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            - Sun Proprietary/Confidential: Internal Use Only -
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                        FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
               (For Authorized Distribution by SunService)

FIN #: I0992-1

Create Date: Jun/27/03

SunAlert: No

Top FIN/FCO Report: No

Products Reference: Sun Fire 280R Servers

Product Category: Server / Service

Product Affected: 

Systems Affected:
-----------------  
Mkt_ID     Platform     Model     Description         Serial Number
------     --------     -----     -----------         -------------
  -          A35         ALL      Sun Fire 280R             -  


X-Options Affected:
-------------------
Mkt_ID     Platform     Model     Description         Serial Number
------     --------     -----     -----------         -------------
  -           -           -            -	            -

Parts Affected: 

----------------------
Part Number              Description   	             Model
-----------              -----------   	             -----
300-1457-04 (or lower)   Power Supply 560W             -
501-5775-04 (or lower)   Power Distribution Board      -

References: 

ECO: WO_26155

ESC: 541766: Thermal problem of 560W Power Supply and power dist board. 
     543404: Thermal event on an power supply connector.
     544276: 280R PDB known connector problem.
     
URL: http://sdpsweb.central/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0992-1_dir/Mounting_Ear.jpg

Issue Description: 

Power supplies in position PS1 of a very small number of dual power
supply Sun Fire 280R systems may have cracked connectors, resulting in
inadequate contact on pins 24-26 of the 36-pin power connector on the
power distribution board.  This can result in loss of power from PS1,
but the system will continue to run normally.

The issue exists in less than 0.4% of dual power supply systems.  These
systems were manufactured prior to December 9, 2002.  The issue always
affects Power Supply 1 (PS1) and never Power Supply 0 (PS0).

A visual inspection of Power Supply 1 is required to identify this
issue.  If the system is powered up, it can be checked without powering
down by removing the power supplies one at a time.  Remove the power
supply in position PS1 first and examine the 36-pin connector to
determine if the connector mounting ear is broken.  See the following
photo for an example of a broken mounting ear:

   http://sdpsweb.central/FIN_FCO/FIN/FINI0992-1_dir/Mounting_Ear.jpg

NOTE: The breakage may not be as visible as in this photo; YOU MUST
PUSH ON EACH END of the connector to determine if the ear is broken.
If it is broken, the connector will move at least 2mm back inside the
power supply enclosure on the broken end.  Although the problem does
not exist for PS0, it should still be inspected at the same time.

When this issue occurs, the 36-pin power connector on the power
distribution board gets hot and may melt with some possibility of a
burning odor emitted.  Eventually, this condition will lead to apparent
failure of the associated power supply.  There has NEVER been an
incidence of either smoke and flame.  The time required for this
situation to occur is quite variable and may range from a few weeks to
several months after the system is powered on.

Root cause has determined that the power distribution board power
connector material is sensitive to humidity.  Swelling of the connector
on the power distribution board may cause the connector on PS1 to not
seat correctly during installation.  This swelling can occur when Sun
Fire 280R systems are shipped from the initial assembly point in the
United States to final assembly locations in Europe and Canada with no
power supply installed in position PS1 (a power supply is always
installed in PS0).  In some cases on the final assembly line, excessive
force may have been used to correctly seat PS1, causing the connector
on the power supply to break.  Since a power supply is always shipped
in PS0, the connectors in this position are considered to be stable.
No failures of the type described here have ever been observed in PS0.

An inspection process was instituted at the factory on December 9, 2002
to make sure subsequent systems do not have this problem.  New
connector material is being investigated and is expected to be
incorporated into the product in Q1FY04.

An FCO to address this issue in the field is planned, and will be
released once this new connector material is readily available.

Implementation: 

---
        |   |   MANDATORY (Fully Proactive)
         ---    
         
  
         ---
        |   |   CONTROLLED PROACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan) 
         --- 
         
                                
         ---
        | X |   REACTIVE (As Required)
         ---

Corrective Action: 

The following recommendation is provided as a guideline for authorized
Sun Services Field Representatives who may encounter the above
mentioned issue.

An FCO will be issued when sufficient power distribution boards with
the new connector material are available.  In the meantime, if the
power supply connector is broken, both the power supply and the power
distribution board must be replaced.  It is imperative that both parts
be replaced at the same time.  If the connector is not broken,
carefully reinstall the power supply and make sure it is operating
properly (both AC and DC power green lights should be on) before
removing the other supply for inspection.  Complete the inspection of
the second supply and reinstall or replace parts as appropriate.

Comments: 

None.

============================================================================

Implementation Footnote: 

i)   In case of MANDATORY FINs, Sun Services will attempt to contact   
     all affected customers to recommend implementation of the FIN. 
   
ii)  For CONTROLLED PROACTIVE FINs, Sun Services mission critical    
     support teams will recommend implementation of the FIN  (to their  
     respective accounts), at the convenience of the customer. 

iii) For REACTIVE FINs, Sun Services will implement the FIN as the   
     need arises.
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All released FINs and FCOs can be accessed using your favorite network 
browser as follows:
 
SunWeb Access:
-------------- 
* Access the top level URL of http://sdpsweb.central/FIN_FCO/

* From there, select the appropriate link to query or browse the FIN and
  FCO Homepage collections.
 
SunSolve Online Access:
-----------------------
* Access the SunSolve Online URL at http://sunsolve.central/

* From there, select the appropriate link to browse the FIN or FCO index.

Internet Access:
----------------
* Access the top level URL of https://spe.sun.com
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General:
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* Send questions or comments to [email protected]
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