Steps
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Notes/Detailed Instructions
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Done
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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.
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Install wireless card (if not present already) |
Ask the instructor
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Attach network cable and power cord |
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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.
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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:
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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.
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Install Ubuntu |
Please note that any values not explicitly defined here (HTTP proxies and such) should be left blank.
- Make sure network cable is attached
- Insert Ubuntu CD
- Use 8.04 for iMac G5s
- Use 9.04 for all other systems
- 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 and United States as the country
- 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
- 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
- At this point, the base system will begin installing, so prepare to wait for a few minutes
- 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 provide a HTTP proxy, leave it blank and press Enter
- 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
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Start up Ubuntu |
- Let the system use its default options in the bootloaders during the startup process
- If the system has problems starting up, refer to the Special Configurations list
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Check for 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
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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.
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Set up the environment and install extra apps |
- Add the Terminal to the panel so it can be launched quickly
- If the machine has a DVD drive, open up a terminal and run:
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.
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Test USB ports |
USB:
- Plug in a USB mouse
- See that the cursor moves and can interact with things
- Repeat with all USB ports
If any port doesn't work, the machine should be recycled
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Check if wireless works |
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.
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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
- 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
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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 left blank
- 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
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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:
- 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:
- Record the results on the "printme" report
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Clean outside cover |
Clean case monitor face, connector panel, keyboard, and trackpad as well
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Attach "printme" report to system |
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Bundle system with power supply |
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