Difference between revisions of "MacBuild PPC Checklist"

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==Build==
+
This is the in-progress checklist for PPC desktop and laptops.  Please go to the discussion pagefor the in-progress Intel instructions.
  
−
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"
+
=OS X Triage=
−
|-
+
==Getting Started==
−
|width="40%" align="center"|Steps
+
===Attach keyboard/mouse, monitor, network cable, and power cord (as necessary)===
−
|width="53%" align="center"|Notes/Detailed Instructions
+
----
−
|width="7%"  align="center"|Done
+
===Install components for triage===
−
|-
 
−
| Install/verify RAM ||
 
−
Make sure the system has at least 512 MB of RAM.  Keep in mind that some systems may have some RAM directly on the logic board.
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Install wireless card (if not present already)||
 
−
Ask the instructor
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Attach network cable and power cord ||
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| 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:
 
  
−
||
+
'''Only install tested components if working on a standard desktop system (PowerMacG4 and PowerMacG5); do not install tested components on hard-to-open systems'''
−
|-
+
*Install a tested/wiped HDD
−
| Reset the NVRAM ||
+
*Install the appropriate amount of tested RAM
−
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:
+
*Install a tested battery if it is easily accessible
−
reset-nvram
+
*Install an AirPort/AirPort Extreme wireless card (depending on build specs) if not already present
−
set-defaults
+
----
−
reset-all
+
 
 +
==Hardware Testing==
 +
 
 +
===Wipe the Hard Drive: ONLY COMPLETE THIS STEP IF YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO SWAP IN A WIPED HARD DRIVE===
 +
If it isn't easy to replace the hard drive with one that is wiped we'll need to wipe the hard drive that is in the computer. This specifically applies to all Mac laptops and iMacG5s with iSight:
 +
* Boot to the network by starting the computer and holding down the '''N''' key.
 +
* At the first boot prompt choose '''w''' (ltsp disk wiper).
 +
* When the computer stops at a log-in prompt, change to alternate terminal 7 by selecting the '''control+alt+F7''' keys simultaneously. You may need to hold the '''FN''' key on laptops as well. Note: you may have to try these key combinations multiple times for them to take effect.
 +
* When you get the tty7 prompt, type <code>disktest</code> and select return. This should start the S.M.A.R.T. test.
 +
* Wait for confirmation of the HDD, then press enter.
 +
* If the drive passes the S.M.A.R.T. test it will automatically start the badblocks test which will wipe the disk. If it fails the S.M.A.R.T test it will tell you to recycle the drive.
 +
 
 +
The badblocks test usually takes 4 or more hours to run.
 +
 
 +
NOTE: On a few macs, primarily iMac G5s, when you boot to the network and choose the '''w''' (ltsp disk wiper) option the machine will freeze with a white screen error. For these machines wipe the hard drive by using the OS X disk utility and the Zero Out Data option:
 +
* Boot to the external drive
 +
* open disk utility
 +
* select the internal drive in the left panel
 +
* select the erase tab
 +
* select Security Options and click the Zero Out Data option
 +
* click the erase button and confirm your choice
 +
----
 +
 
 +
===Reset the NVRAM and set the date===
 +
To reset the NVRAM we must first boot into Open Firmware. We do this by starting the computer and holding down the '''option-apple-O-F''' keys simultaneously. When the Open Firmware screen comes up look at the date. If the date is incorrect (most commonly the year is 1904) you can set the computer real time clock using the following command:
 +
 
 +
decimal dev rtc sec min hour day month year set-time
 +
 
 +
So to set the clock to 10 seconds past 11:15PM on December 31st, 2005, the command would be:
 +
 
 +
decimal dev rtc 10 15 23 31 12 2005 set-time
 +
 
 +
The Open Firmware prompt should type ok after this.
 +
 
 +
NOTE: if you want to set the clock to Greenwich Mean Time add 7 hours (during the summer - daylight savings time) or 8 hours during the winter to the local time.
 +
 
 +
To reset the NVRAM you can type the following commands in the specified order:
 +
*<code>reset-nvram</code>
 +
*<code>set-defaults</code>
 +
*<code>reset-all</code>
  
 
The system will reboot after the '''reset-all''' command is entered.
 
The system will reboot after the '''reset-all''' command is entered.
−
||
+
----
−
|-
+
 
−
| Install Ubuntu ||
+
===Booting into OS X===
−
Please note that any values not explicitly defined here (HTTP proxies and such) should be left blank.
+
 
−
# Make sure network cable is attached
+
'''From Network:'''
−
# Insert Ubuntu CD
+
* Connect ethernet cable from the wall to the system
−
#* Use 8.04 for iMac G5s
+
* Hold down the ''N'' key on the keyboard while the system starts up to enter the network boot screen.
−
#* Use 9.04 for all other systems
+
 
−
# Start up the system while holding the '''C''' key on the keyboard
+
'''From External HDD:'''
−
# At '''''boot:''''' prompt, press Enter; eventually the install screen will appear
+
* Connect the OS X 10.5 USB HDD to the system
−
# Select '''English''' as the language for the installation and '''United States''' as the country
+
* Connect the USB HDD to a power source
−
# Enter '''No''' for keyboard detection, and select '''USA''' for all keyboard language options
+
* Make sure the USB HDD is turned on (there's a power switch on the back of the drive)
−
# If prompted for which network device to use, select the wired network
+
* Hold the ''Option'' key on the keyboard while system starts up to enter the Startup Manager
−
# When prompted for a hostname, delete the current entry and enter '''macbox''' in its place
+
* Select the USB drive (OS X Testing HDD) from the Startup Manager to boot into OS X
−
# Select '''Pacific''' as the time zone
+
----
−
# When prompted for HD partitioning, select the '''Guided - use entire disk''' option, and confirm the HD the changes will be made to (there should only be one option available unless there are multiple HDs in the system)
+
 
−
# When asked about writing the changes to disk, select '''Yes'''
+
===Log into OS X===
−
#* At this point, the base system will begin installing, so prepare to wait for a few minutes
+
*If a warning box appears while you are logging in, just click "ignore"
−
# When prompted for the user's full name, enter '''oem'''
+
----
−
# When prompted for a username for the account, enter '''oem'''
+
 
−
# When prompted for a password, enter '''freegeek'''.  You will be asked to verify the password after entering it. Enter '''freegeek''' again. If the passwords don't match, it will prompt you for a password again
+
===Confirm hardware===
−
# If asked to provide a HTTP proxy, leave it blank and press Enter
+
*Click on the System Profiler icon in the dock.
−
# If asked to download additional language support, select '''Yes'''
+
*Check the '''ATA''' and '''Memory''' sections of ''System Profiler'' to confirm that it matches what you've added to the system so far
−
# If asked to encrypt the user's home directory, select '''No'''
+
**If it fails to see the HDD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system may have a bad logic board and end up getting recycled.  Ask an instructor for troubleshooting assistance
−
# When asked if the system clock is set to UTC, select '''Yes'''
+
*Check the '''Disc Burning''' section of ''System Profiler'' to see what the optical drive in the system can do
−
# When installation is complete, select the '''Continue''' option to reboot the system
+
----
−
||
+
 
−
|-
+
===Test CD writing===
−
| Start up Ubuntu ||
+
If you determined that the optical drive in the system can write CD-RWs, do the following:
−
* Let the system use its default options in the bootloaders during the startup process
+
*Erase a rewritable CD disk
−
* If the system has problems starting up, refer to [http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/MacBuild_Desktop_Build#Special_Configurations the Special Configurations list]
+
** Insert a CD-RW disk
−
||
+
** Open up '''Disk Utility''' (Click on the '''Disk Utility''' icon in the dock)
−
|-
+
** Click on the optical drive on the left sidebar of the '''Disk Utility''' window
−
| Verify hardware in the system ||
+
** Click on the ''Erase'' tab that comes up on the right side of the window
−
To verify the hardware in a system, open up a terminal and run:
+
** Confirm that it will perform a quick erase, and click on the '''Erase''' button
−
sudo lshw|less
+
** When the erasing is complete you'll get a dialog box. Choose '''Open Finder''' from the drop down menu and click OK. This will mount the disk on the desktop.
−
This runs a command called '''lshw''' (which stands for "list hardware") and sends the output to another command called '''less''', which is a simple reader that allows you to scroll through '''lshw''''s output.  The items to pay attention to are:
+
 
−
*Amount of system memory
+
*Write to a blank rewritable disk
−
** You should be able to find this under the '''memory''' heading in '''lshw'''.  It should be the same as the physical amount of memory in the system.
+
** Select the '''burnme.cdr''' file in the left panel of '''Disk Utility''' and click the '''Burn''' button at the top of Disk Utility.
−
*Type of optical drive
+
** The disk should automatically eject when finished. If the disk icon still appears of the desktop, drag it into the trash. 
−
** This can be found under the '''cdrom''' heading in '''lshw'''.  To determine the actual capability of the drive, search for the information under '''product''' in Google.
+
** Leave Disk Utility open for the following step.
−
*Presence of wireless card
+
----
−
** This should be under one of the '''network''' headings. You should look for an entry that mentions something about "Wireless interface" or "Broadcom". If that exists, the system has a wireless card.  
+
 
−
||
+
===Erase the internal hard drive so that the Mac OSX installer will recognize it===
−
|-
+
** Select the hard drive in the left panel of '''Disk Utility'''  
−
| Set up the environment and install extra apps ||
+
** Choose the '''Erase''' tab
−
* Add the Terminal to the panel so it can be launched quickly
+
** Clock on the '''Erase''' button at the lower right
−
* If the machine has a DVD drive, open up a terminal and run:
+
** Quit the disk Utility application
−
sudo apt-get install vlc
+
 
−
* If the machine has a wireless card, open up a terminal and run:
+
----
−
sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter
+
 
−
** Restart the system after installing b43-fwcutter in order to get the change working properly.
+
===Check if WiFi works===
−
||
+
*Click on the AirPort icon near the upper-right corner of the screen
−
|-
+
*Check to see if the '''Freegeek''' wireless network shows up on the list
−
| Test USB ports ||
+
Disconnect the wired network, select '''Freegeek''' from the list, open up a browser, and navigate to any web page.  If you see the Free Geek click-through page, it works.
−
USB:
+
----
−
* Plug in a USB mouse
+
 
−
* See that the cursor moves and can interact with things
+
===Test the memory===
−
* Repeat with all USB ports
+
NOTE: This test should only be run if you were not able to install all tested memory (in the case of laptops and iMac g4 internal memory).
−
If any port doesn't work, the machine should be recycled
+
*Open "rember" by clicking on the icon in the dock.
−
||
+
*click ok, leave selected default settings, and run the test.
−
|-
+
** The test should take 5-30 minutes depending on the amount of RAM and the speed of the processor. With large amounts of RAM (over 1.0 GB) it may take up to an hour.
−
| Test CD/DVD data and sound ||
+
* If any memory fails the test, replace it with good tested memory
−
# Insert, play, and eject a music CD
+
----
−
# Insert data CD, inspect directory contents
+
 
−
# If machine has a DVD drive:
+
===Stress test the cpu===
−
#* insert a data DVD, inspect directory contents
+
*Click on the cpu test icon in the dock
−
#* insert a video DVD and play it using '''vlc'''
+
*choose primenet as the test type and start test
−
# If machine has a CD-RW or DVD-RW, use '''brasero''' to erase a CD-RW disk, and create/burn a new data project.
+
**This should take 3-10 minutes
−
Note: Brasero has problems with versions of Ubuntu before Karmic (9.10). For Hardy (8.04LTS) and Jaunty (9.04) you may want to install and use k3b instead: sudo apt-get install k3b
+
*If this test fails, mark the printme sheet with the test results and sell the computer as-is, or recycle it - ask your instructor
−
||
+
----
−
|-
+
 
−
| Check if wireless works ||
+
===Stress test the gpu===
−
Use Network Manager to see if you can connect to Free Geek's wireless network.  If you can, the wireless card works.  Remember to write the type of wireless card (e.g. AirPort, AirPort Extreme) on the printed report at the end of the build.
+
*Set up the screen saver for the gpu test.
−
||
+
**Under the Apple menu select '''System Preferences''' > '''Desktops and Screen Saver'''
−
|-
+
**Scroll down to the bottom and select '''GPULife'''
−
| Check for software updates ||
+
**Select '''Options''', unclick '''limit framerate''' and click '''show framerate'''
−
There are a few ways to do this:
+
**Set '''Zoom''' to '''1''' and click '''OK'''
−
* From the desktop, go to System -> Administration -> Update Manager
+
*Drag your mouse arrow to the very bottom right-hand corner of the screen. 
−
* From the command line, run:
+
*A black screen should come up with lots of colorful moving dots which are being generated by the gpu.
−
sudo apt-get update
+
*Look for any artifacting (obvious glitches, lines, popping lights, cross hatching).  Any artifacting points to gpu failure.
−
sudo apt-get upgrade
+
*Also check to see that the frames per second number at the bottom left-hand of the screen stays consistent. 
−
Install all updates if any are found
+
*If everything looks good after a minute or so, you can exit the screen by moving your mouse out of the corner.
−
||
+
*If there are any gross artifacts, such as lines on the screen or a plaid screen, then note the defects on the printme sheet and sell the computer as-is or recycle it - ask your instructor. Occasional white pixels are OK.
−
|-
+
----
−
| Generate "printme" report for system ||
+
===Test the iSight camera (if installed)===
−
# In a terminal, generate a lshw XML file for the printme process
+
*Double click on the OS X Testing HDD icon and then double click on Applications. Double click on the Photo Booth application to open it. If you can see yourself in the Photo Booth application the camera works.
−
#* '''''sudo lshw -xml > printme.xml'''''
+
----
−
# Open a web browser and go to '''''http://data/spec_sheets/new'''''
+
 
−
# Fill out the form with the following:
+
===Check The Battery (laptop only)===
−
#* Enter your volunteer ID in the Volunteer ID field
+
*Select the Coconut Battery icon from dock. Note the battery capacity (not the current charge) and remember that we will need to enter this value in the Notes portion of the printme sheet. For example: "according to Coconut Battery the battery has 67% of original capacity".
−
#* Job should be changed to Builder
+
===Test the Keyboard (laptop only)===
−
#* System ID should be left blank
+
*Double click on the OS X Testing HDD icon and then double click on Applications. Double click on the TextEdit application to open it. Test the keyboard by typing all numbers and letters and symbols, both lower case and upper case. Make sure that the keys all work correctly.
−
#* Type should be changed to Laptop
+
*This test is for laptops only. We don't need to test desktop keyboards because they are tested in receiving.
−
#* Keeper label type should be set to No Sticker
+
----
−
#* Notes should include the following information:
+
 
−
#** Version of Ubuntu installed
+
=Preparing Computer for End User=
−
#** Any components that show up in lshw (modems, certain wireless cards) that aren't supported by Ubuntu should be listed
 
−
#** Any special issues the machine has
 
−
#** Whether the computer is covered or not
 
−
# Upload the XML file, and print out the report
 
−
# When asked where to print the report, select the '''Print to File''' option at the top of the printer list in the Print window
 
−
# Select PDF as the output format, and save the file to the desktop as '''build_printme.pdf'''
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Power system down and place on the QC shelf in TARDIS ||
 
−
||
 
  
−
|}
+
===Generate "printme" report for system===
  
−
==QC (in progress)==
+
* In a terminal, type '''''printme'''''
 +
* Enter your volunteer ID in the Volunteer ID field
 +
* Job should be Builder
 +
* Type should be Apple or Apple Laptop
 +
* Choose whether the computer is covered or not (if it has an '''Uncovered Electronic Device''' sticker on it somewhere, it's NOT covered.  If it does NOT have a '''Uncovered Electronic Device''' sticker, it's covered)
 +
* Choose whether the computer is an FG-PDX system or not (if it has a '''FG-PDX''' sticker, it's covered.  If it does NOT have a '''FG-PDX''' sticker, it's NOT covered)
 +
* Notes should include the following information:
 +
** no OS installed
 +
** processor type and speed
 +
** Hard Drive size
 +
** memory size and speed
 +
** optical drive info
 +
** wireless card info
 +
** Battery test results for laptops
 +
*Print to HP LaserJet 4000 series (C344E7) which is located in Laptops. (This printer is referred to as Laptop when on an Ubuntu Operating system at Free Geek).
 +
----
  
−
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"
+
===Prep system for the store===
−
|-
+
*Clean the system and remove any stickers from the previous owner
−
|width="40%" align="center"|Steps
+
*Add small Free Geek sticker to the system
−
|width="53%" align="center"|Notes/Detailed Instructions
+
*Bundle system with a power supply (if a laptop)
−
|width="7%"  align="center"|Done
+
*Take the system to the store or place on storage shelf as appropriate.
−
|-
+
----
−
| Attach network cable and power cord ||
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Verify that the splash screen works or that the system generates startup messages||
 
−
When powering on the system, you should see the Ubuntu splash screen on most before the desktop finishes loading.  It's fine if the colors are irregular, as long as something is displayed.  If the splash screen doesn't work, it should at least display startup messages.  If no splash screen or startup messages are displayed, go through the steps in the Special Configuration to resolve the problem.
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Verify hardware in the system ||
 
−
To verify the hardware in a system, open up a terminal and run:
 
−
sudo lshw|less
 
−
This runs a command called '''lshw''' (which stands for "list hardware") and sends the output to another command called '''less''', which is a simple reader that allows you to scroll through '''lshw''''s output.  The items to pay attention to are:
 
−
*Amount of system memory
 
−
** You should be able to find this under the '''memory''' heading in '''lshw'''.  It should be the same as the physical amount of memory in the system.
 
−
*Type of optical drive
 
−
** This can be found under the '''cdrom''' heading in '''lshw'''.  To determine the actual capability of the drive, search for the information under '''product''' in Google.
 
−
*Presence of wireless card
 
−
** This should be under one of the '''network''' headings.  You should look for an entry that mentions something about "Wireless interface" or "Broadcom".  If that exists, the system has a wireless card.  
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Test CD/DVD data and sound ||
 
−
# Insert, play, and eject a music CD
 
−
# Insert data CD, inspect directory contents
 
−
# If machine has a DVD drive:
 
−
#* insert a data DVD, inspect directory contents
 
−
#* insert a video DVD and play it using '''vlc'''
 
−
# If machine has a CD-RW or DVD-RW, use '''brasero''' to erase a CD-RW disk, and create/burn a new data project.
 
  
−
Note: Brasero has problems with versions of Ubuntu before Karmic (9.10). For Hardy (8.04LTS) and Jaunty (9.04) you may want to install and use k3b instead: sudo apt-get install k3b
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Check if wireless works (if the system has a wireless card) ||
 
−
Use Network Manager to see if you can connect to Free Geek's wireless network.  If you can, the wireless card works.
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Check for software updates ||
 
−
There are a few ways to do this:
 
−
* From the desktop, go to System -> Administration -> Update Manager
 
−
* From the command line, run:
 
−
sudo apt-get update
 
−
sudo apt-get upgrade
 
−
Install all updates if any are found
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Verify printme notes ||
 
−
Locate the '''build_printme.pdf'' file on the desktop.  Open it up and make sure that the notes written on the Build printme sheet accurately reflect the components and special issues with the system.  If they are not accurate, please make any necessary changes when you create the printme printout for the QC process.
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Generate "printme" report for system ||
 
−
# Make sure you are on the local wired network
 
−
# Configure system so it can use network printers
 
−
## From the desktop, go to System -> Administration -> Printing
 
−
## In the Printer Configuration window, go to Server -> Settings...
 
−
## Check the "Show printers shared by other systems" checkbox, and click the '''OK''' button
 
−
# In a terminal, generate a lshw XML file for the printme process
 
−
#* '''''sudo lshw -xml > printme.xml'''''
 
−
# Open a web browser and go to '''''http://data/spec_sheets/new'''''
 
−
# Fill out the form with the following:
 
−
#* Enter your volunteer ID in the Volunteer ID field
 
−
#* Job should be left as Quality Checker
 
−
#* System ID should be filled in with the system ID listed in '''build_printme.pdf'''
 
−
#* Type should be changed to Laptop
 
−
#* Keeper label type should be set to No Sticker
 
−
#* Notes should include the following information:
 
−
#** Version of Ubuntu installed
 
−
#** Any components that show up in lshw (modems, certain wireless cards) that aren't supported by Ubuntu should be listed
 
−
#** Any special issues the machine has
 
−
#** Whether computer is covered or uncovered
 
−
# Upload the '''printme.xml''' file, and print out the report
 
−
# Remember to add the wireless card type
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Test battery life ||
 
−
To start the battery test:
 
−
# Make sure battery is fully charged
 
−
# Open a web browser and go to '''''http://llama.freegeek.org/~serge/batterytest.sh'''''
 
−
# Save file to disk
 
−
# Insert an audio CD into optical drive
 
−
# Launch audio player, play disc, and set on repeat
 
−
# In a terminal, navigate to the directory you saved batterytest.sh to and run:
 
−
#* '''''sh batterytest.sh'''''
 
−
# Disconnect power supply
 
−
# Leave the system running until it powers off
 
−
To check the results of the battery test
 
−
# In a terminal, navigate to the directory you saved batterytest.sh to and run:
 
−
#* '''''sh batterytest.sh'''''
 
−
# Record the results on the "printme" report
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Clean outside cover ||
 
−
Clean case monitor face, connector panel, keyboard, and trackpad as well
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Attach "printme" report to system ||
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Bundle system with power supply ||
 
−
||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Give the laptop to an instructor ||
 
−
||
 
−
|}
 
  
−
[[Category:Macintosh]]
+
[[Category:Macintosh Archive]]

Latest revision as of 17:41, 5 November 2013

This is the in-progress checklist for PPC desktop and laptops. Please go to the discussion pagefor the in-progress Intel instructions.

OS X Triage

Getting Started

Attach keyboard/mouse, monitor, network cable, and power cord (as necessary)

Install components for triage

Only install tested components if working on a standard desktop system (PowerMacG4 and PowerMacG5); do not install tested components on hard-to-open systems

  • Install a tested/wiped HDD
  • Install the appropriate amount of tested RAM
  • Install a tested battery if it is easily accessible
  • Install an AirPort/AirPort Extreme wireless card (depending on build specs) if not already present

Hardware Testing

Wipe the Hard Drive: ONLY COMPLETE THIS STEP IF YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO SWAP IN A WIPED HARD DRIVE

If it isn't easy to replace the hard drive with one that is wiped we'll need to wipe the hard drive that is in the computer. This specifically applies to all Mac laptops and iMacG5s with iSight:

  • Boot to the network by starting the computer and holding down the N key.
  • At the first boot prompt choose w (ltsp disk wiper).
  • When the computer stops at a log-in prompt, change to alternate terminal 7 by selecting the control+alt+F7 keys simultaneously. You may need to hold the FN key on laptops as well. Note: you may have to try these key combinations multiple times for them to take effect.
  • When you get the tty7 prompt, type disktest and select return. This should start the S.M.A.R.T. test.
  • Wait for confirmation of the HDD, then press enter.
  • If the drive passes the S.M.A.R.T. test it will automatically start the badblocks test which will wipe the disk. If it fails the S.M.A.R.T test it will tell you to recycle the drive.

The badblocks test usually takes 4 or more hours to run.

NOTE: On a few macs, primarily iMac G5s, when you boot to the network and choose the w (ltsp disk wiper) option the machine will freeze with a white screen error. For these machines wipe the hard drive by using the OS X disk utility and the Zero Out Data option:

  • Boot to the external drive
  • open disk utility
  • select the internal drive in the left panel
  • select the erase tab
  • select Security Options and click the Zero Out Data option
  • click the erase button and confirm your choice

Reset the NVRAM and set the date

To reset the NVRAM we must first boot into Open Firmware. We do this by starting the computer and holding down the option-apple-O-F keys simultaneously. When the Open Firmware screen comes up look at the date. If the date is incorrect (most commonly the year is 1904) you can set the computer real time clock using the following command:

decimal dev rtc sec min hour day month year set-time

So to set the clock to 10 seconds past 11:15PM on December 31st, 2005, the command would be:

decimal dev rtc 10 15 23 31 12 2005 set-time

The Open Firmware prompt should type ok after this.

NOTE: if you want to set the clock to Greenwich Mean Time add 7 hours (during the summer - daylight savings time) or 8 hours during the winter to the local time.

To reset the NVRAM you can type the following commands in the specified order:

  • reset-nvram
  • set-defaults
  • reset-all

The system will reboot after the reset-all command is entered.

Booting into OS X

From Network:

  • Connect ethernet cable from the wall to the system
  • Hold down the N key on the keyboard while the system starts up to enter the network boot screen.

From External HDD:

  • Connect the OS X 10.5 USB HDD to the system
  • Connect the USB HDD to a power source
  • Make sure the USB HDD is turned on (there's a power switch on the back of the drive)
  • Hold the Option key on the keyboard while system starts up to enter the Startup Manager
  • Select the USB drive (OS X Testing HDD) from the Startup Manager to boot into OS X

Log into OS X

  • If a warning box appears while you are logging in, just click "ignore"

Confirm hardware

  • Click on the System Profiler icon in the dock.
  • Check the ATA and Memory sections of System Profiler to confirm that it matches what you've added to the system so far
    • If it fails to see the HDD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system may have a bad logic board and end up getting recycled. Ask an instructor for troubleshooting assistance
  • Check the Disc Burning section of System Profiler to see what the optical drive in the system can do

Test CD writing

If you determined that the optical drive in the system can write CD-RWs, do the following:

  • Erase a rewritable CD disk
    • Insert a CD-RW disk
    • Open up Disk Utility (Click on the Disk Utility icon in the dock)
    • Click on the optical drive on the left sidebar of the Disk Utility window
    • Click on the Erase tab that comes up on the right side of the window
    • Confirm that it will perform a quick erase, and click on the Erase button
    • When the erasing is complete you'll get a dialog box. Choose Open Finder from the drop down menu and click OK. This will mount the disk on the desktop.
  • Write to a blank rewritable disk
    • Select the burnme.cdr file in the left panel of Disk Utility and click the Burn button at the top of Disk Utility.
    • The disk should automatically eject when finished. If the disk icon still appears of the desktop, drag it into the trash.
    • Leave Disk Utility open for the following step.

Erase the internal hard drive so that the Mac OSX installer will recognize it

    • Select the hard drive in the left panel of Disk Utility
    • Choose the Erase tab
    • Clock on the Erase button at the lower right
    • Quit the disk Utility application

Check if WiFi works

  • Click on the AirPort icon near the upper-right corner of the screen
  • Check to see if the Freegeek wireless network shows up on the list

Disconnect the wired network, select Freegeek from the list, open up a browser, and navigate to any web page. If you see the Free Geek click-through page, it works.

Test the memory

NOTE: This test should only be run if you were not able to install all tested memory (in the case of laptops and iMac g4 internal memory).

  • Open "rember" by clicking on the icon in the dock.
  • click ok, leave selected default settings, and run the test.
    • The test should take 5-30 minutes depending on the amount of RAM and the speed of the processor. With large amounts of RAM (over 1.0 GB) it may take up to an hour.
  • If any memory fails the test, replace it with good tested memory

Stress test the cpu

  • Click on the cpu test icon in the dock
  • choose primenet as the test type and start test
    • This should take 3-10 minutes
  • If this test fails, mark the printme sheet with the test results and sell the computer as-is, or recycle it - ask your instructor

Stress test the gpu

  • Set up the screen saver for the gpu test.
    • Under the Apple menu select System Preferences > Desktops and Screen Saver
    • Scroll down to the bottom and select GPULife
    • Select Options, unclick limit framerate and click show framerate
    • Set Zoom to 1 and click OK
  • Drag your mouse arrow to the very bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
  • A black screen should come up with lots of colorful moving dots which are being generated by the gpu.
  • Look for any artifacting (obvious glitches, lines, popping lights, cross hatching). Any artifacting points to gpu failure.
  • Also check to see that the frames per second number at the bottom left-hand of the screen stays consistent.
  • If everything looks good after a minute or so, you can exit the screen by moving your mouse out of the corner.
  • If there are any gross artifacts, such as lines on the screen or a plaid screen, then note the defects on the printme sheet and sell the computer as-is or recycle it - ask your instructor. Occasional white pixels are OK.

Test the iSight camera (if installed)

  • Double click on the OS X Testing HDD icon and then double click on Applications. Double click on the Photo Booth application to open it. If you can see yourself in the Photo Booth application the camera works.

Check The Battery (laptop only)

  • Select the Coconut Battery icon from dock. Note the battery capacity (not the current charge) and remember that we will need to enter this value in the Notes portion of the printme sheet. For example: "according to Coconut Battery the battery has 67% of original capacity".

Test the Keyboard (laptop only)

  • Double click on the OS X Testing HDD icon and then double click on Applications. Double click on the TextEdit application to open it. Test the keyboard by typing all numbers and letters and symbols, both lower case and upper case. Make sure that the keys all work correctly.
  • This test is for laptops only. We don't need to test desktop keyboards because they are tested in receiving.

Preparing Computer for End User

Generate "printme" report for system

  • In a terminal, type printme
  • Enter your volunteer ID in the Volunteer ID field
  • Job should be Builder
  • Type should be Apple or Apple Laptop
  • Choose whether the computer is covered or not (if it has an Uncovered Electronic Device sticker on it somewhere, it's NOT covered. If it does NOT have a Uncovered Electronic Device sticker, it's covered)
  • Choose whether the computer is an FG-PDX system or not (if it has a FG-PDX sticker, it's covered. If it does NOT have a FG-PDX sticker, it's NOT covered)
  • Notes should include the following information:
    • no OS installed
    • processor type and speed
    • Hard Drive size
    • memory size and speed
    • optical drive info
    • wireless card info
    • Battery test results for laptops
  • Print to HP LaserJet 4000 series (C344E7) which is located in Laptops. (This printer is referred to as Laptop when on an Ubuntu Operating system at Free Geek).

Prep system for the store

  • Clean the system and remove any stickers from the previous owner
  • Add small Free Geek sticker to the system
  • Bundle system with a power supply (if a laptop)
  • Take the system to the store or place on storage shelf as appropriate.
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