Difference between revisions of "MacBuild Desktop Build"
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# When installation is complete, select the '''Continue''' option to reboot the system | # When installation is complete, select the '''Continue''' option to reboot the system | ||
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| Set up the environment and install extra apps || | | Set up the environment and install extra apps || | ||
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* If the machine has a wireless card, open up a terminal and run: | * If the machine has a wireless card, open up a terminal and run: | ||
sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter | sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter | ||
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| Take it to store || || | | Take it to store || || | ||
|} | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Special Configurations== | ||
+ | {| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |width="40%" align="center"|Steps | ||
+ | |width="53%" align="center"|Notes/Detailed Instructions | ||
+ | |width="7%" align="center"|Done | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Starting up Ubuntu on a difficult system || | ||
+ | There are startup options set by default in the bootloader, so startup will usually not require any input. However, the following are the default options that you can enter yourself if you don't want to wait for the bootloader to do it automatically. | ||
+ | # For the first-stage Ubuntu bootstrap, enter '''l''' for Linux | ||
+ | # For the yaboot boot prompt, enter '''Linux''' for the Ubuntu install that was just completed (it's case-sensitive, so make sure the L in '''Linux''' is capitalized) | ||
+ | |||
+ | Some systems will not boot properly due to video issues. These systems will usually hang with a white or black screen after the yaboot boot prompt. For these systems, providing it with '''Linux video=ofonly''' at the yaboot boot prompt should fix the problem. | ||
+ | || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | If necessary: permanently make the ''video=ofonly'' addition to yaboot || | ||
+ | If you needed to use the ''video=ofonly'' option to get the system to start up properly, you can permanently make the addition to yaboot. This is how you do it: | ||
+ | # In a terminal, edit the file ''/etc/yaboot.conf'' as root | ||
+ | #* ''sudo nano /etc/yaboot.conf | ||
+ | # Locate the line that reads ''image=/boot/vmlinux'' | ||
+ | # Move the cursor to the end of the line that starts with ''append'' | ||
+ | #* The line, in its unaltered state, should read ''append="quiet splash"'' | ||
+ | # Add ''video=ofonly'' to the end of the ''append'' line (make sure to add it within the quotes of the original ''append'' entry | ||
+ | #* The line should now read ''append="quiet splash video=ofonly"'' | ||
+ | # Save and close the file | ||
+ | #* '''Ctrl+o''', then '''Ctrl+x''' | ||
+ | # Update the bootloader with the changes to yaboot by running the following in a terminal: | ||
+ | #* '''''sudo ybin -v''''' | ||
+ | # Restart the system to test the change | ||
+ | || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | If necessary: enable the Ubuntu startup splash screen|| | ||
+ | Sometimes a system will show a blank screen during startup instead of the normal Ubuntu splash screen. If this is the case, we can enable the Ubuntu splash screen by doing the following: | ||
+ | # In a terminal, edit the file ''/etc/usplash.conf'' as root | ||
+ | #* ''sudo nano /etc/usplash.conf'' | ||
+ | # Move the cursor down to the first empty line | ||
+ | # Type '''xres=1024''', press Tab, and type '''yres=768''' | ||
+ | #* So the line should read: <code>xres=1024 yres=768</code> | ||
+ | #* If you happen to know the native resolution of the display, you can try using that instead | ||
+ | # Save and close the file | ||
+ | #* '''Ctrl+o''', then '''Ctrl+x''' | ||
+ | # Update the startup files with the changed resolution values by running the following in a terminal: | ||
+ | #* '''''sudo update-initramfs -u''''' | ||
+ | #* The command takes a couple of of minutes to complete | ||
+ | || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | If necessary: adjust the screen display (for systems with built-in CRTs)|| | ||
+ | # Start up MacBuild's OS X system in transfer mode | ||
+ | #* Hold the '''T''' key on the keyboard while the system is powering on | ||
+ | #* If done correctly, you should see a FireWire icon on the screen of the system | ||
+ | # Power down the system you are working on | ||
+ | # Connect a FireWire cable from the OS X system to the system being worked on | ||
+ | # Hold the '''Option''' key on the keyboard while starting the system | ||
+ | #* This should bring up a graphical menu of all the drives the system sees that it can boot from | ||
+ | # Select the OS X FireWire drive from the menu, and click on the Continue arrow | ||
+ | # Once the desktop loads, click on the blue apple in the upper left corner of the screen | ||
+ | # Click on the ''System Preferences'' option in the dropdown menu | ||
+ | # Click on the ''Displays'' icon in the System Preferences window | ||
+ | # Click on the ''Geometry'' tab in the Displays window | ||
+ | # Select the kind of adjustment you'd like to make, and drag the edges of the monitor icon to adjust the screen display | ||
+ | # Once you're done, click on the blue apple in the upper left corner and click on the ''Shutdown'' option in the dropdown menu | ||
+ | # Disconnect the FireWire cable once the system powers off, and turn off the OS X system | ||
+ | # Repeat as necessary | ||
+ | #* If the screen display cannot be adjusted to an acceptable state, the system should be recycled | ||
+ | || | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
[[Category:Macintosh]] | [[Category:Macintosh]] |
Revision as of 14:24, 6 October 2009
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:
Specs
iMac
iMac G4 (iLamp) Specs
Note: Auto Recycle everything < 1.25 GHz. |
iMac G5 (integrated LCD) Specs
|
eMac
eMac Specs Auto-recycle all eMacs |
PowerMac G4
PowerMac G4 Specs Auto-recycle all PowerMac G4s |
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
- Install a tested battery
- Populate all memory slots with tested memory modules
- Install optical drive, if necessary
- Connect a wiped HD to primary IDE channel
- Connect a mouse, keyboard, and monitor to system
- 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)
- When at the desktop, insert a CD into the optical drive and check if it mounts on the desktop
- Click on the blue apple in the upper-left corner of the screen
- Select the About this Mac option from the menu
- Click the More info button to launch the System Profiler
- 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
- If it fails to see the HD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system should be recycled
- Eject the CD
- Power the system down, remove the HD, and leave only 128MB of RAM in the system
- 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
Desktop Build Checklist
Steps | Notes/Detailed Instructions | Done |
Check for blown capacitors (if system can be easily opened) |
Visually inspect motherboard capacitors for bulges/leaks. If you find one, check with your instructor. |
|
Make sure that covers are available for open bays |
If covers are missing, check parts storage for replacements |
|
Install battery |
Pay attention to correct position; look for '+' by battery holder |
|
Install hard drive |
Refer to MacBuild Spec Sheet for appropriate size |
|
Install RAM |
Refer to MacBuild Spec Sheet for appropriate amount |
|
Clean/dust inside |
If necessary |
|
Attach keyboard/mouse, monitor, network cable, and power cord (as necessary) | ||
Clear the PRAM |
While starting up, hold the Option+Apple+p+r keys. Continue holding the keys until the system chimes three times. Release the keys after the third chime is heard. |
|
Set the system clock in Open Firmware |
While starting up, hold the Option+Apple+o+f keys. Release the keys when the Open Firmware prompt comes up. Run the following command: decimal dev rtc [sec min hour day month year] set-time All values aside from the year should be two-digit numbers in 24-hour format. The year should be a four-digit number. Additionally, the clock needs to be set to UTC, so remember to add 7 hours to the current time if on regular time or 8 hours during Daylight Saving Time. For example, to set the clock to 1:58 PM on September 18th, 2009, the command would be decimal dev rtc 00 58 20 18 09 2009 set-time |
|
Reset the NVRAM |
While starting up, hold the Option+Apple+o+f keys. Release the keys when the Open Firmware prompt comes up. Run the following commands in the specified order: reset-nvram set-defaults reset-all The system will reboot after the reset-all command is entered. |
|
Install Ubuntu |
Please note that any values not explicitly defined here (HTTP proxies and such) should be left blank.
|
|
Set up the environment and install extra apps |
sudo apt-get install k3b
sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter |
|
Test USB/FireWire ports |
USB:
FireWire:
If all ports of one of these types don't work, the machine should be recycled |
|
Configure/test sound control |
|
|
Test CD data and sound |
|
|
Generate "printme" report for system |
|
|
Clean outside cover |
Clean case monitor face, connector panel, keyboard, and mouse as well |
|
Attach "printme" report to system | ||
Bundle system with tested keyboard/mouse and power cord | ||
Take it to store |
Special Configurations
Steps | Notes/Detailed Instructions | Done |
Starting up Ubuntu on a difficult system |
There are startup options set by default in the bootloader, so startup will usually not require any input. However, the following are the default options that you can enter yourself if you don't want to wait for the bootloader to do it automatically.
Some systems will not boot properly due to video issues. These systems will usually hang with a white or black screen after the yaboot boot prompt. For these systems, providing it with Linux video=ofonly at the yaboot boot prompt should fix the problem. |
|
If necessary: permanently make the video=ofonly addition to yaboot |
If you needed to use the video=ofonly option to get the system to start up properly, you can permanently make the addition to yaboot. This is how you do it:
|
|
If necessary: enable the Ubuntu startup splash screen |
Sometimes a system will show a blank screen during startup instead of the normal Ubuntu splash screen. If this is the case, we can enable the Ubuntu splash screen by doing the following:
|
|
If necessary: adjust the screen display (for systems with built-in CRTs) |
|