Difference between revisions of "Hardware detection and burn in"
Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
This process is in development. It's an attempt to add to the functionality of [[System Evaluation]]. | 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: | # Open the system and examine it for suitability. Needed components: | ||
#* processor | #* processor | ||
Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
#* power | #* power | ||
#* data cable (check to make sure it's not a cable select cable) | #* data cable (check to make sure it's not a cable select cable) | ||
− | # Boot | + | # Boot the system. |
#* (If boot fails, go to troubleshooting boot problems section.) | #* (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 === | === The first screen === | ||
Line 31: | Line 32: | ||
If a screen displays faulty information, do the same. | 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. | ||
== Troubleshooting boot problems == | == Troubleshooting boot problems == |
Revision as of 09:05, 25 August 2006
Currently, there is a hard drive labeled EVAL 2 in system evaluation 2. 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
- 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, follow instructions for recycling the system.
If it is a keeper, 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.
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