Build

From FGVwiki

Contents 1 Purpose of the Build Program 2 Steps for Building 2.1 1. Where Build Machines Come From 2.2 2. Starting a Build 2.3 3. Moving to the Bench 2.4 4. Checking Capacitors 2.5 5. Powering Up 2.6 6. Adding Components 2.7 7. Operating System Installation 2.7.1 Installing over the Network 2.7.2 Installing from CD-ROM 2.8 8. Finishing The Build 2.9 9. Where to Leave Build Machines 3 Additional Notes

Purpose of the Build Program

In the Build Program, Builders take suitable machines from the Warehouse and assemble them to meet certain standards. They can be built either for a particular grant, or to stock the shelves for sale or future grants. They must go through a separate QC (Quality Control) process, which is not performed by the builder who built the machine.

Steps for Building

1. Where Build Machines Come From

Build machines come from the warehouse, at the bottom of the stairs, on the right. There is a pile of machines there that have completed Eval 2. They should have speed and architecture (e.g. AMD 1.4) written on the back in felt marker.

2. Starting a Build

Every machine that enters the Mezzanine *must* have a build sheet attached identifying the builder. Once you get a machine from the warehouse, attach a green Build Sheet to it with tape. Write your name (as the Builder) and the current date on the top of the sheet.

3. Moving to the Bench

Find a spot on the Build Bench and open the machine. Survey it quickly to ensure that it looks OK (e.g. no irreplaceable case parts missing etc).

4. Checking Capacitors

Check the capacitors on the motherboard to ensure that the top is not stained or bulging outward. Capacitors are cylinders, generally black with silver tops, about the same diameter as a AA battery and half the height. If they are OK, mark this on the build sheet in the appropriate box.

5. Powering Up

Try to power up the machine as early as possible in the build process. To do this, ensure that it has:

- A case, motherboard, CPU, power supply. (If it has passed Eval II, it should have these.) - Video output, either built into the motherboard or using a separate card. - RAM of the appropriate size and type. (We are typically building with AT LEAST 384MB, which is one 256MB stick and one 128MB stick.)

If the machine has all of these, ensure it is plugged in to the build station (power, mouse, keyboard, video) and turn on the computer. You should see boot-up information on the screen.

6. Adding Components

If a machine is being built for a grant, the grant form may contain information about the specific components that should be used for the build. Otherwise, the machine should be built with components that roughly match the speed of the machine. For example, a low-end machine (P3 1GHz) should receive a small-ish hard disk (e.g. at least 10GB but not much more). A higher end machine (a P4 2.4GHz) should receive a 30GB or 40GB hard disk.

All build machines should at least have the components listed above under "Powering Up", plus:

• Audio (usually on the motherboard)
• Network (usually on the motherboard)
• USB (usually on the motherboard)
• Hard disk (at least 10GB, depending on the machine's speed)
• Optical drive (CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM)
• Floppy drive

Add these components one at a time, as necessary, testing to ensure that they seem to be working as needed. They will be tested more thoroughly during the "Operating System Installation" and "Quality Control" steps.

As you install each component, note its make and model information on the Build Sheet in the appropriate box. Make sure, for example, that the "Hard Disk" box contains the size of the drive you have installed.

7. Operating System Installation

The machine is now ready for the Operating System (Ubuntu 8.04) to be installed. This can be done over the network (the best way) or from a CD-ROM (not as fast or reliable).

Installing over the Network

To install Ubuntu over the network, you will need a Netboot compatible network adapter. Most internal network adapters will do. For PCI network adapters, ensure that a boot ROM is installed (or get an Intel or 3COM adapter from the box of cards labeled "Netboot").

Ensure that PXE Netboot is enabled in the BIOS settings and that the network card is first on the list of boot devices.

Plug a network cable from the build bench into the network jack on the computer you are building.

When booting, if everything is configured correctly, you will see a blue menu containing options like "Install Hardy Heron 8.04 (Automatic)". DOUBLE-CHECK THIS TEXT

Choose this option. The installation will begin. Check the process occasionally to make sure that it is working properly.

Installing from CD-ROM

(Do we want to document and support this process? We do not currently have any discs burnt and ready.)

8. Finishing The Build

Once the Operating System has been installed, the system will prompt the builder and then reboot into Ubuntu. At this point, the following components are considered to be tested by the Builder and should be marked on the build sheet:

• CPU
• Motherboard
• RAM
• Video
• Network (if a network install was done), or
• CD-ROM (if a CD-ROM install was done)
• Hard Disk

The following will still need to be tested before they can be checked off as tested by the builder:

• Network (if a network install was not done): Plug in a network cable and browse to a website.
• CD-ROM (if a CD-ROM install was not done): Insert a CD-ROM and make sure it is recognized and can be read.
• USB: Use a USB mouse. Check rear USB ports, and front USB ports if there are any.
• Audio: Plug in speakers and go to System -> Preferences -> Sound. Use the "Test" button beside Sound Playback. The audio may be very quiet if you are not using amplified speakers, but if you hear a tone, it is working.
• Floppy: Go to Places -> Floppy Drive. If the floppy drive light comes on and then goes off after a second or so, it is considered working. Ignore the error message, as you have not inserted a disk.

Any additional equipment installed or required for a grant should also be tested.

At this stage:

• All included equipment should have been at least briefly tested (manually or by the installation process as noted above)
• There should be detailed information about each component on the build sheet
• The operating system should be installed (and this should be marked on the build sheet).

The Builder should now:

• Shut the machine down and take a quick look over it
• Close the case
• Power the machine up again to make sure this did not disturb anything
• Shut it down and disconnect it
• Check the "Final Check By Builder" box on the build sheet
• Move the machine onto the metal rack, on the "To Be QC'd" shelf
• If it is to be used for a grant, write the name of the recipient on a piece of green tape and stick the tape where it is clearly visible from the front of the machine.

You are now finished! The machine will be QC'd before it is ready to go.

9. Where to Leave Build Machines

• The top two shelves of the steel rack are for built and QC'd machines.
• The bottom shelf of the steel rack is for in-progress machines. These must have build sheets attached and the name of the builder must be indicated, or they will be scrapped!
• The remaining shelf is for machines that have been built but are awaiting QC.

Please keep the build bench and floors clear.

Additional Notes

• All Build machines in the mezzanine must have a build sheet attached indicating the builder's name.
• All Build machines must be left on the appropriate shelf on the steel rack. The shelves are labeled.
• Keep the case sides (and front panels) with the machine. Otherwise these will get lost and you will have to either scrounge for another or scrap the machine.
• Try to keep the build benches clean.
• You will be sharing the build bench with others, so please try to keep your work compact.

Here is Build on Portland's wiki