Hardware detection and burn in

Currently, there is a hard drive labeled EVAL 2 in system evaluation 2. This is planned be replaced by a bootable CD. Eventually the whole thing may be ported to a network bootable system.

This process is in development. It's an attempt to add to the functionality of System Evaluation.

Basic Process

1. Open the system and examine it for suitability. Needed components:
   • processor
   • memory
   • power supply
   • video card or onboard video
2. Disconnect any existing hard drive
3. Connect the eval 2 hard drive
   • power
   • data cable (check to make sure it's not a cable select cable)
4. Boot the system.
   • (If boot fails, go to troubleshooting boot problems section.)
   • After loading linux, diagnostic software is automatically run.

The first screen

This displays processor information. Use the System Evaluation 2 Triage chart to determine if the system is a keeper or not.

If it is not a keeper, follow instructions for recycling the system.

If it is a keeper, continue on.

Subsequent screens

Each screen is designed to detect something about the system. When you see information, record it on a form (yet to be created).

If a screen fails to display information we need to determine if there's a bug in the software (and if so, fix it). Make a note of the problem and identify the system's ID number, so we can test any fixes.

If a screen displays faulty information, do the same.

Troubleshooting boot problems

• In BIOS:
  • disable ACPI
  • make sure hard drive is the first boot option
• Simplification:
  • Remove unnecessary components (pull extra cards, disconnect unused drives from the motherboard).
  • For SDRAM based systems, try removing all but one stick of RAM
• Systematic swapping of needed components:
  • For SDRAM based systems, try PC-100 RAM, PC-133 RAM, and possibly PC-66 RAM
  • Try swapping video cards out