MacBuild Laptop Build

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Building a laptop in MacBuild is a fairly freeform process. We presently only build up a few different models, so it's easy to learn the basics of working with each type.

Tips

  • Use a guide - some procedures for removing/exchanging parts are very complicated
  • Keep track of your screws/part - it is not uncommon to end up removing 50+ screws from a system when swapping a HD in a laptop. You can use either an ice cube tray or a screw guide from iFixit to keep track of what came from where.
  • Allot sufficient time for a project


Laptop Build Checklist

Steps Notes/Detailed Instructions Done
Make sure that covers are available for open bays

If covers are missing, check parts storage for replacements

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 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

Test PCMCIA slot

If avaliable

  • Plug in a PCMCIA wireless card
  • See if it lights up
  • Repeat with all PCMCIA slots
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.
Test battery life

To start the battery test:

  1. Make sure battery is fully charged
  2. Open a web browser and go to http://llama.freegeek.org/~serge/batterytest.sh
  3. Save file to disk
  4. Insert an audio CD into optical drive
  5. Launch audio player, play disc, and set on repeat
  6. In a terminal, navigate to the directory you saved batterytest.sh to and run:
    • sh batterytest.sh
  7. Disconnect power supply
  8. Leave the system running until it powers off

To check the results of the battery test

  1. In a terminal, navigate to the directory you saved batterytest.sh to and run:
    • sh batterytest.sh
  2. Record the results on the "printme" report generated in the next step
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 power supply
Take it to store
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