Difference between revisions of "MacBuild Desktop Build"

From FreekiWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
−
=Desktop Build Checklist=
+
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, slot-loading iMac G3s and better, eMacs, and any newer models that come in.  The specs we build the most common models to are as follows:
 +
===Specs===
 +
====iMac====
 +
{{IMac Specs}}
 +
====eMac====
 +
{{EMac Specs}}
 +
====PowerMac G4====
 +
{{PowerMac G4 Specs}}
 +
 
 +
==What we don't build==
 +
We don't build anything below the specs listed above.  PowerMac G3s with blue 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.
 +
 
 +
==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==
 
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"  
 
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"  
 
|-
 
|-
Line 122: Line 150:
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
=iMac/eMac Build Checklist=
+
==iMac/eMac Build Checklist==
 
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"  
 
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"  
 
|-
 
|-

Revision as of 12:29, 17 October 2008

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, slot-loading iMac G3s and better, eMacs, 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

Processor: G4/1.25 GHz
RAM: 512 MB internal, 512 MB SODIMM in base
Hard drive: 40 GB or better
Optical drive: DVD ROM/CD-RW combo or better
Wireless: Airport or Airport Extreme if available

Note: Auto Recycle everything < 1.25 GHz.

iMac G5 (integrated LCD) Specs

Processor: G5/1.6 GHz - 2.1 GHz
RAM: At least 1024 MB
Hard drive: At least 80 GB - SATA
Optical drive: DVD ROM/CD-RW combo or better
Wireless: Airport Extreme

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 G3s with blue 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.

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:
    1. Harvest the HD, battery, and RAM
    2. Separate the logic board and optical drives from the CRT and chassis
    3. Reassemble the CRT/chassis and take to monitor testing area in the warehouse for recycling
    4. Place the remaining items in the bins in MacBuild Eval
  • If it is a standard desktop:
    1. Harvest the battery
    2. Place a Recycle sticker on the system
    3. Take system to System Eval and place on the Reject pile

Desktop Build Checklist

Steps Notes/Detailed Instructions Done
Check for blown capacitors

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
Install Ubuntu
  1. Attach network cable
  2. Push power button; immediately press keys Option+Apple+o+f at the same time
  3. When OpenFirmware prompt appears, type:
    • boot enet:0,yaboot
  4. At boot: prompt, press Enter; eventually the install screen will appear
  5. When the display pauses for entering the machine name, replace whatever is already there with macbox
  6. When installation is complete, the computer will reboot automatically
Set HW date/time to UTC
  1. In a terminal, set system clock with command
    • 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)
  2. Set CMOS clock from system clock
    • clock -uw
Enable the Ubuntu startup splash screen
  1. In a terminal, edit the file /etc/usplash.conf as root
    • sudo nano /etc/usplash.conf
  2. Change the xres value to 1024
  3. Change the yres value to 768
  4. Save and close the file
    • Ctrl+o, then Ctrl+x
  5. Update the startup files with the changed resolution values with the command
    • sudo update-initramfs -u
    • The command takes a couple of of minutes to complete
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
  1. Open sound preferences
    • Place cursor on sound icon in top menu bar
    • Press F12 key
    • Select Preferences
  2. In the Preferences window upper drop-down menu, make sure the Alsa mixer item is selected
  3. In the lower combo-box menu, select PC speaker
  4. In the oem home directory, open the Examples sub-directory
  5. Select the 'Ubuntu experience.ogg' file
  6. When the video starts, verify that the sound slider (click sound icon) varies the volume.
Test CD data and sound
  1. Insert, play, and eject a music CD
  2. Insert data CD, inspect directory contents
  3. If machine has a DVD drive, insert a data DVD, inspect directory contents
  4. 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
  1. Make sure you are on the local wired network
  2. Configure system so it can use network printers
  3. In a terminal, generate a lshw XML file for the printme process
    • lshw -xml >> printme.xml
  4. Open a web browser and go to http://data/spec_sheets/new
  5. 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

Steps Notes/Detailed Instructions Done
Attach keyboard/mouse, network cable, and power cord
Install Ubuntu
  1. Attach network cable
  2. Push power button; immediately press keys Option+Apple+o+f at the same time
  3. When OpenFirmware prompt appears, type:
    • boot enet:0,yaboot
  4. At boot: prompt, press Enter; eventually the install screen will appear
  5. When the display pauses for entering the machine name, replace whatever is already there with macbox
  6. 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
  1. In a terminal, set system clock with command
    • 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)
  2. Set CMOS clock from system clock
    • clock -uw
Enable the Ubuntu startup splash screen
  1. In a terminal, edit the file /etc/usplash.conf as root
    • sudo nano /etc/usplash.conf
  2. Change the xres value to 1024
  3. Change the yres value to 768
  4. Save and close the file
    • Ctrl+o, then Ctrl+x
  5. Update the startup files with the changed resolution values with the command
    • sudo update-initramfs -u
    • The command takes a couple of of minutes to complete
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
  1. Open sound preferences
    • Place cursor on sound icon in top menu bar
    • Press F12 key
    • Select Preferences
  2. In the Preferences window upper drop-down menu, make sure the Alsa mixer item is selected
  3. In the lower combo-box menu, select PC speaker
  4. In the oem home directory, open the Examples sub-directory
  5. Select the 'Ubuntu experience.ogg' file
  6. When the video starts, verify that the sound slider (click sound icon) varies the volume.
Test CD data and sound
  1. Insert, play, and eject a music CD
  2. Insert data CD, inspect directory contents
  3. If machine has a DVD drive, insert a data DVD, inspect directory contents
  4. 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
  1. Make sure you are on the local wired network
  2. Configure system so it can use network printers
  3. In a terminal, generate a lshw XML file for the printme process
    • lshw -xml >> printme.xml
  4. Open a web browser and go to http://data/spec_sheets/new
  5. 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
Retrieved from "http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php?title=MacBuild_Desktop_Build&oldid=35416"