the hole up from underneath the board. Make certain that the standoff is inserted into the same hole on the new board as it was on the old board.
- Make sure that all wires and cards in the case are out of the way.
Desktop and tower: Still inside the case (on the bottom) are three white plastic c-clips. These clips fit into metal brackets on the floor of the chassis and secure the right edge of the system board to the case. Position all three clips (one is under the hard drive) with the open end so the new system board can slide into them.
- To install the new board, reverse the steps used to remove the old one. Place the board in the case, then slide it into the c-clips. As you slide it, make certain that the corner with the plastic standoff is pressed down and connects into its slot on the case. Make sure that the right side slides into each of the three c-clips.
Mini desktop: Position the board over the screw holes on the floor of the chassis.
- Screw the system board down with the screws you removed earlier. Don't tighten any of the screws until you have started them all. Do not over-tighten.
- Using the record you made of the front panel wires, and any other wires and cables, reattach them to the system board. Sometimes system board layouts are revised slightly, causing some connectors to be relocated. If this occurs, follow the labels to find the connector’s new location. If you have trouble, contact Gateway 2000 Technical Support for assistance.
- To reconnect the power supply cables to the board, locate the power supply connectors on the system board—flat metal pins with white plastic plugs on one side. Lean the cables away from the power supply, and attach the "fingers" on the cables into the grooves on the white plastic plugs. Stand the plugs straight up, and push them down to the system board. Once both cables are connected, check that none of the pins are exposed on either side, and that the black wires are together in the middle.
- Reinstall the expansion card(s). Place the card over the same number slot on the system board that you removed it from, and press the card down into the slot. Make sure that you push evenly on both edges. Replace all other cards into their original slots, and screw the cards to the case.
- Reinstall the cover.
Desktop: Notice that the bottom of each side of the cover is bent into a groove. On the chassis, the sides are bent up to provide rails for these grooves to slide on. First guide the cover down onto the rails at the front of the unit. Be sure the grooves are seated on the rails, then slide the cover back with one hand while your other hand holds down the cables inside the unit. Once the cover is all the way back, secure it with screws. Reattach the cables to the back.
Tower: Stand the system upright. If your case has the copper-colored fingerstock pieces, check to see that they are in place before sliding the cover on. Reverse the steps used to remove the cover; start from the top and slide down. The cover needs to slide forward just enough to fit under the front panel. Secure the cover to the case with screws, reattach the plastic back panel, then reattach the cables.
Mini desktop: The cover goes straight down onto the chassis from above. When it is approximately in place, slide the cover toward the front of the unit to engage the flanges along the inside front edge. When it is in place, the screw holes on the back align with the screw holes in the chassis. Fasten the screws and reattach the cables.
- Power up the system. An error message telling you to run the setup appears on the display. The message gives you the option to press a key to continue or another key to run setup. Press whichever key takes you to the setup screen.
- Change the information in setup to match your system. Refer to the User's Guide supplied with your computer for details. Appropriate FaxBack® documents are also available for most systems.
- Press the Esc key to exit and save the changes you have made in setup, or follow the menu options to save and exit. The computer reboots and loads DOS from the hard disk. You are finished! Some systems require one more trip to the setup program, even though you don't need to make any changes the second time. If you encounter any problems after the second reboot, refer to the following section on troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting the system board installation
If the system fails to boot after system board replacement, turn the system OFF and check the following possible problem areas.
- Check that all power switches are ON. If the machine is plugged into a surge protector/power strip, set that switch ON also.
- Check the hard disk drive type in the setup program; refer to the User's Guide supplied with your system for more information.
- Check that all cables are correctly attached in back. Reseat the cables. Take the cover off, check all the cables inside to be sure they are on tight and that the red stripe faces the correct direction.
- Take the expansion cards out and reinstall them, making sure that they seat tightly in the system board sockets.
- If the keyboard is locked, remove the expansion cards one at a time, powering down each time to see if the system remains locked.
- Tilt the system unit on its side to make sure that no screws or other objects are loose beneath the system board. If these fail to correct the problem, contact Gateway 2000 Technical Support for help.
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