After unpacking and performing the initial checks and tests mentioned in a previous post, a refurbished server should be prepared to guarantee the maximum stability and efficiency.
The first step is to clean any dust that might have accumulated, both inside and out, with the help of a vacuum cleaner or air blower, paying special attention to the fans, heatsinks and grids.
The next recommendation, is to apply fresh thermal paste on the processors because the old one might be dry like the one in my server. Try to remove the old thermal paste using a dry cloth or napkin, both on the processor and heatsink, if necessary use some isopropyl alcohol to clean any leftover residue.
I recommend using a good quality thermal paste you trust, and spreading it evenly on the processor to guarantee maximum heat transfer. If you would like to upgrade the processors now would be a great moment to do so.
The CMOS battery is responsible for keeping time when the server is turned off, when faulty it can cause several unexpected shutdowns and behaviors. Replacing it is not a must, but since it’s age and condition are unknown, a replacement now can prevent issues later on. I will also populate the SD card slot next to it, with a 16GB card, that can be used to store hypervisors that are loaded to memory.
Preparing a server for a lab or production involves inserting the RAM modules in the right slots and correct order. Its slightly different than a standard computer, but after consulting the manual for my server, they should plugged in alphabetically according to the label.
The hard drives also need to be mounted. In my server they need to be screwed to the hot swap trays, and only then plugged in to the storage bays in the front of the server. Futher software configuration is necessary, but thats out of the scope of this post.
If there is a need to mount PCIE expansion cards for additional connectivity or other functions, mount them in as well. My server won’t be rack mounted, but if it would be attaching the rails is a necessary step.
