Hinged door for access to add-in cards

A method for replacing a horizontally mounted add-in card in a server stored in a server rack, wherein the server is contained within a chassis having front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear panel all mounted on a base and forming a rectangular enclosure with a removable top panel, said method comprising:

• extending the server from the server rack on rails attached to the chassis;
• removing the top panel from the chassis;
• opening a door in the first side panel that allows access to the add-in card;
• removing the add-in card from a slot on a riser card;
• inserting a new add-in card into the slot on the riser card;
• closing the door;
• replacing the top panel;
• and
• retracting the server into the server rack, wherein all of the above steps are performed while the server is operating and without the use of any tools.

A method for removing a plurality of horizontally mounted add-in cards in a server stored in a server rack, wherein the server is contained within a chassis having front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear panel all mounted on a base and forming a rectangular enclosure with a removable top panel, wherein the plurality of add-in cards are connected to a riser card attached to a cage that is attached to the server by a plurality of attachment members, comprising:

• extending the server from the server rack on rails attached to the chassis;
• removing the top panel from the chassis;
• disengaging the plurality of attachment member;
• and
• removing the cage from the server, wherein all of the above steps are performed without the use of any tools.

A computer, comprising:

• a chassis having a front panel, a side panel, and a rear panel all mounted on a base and forming a rectangular enclosure;
• a system board attached to said base;
• at least one add-in card connected to said system board and oriented to be substantially parallel with said system board;
• and
• a means for opening a portion of said side panel adjacent to said add-in card sized to allow access to said add-in card through said side panel.