View source for Hardware detection and burn in

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Currently, there is a hard drive labeled '''EVAL 2''' in system evaluation 2 area (check the station next to the terminal). This is planned be replaced by a bootable CD. Eventually the whole thing may be ported to a network bootable system. 

This process is in development. It's an attempt to add to the functionality of [[System Evaluation]].

== Hardware detection ==
# Open the system and examine it for suitability. Needed components:
#* processor
#* memory
#* power supply
#* video card or onboard video
# Also check for some things you'll need to know later on:
#* blown capacitors
#* type of RAM slots (i.e. DDR, RAMBUS, SDRAM)
# Disconnect any existing hard drive
# Connect the ''eval 2'' hard drive
#* power
#* data cable (check to make sure it's not a cable select cable)
# Boot the system.
#* (If boot fails, go to troubleshooting boot problems section.)
# When prompted at the GRUB menu, select the standard (run this first) option
# After loading linux, diagnostic software is automatically run. 

=== The first screen ===
This displays processor information. Use the [[System Evaluation 2 Triage]] chart to determine if the system is a keeper or not. 

If it is not a keeper:
* label the system with a REASON FOR RECYCLING label
* place the system in SYstem Evaluation 1's INCOMING pile

If it is a keeper:
* fill out a KEEPER label and post it on the front of the system.
* record the processor type
* record the procesor speed
* record the front side bus speed
* continue on

=== Subsequent screens ===
Each screen is designed to detect something about the system. When you see information, record it on a form (yet to be created).

If a screen fails to display information we need to determine if there's a bug in the software (and if so, fix it). Make a note of the problem and identify the system's ID number, so we can test any fixes.

If a screen displays faulty information, do the same.

When finished, reboot the system.

== Burn in ==

''(Burn in takes a while and therefore requires enough space. We may need to relocate system evalution to the warehouse to do this properly. In the meantime, we should do it on a few systems to make sure we have a well developed process in place.)''

# When prompted at the GRUB menu, select the ''MEMTEST'' option
# Allow the system to run uninterrupted through two cycles. (This will take a long while, and it's best to start working on another system in the meantime.)
#* The first cycle will run while the RAM is relatively cool and may not detect certain errors.
#* The second cycle will run while the RAM is warmer and may detect new errors.
# Any error indicates that the memory (or system) is bad.
#* Swap out the RAM for known good RAM and see if the problem persists. 
#** If so, the system should be recycled. 
#** If not, the system is good and can be kept. (What to do with the RAM? Leave it in? Pull for next system?)

== Documentation ==
Note that the burn in was successfully completed (if it was).

Fill out a regular KEEPER label and place on the front of the computer.

Put the report with notes inside the computer and seal it up.

== Troubleshooting boot problems ==
* In BIOS:
** disable ACPI (power management stuff)
** make sure hard drive is the first boot option
* Simplification:
** Remove unnecessary components (pull extra cards, disconnect unused drives from the motherboard).
** For SDRAM based systems, try removing all but one stick of RAM
* Systematic swapping of needed components:
** For SDRAM based systems, try PC-100 RAM, PC-133 RAM, and possibly PC-66 RAM
** Try swapping video cards out

== Oddball things ==
Some processors are mismarked. Look closely. If it says "NOT FOR RESALE" on it, it may be an experimental processor that has a different speed. For instance a proc marked "Pentium II 233 NOT FOR RESALE" was correctly detected as a "Pentium III 450". The key was to know that "NOT FOR RESALE" indicated that this was a prototype developed at Intel that an engineer took home and later donated to Free Geek.

[[Category: Prebuild]]