Difference between revisions of "MacBuild Intel Checklist"

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 +
=Getting Started=
 +
 +
==Visual inspections==
 +
*'''What kind of computer are you working on?''' Is it a tower, laptop, all-in-one? Does it have an Intel or PPC processor?  What's the model number printed on the bottom (if you can read it, mark it on your triage checklist)?
 +
*'''Check for damage'''
 +
If the case is dirty, clean it off with a rag.  If the (laptop) battery looks beaten up or warped, change it with a good one.
 +
 +
==Set Up Your Computer==
 +
'''SEE MACBUILD SPECS TO DETERMINE WHAT KINDS OF HARDWARE YOU SHOULD BE INSTALLING IN THE COMPUTER YOU ARE REBUILDING'''
 +
===Towers:===
 +
*Replace RAM with tested memory (if we have the appropriate tested RAM)
 +
*If the computer has an Intel processor, install a hard drive with a Xubuntu image installed
 +
*If the computer has a PPC processor, install a blank hard drive
 +
===Laptops:===
 +
*Find the appropriate power supply for your laptop.  Check the bottom of the laptop for power requirements.  Ask your instructor if you can't find this.
 +
*Laptop RAM is never tested before being installed, so you can leave the RAM the computer came with for the moment
 +
*For MacBooks -- replace the HDD with an imaged one
 +
*For iBooks, MacBook Pros and other hard-to-work-on laptops, leave the HDD where it is and you'll follow directions to wipe it later
 +
*Attach keyboard/mouse, monitor, network cable, and power cord (as necessary)
 +
===iMacs:===
 +
*INTEL: HDDs are difficult to install, so you'll wipe the drive and install an operating system following the directions in this packet later.  RAM is easy to install, but it's laptop-sized memory, which we only test in systems, so it's okay to leave the pre-installed RAM where you'll test it later.
 +
*PPC: HDDs are difficult to install, so you'll wipe the drive following the directions in this packet later.  Depending on the model, RAM is easy to install.  Check the model number on iFixit.com to see which one you have.  Ask your instructor for clarification.
 +
 
=OS X Triage=
 
=OS X Triage=
−
==Getting Started==
 
−
===Attach keyboard/mouse, monitor, network cable, and power cord (as necessary)===
 
−
----
 
−
===Install components for triage===
 
−
*If working on a standard desktop system:
 
−
**Install a tested/wiped HDD
 
−
**Install tested RAM in each available memory slot
 
−
**Install a tested battery
 
−
*If working on a system with a built-in display:
 
−
**Install tested RAM in each available memory slot
 
−
***'''NOTE''': certain models (iMac G4s in particular) use SODIMMs (laptop memory) instead of/in addition to standard desktop memory.  Go ahead and use untested memory for the SODIMM slot, as we'll test that memory later in the process
 
−
**Install a tested battery if it is easily accessible (if the system uses a '''3.6v''' battery, it can be done while installing RAM)
 
−
**Install an AirPort/AirPort Extreme wireless card
 
−
*If working on an oddball system (e.g. Mac mini):
 
−
**Ask an instructor for further direction
 
  
−
You may need to install more parts than specifications require in order to test the system (e.g. you may need to install more RAM in a system than we'd actually need for building because we want to test all the RAM slots at once).  If that's the case, remember to remove any excess components after the triage is complete.
+
==Booting into OS X==
−
----
+
There are a couple of ways to boot into OSX 10.  Apple computers tend to boot to external hard drives more reliably, but the hard drives themselves are not as reliable as the network.  As of writing this, Photobooth is not available on network boots, so if you are working on a computer with a built-in camera, you should boot to an external drive to test the camera.
−
==Hardware Testing==
+
 
−
===Boot into OS X===
+
'''From Network:'''
−
There are a few different ways to boot into OS X in MacBuild.  Pick the appropriate option from the following, or ask an instructor for help.
+
* Connect ethernet cable from the wall to the system
−
====From an external FireWire HDD (for PPC systems)====
+
* Hold down the ''N'' key on the keyboard while the system starts up to enter the network boot screen.
−
* Connect the OS X 10.4 FireWire HDD to the system
+
 
−
* Connect the FireWire HDD to a power source
+
'''From External HDD:'''
−
* Make sure the FireWire HDD is turned on (there's a power switch on the back of the drive)
+
* Connect the OS X 10.5 Firewire HDD to the system
−
* Hold the ''Option'' key on the keyboard while system starts up to enter the Startup Manager
+
* Connect the Firewire HDD to a power source
−
* Select the FireWire drive from the Startup Manager to boot into OS X 10.4
+
* Make sure the Firewire HDD is turned on (there's a power switch on the back of the drive)
−
====From an external USB HDD (for Intel systems)====
 
−
* Connect the OS X 10.5 USB HDD to the system
 
−
* Connect the USB HDD to a power source
 
−
* Make sure the USB HDD is turned on (there's a power switch on the back of the drive)
 
 
* Hold the ''Option'' key on the keyboard while system starts up to enter the Startup Manager
 
* Hold the ''Option'' key on the keyboard while system starts up to enter the Startup Manager
−
* Select the USB drive from the Startup Manager to boot into OS X 10.5
+
* Select the Firewire drive (OS X Testing HDD) from the Startup Manager to boot into OS X
−
====From the network (for PPC systems)====
+
* If a warning box appears while you are logging in, just click "ignore"
−
*Hold the '''n''' key as the system starts up
 
−
*Release the '''n''' key once a globe starts flashing on the screen
 
−
*Press the '''m''' key at the bootloader to boot into OS X 10.5
 
−
*Wait a few minutes while the OS loads
 
  
−
Regardless of which method you use, here are a few things to remember:
 
−
*Depending on the system's specifications, it may take a few minutes to boot into the OS
 
−
*If a system shows a '''black rectangle''' in the middle of the screen, complains about a '''kernel panic''', asks for a '''restart''', or does something other than load the OS, notify an instructor and set the system aside for troubleshooting
 
 
----
 
----
−
===Log into OS X===
+
 
−
*The username is '''oem''', and the password is '''freegeek'''.
+
==Confirm hardware==
−
----
+
*Click on the System Profiler icon in the dock.
−
===Confirm hardware===
 
−
*Click on the apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen
 
−
*Select the '''About This Mac''' option from the menu
 
−
*Click the '''More Info''' button to launch the ''System Profiler''
 
 
*Check the '''ATA''' and '''Memory''' sections of ''System Profiler'' to confirm that it matches what you've added to the system so far
 
*Check the '''ATA''' and '''Memory''' sections of ''System Profiler'' to confirm that it matches what you've added to the system so far
 +
**If you did not install RAM or a HDD earlier, check the amount of memory now and compare with the [[MacBuild Specs|MacBuild Spec Sheet]]. You can adjust RAM by shutting the computer down and removing or adding RAM at this point.  Remember that you will probably still need to test the RAM
 
**If it fails to see the HDD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system may have a bad logic board and end up getting recycled.  Ask an instructor for troubleshooting assistance
 
**If it fails to see the HDD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system may have a bad logic board and end up getting recycled.  Ask an instructor for troubleshooting assistance
 
*Check the '''Disc Burning''' section of ''System Profiler'' to see what the optical drive in the system can do
 
*Check the '''Disc Burning''' section of ''System Profiler'' to see what the optical drive in the system can do
 +
*Fill out the system specs on the Keeper label if they are not already filled out
 
----
 
----
  
−
===Test CD writing and erase hard drive===
+
==Test CD writing==
 
If you determined that the optical drive in the system can write CD-RWs, do the following:
 
If you determined that the optical drive in the system can write CD-RWs, do the following:
−
*To erase a rewritable disk
+
*Erase a rewritable CD disk
 
** Insert a CD-RW disk
 
** Insert a CD-RW disk
−
** Open up '''Disk Utility''' (Click on the icon of the HDD you booted from that is on the desktop, and navigate to '''Applications -> Utilities'''.  '''Disk Utility''' will be in that folder.)
+
** Open up '''Disk Utility''' (Click on the '''Disk Utility''' icon in the dock)
 
** Click on the optical drive on the left sidebar of the '''Disk Utility''' window
 
** Click on the optical drive on the left sidebar of the '''Disk Utility''' window
 
** Click on the ''Erase'' tab that comes up on the right side of the window
 
** Click on the ''Erase'' tab that comes up on the right side of the window
 
** Confirm that it will perform a quick erase, and click on the '''Erase''' button
 
** Confirm that it will perform a quick erase, and click on the '''Erase''' button
−
** When the erasing is complete you'll get a dialog box. Choose '''Open Finder''' from the drop down menu and click OK. This will mount the disk on the desktop. Quit the disk Utility application.
+
** When the erasing is complete you'll get a dialog box. Choose '''Open Finder''' from the drop down menu and click OK. This will mount the disk on the desktop.  
−
*To write to a blank rewritable disc
 
−
** Click on the icon of the HDD you booted from that is on the desktop, and navigate to '''Applications'''
 
−
** Drag and drop the Dashboard application onto the icon on the desktop
 
−
** Double-click the CD icon on the desktop
 
−
** Click on the '''Burn''' button near the upper-right corner of the window
 
−
*To erase the hard drive so that the Mac OSX installer will recognize it
 
−
** Select the hard drive in the left hand pane
 
−
** Choose the '''Erase''' tab
 
−
** Clock on the '''Erase''' button at the lower right
 
  
 +
*Write to a blank rewritable disk
 +
** Select the '''burnme.cdr''' file in the left panel of '''Disk Utility''' and click the '''Burn''' button at the top of Disk Utility.
 +
** The disk should automatically eject when finished. If the disk icon still appears on the desktop, drag it into the trash. 
 
----
 
----
  
−
===Check if WiFi works===
+
==Check if WiFi works==
 
*Click on the AirPort icon near the upper-right corner of the screen
 
*Click on the AirPort icon near the upper-right corner of the screen
 
*Check to see if the '''Freegeek''' wireless network shows up on the list
 
*Check to see if the '''Freegeek''' wireless network shows up on the list
−
*If you are netbooted, do NOT select a wireless network out of the list.  If you are booted from an external HDD, disconnect the wired network, select '''Freegeek''' from the list, open up a browser, and navigate to any web page.  If you see the Free Geek click-through page, it works.
+
Disconnect the wired network, select '''Freegeek''' from the list, open up a browser, and navigate to any web page.  If you see the Free Geek click-through page, it works.
−
----
 
  
−
===Label the system===
 
−
*Check off what worked and what didn't on a label, and attach the label to the system. You can print the system information by using system profiler. Make sure to choose 'mini' from the '''View''' menu in system profiler and set up a printer. Eventually we will devise a way to populate the database and generate a printme.
 
 
----
 
----
  
−
===Shut down and remove excess components===
+
==Stress test the CPU==
−
*Ask an instructor to confirm what, if anything, should be removed from the system
+
*Click on the cpu test icon in the dock
 +
*choose primenet as the test type and start test
 +
**This should take 3-10 minutes
 +
*If this or any other test fails, mark the printme sheet with the test results and sell the computer as-is, or recycle it - ask your instructor
 
----
 
----
  
−
=Build=
+
==Stress test the GPU==
−
==Getting Started==
+
*Set up the screen saver for the GPU test.
−
===Attach keyboard/mouse, monitor, network cable, and power cord (as necessary)===
+
**Under the Apple menu select '''System Preferences''' > '''Desktops and Screen Saver'''
 +
**Scroll down to the bottom and select '''GPULife'''
 +
**Select '''Options''', unclick '''limit framerate''' and click '''show framerate'''
 +
**Set '''Zoom''' to '''1''' and click '''OK'''
 +
*Drag your mouse arrow to the very bottom right-hand corner of the screen. 
 +
*A black screen should come up with lots of colorful moving dots which are being generated by the GPU.
 +
*Look for any artifacting (obvious glitches, lines, popping lights, cross hatching), this points to GPU failure.
 +
*Check to see that the frames per second number at the bottom left-hand of the screen stays consistent. 
 +
*If everything looks good after a minute or so, you can exit the screen by moving your mouse out of the corner.
 +
*If there are any gross artifacts, such as lines on the screen or a plaid screen, consult your instructor. Occasional white pixels are OK.
 
----
 
----
−
===Clear the PRAM===
+
==Test the iSight camera (Laptop and iMac only)==
−
The parameter RAM, or PRAM for short, is used by Apple systems to store all sorts of settings.  Sometimes certain settings will prevent us from being able to successfully work on a system, so we should always reset the PRAM on systems we will be working on.
+
*Double click on the OS X Testing HDD icon and then double click on Applications. Double click on the Photo Booth application to open it. If you can see yourself in the Photo Booth application the camera works.
−
 
 
−
To reset the PRAM, hold the '''Option+Apple+p+r''' keys while the system is starting up.  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. If you don't hear any chimes at all, just hold the keys for a minute, and then shift to the '''Option+Apple+o+f''' keys.
 
 
----
 
----
  
−
===Set the system clock and NVRAM in Open Firmware===
+
==Check The Battery (laptop only)==
−
While starting up, hold the '''Option+Apple+o+f''' keys. Release the keys when the Open Firmware prompt comes up.  In order to set the system clock in open firmware, you need to run a set of commands Open Firmware understands.  The command you will be running uses the following syntax:
+
*Select the Coconut Battery icon from dock. Note the battery capacity (not the current charge) and remember that we will need to enter this value in the Notes portion of the printme sheet. For example: "according to Coconut Battery the battery has 67% of original capacity".
−
*<code>decimal dev rtc [seconds minutes hour day month year] set-time</code>
 
−
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
 
−
*<code>decimal dev rtc 00 58 20 18 09 2009 set-time</code>
 
−
To reset the NVRAM type the following commands in the specified order:
 
−
*<code>reset-nvram</code>
 
−
*<code>set-defaults</code>
 
−
*<code>reset-all</code>
 
−
 
 
−
The system will reboot after the '''reset-all''' command is entered.
 
 
----
 
----
−
==Installation==
 
−
===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.
 
  
−
# At the first boot prompt enter an '''l''' (for linux). At the second boot prompt:
+
==Test the memory==
−
#* If the system has a G4 processor, press ''return'' to default to installing the PPC version of Ubuntu 9.04.
+
This test should only be run if you were not able to install all tested memory (anything with Laptop RAM or older iMacs)
−
#* If the system has a G5 processor, you must install the 64-bit version of Ubuntu 9.04.  To do so, type '''jaunty64''' at the second boot prompt and press ''return''.
+
*Open "rember" by clicking on the icon in the dock.
−
# 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.
+
*click OK, leave selected default settings, and run the test.
−
# If prompted to choose between wired and wireless network choose eth0 (wired)
+
** The test should take 5-30 minutes depending on the amount of RAM and the speed of the processor. With large amounts of RAM (over 1.0 GB) it may take up to an hour.
−
# When prompted for a hostname, delete the current entry and enter '''macbox''' in its place
+
* If any memory fails the test, replace it with good tested memory
−
# When prompted for HD partitioning we need to make a decision.
 
−
#* If this is a computer that has had a wiped and tested hard drive installed, or if it successfully completed '''badblocks''', we can accept the default and let the installation proceed.
 
−
#* If this is a computer that came straight from Mac Eval or TARDIS, it needs to have the hard drive tested with '''badblocks'''. To do this we choose "Go Back" and then select "Execute a shell" from the menu. At the prompt, run the following:
 
−
#**<code>badblocks -wvvf -c1024 -e1 /dev/hda</code>
 
−
#* If that command fails, try
 
−
#**<code>badblocks -wvvf -c1024 -e1 /dev/sda</code>
 
−
#* It will take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours to run badblocks.
 
−
#** If there are any bad blocks we must replace the hard drive.
 
−
#** 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, choose "Guided Partitioning" when the partitioner starts and then 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.
 
−
----
 
−
==Hardware/Software Testing==
 
−
===Start up Ubuntu===
 
−
* Log into the system using the username '''oem''' and password '''freegeek'''.
 
−
* If the system has problems starting up, refer to [http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/MacBuild_Desktop_Build#Special_Configurations the Special Configurations list]
 
−
----
 
−
===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 either dragging and dropping the terminal icon to the top panel, or, if you have a two-button mouse, by right-clicking on the terminal icon in the dropdown applications context menu and selecting '''Add this launcher to panel'''.
 
−
* Check to see if the splash screen has been enabled. To do this, run the following in a terminal:
 
−
**<code>sudo nano /etc/usplash.conf</code>
 
−
** If the splash screen has been configured to work already, you should see an entry that looks like this (the numbers may be different, but the syntax will be the same):
 
−
***<code>xres=1024 yres=768</code>
 
−
** If no entry is found, one must be added. To do so, do the following:
 
−
*** If you are working on a system with a built-in display, use the display's native resolution.
 
−
**** To determine a display's native resolution, click on '''System -> Preferences -> Display''' in the context menu (or '''System -> Preferences -> Monitors''', in some cases) and use the resolution provided there.  The resolution is usually correct, but ask an instructor if you have any doubts.
 
−
**** If you can't figure out your display's native resolution, just stick to the numbers used below
 
−
*** Add the appropriate resolution to the file in the following syntax:
 
−
****<code>xres=1024 yres=768</code>
 
−
*** Save the file and exit the editor
 
−
**** To save in ''nano'', press '''Ctrl+o'''. ''nano'' will then ask you to confirm the file's name (it should stay as '''usplash.conf''').  Press the '''Enter''' or '''Return''' key to confirm.  If ''nano'' asks you for permission to overwrite the old file, say yes.
 
−
**** To exit ''nano'', press '''Ctrl+x'''. If you have already saved the file, ''nano'' will close.  If you have any unsaved changes, ''nano'' will ask you if you'd like to save your changes.  This dialog is essentially the same one you get when you press '''Ctrl+o'''.  ''nano'' will close once it receives your input.
 
−
*** Run the following in a terminal:
 
−
****<code>sudo update-initramfs -u</code>
 
−
* Verify the hardware in a system
 
−
** Run the following in a terminal:
 
−
***<code>sudo lshw</code>
 
−
****This runs a command called '''lshw''' (which stands for "list hardware")  The items to pay attention to are:
 
−
** Read through the output of the command and find:
 
−
***Amount of system memory
 
−
**** You should be able to find this under the '''memory''' heading in '''lshw'''.  If you installed the memory yourself, this readout should display the same amount of memory as what you installed.
 
−
**** Systems we build should have, at minimum, '''512 MB''' of RAM.  Ask your instructor to confirm that your system has the correct amount of memory installed.
 
−
***Type of optical drive
 
−
**** This can be found under the '''cdrom''' heading in '''lshw'''.
 
−
**** Systems we build should have, at minimum, a combo DVD reader/CD writer.  Refer to the [http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/MacBuild_Desktop_Build#Minimum_Specs minimum specification chart] on the Desktop Build section of the MacBuild wiki page for more detail.
 
−
***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.
 
−
* If you have a dual processor machine you may notice that the second processor (cpu1) has "DISABLED" listed after it in lshw. In order to enable the second processor run the following command:
 
−
**<code>sudo apt-get install linux-powerpc-smp</code>
 
 
----
 
----
  
−
===Test CD/DVD data and sound===
+
==Bless the Hard Drive==
−
# Insert, play, and eject a music CD
+
*Open a terminal and type
−
# If machine has a CD-RW or DVD-RW, use '''Brasero''' or '''K3b''' to erase a CD-RW disk, and create/burn a new data project.
+
sudo bless --device /dev/disk0s1 --setBoot --legacy
−
#* In '''Brasero'''
+
* You will be prompted for your password, enter "freegeek". It will look like nothing happened, but it worked!
−
#** To erase a disc, go to '''Tools -> Blank''' in '''Brasero''''s context menu
 
−
#** To burn a disc, click on the '''Data Project''' button, drag and drop a bunch of files from the Examples folder in the default user's home directory (you can pull up the current user's home directory by going to '''Places -> Home Folder''' via the context menu in the upper-left corner of the screen)
 
−
#* In '''K3b'''
 
−
#** To erase a disc, go to '''Tools -> Format/Erase rewritable disk''' in '''K3b''''s context menu
 
−
#** To burn a disc, go to '''File -> New Project -> New Data Project''' in '''K3b''''s context menu, drag and drop a bunch of files from the Examples folder in the default user's home directory (you can pull up the current user's home directory by going to '''Places -> Home Folder''' via the context menu in the upper-left corner of the screen)
 
−
# If machine has a DVD drive:
 
−
#* Insert a data DVD and inspect directory contents. If you can see the files on a disc, it probably works.
 
 
----
 
----
  
−
===Check if WiFi works (if the system has a wireless card)===
+
=Next Steps=
−
*Unplug the network cable
+
Once you have finished all of these steps, the computer is ready for a QC.  Check in with your instructor to check if there is time left in the shift for you to finish this yourself.  If there is time, the instructions for the QC Checklist are [[MacBuild Intel QC Checklist|here]].  If the shift is nearly over, please put your tools away and clean up your area to prepare the space for the next shift.
−
*Use Network Manager to find, and switch to, Free Geek's wireless network
 
−
*Open up a web browser and navigate to any page
 
−
*If the browser takes you to either the intended page or the Free Geek Wireless page, the wireless card works
 
−
* '''REMEMBER:''' Plug the network cable back in once you're done testing the wireless, as you'll need to be on the wired network for the '''printme''' process
 
  
−
----
 
−
===Generate "printme" report for system===
 
−
#Set up the printer by selecting System - Administration - Printing. When the printers window opens, select server and then settings and click on the top box (access printers shared by other computers). Close the printing window.
 
−
# In a terminal, type '''''printme'''''
 
−
#* Enter your volunteer ID in the Volunteer ID field
 
−
#* Job should be changed to Builder
 
−
#* Type should be changed to Apple
 
−
#* Choose whether the computer is covered or not (if it has an '''Uncovered Electronic Device''' sticker on it somewhere, it's NOT covered.  If it does NOT have a '''Uncovered Electronic Device''' sticker, it's covered)
 
−
#* Choose whether the computer is an FG-PDX system or not (if it has a '''FG-PDX''' sticker, it's covered.  If it does NOT have a '''FG-PDX''' sticker, it's NOT covered)
 
−
#* Notes should include the following information:
 
−
#** 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
 
−
#** If WiFi or disc burning work in OS X but not in Ubuntu, note it here
 
−
# When asked where to print the report, select the printer '''Double'''.
 
−
----
 
  
−
===Power down the system, attach the printme sheet, and take to the store or place on storage shelf as appropriate.===
+
[[Category:Macintosh Archive]]
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[[MacBuild Intel Checklist en Espanol | En Espanol]]

Latest revision as of 13:18, 21 February 2014

Getting Started

Visual inspections

  • What kind of computer are you working on? Is it a tower, laptop, all-in-one? Does it have an Intel or PPC processor? What's the model number printed on the bottom (if you can read it, mark it on your triage checklist)?
  • Check for damage

If the case is dirty, clean it off with a rag. If the (laptop) battery looks beaten up or warped, change it with a good one.

Set Up Your Computer

SEE MACBUILD SPECS TO DETERMINE WHAT KINDS OF HARDWARE YOU SHOULD BE INSTALLING IN THE COMPUTER YOU ARE REBUILDING

Towers:

  • Replace RAM with tested memory (if we have the appropriate tested RAM)
  • If the computer has an Intel processor, install a hard drive with a Xubuntu image installed
  • If the computer has a PPC processor, install a blank hard drive

Laptops:

  • Find the appropriate power supply for your laptop. Check the bottom of the laptop for power requirements. Ask your instructor if you can't find this.
  • Laptop RAM is never tested before being installed, so you can leave the RAM the computer came with for the moment
  • For MacBooks -- replace the HDD with an imaged one
  • For iBooks, MacBook Pros and other hard-to-work-on laptops, leave the HDD where it is and you'll follow directions to wipe it later
  • Attach keyboard/mouse, monitor, network cable, and power cord (as necessary)

iMacs:

  • INTEL: HDDs are difficult to install, so you'll wipe the drive and install an operating system following the directions in this packet later. RAM is easy to install, but it's laptop-sized memory, which we only test in systems, so it's okay to leave the pre-installed RAM where you'll test it later.
  • PPC: HDDs are difficult to install, so you'll wipe the drive following the directions in this packet later. Depending on the model, RAM is easy to install. Check the model number on iFixit.com to see which one you have. Ask your instructor for clarification.

OS X Triage

Booting into OS X

There are a couple of ways to boot into OSX 10. Apple computers tend to boot to external hard drives more reliably, but the hard drives themselves are not as reliable as the network. As of writing this, Photobooth is not available on network boots, so if you are working on a computer with a built-in camera, you should boot to an external drive to test the camera.

From Network:

  • Connect ethernet cable from the wall to the system
  • Hold down the N key on the keyboard while the system starts up to enter the network boot screen.

From External HDD:

  • Connect the OS X 10.5 Firewire HDD to the system
  • Connect the Firewire HDD to a power source
  • Make sure the Firewire HDD is turned on (there's a power switch on the back of the drive)
  • Hold the Option key on the keyboard while system starts up to enter the Startup Manager
  • Select the Firewire drive (OS X Testing HDD) from the Startup Manager to boot into OS X
  • If a warning box appears while you are logging in, just click "ignore"

Confirm hardware

  • Click on the System Profiler icon in the dock.
  • Check the ATA and Memory sections of System Profiler to confirm that it matches what you've added to the system so far
    • If you did not install RAM or a HDD earlier, check the amount of memory now and compare with the MacBuild Spec Sheet. You can adjust RAM by shutting the computer down and removing or adding RAM at this point. Remember that you will probably still need to test the RAM
    • If it fails to see the HDD or reports the amount of memory incorrectly, the system may have a bad logic board and end up getting recycled. Ask an instructor for troubleshooting assistance
  • Check the Disc Burning section of System Profiler to see what the optical drive in the system can do
  • Fill out the system specs on the Keeper label if they are not already filled out

Test CD writing

If you determined that the optical drive in the system can write CD-RWs, do the following:

  • Erase a rewritable CD disk
    • Insert a CD-RW disk
    • Open up Disk Utility (Click on the Disk Utility icon in the dock)
    • Click on the optical drive on the left sidebar of the Disk Utility window
    • Click on the Erase tab that comes up on the right side of the window
    • Confirm that it will perform a quick erase, and click on the Erase button
    • When the erasing is complete you'll get a dialog box. Choose Open Finder from the drop down menu and click OK. This will mount the disk on the desktop.
  • Write to a blank rewritable disk
    • Select the burnme.cdr file in the left panel of Disk Utility and click the Burn button at the top of Disk Utility.
    • The disk should automatically eject when finished. If the disk icon still appears on the desktop, drag it into the trash.

Check if WiFi works

  • Click on the AirPort icon near the upper-right corner of the screen
  • Check to see if the Freegeek wireless network shows up on the list

Disconnect the wired network, select Freegeek from the list, open up a browser, and navigate to any web page. If you see the Free Geek click-through page, it works.

Stress test the CPU

  • Click on the cpu test icon in the dock
  • choose primenet as the test type and start test
    • This should take 3-10 minutes
  • If this or any other test fails, mark the printme sheet with the test results and sell the computer as-is, or recycle it - ask your instructor

Stress test the GPU

  • Set up the screen saver for the GPU test.
    • Under the Apple menu select System Preferences > Desktops and Screen Saver
    • Scroll down to the bottom and select GPULife
    • Select Options, unclick limit framerate and click show framerate
    • Set Zoom to 1 and click OK
  • Drag your mouse arrow to the very bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
  • A black screen should come up with lots of colorful moving dots which are being generated by the GPU.
  • Look for any artifacting (obvious glitches, lines, popping lights, cross hatching), this points to GPU failure.
  • Check to see that the frames per second number at the bottom left-hand of the screen stays consistent.
  • If everything looks good after a minute or so, you can exit the screen by moving your mouse out of the corner.
  • If there are any gross artifacts, such as lines on the screen or a plaid screen, consult your instructor. Occasional white pixels are OK.

Test the iSight camera (Laptop and iMac only)

  • Double click on the OS X Testing HDD icon and then double click on Applications. Double click on the Photo Booth application to open it. If you can see yourself in the Photo Booth application the camera works.

Check The Battery (laptop only)

  • Select the Coconut Battery icon from dock. Note the battery capacity (not the current charge) and remember that we will need to enter this value in the Notes portion of the printme sheet. For example: "according to Coconut Battery the battery has 67% of original capacity".

Test the memory

This test should only be run if you were not able to install all tested memory (anything with Laptop RAM or older iMacs)

  • Open "rember" by clicking on the icon in the dock.
  • click OK, leave selected default settings, and run the test.
    • The test should take 5-30 minutes depending on the amount of RAM and the speed of the processor. With large amounts of RAM (over 1.0 GB) it may take up to an hour.
  • If any memory fails the test, replace it with good tested memory

Bless the Hard Drive

  • Open a terminal and type
sudo bless --device /dev/disk0s1 --setBoot --legacy
  • You will be prompted for your password, enter "freegeek". It will look like nothing happened, but it worked!

Next Steps

Once you have finished all of these steps, the computer is ready for a QC. Check in with your instructor to check if there is time left in the shift for you to finish this yourself. If there is time, the instructions for the QC Checklist are here. If the shift is nearly over, please put your tools away and clean up your area to prepare the space for the next shift.

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