Build Checklists

QC Checklist

Welcome to the Build Workshop! Quality checking a few systems that others have built will be your first step, then you'll be ready to move on to assembling and checking software on systems.

Work through every step as well as you can, and then ask a neighbor or your Build instructor if you still have questions. Try and learn the reason for each of the steps: this knowledge will come in handy later when, inevitably, things aren't going as smoothly.

Use your resources! There are lots available to you - your neighbor, the Build assistants and instructors and, of course, the internet. Searching the web for answers to the challenge your facing is one of the best ways to learn. You can also access tips and troubleshooting ideas on our wiki: wiki.freegeek.org under Build Tips. Some of the information contained therein is in the blue Build binder.

BEFORE YOU POWER ON

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Check what needs to be quality checked

• Then grab a system from the QC shelves in the build room and carry it to an open Build station.

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Do you hear a loose screw when moving the system?

• If so, find the culprit and fix/remove it.

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Is the case properly put together and secure?

• If not, fix it!

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Are all slots and bays covered?

• If not, cover 'em! Check to make sure they're screwed in tight by pushing on each one with your finger - if a slot cover falls out it can short out the motherboard.

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Do you see 2 video, sound, or network ports?

• If yes, check with the Build instructor or assistant. If there are two, both need to be tested to figure out which one works. If both work, one is extra and should be removed and given to Advanced Testing.

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Is there Microsoft Branding? (Certificates of Authenticity) or Asset tags (identifying the last owner)?

• If there is, take them off. DO NOT remove FG-PDX, "uncovered electronic device" or Green Light stickers.

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Is the system exterior clean?

• If not, use cleaner and rag to clean. You can also use a hair dryer and blade to remove stickers.

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Open up the system and check inside for:

1. Whether the RAM is DDR or DDR2
2. The RAM speed (will be the second number on the sticker) - you may want to write it down
3. Blown capacitors
4. Any dust accumulation - please vacuum any you see out!

BOOT AND ENTER BIOS

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Get into BIOS (Setup)

• Turn on the computer. The keystroke to enter setup should be displayed at bootup or on the printme. If not, you have to guess. Del, Esc, F1, F2 and F10 are typical. If you see "Ubuntu" on your screen, you have gone too far; reboot and try again. All BIOS are different. Feel free to explore how the BIOS you're using is set up.

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Check boot order

• It should be: 1st- CD-ROM; 2nd-Hard Drive. Disable other boot device options, such as a floppy drive, in the boot sequence.

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Are the USB ports enabled?

• If you're having a hard time finding the USB ports in BIOS, try a header with "Peripherals", "Integrated Devices" or "Ports" in its name.

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Save and exit BIOS

• The system should boot to the Ubuntu operating system.

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HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TESTING

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Login to the system

• username will be Default User
  password = freegeek

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Is the system standard?

• Check the Spec Sheet on the wall to see what type of box matches the CPU speed (which is written on the "Keeper" label) and what else should be installed for that type of box, then compare the Spec Sheet to the Printme saved to the Desktop. Is the box missing something the Spec Sheet says should be installed? Go ahead and put that hardware in. Does the box have an extra part not included in the box according to the Spec Sheet? Change it out and put in the appropriate part. If you aren't sure what type of box you are working with, or if the hardware is up to specifications, please check with your instructor to see how to proceed.

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Update the software

• If present, select the "Install all Updates" option from the update-notifier icon (red arrow) at the top-right of the screen. If the icon does not appear you can go to System >> Aministration >> Update Manager. It may take some time to download and install packages, so feel free to continue on with other steps while this runs in the background.

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Drag the terminal icon to the top panel

• Go to Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal at the top left of the screen. Use the mouse to drag the icon for the terminal to the panel along the top of the screen.

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Run "basiccheck"

• Click on the terminal icon to open it. Type "basiccheck" to run the program. There are basiccheck checklists hanging on the end of the middle shelves which will help with verifying whether each test passes or not. Feel free to ask your peers and the instructor what parts of basiccheck mean so that you understand what each test is checking.

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Test USB

• Plug in a USB mouse, see that the cursor moves and can interact with things. Repeat with all USB ports, including ports on the front of the system, if any.

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Check time and date

• Check the time and date in the top right corner. If incorrect:

1. Make sure network cable is plugged in
2. Right-click on the time and click the "+" next to "Locations"
3. Click on "Edit" button
4. Click on the "Time Settings" button
5. Manually adjust date and time

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Play an audio CD

• Do you hear what you expect? Is it loud enough to be heard easily? Repeat for each CD-ROM drive. Also repeat for any additional sound ports.
• Check with a Build instructor if you have surround sound (usually orange and gray).

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Read data CD

• If your file browser sees files on the drive, the CD-ROM can read files. Repeat for each CD-ROM drive.

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Read DVD

• If your file browser sees the file, the DVD-R can read files. If you are prompted to search for a suitable plugin or codec, please do not do this! The test still passes. Repeat for each DVD-ROM drive.

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Remove all CDs and DVDs from the drive(s)

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Stress test the system for a few minutes

• Open a terminal and run "stress-test". Wait a few minutes while it runs, and look for error messages. If you want to know more about what it's doing, open up another terminal and run "man stress".

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Reboot using software controls

• Either open a terminal and run "sudo reboot", or use the system menu to reboot. Wait while it reboots, and ensure that the system powers on and offers a login screen without user intervention (e.g. without requiring that you "press F1 to boot").

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Print "printme" to the desktop

• From a terminal, type "printme". Check the white board above the sitting work stations for what should be recorded in the notes section, and anything special or unusual about the system, including how to get into BIOS (F2, etc). You can open up the Build Printme and add any relevant notes the builder wrote.
• Click "Print" in the browser that opens. Choose "Print to file." Save the file to the Desktop and name it "QC Printme". Click on the printme icon on the Desktop to open it up. Check the sheet carefully, sometimes incorrect information is printed.

Print a hard copy of the "printme"

• Click File > Print. Choose the "build" printer from the printer list and click "Print." If the "build" printer does not appear on the list of printers, simply go to System >> Administraton >> Printing >> Server >> Settings >> and check the first checkbox titled Show printers shared by other systems. Select the "build" printer once it appears and print a copy.

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Copy system ID (*very important!!*)

• Copy system ID from printme onto blank sticker and put it on back of computer.

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Add Free Geek Sticker

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Check in with Build Instructor before you shut off your computer

• Tape your new "QC Printme" sheet on top of your computer after acquiring the Build Instructor's sign off.

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Shut down and shelve the system

• Use software controls for the shutdown (either "sudo halt" or the System menu at the top). Ask a build instructor where to put the system once shutdown is complete.

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Clean up work area if it is your last QC of the day

• Please put all tools away, throw out any garbage or sticker remains, put screws in the appropriate bins, wrap cords around your keyboard and mouse and generally straighten up.

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Build Checklist

Work through every step as well as you can, and then ask a neighbor or your build instructor if you still have questions. Try and learn the reason for each of the steps: this knowledge will come in handy later when, inevitably, things aren't going as smoothly.

Use your resources! There are lots available to you - your neighbor, the Build assistants and instructors and, of course, the internet. You can access tips and troubleshooting ideas on our wiki: wiki.freegeek.org under Build tips. Some of the information contained therein is in the blue Build binder. If you run into something really weird, Google may be your best bet.

Your Build instructor will check the shelves to figure out what type of boxes we need built. Check the white board to find out what type of box to build, then work your way down this checklist.

Supplies like cards, rails, hard drives, etc. can be found on the metal racks in the center of the build workshop. An assortment of common DDR and DDR2 memory is kept in a box on the west end of the metal racks.

BEFORE YOU POWER ON

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Check what needs to be built on the white board

• Head to the warehouse and scope out a system you would like to build.
• Be sure to pay attention to the Green Light label. It will give you a lot of important information, like the type of video, if it did not POST, if the processor is Dual Core, etc. Make sure that the box you are about to Build is appropriate for its spec.
• If everything looks good, Grab the system from the warehouse, take it back to your build station, and figure out how to pop it open.

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Check capacitors

• Visually inspect motherboard capacitors for bulges/leaks. If you find one, check with your instructor.

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Make sure that covers are available for open bays

• Some cases require specific (proprietary) parts, which, unfortunately, we have to recycle...
• You can add a CD-ROM if no cover plate is available.

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Is there Microsoft Branding (Certificates of Authenticity)? Are there Asset tags? (identifying the last owner)

• If there are, remove them. DO NOT remove FG-PDX, "uncovered electronic device" or Green Light stickers.

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Clean and vacuum out box

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Test battery

• Set voltmeter to DCV=20, place one wand on battery and one wand on metal part of case. Battery's good if volt reading 3.0 or greater.

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Install RAM

• For DDR, try speed 266 (PC2100) first. If that doesn't work, try higher numbers. Sometimes the BIOS will tell you the needed speed.
• For DDR2, try speed 400 (PC3200) first. If that doesn't work, try higher numbers. Sometimes the BIOS will tell you the needed speed.
  • NOTE: If the slots look like DDR but don't fit, they are probably DDR2.
  • NOTE: For both DDR and DDR2, sometimes they should be paired for higher performance (i.e., 2 sticks of RAM used in specific slots). Make sure you try all combinations of slots if you are having trouble getting the system to recognize the RAM.

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Install video card if needed

• You do not need to install an AGP video card if there is onboard video.
• PCI-e cards are only available for FG-PDX and High-Ends. Ask an instructor if you need one.

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Initial power on

• See if expected memory value is displayed during POST or in BIOS.

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Power down

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Remove floppy drive if possible

• Remove the floppy drive if you can find a matching face plate to cover it. If there are no covers available, you can leave the drive in and unplugged. Make sure the floppy drive (the A drive) is disabled in BIOS and removed from the boot sequence if possible.

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Install network card (NIC)

• Only if there's no onboard NIC (ethernet).

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Install hard drive

• Get the appropriately sized (according to spec sheet) hard drive from the supply shelf. Also check to see if you need an IDE or SATA hard drive and if you have the appropriate cables. Install hard drive and attach it to the power supply and motherboard.
• You will need to ask an instructor for a SATA hard drive and/or hard drives higher than 80 GB.

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Install sound card if needed

• If there's onboard sound, no need to install card.

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Install CD/CDRW/DVD/DVD-RW Drive(s)

• Be sure to first remove any untested CDRW/DVDRW/combo drives from your system and put them on the appropriate shelf in advanced testing. You do not need to remove plain CD-R or DVD-R drives. Check the spec sheet to see what kind of drive(s) to install. Jumper it/them appropriately. Plug in power supply and the appropriate IDE/SATA cable.

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Cover open slots and bays

• Make sure you have coverings for all spaces that will not be filled with a card or drive. Look at similar cases for examples of what case pieces may look like. Be sure that these are screwed in tight and test them by pushing on each with your finger. If a slot cover falls out while a computer is on it can short out the motherboard.

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BOOT AND ENTER BIOS

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Attach monitor, keyboard, mouse, network, sound and power cords

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Enter BIOS setup

• Turn on the computer. The keystroke to enter setup should be displayed at bootup. If not, you have to guess. Del, Esc, F1, F2 and F10 are typical.

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Check date and time Check date and time in BIOS and change to the correct time if needed.

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Restore BIOS defaults

• You might need to search around to find the BIOS values that need checking. While you search, enjoy the pleasure of learning about BIOS configuration!

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Detect hard drive

• Search BIOS to see if it is recognizing the hard drive.

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Set boot order

• It should be: 1st-CD-ROM; 2nd-Hard drive. Disable other boot devices such as floppy drive or network boot from the boot sequence.

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Make sure USB ports are enabled.

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Save and exit BIOS

• The system should reboot to the Ubuntu operating system.

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HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TESTING

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Login to the system

• username will be Default User
• password = freegeek

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Check your chipset!

• From a terminal run “lspci” and look for the number “82845.” Check with an instructor if you have this number or if you're unsure.

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Run "basiccheck"

• From a terminal, type "basiccheck" Read through each of the tests and verify that they pass.

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Learn to install a program through the Graphical User Interface (GUI - the mouse)

• The first place to look for software to add is in the Ubuntu Software Center (Applications>Ubuntu Software Center). This gives you access to the Ubuntu supported applications plus many others. Search for "k3b" and install it. K3b is a CD/DVD authoring program.

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Learn to install a program through command line

• Open up a terminal and type "sudo apt-get install gimp" and press "Enter." This will install the photo editing program called Gimp.

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Play an audio CD

• Do you hear what you expect? Is it loud enough to be heard easily? Repeat for each CD-ROM drive. Repeat for additional sound ports.

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Read data CD

• If your file browser sees files on the drive, the CD-ROM can read files. Repeat for each CD-ROM drive.

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Read DVD

• If your file browser sees the file, the DVD-ROM can read files. If you are prompted to search for suitable plugins or codecs, please do not do this! The test still passes. Repeat for each DVD-ROM drive.

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Remove all CDs and DVDs from the drive(s)

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Test USB ports

• Plug in a USB mouse, see that the cursor moves and can interact with things. Repeat with all USB ports, including front ports, if any.

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Test for booting from live CD

• Place Ubuntu live CD in drive and restart the computer. The system should boot from the live CD. Allow it to boot to the first Ubuntu installation screen. If it got to an installation screen, it works. Eject the disc and hit CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.

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Run "printme" from terminal

• From a terminal, type "printme". A form will appear in the Firefox browser. Check the white board for what should be recorded in the notes section, as well as anything that is special or unusual about the system, including how to get into BIOS (F2, etc).

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Check in with Build Instructor

• The Build Instructor will check the print me and edit it to sign it off.

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Print the printme

• Read the printme data and then click "Print. "Choose "Print to File" from the list of printers. Select "Desktop" as the folder to save it in. Name the file "Build Printme.ps" and click print.

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Shut down system and place on proper shelf

• Use software controls for the shutdown (either "sudo halt" or the System menu at the top). Place the system on the QC shelf in the Build room.

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Clean up work area if it is your last build of the day

• Please put all tools away, throw out any garbage or sticker remains, put screws in the appropriate bins, wrap cords around your keyboard and mouse and generally straighten up.