Build Checklists

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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.

To find out who your Build instructor is, check the whiteboard at the front of the room. Your instructor will be able to answer questions and check your work. Never overlook, though, the help that the Builder to your right or left might be able to lend.

BEFORE YOU POWER ON

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.

Do you hear a loose screw when moving the system?

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

Is the case properly put together and secure?

  • If not, fix it!

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.

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

  • If yes, check with the Build instructor or assistant; one of the two is extra and needs to be removed or disabled and covered.

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 stickers.

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.

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 sheet the builder attached to the box. Is the box missing something the Spec Sheet says should be installed? Does the box have an extra part not included in the box according to the Spec Sheet? If the answer to either of those questions is yes or you aren't sure what type of box you are working with, please check with your instructor to see how to proceed.

BOOT AND ENTER BIOS

Get into 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. 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.

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.

Is parallel port enabled on 378 and set to EPP?

  • EPP is the protocol spoken by standard PC computers, as opposed to Macs and some obscure devices. The "378" is the standard I/O space for PC parallel ports. If the BIOS does not support EPP, leave it as is.
  • If you're having a hard time finding the parallel port in BIOS, try a header with "Peripherals", "Integrated Devices" or "I/O" in its name.

Save and exit BIOS

  • The system should boot to the Ubuntu operating system.

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TESTING

Login to the system

  • username = oem
    password = freegeek

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.

Run "basiccheck"

  • Click on Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal, at the top left of the screen. 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.

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.

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 choose "Adjust date and time"
  3. Click on "Unlock" button
  4. Enter password
  5. Manually adjust date and time

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.

Read data CD

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

Read DVD

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

Remove all CDs and DVD's from the drive(s)

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".

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").

Run "printme" from terminal

  • From a terminal, type "printme". A form will appear in the browser. Check on the whiteboard for what should go in the notes section, as well as anything that is special or unusual about the system. Read the printme data and then click print. In the print dialog window that comes up, choose the "build" printer from the list and click print. If the "build" printer does not appear on the list of printers, ask for help on how to make it appear. The sheet should print out from the printer in the corner of the room. Check the sheet carefully, sometimes wrong information is printed.

Copy system ID

  • If the system is a regular or high end, copy system ID from printme onto blank sticker and put it on back of computer.

Add Free Geek Sticker

Check in with Build Instructor before you shut off your computer

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

Shut down system and place pieces on proper shelf

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

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.

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.

To find out who your build instructor is, check the whiteboard at the front of the room. Your instructor will be able to answer questions and check your work. Never overlook, though, the help that the builder to your right or left might be able to lend.

Your build instructor will check the shelves to figure out what type of boxes we need built. Check the whiteboard 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 SDRAM and DDR memory is kept in a box on the west end of the metal racks. For Rambus and other unusual memory, processors and other specialty supplies ask your build instructor.

BEFORE YOU POWER ON

Check what needs to be built

  • Then grab a system from the warehouse and figure out how to pop it open.

Check 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

  • Some cases require specific (proprietary) parts, which, unfortunately, we have to recycle...

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 stickers.

Clean and vacuum out box

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.

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 have to be paired (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.

Install video card if needed

  • You do not need to install a video card if there is onboard video.

Initial power on

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

Power down

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.

Install network card (NIC)

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

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 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 or a high end drive.

Install sound card if needed

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

Install CD/CDRW/DVD 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 cable. Linux will refer to the ports for the drive(s) as 'sc0' and 'sc1'.

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.

BOOT AND ENTER BIOS

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

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.

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

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!

Detect hard drive

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

Set boot order

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

Make sure parallel port is enabled to 378 and set to EPP

  • If BIOS doesn't have these option, take the default.

Save and exit BIOS

  • The system should reboot to the Ubuntu operating system.

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TESTING

Login to the system

  • username = oem
  • password = freegeek

Run "basiccheck"

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

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.

Read data CD

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

Read DVD

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

Remove all CDs and DVDs from the drive(s)

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.

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.

Run "printme" from terminal

  • From a terminal, type "printme". A form will appear in the browser. Check the whiteboard for what should be recorded in the notes section, as well as anything that is special or unusual about the system. Read the printme data and then click print. In the print dialog window that comes up, choose the "build" printer from the list and click print. If the "build" printer does not appear on the list of printers, ask for help on how to make it appear. The sheet should print out from the printer in the corner of the room. Check the sheet carefully, sometimes wrong information is printed.

Check in with Build Instructor

  • Tape the "printme" sheet to the top of the computer once the Build Instructor signs it off.

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.

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.
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