MacBuild PPC Checklist

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Build

Steps Notes/Detailed Instructions Done
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 and shift quickly to the Option+Apple+o+f keys.

Set the system clock and NVRAM 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

To reset the NVRAM 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.

Start the network installation and run badblocks if necessary

To access this install, hold down the n key (for network) while the computer starts. As soon as the network icon starts blinking on the screen you may release the n key.

  1. At the first boot prompt enter an l (for linux). At the second boot prompt press "Return" to install the current version of Ubuntu.
  2. The installation will stop at the keyboard selection. Accept the defaults (No or USA) for the next 3 screens and the installation will continue automatically.
  3. If prompted to choose between wired and wireless network choose eth0 (wired)
  4. When prompted for a hostname, delete the current entry and enter macbox in its place
  5. When prompted for HD partitioning we need to make a decision.
    1. If this is a computer with a wiped and tested hard drive we can accept the default and let the installation proceed.
    2. If this is a computer that needs to have the hard drive tested (coming straight from Mac eval or TARDIS), we need to run badblocks. To do this we choose "Go Back" and then select "Execute a shell" from the menu. At the prompt type "badblocks -wvvf -c1024 /dev/hda" and hit enter. If that command fails, try "badblocks -wvvf -c1024 /dev/sda" instead. It will take about 3 hours to run badblocks.
    3. If there are any bad blocks we must replace the hard drive.
    4. If there are no bad blocks, you can proceed with the installation. To do this type "exit" to leave the shell, select "Partition drives" from the list, accept the defaults and the rest of the installation will proceed automatically.

The remainder of the installation will take approximately 30 minutes and the computer will automatically reboot following the installation.

Start up Ubuntu
Set up the environment and verify hardware in the system
  • Add the Terminal to the panel so it can be launched quickly. You can do this by dragging and dropping the terminal icon to the top task bar.

To verify the hardware in a system, open up a terminal and run: 

sudo lshw

This runs a command called lshw (which stands for "list hardware") 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.
  • 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.
  • This is a good time to shut down the system and install additional memory or a wireless card if they are missing. Ubuntu will not run well with 256MB of memory and will sometimes generate errors that don't occur when 512MB or more memory is installed.
Test CD/DVD data and sound
  1. Insert, play, and eject a music CD
  2. If machine has a CD-RW or DVD-RW, use brasero to erase a CD-RW disk, and create/burn a new data project.
  3. If machine has a DVD drive:
    • insert a data DVD, inspect directory contents
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.

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, set on repeat and mute the speaker.
  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 in the notes section of the "printme" report
Generate "printme" report for system
  1. Make sure you are on the local wired network
  2. Configure system so it can use network printers
    1. From the desktop, go to System -> Administration -> Printing
    2. In the Printer Configuration window, go to Server -> Settings...
    3. Check the "Show printers shared by other systems" checkbox, and click the OK button. Close the printing window.
  3. In a terminal, type printme
    • Enter your volunteer ID in the Volunteer ID field
    • Job should be changed to Builder
    • System ID should be left blank
    • Type should be changed to apple laptop
    • Keeper label type should be set to No Sticker
    • Choose whether the computer is covered or not (if it doesn't have an uncovered sticker on it, it is covered)
    • Notes should include the following information:
      • Results of battery test
      • 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
  4. When asked where to print the report, select the printer Double.
Finish up the build

Power down the system, attach the printme sheet, and take to the store or place on storage shelf as appropriate.

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