MacBuild Desktop Build

Building a desktop in MacBuild is a fairly simple process. Aside from occasionally needing specific hardware, building a desktop MacBox is virtually identical to building a standard FreekBox.

What we build
We presently work on PowerMac G4s and better, eMacs, iMac G4s, iMac G5s, and any newer models that come in. The specs we build the most common models to are as follows:

What we don't build
We don't build anything below the specs listed above. PowerMac G4 Graphites (the ones with dark blue/grey cases) are presently tested to see if they post and sold in the store as is. Systems on the Old Mac Keeper List in MacBuild Eval are kept on the Old Mac shelf for future processing. Everything else is recycled.

PowerMac G4 As-Is Procedure

 * 1) Install a tested battery
 * 2) Populate all memory slots with tested memory modules
 * 3) Install optical drive, if necessary
 * 4) Connect a wiped HD to primary IDE channel
 * 5) Connect a mouse, keyboard, and monitor to system
 * 6) Boot from OS X external drive (hold the Option key on the keyboard while system starts up, and select the external drive from the menu)
 * 7) When at the desktop, insert a CD into the optical drive and check if it mounts on the desktop
 * 8) Click on the blue apple in the upper-left corner of the screen
 * 9) Select the About this Mac option from the menu
 * 10) Click the More info button to launch the System Profiler
 * 11) Check the information for ATA and Memory in System Profiler to ensure that the system can see all devices on IDE channels and each memory module in each memory slot
 * 12) * If it fails to see the HD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system should be recycled
 * 13) Eject the CD
 * 14) Power the system down, remove the HD, and leave only 128MB of RAM in the system
 * 15) Attach an As Is tag to the system and take it to the store

Recycling procedure
Should you come across a desktop system that needs to be recycled, this is what you should do:
 * If it is a built-in CRT system:
 * Harvest the HD, battery, and RAM
 * Separate the logic board and optical drives from the CRT and chassis
 * Reassemble the CRT/chassis and take to monitor testing area in the warehouse for recycling
 * Place the remaining items in the bins in MacBuild Eval


 * If it is a standard desktop:
 * Harvest the battery
 * Place a Recycle sticker on the system
 * Take system to System Eval and place on the Reject pile