Difference between revisions of "MacBuild Desktop Build"

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==What we build==
 
==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===
+
We focus mainly on Intel based Systems. Unless requested, we do not build any system with a PowerPC or lower.
====iMac====
+
 
{{IMac Specs}}
+
==Minimum Specs==
====eMac====
+
{{MacBuild_Minimum_Desktop_Specs}}
{{EMac Specs}}
 
====PowerMac G4====
 
{{PowerMac G4 Specs}}
 
  
 
==What we don't build==
 
==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.
+
We don't build anything not in the PPC specs listed above.  This means we process standard desktop systems within the PPC specs above that have a single G4 processor below 1.0 GHz with our as-is process and either sell them in the store as is or grant them out to organizations in need.
 +
 
 +
So what happens with systems not listed above?
 +
* '''eMacs''' - 1.25 GHz and 1.42 GHz models are tested through our as-is process and sold in the store
 +
* '''PowerMac G3 / G4 Graphites''' - recycled
 +
* '''Old World / 68k / 9" CRT / beige Macs''' - we have an Old Mac Keeper List in MacBuild Eval and System Eval that we use for determining what we keep and what we don't.  Old Mac Keepers are kept on the Old Mac shelf in the warehouse for future processing.  Everything else is recycled.  If a model that should be kept is presently being recycled, let a MacBuild instructor know.
 +
 
 +
==Important note about netbooting OS X==
 +
We presently have a network-bootable setup of OS X available for use on the network. It's a very handy tool, but it does have its drawbacks. Some machines will be very picky about how they netboot and as such may refuse to do so. In that scenario, you should ask the instructor for an external hard drive to boot off of.
 +
 
 +
==As-Is Procedure==
 +
Before running a system through the as-is process, look at [http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php?title=MacBuild_Desktop_Build&action=submit#What_we_don.27t_build what we don't build] to make sure it should be tested through the as-is process.  If you are uncertain, please ask an instructor.
  
==PowerMac G4 As-Is Procedure==
 
 
# Install a tested battery
 
# Install a tested battery
# Populate all memory slots with tested memory modules
+
# Fill all RAM slots with tested RAM
 
# Install optical drive, if necessary
 
# Install optical drive, if necessary
# Connect a wiped HD to primary IDE channel
+
# For the HDD:
 +
#* If the system does NOT have a built-in display, connect a wiped HDD to the primary IDE channel
 +
#** '''REMEMBER:''' we are only installing this HDD for our testing purposes.  It should be removed before the system is moved to the store
 +
#* If the system has a built-in display, run it through our [[Hard_drive_wiping_checklist | HDD wiping procedure]] before continuing the as-is process
 +
#** If the HDD wiping procedure tells us the system has a bad HDD, let an instructor know so we can either replace the HDD during a less-busy day or use it as a training tool for newer volunteers
 
# Connect a mouse, keyboard, and monitor to system
 
# 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)
+
# Boot the system into OS X:
 +
#* Connect the OS X 10.4 FireWire HDD to the system
 +
#* Make sure the FireWire 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 FireWire drive from the Startup Manager to boot into OS X 10.4
 
# When at the desktop, insert a CD into the optical drive and check if it mounts on the desktop
 
# 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
+
# Click on the apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen
 
# Select the '''About this Mac''' option from the menu
 
# Select the '''About this Mac''' option from the menu
 
# Click the '''More info''' button to launch the System Profiler
 
# Click the '''More info''' button to launch the System Profiler
Line 28: Line 43:
 
#* If it fails to see the HD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system should be recycled
 
#* If it fails to see the HD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system should be recycled
 
# Eject the CD
 
# Eject the CD
# Power the system down, remove the HD, and leave only 128MB of RAM in the system
+
# Power the system down and remove components
# Attach an As Is tag to the system and take it to the store
+
#* If it is a standard desktop system, remove the HDD and leave only 256 MB of tested RAM in the system
 
+
#* If it a system with a built-in display, leave only 256 MB of RAM in the system
 +
# Fill out the appropriate information on an As-Is sticker and attach it to the system
 +
# Take it to the store
  
==Recycling procedure==
+
==Wiping HDs in systems==
Should you come across a desktop system that needs to be recycled, this is what you should do:
+
If you've just received a system from Mac Eval and need to wipe its drive without opening the system up, refer to the [[Hard drive wiping checklist]] for wiping instructions.
* 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:
+
==Building Instructions==
*# Harvest the battery
+
Please refer to the [[MacBuild Desktop Checklist]] for build instructions.
*# Place a Recycle sticker on the system
 
*# Take system to System Eval and place on the Reject pile
 
  
==Desktop Build Checklist==
+
==Special Configurations==
 
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"  
 
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"  
 
|-
 
|-
Line 52: Line 62:
 
|width="7%"  align="center"|Done
 
|width="7%"  align="center"|Done
 
|-
 
|-
| Check for blown capacitors ||
+
| Starting up Ubuntu on a difficult system ||
Visually inspect motherboard capacitors for bulges/leaks. If you find one, check with your instructor.
+
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)
| 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 ||
 
||
 
|-
 
| 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.
 
||
 
|-
 
| 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.
+
Some systems will not boot properly due to video issuesThese 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.
||
 
|-
 
| Set the system clock in Open Firmware ||
 
While starting up, hold the '''Option+Apple+o+f''' keysRelease 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:
 
 
 
||
 
|-
 
| Install Ubuntu ||
 
Please note that any values not explicitly defined here (HTTP proxies and such) should be left blank.
 
# Attach network cable
 
# Insert Ubuntu CD
 
# Start up the system while holding the '''C''' key on the keyboard
 
# At '''''boot:''''' prompt, press Enter; eventually the install screen will appear
 
# Select English as the language for the installation
 
# Enter '''No''' for keyboard detection, and select '''USA''' for all keyboard language options
 
# If prompted for which network device to use, select the wired network
 
# When prompted for a hostname, delete the current entry and enter '''macbox''' in its place
 
# When prompted for HD partitioning, select the '''Guided: user entire disk''' option
 
# When asked about writing the changes to disk, select '''Yes'''
 
# 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
 
# If asked to download additional language support, select '''Yes'''
 
# If asked to encrypt the user's home directory, select '''No'''
 
# When asked if the system clock is set to UTC, select '''Yes'''
 
# When installation is complete, select the '''Continue''' option to reboot the system
 
 
||
 
||
 
|-
 
|-
| Enable the Ubuntu startup splash screen ||
+
| Permanently make the ''video=ofonly'' addition to yaboot ||
# In a terminal, edit the file ''/etc/usplash.conf'' as root
+
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:
#* ''sudo nano /etc/usplash.conf''
+
# In a terminal, edit the file ''/etc/yaboot.conf'' as root
# Change the xres value to 1024
+
#* ''sudo nano /etc/yaboot.conf
# Change the yres value to 768
+
# 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
 
# Save and close the file
 
#* '''Ctrl+o''', then '''Ctrl+x'''
 
#* '''Ctrl+o''', then '''Ctrl+x'''
# Update the startup files with the changed resolution values with the command
+
# Update the bootloader with the changes to yaboot by running the following in a terminal:
#* '''''sudo update-initramfs -u'''''
+
#* '''''sudo ybin -v'''''
#* The command takes a couple of of minutes to complete
+
# Restart the system to test the change
||
 
|-
 
| Adjust the screen display, as necessary (for systems with built-in displays)||
 
# 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
 
||
 
|-
 
| Install extra apps, as necessary ||
 
* Use System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager
 
* If the machine has a CD-RW or DVD-RW drive, select package '''k3b'''
 
||
 
|-
 
| Test USB/FireWire ports ||
 
USB:
 
* Plug in a USB mouse
 
* See that the cursor moves and can interact with things
 
* Repeat with all USB ports
 
FireWire:
 
* Plug in an external FireWire drive
 
* Insert a data CD in FireWire drive
 
* See if it mounts on the desktop
 
* Repeat with all FireWire ports
 
If all ports of one of these types don't work, the machine should be recycled
 
||
 
|-
 
| Configure/test sound control ||
 
# Open sound preferences
 
#* Place cursor on sound icon in top menu bar
 
#* Press F12 key
 
#* Select Preferences
 
# In the Preferences window upper drop-down menu, make sure the '''''Alsa mixer''''' item is selected
 
# In the lower combo-box menu, select '''''PC speaker'''''
 
# In the oem home directory, open the Examples sub-directory
 
# Select the 'Ubuntu experience.ogg' file
 
# When the video starts, verify that the sound slider (click sound icon) varies the volume.
 
||
 
|-
 
| Test CD 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
 
# If machine has a CD-RW or DVD-RW, use '''k3b''' to erase a CD-RW disk, and create/burn a new data project.
 
||
 
|-
 
| Generate "printme" report for system ||
 
# Make sure you are on the local wired network
 
# Configure system so it can use network printers
 
# In a terminal, generate a lshw XML file for the printme process
 
#* '''''lshw -xml >> printme.xml'''''
 
# Open a web browser and go to '''''http://data/spec_sheets/new'''''
 
# Fill out the form, upload the XML file, and print out the report
 
||
 
|-
 
| 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 || ||
 
|}
 
 
 
==iMac/eMac Build Checklist==
 
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"
 
|-
 
|width="40%" align="center"|Steps
 
|width="53%" align="center"|Notes/Detailed Instructions
 
|width="7%"  align="center"|Done
 
|-
 
| Attach keyboard/mouse, network cable, and power cord ||
 
||
 
|-
 
| Install Ubuntu ||
 
# Attach network cable
 
# Push power button; immediately press keys '''Option+Apple+o+f''' at the same time
 
# When OpenFirmware prompt appears, type:
 
#* '''boot enet:0,yaboot'''
 
# At '''''boot:''''' prompt, press Enter; eventually the install screen will appear
 
# When the display pauses for entering the machine name, replace whatever is already there with '''macbox'''
 
# When installation is complete, the computer will reboot automatically
 
||
 
|-
 
| For 500 MHz and faster iMacs, correct X startup problems, if necessary ||
 
* Symptom is that mouse and keyboard appear to do nothing
 
* See '''iMac Flower Power Video Fix''' in the '''Software Fixes''' document
 
 
||
 
||
 
|-
 
|-
| Set HW date/time to UTC ||
+
| Enable the Ubuntu startup splash screen||
# In a terminal, set system clock with command
+
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:
#* '''''date -u MMDDhhmmYYYY
 
#* '''MM''' month, '''DD''' day, '''hh''' hour, '''mm''' minute, '''YYYY''' year
 
#* hour and minute are GMT(UTC) time in 24-hour clock format; GMT time is locak (Pacific) time plus 7 hours (summer, PDT) or 8 hours (winter, PST)
 
# Set CMOS clock from system clock
 
#* '''''clock -uw'''''
 
||
 
|-
 
| Enable the Ubuntu startup splash screen ||
 
 
# In a terminal, edit the file ''/etc/usplash.conf'' as root
 
# In a terminal, edit the file ''/etc/usplash.conf'' as root
 
#* ''sudo nano /etc/usplash.conf''
 
#* ''sudo nano /etc/usplash.conf''
# Change the xres value to 1024
+
# Move the cursor down to the first empty line
# Change the yres value to 768
+
# 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
 
# Save and close the file
 
#* '''Ctrl+o''', then '''Ctrl+x'''
 
#* '''Ctrl+o''', then '''Ctrl+x'''
# Update the startup files with the changed resolution values with the command
+
# Update the startup files with the changed resolution values by running the following in a terminal:
 
#* '''''sudo update-initramfs -u'''''
 
#* '''''sudo update-initramfs -u'''''
 
#* The command takes a couple of of minutes to complete
 
#* The command takes a couple of of minutes to complete
 
||
 
||
|-
 
| Adjust the screen display, as necessary ||
 
# 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
 
||
 
|-
 
| Install extra apps, as necessary ||
 
* Use System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager
 
* If the machine has a CD-RW or DVD-RW drive, select package '''k3b'''
 
||
 
|-
 
| Test USB/FireWire ports ||
 
USB:
 
* Plug in a USB mouse
 
* See that the cursor moves and can interact with things
 
* Repeat with all USB ports
 
FireWire:
 
* Plug in an external FireWire drive
 
* Insert a data CD in FireWire drive
 
* See if it mounts on the desktop
 
* Repeat with all FireWire ports
 
If all ports of one of these types don't work, the machine should be recycled
 
||
 
|-
 
| Configure/test sound control ||
 
# Open sound preferences
 
#* Place cursor on sound icon in top menu bar
 
#* Press F12 key
 
#* Select Preferences
 
# In the Preferences window upper drop-down menu, make sure the '''''Alsa mixer''''' item is selected
 
# In the lower combo-box menu, select '''''PC speaker'''''
 
# In the oem home directory, open the Examples sub-directory
 
# Select the 'Ubuntu experience.ogg' file
 
# When the video starts, verify that the sound slider (click sound icon) varies the volume.
 
||
 
|-
 
| Test CD 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
 
# If machine has a CD-RW or DVD-RW, use '''k3b''' to erase a CD-RW disk, and create/burn a new data project.
 
||
 
|-
 
| Generate "printme" report for system ||
 
# Make sure you are on the local wired network
 
# Configure system so it can use network printers
 
# In a terminal, generate a lshw XML file for the printme process
 
#* '''''lshw -xml >> printme.xml'''''
 
# Open a web browser and go to '''''http://data/spec_sheets/new'''''
 
# Fill out the form, upload the XML file, and print out the report
 
||
 
|-
 
| Clean outside cover ||
 
Clean case monitor face, connector panel, keyboard, and mouse as well
 
||
 
|-
 
| Attach "printme" report to system ||
 
||
 
|-
 
| Bundle iMac with tested keyboard/mouse and power cord || ||
 
|-
 
| Take it to store || ||
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
[[Category:Macintosh]]
+
 
 +
[[Category:Macintosh Archive]]

Latest revision as of 14:54, 16 February 2014

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 focus mainly on Intel based Systems. Unless requested, we do not build any system with a PowerPC or lower.

Minimum Specs

PPC systems

PowerMac G5

PowerMac G5 Specs

Processor: G5/Single 1.6 GHz - Quad 2.5 GHz
RAM: At least 1024 MB
Hard drive: At least 100 GB - SATA
Optical drive: DVD ROM/CD-RW combo or better

Mac mini

Mac mini Specs

Processor: G4/1.25 GHz - 1.5 GHz
RAM: 512 MB
Hard drive: 40 GB - 80 GB
Optical drive: DVD ROM/CD-RW combo or better

Intel systems

No minimum, we build them all

What we don't build

We don't build anything not in the PPC specs listed above. This means we process standard desktop systems within the PPC specs above that have a single G4 processor below 1.0 GHz with our as-is process and either sell them in the store as is or grant them out to organizations in need.

So what happens with systems not listed above?

  • eMacs - 1.25 GHz and 1.42 GHz models are tested through our as-is process and sold in the store
  • PowerMac G3 / G4 Graphites - recycled
  • Old World / 68k / 9" CRT / beige Macs - we have an Old Mac Keeper List in MacBuild Eval and System Eval that we use for determining what we keep and what we don't. Old Mac Keepers are kept on the Old Mac shelf in the warehouse for future processing. Everything else is recycled. If a model that should be kept is presently being recycled, let a MacBuild instructor know.

Important note about netbooting OS X

We presently have a network-bootable setup of OS X available for use on the network. It's a very handy tool, but it does have its drawbacks. Some machines will be very picky about how they netboot and as such may refuse to do so. In that scenario, you should ask the instructor for an external hard drive to boot off of.

As-Is Procedure

Before running a system through the as-is process, look at what we don't build to make sure it should be tested through the as-is process. If you are uncertain, please ask an instructor.

  1. Install a tested battery
  2. Fill all RAM slots with tested RAM
  3. Install optical drive, if necessary
  4. For the HDD:
    • If the system does NOT have a built-in display, connect a wiped HDD to the primary IDE channel
      • REMEMBER: we are only installing this HDD for our testing purposes. It should be removed before the system is moved to the store
    • If the system has a built-in display, run it through our HDD wiping procedure before continuing the as-is process
      • If the HDD wiping procedure tells us the system has a bad HDD, let an instructor know so we can either replace the HDD during a less-busy day or use it as a training tool for newer volunteers
  5. Connect a mouse, keyboard, and monitor to system
  6. Boot the system into OS X:
    • Connect the OS X 10.4 FireWire HDD to the system
    • Make sure the FireWire 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 FireWire drive from the Startup Manager to boot into OS X 10.4
  7. When at the desktop, insert a CD into the optical drive and check if it mounts on the desktop
  8. Click on the apple icon 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
    • If it fails to see the HD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system should be recycled
  12. Eject the CD
  13. Power the system down and remove components
    • If it is a standard desktop system, remove the HDD and leave only 256 MB of tested RAM in the system
    • If it a system with a built-in display, leave only 256 MB of RAM in the system
  14. Fill out the appropriate information on an As-Is sticker and attach it to the system
  15. Take it to the store

Wiping HDs in systems

If you've just received a system from Mac Eval and need to wipe its drive without opening the system up, refer to the Hard drive wiping checklist for wiping instructions.

Building Instructions

Please refer to the MacBuild Desktop Checklist for build instructions.

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.

  1. For the first-stage Ubuntu bootstrap, enter l for Linux
  2. 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.

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:

  1. In a terminal, edit the file /etc/yaboot.conf as root
    • sudo nano /etc/yaboot.conf
  2. Locate the line that reads image=/boot/vmlinux
  3. Move the cursor to the end of the line that starts with append
    • The line, in its unaltered state, should read append="quiet splash"
  4. 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"
  5. Save and close the file
    • Ctrl+o, then Ctrl+x
  6. Update the bootloader with the changes to yaboot by running the following in a terminal:
    • sudo ybin -v
  7. Restart the system to test the change
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:

  1. In a terminal, edit the file /etc/usplash.conf as root
    • sudo nano /etc/usplash.conf
  2. Move the cursor down to the first empty line
  3. Type xres=1024, press Tab, and type yres=768
    • So the line should read: xres=1024 yres=768
    • If you happen to know the native resolution of the display, you can try using that instead
  4. Save and close the file
    • Ctrl+o, then Ctrl+x
  5. 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