Dell T420- User Manual

Item Indicator, Button, or Connector Icon Description 4 LCD menu buttons Allow you to navigate the control panel LCD menu. 5 Information tag A slide-out label panel which allows you to record system information such as Service Tag, NIC, MAC address, and so on. 6 LCD panel Displays system ID, status ...

• The LCD backlight remains off if LCD messaging is turned off through the iDRAC utility, the LCD panel, or other tools. Figure 5. LCD Panel Features Item Button Description 1 Left Moves the cursor back in one-step increments. 2 Select Selects the menu item highlighted by the cursor. 3 Right Moves t...

Option Description Set home Select the default information to be displayed on the LCD Home screen. See View Menu to see the options and option items that can be set as the default on the Home screen. View Menu NOTE: When you select an option in the View menu, you must confirm the option before proce...

PCIe Indicator Condition Corrective Action The indicator blinks amber if a PCIe card experiences an error. Restart the system. Update any required drivers for the PCIe card. Re-install the card. If the problem persists, see Getting Help . Hard-Drive Indicator Patterns Figure 6. Hard-Drive Indicators...

Drive-Status Indicator Pattern (RAID Only) Condition Blinks green three seconds, amber three seconds, and off six seconds Rebuild aborted Back-Panel Features And Indicators Figure 7. Back-Panel Features and Indicators 20

NIC Indicator Codes Figure 8. NIC Indicator 1. link indicator 2. activity indicator Indicator Indicator Code Link and activity indicators are off The NIC is not connected to the network. Link indicator is green The NIC is connected to a valid network at its maximum port speed (1 Gbps or 10 Gbps). Li...

Power Indicator Pattern Condition Not lit Power is not connected. Green A valid power source is connected to the power supply and the power supply is operational. Flashing amber Indicates a problem with the power supply. CAUTION: When correcting a power supply mismatch, replace only the power supply...

Figure 10. Non-Redundant AC Power Supply Status Indicator and Self-Diagnostic Button 1. self-diagnostic button 2. AC power supply status indicator Other Information You May Need WARNING: See the safety and regulatory information that shipped with your system. Warranty information may be included wit...

2 Using The System Setup And Boot Manager System Setup enables you to manage your system hardware and specify BIOS-level options.The following keystrokes provide access to system features during startup: Keystroke Description <F2> Enters the System Setup. <F10> Enters System Services, wh...

• BIOS boot mode (the default) is the standard BIOS-level boot interface. • UEFI boot mode is an enhanced 64-bit boot interface based on Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specifications that overlays the system BIOS. You must select the boot mode in the Boot Mode field of the Boot Setting...

System Setup Options System Setup Main Screen NOTE: Press <Alt><F> to reset the BIOS or UEFI settings to their default settings. Menu Item Description System BIOS This option is used to view and configure BIOS settings. iDRAC Settings This option is used to view and configure iDRAC setti...

Menu Item Description Serial Port Address Allows you to set the port address for serial devices. By default, the Serial Port Address option is set to Serial Device 1=COM2, Serial Device 2=COM1. NOTE: Only Serial Device 2 can be used for Serial Over LAN (SOL). To use console redirection by SOL, confi...

Menu Item Description NOTE: When C States is enabled in Custom mode, changing the Monitor/Mwait setting does not impact system power/performance. Memory Patrol Scrub Allows you to set the memory patrol scrub frequency. By default, the Memory Patrol Scrub option is set to Standard. Memory Refresh Rat...

Menu Item Description NMI Button Allows you to enable or disable the NMI button on the front of the system. By default, the NMI Button option is set to Disabled. AC Power Recovery Allows you to set how the system reacts after AC power is restored to the system. By default, the AC Power Recovery opti...

You can assign a new System Password and/or Setup Password or change an existing System Password and/or Setup Password only when the password jumper setting is enabled and Password Status is Unlocked. If the Password Status is Locked, you cannot change the System Password and/or Setup Password.If th...

7. Press <Esc> to return to the System BIOS screen. Press <Esc> again, and a message prompts you to save the changes. NOTE: You can disable password security while logging on to the system. To disable the password security, turn on or reboot your system, type your password and press <...

UEFI Boot Menu Menu Item Description Select UEFI Boot Option Displays the list of available UEFI boot options (marked with asterisks), select the boot option you wish to use and press <Enter>. Add Boot Option Adds a new boot option. Delete Boot Option Deletes an existing boot option. Boot From...

3 Installing System Components Recommended Tools You may need the following items to perform the procedures in this section: • Key to the system keylock • #1 and #2 Phillips screwdrivers • Wrist grounding strap connected to ground Front Bezel (Optional) Installing The Front Bezel 1. Insert the bezel...

Figure 11. Removing and Installing the Front Bezel 1. system 2. front bezel 3. keylock 4. release latch Removing The Front Bezel 1. Insert the bezel key in the keylock. 2. Keeping the keylock pressed with the bezel key, rotate the keylock to the unlocked position. 3. Press down on the release latch ...

Figure 12. Removing and Installing the System Feet 1. base of the tower 2. system feet (4) 3. screws (4) Installing The System Feet 1. Lay the system on its side on a flat, stable surface. 2. Secure the system feet to the base of the tower using the screws. 3. Place the system upright on a flat, sta...

4. Offset the front wheel assembly unit slightly to the back of the system to release the retention hooks, and pull out the front wheel assembly unit. 5. Remove the screw securing the back wheel assembly unit to the base of the chassis. 6. Offset the back wheel assembly unit slightly to the front of...

7. Offset the front wheel assembly slightly to the front and secure the unit in place using a screw. 8. Using two screws, install the support unit on the base of the chassis. 9. Place the system upright on a sturdy, stable surface. Opening And Closing The System WARNING: Whenever you need to lift th...

Figure 14. Opening and Closing the System 1. cover release latch 2. latch release lock 3. system cover 4. system feet (4) Closing The System 1. Ensure that all internal cables are connected and placed out of the way and that no tools or extra parts are left inside the system. 2. Place the bottom edg...

Figure 16. Inside the System—With Cabled Hard Drives 1. cabled power supply 2. PCIe card holder (optional) 3. cooling shroud 4. internal cooling fan 5. system feet (4) 6. heat sink for processor 2 7. expansion card slots (6) 8. heat sink for processor 1 9. internal hard-drive bay Optical Drives And ...

Removing The Optical Drive Or Tape Drive 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...

Installing The Optical Drive Or Tape Drive 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 ...

CAUTION: Never operate your system with the cooling shroud removed. The system may get overheated quickly, resulting in shutdown of the system and loss of data. 1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet and peripherals. 2. If app...

NOTE: For proper seating of the cooling shroud in the system chassis, ensure that the cables inside the system are routed along the chassis wall and secured using the cable securing clips. 1. Align the two slots on the cooling shroud with the tabs on the internal cooling fan. 2. Lower the cooling sh...

Figure 20. Removing and Installing a Hot-Swap Hard Drive 1. release button 2. hard drive 3. hard-drive carrier handle Installing A Hot-Swap Hard Drive CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in...

Figure 22. Removing and Installing a 3.5 Inch Hard-Drive Blank 1. hard-drive blank 2. release button Installing A 3.5 Inch Hard-Drive Blank 1. If installed, remove the front bezel. 2. Insert the hard-drive blank into the hard-drive slot until the release button clicks into place. 3. If applicable, i...

Figure 23. Removing and Installing a 2.5 Inch Hard Drive Into a 3.5 Inch Hard-Drive Adapter 1. screws (2) 2. 3.5 inch hard-drive adapter 3. 2.5 inch hard drive Installing A 2.5 Inch Hard Drive Into A 3.5 Inch Hard-Drive Adapter CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician...

Figure 25. Removing and Installing a Hard-Drive Adapter Into a 3.5 Inch Hard-Drive Carrier 1. hard-drive carrier 2. screws (5) 3. hard-drive adapter 4. 2.5 inch hard drive Installing A Hard Drive Or A Hard-Drive Adapter Into A Hard-Drive Carrier CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified ...

CAUTION: Do not turn off or reboot your system while the hard drive is being formatted. Doing so can cause a hard drive failure. NOTE: Use only hard drives that have been tested and approved for use with your system. Removing The Internal Hard-Drive Bay CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a ce...

Figure 27. Removing and Installing a Cabled Hard Drive 1. hard drive connector 2. hard drive 3. internal hard-drive bay 4. screws (4) Installing A Cabled Hard Drive CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as...

10. Close the system.11. Place the system upright on a flat, stable surface and if applicable, rotate the system feet outward.12. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any attached peripherals.13. Enter the System Setup and ensure that the hard drive's contr...

Figure 33. Cabling—x16 Hard-Drive Backplane With Expansion Card 1. power connector on power distribution board 2. SAS B connector on PowerEdge RAID Controller (PERC) card 3. SAS A connector on PERC card 4. I2C connector on system board 5. SAS A connector on backplane 6. SAS B connector on backplane ...

Figure 34. Installing and Removing the Four-Slot Hard-Drive Blank 1. four-slot hard-drive blank 2. release tab 3. screwdriver Installing A Four-Slot Hard-Drive Blank 1. Locate the hard drive slots numbered from four to seven. 2. Insert the four-slot hard-drive blank into the hard-drive slot, and pus...

Advanced ECC (Lockstep) Advanced ECC mode extends SDDC from x4 DRAM based DIMMs to both x4 and x8 DRAMs. This protects against single DRAM chip failures during normal operation.Memory installation guidelines: • Memory sockets A1, A4, B1, and B4 are disabled and do not supported Advanced ECC mode. • ...

System Capacity (in GB) DIMM Size (in GB) Number of DIMMs Organization and Speed DIMM Slot Population 160 16 10 2R x4, 1333 MT/s2R x4, 1600 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 192 16 12 2R x4, 1333 MT/s2R x4, 1600 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 256 32 8 4R x4, 1066 MT/s ...

6. If a memory module or a memory-module blank is installed in the socket, remove it. NOTE: Retain removed memory-module blank(s) for future use. Figure 37. Removing The Memory Module 1. memory module/memory-module blank 7. Install the cooling shroud. 8. Close the system. 9. Reconnect the system to ...

NOTE: The memory-module socket has an alignment key that allows you to install the memory module in the socket in only one orientation. CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory-module socket during installation, apply pressure at both ends of the memory module evenly. Do not apply pressure to the ce...

Removing The Internal Cooling Fan 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 servic...

Installing The Internal Cooling Fan 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 serv...

Installing The External Cooling Fan 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 serv...

PCIe Card Holder (Optional) Removing The PCIe Card Holder 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 te...

3. PCIe card holder Installing The PCIe Card Holder 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. Da...

Table 4. Expansion Card Installation Order Card Priority Card Type Slot Priority Maximum Allowed 1 GPU 3, 5 2 2 External RAID 1, 4, 5, 3, 6 1 3 Internal RAID 6, 4, 5, 3, 1 1 4 10 Gb NICs 4, 5, 3, 6 4 5 FC8 HBA 4, 5, 3, 1, 6 5 6 CNAs 4, 5, 3, 1, 6 5 7 1 Gb NICs 2, 4, 5, 3, 1, 6 6 8 Non-RAID 4, 5, 3, ...

7. From inside the system, press and push out the expansion card release latch to open it. 8. Holding the card by its edge, pull the card to disengage from the connector and lift the card out of the chassis. 9. If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the empty card slot...

NOTE: For systems installed with the wheel assembly, ensure that you lay the system on a sturdy, stable surface with the wheel assembly extending off the edge of the surface. 4. Open the system. 5. If applicable, remove the PCIe card holder. 6. From inside the system, press and push out the expansio...

10. Install the PCIe card holder.11. Close the system.12. If applicable, place the system upright on a flat, stable surface and rotate the system feet outward.13. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any attached peripherals. Figure 46. Removing and Install...

5. Locate the x16 slot on the system board. 6. From inside the system, press and push out the expansion card release latch for the x16 slot. NOTE: If you are installing a double-width GPU card, you must open the two expansion card latches to secure the card. 7. If applicable, remove the filler brack...

Figure 47. Removing and Installing the iDRAC Ports Card 1. screw 2. iDRAC ports card 3. iDRAC ports card connector Installing The iDRAC Ports Card CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in you...

11. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any attached peripherals. Replacing An SD vFlash Card 1. Locate the SD vFlash card slot on the system. 2. To remove the installed SD vFlash card, push inward on the card to release it, and pull the card from the card...

8. If applicable, place the system upright on a flat, stable surface and rotate the system feet outward. 9. Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any attached peripherals. Figure 49. Removing and Installing the Internal Dual SD Module 1. SD card connector on...

Removing An Internal SD Card 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 t...

NOTE: When selecting or upgrading your system configuration, verify the system power consumption with the Dell Energy Smart Solution Advisor at dell.com/ESSA to ensure optimum power utilization. Removing A Processor CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should...

Figure 51. Removing and Installing a Processor 1. socket release lever 2. processor 3. processor shield 4. socket 5. guide 6. slot NOTE: After removing the processor, place it in an antistatic container for reuse, return, or temporary storage. Do not touch the bottom of the processor. Touch only the...

7. If applicable, remove the socket protective cap. 8. If you are adding a second processor for the first time, remove the heat sink blank and the processor blank from the vacant processor socket.Removing the blanks is similar to removing a processor. 9. Unpack the new processor.If the processor has...

NOTE: When selecting or upgrading your system configuration, verify the system power consumption with the Dell Energy Smart Solution Advisor at dell.com/ESSA to ensure optimum power utilization. Removing A Redundant AC Power Supply CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service techni...

NOTE: The maximum output power (shown in Watts) is listed on the power supply label. 2. If applicable, remove the power supply blank. 3. Slide the new power supply into the chassis until the power supply is fully seated and the release latch snaps into place. NOTE: The systems configured in rack-mod...

Replacing The Power Supply Divider 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 servi...

3. screw Non-Redundant AC Power Supply Your system supports a non-redundant 550 W AC power supply. NOTE: Non-redundant power supply is supported in systems with cabled hard drives and systems with an x8 backplane. NOTE: When selecting or upgrading your system configuration, verify the system power c...

Installing A Non-Redundant AC Power Supply 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 ...

Installing The Power Interposer Board 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 se...

3. Open the system. 4. Locate the battery socket. CAUTION: To avoid damage to the battery connector, you must firmly support the connector while installing or removing a battery. 5. To remove the battery, support the battery connector by pressing down firmly on the positive side of the connector. Fi...

The control-panel assembly with diagnostic indicators is supported on systems with cabled hard drives and systems with an x8 backplane. The control-panel assembly with LCD module is supported on systems with hot-swappable hard drives only. Removing The Control-Panel Assembly CAUTION: Many repairs ma...

3. control-panel assembly 4. tabs (3) Installing The Control Panel 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 s...

Figure 64. Removing and Installing the Control-Panel Board With LCD Module 1. LCD ZIF cable 2. LCD module ZIF connector 3. control-panel board 4. screws (3) 5. control-panel assembly Installing The Control-Panel Board For Systems With LCD Modules CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified...

NOTE: The control-panel assembly with diagnostic indicators is supported on systems with cabled hard drives and systems with an x8 backplane. 1. Using the screw holes, align the control-panel board with the control-panel assembly. 2. Secure the control-panel board to the control-panel assembly using...

Figure 67. Removing and Installing the VGA Module 1. control panel 2. control-panel board 3. VGA module 4. securing tabs (2) 5. control-panel assembly Installing The VGA Module—Rack Mode CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting...

Removing The System Board 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...

Figure 68. Removing the System Board 1. screws (11) 2. system board holders (2) 3. system board Installing The System Board 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...

4 Converting The System From Tower Mode To Rack Mode 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. D...

Figure 70. Removing and Installing the Rack Ears 1. front panel 2. rack ears (2) 3. screws for each rack ear (3) 12. Close the system. Rack Installation To install the system in a rack, see the system’s Rack Installation Guide. 125

5 Troubleshooting Your System Safety First—For You And Your System 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 s...

6. If the problem is not resolved, proceed to the next step to begin troubleshooting the other USB devices attached to the system. 7. Power down all attached USB devices and disconnect them from the system. 8. Restart the system and, if your keyboard is functioning, enter the System Setup. Verify th...

Troubleshooting A Wet System 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 t...

• Hard-drive carriers • Hard-drive backplane 4. Ensure that all cables are properly connected. 5. Close the system. 6. Run the appropriate diagnostic test. For more information, see Using System Diagnostics. If the tests fail, see Getting Help . Troubleshooting The System Battery CAUTION: Many repai...

Troubleshooting Redundant Power Supplies 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...

If diagnostics indicates a fault, follow the corrective actions provided by the diagnostic program. 2. If the system is not operational, turn off the system and attached peripherals, and unplug the system from the power source. Wait at least 10 seconds and then reconnect the system to power. 3. Turn...

Troubleshooting An SD Card 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 tha...

Troubleshooting A Hard Drive 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 t...

11. For each expansion card you removed in step 8, perform the following steps: a. Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.b. Open the system.c. Reinstall one of the expansion cards.d. Close the system.e. Run the appropriate diagnostic test....

6 Using System Diagnostics If you experience a problem with your system, run the system diagnostics before contacting Dell for technical assistance. The purpose of running system diagnostics is to test your system hardware without requiring additional equipment or risking data loss. If you are unabl...

The ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment window is displayed, listing all devices detected in the system. The diagnostics starts executing the tests on all the detected devices. System Diagnostic Controls Menu Description Configuration Displays the configuration and status information of all detected dev...

7 Jumpers And Connectors System Board Jumper Settings For information on resetting the password jumper to disable a password, see Disabling A Forgotten Password. Table 5. System Board Jumper Settings Jumper Setting Description PWRD_EN (default) The password feature is enabled (pins 2–4). The passwor...

System Board Jumpers And Connectors Figure 71. System Board Jumpers and Connectors Item Connector Description 1 PWR_CONN/P1 Power connector 2 CTRL PNL Control panel interface connector 3 FRONT VGA Video connector 4 SLOT1 PCIE-G2-X4(CPH) PCIe card connector 1 5 SLOT2 PCIE-G2-X1(CPH) PCIe card connect...

Disabling A Forgotten Password The system's software security features include a system password and a setup password. The password jumper enables these password features or disables them and clears any password(s) currently in use. CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service techn...

8 Technical Specifications Processor Processor type One or two Intel Xeon processors E5-2400 and E5-2400 v2 product family Expansion Bus Bus type PCI Express Generation 3 and 2 Expansion slots (Slot 1) One full-height, half-length x4 PCIe Gen2 card slot connected to Platform Controller Hub (PCH) (Sl...

9 System Messages LCD Messages NOTE: Applicable only if your system has an LCD display. The LCD messages consist of brief text messages that refer to events recorded in the System Event Log (SEL). For information on the SEL and configuring system management settings, see the systems management softw...

Error Code Message Information Action 1. Review system logs for power supply exceptions. 2. Re-configure the system to minimum configuration, inspect and reinstall system cables. 3. If the issue persists, see Getting Help . Warning Messages A warning message alerts you to a possible problem and prom...

10 Getting Help Contacting Dell NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog. Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country...