[geeks] Dell T105 Server, CPU and RAM upgrade

[Shannon Hendrix]

On Mar 19, 2009, at 15:06 , Lionel Peterson wrote:

> The have a similar function for CD images, but the name eludes me.
>
> Can't you cut a BIOS update floppy on another machine and boot off  
> that?

My machine has no floppy, but I could probably scrounge one up.

Can you run the Windows BIOS update program from a floppy?

I thought it required Windows.

> BTW, I like your T105 CPU upgrade - did you keep Dells fan/heatsink  
> or something else? I am considering upgrading my T105 to the Opteron  
> 1356 for $134 from newegg.com (RAM is already maxed out)...

I picked up the 1352 on newegg as well.

I used the Dell heatsink and fan shroud, since it is actually pretty  
good.  Will save the AMD OEM for something else, maybe an OEM CPU for  
another system.

A word of warning:

When I removed the heatsink per Dell's instructions, it pulled the CPU  
out of its socket.  The thermal paste forms a suction on the CPU and  
is *VERY* hard to pull off without pulling the CPU too.

This is fairly common with a lot of CPU assemblies these days, because  
the cooling systems are huge and the better thermal paste really holds  
onto the CPU.

So generally expect the CPU is going to come out of the socket with  
most any system any more, and make sure you unlatch it first.

Reach under the shroud at the "back" of the shroud, and lift the  
socket latch (metal bar) before pulling the shroud assembly.  It might  
be hard to get your fingers in there, so use a tool.  That way you  
won't yank the CPU out while the socket is tight.  It usually doesn't  
kill the CPU or socket, but it could so be careful.  I used a tiny  
screwdriver, but something non-metal with more grab would work better.

Also, be advised that on some newer sockets, the latch cover come up  
(opens) pretty easily.  It's the part of the socket with no holes,  
hinged, and covers the spring for the latch bar and the socket sliding  
mechanism that locks the CPU into place.

If it comes up, it should snap right back down.

Your CPU will almost certainly not run if that is not fully down, and  
sometimes it can be hard to tell that it came up, so check it to be  
sure.

For some reason, I find this more common with socket AM2, though I  
can't imagine why.

> Also, the X1 HD tray arrived today - thanks!

What's that?


-- 
"Where some they sell their dreams for small desires."