Evaluation

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Contents

Introduction

The purpose of Evaluation is to clean and test incoming computers.

  • Computers that pass Eval will be sent to Build to be refurbished.
  • Computers that fail Eval will be sent to Dismantling to be recycled.

Setup

Chose one of the 3 Eval stations and make sure you have the following items:

  1. A pair of gloves (can be obtained by donation from the Free Geek Thrift Store)
  2. Test RAM (Should be on top shelf in front of Eval monitors)
    • 1 DDR1 and 1 DDR2 for each Eval station (will have large white sticker marked EVAL DDR1 or DDR2)
  3. A slot style screw driver 3/16" (looks like - )
  4. A Phillips screw driver PH#2 (bigger size) (looks like + )
    • You may also need a Torx screw driver T15 (looks like * )
    and a pair of tin snips/wire cutters (scissors won't do)
  5. A PS/2 keyboard Image:ps2.png (round 6 pin connector, usually purple) (should be in a bin on top shelf of Eval marked [Eval Keyboards])
    • Make sure there is a USB keyboard Image:usb.jpg handy in case the computer you are evaluating does not have a PS/2 port (should be in a bin on top shelf of Eval marked [Eval Keyboards])
  6. Keeper sheets for computers that pass Evaluation (should be in a bucket under top shelf marked [Keeper Sheets])
  7. A permanent marker (NOT white board/dry erase) for computers that fail Evaluation (should be in a cup of pens under top shelf, 1 for each station)
  8. A pen for filling in keeper sheets (should be in a cup of pens under top shelf, 1 for each station)
  9. Your volunteer number for filling in keeper sheets (if you don't have a volunteer number yet than just use your name)
  10. Find the VGA cable for you're stations monitor M1,M2 or M3 Image:vga.png
  11. Find you're stations power cord P1,P2 or P3 Image:Pc_power.png

The following items should also be in Eval:

  1. A hard drive marked [Eval Hard Drive IDE Ubuntu] (chained to eval bench between monitors M2 and M3, marked [Eval Hard Drive IDE]
  2. A hard drive marked [Eval Hard Drive SATA Ubuntu] (chained to eval bench between monitors M1 and M2, marked [Eval Hard Drive SATA]
  3. A vacuum cleaner for cleaning computers being evaluated (should be under Eval bench)
  4. A power supply tester (should be on top shelf on right side of monitor M1, marked [Power Supply Tester])
  5. 2 power supplies marked EVAL (should be under top shelf)
  6. A bin of Eval video cards some PCI some AGP and some PCIx16 (should be on top shelf between monitors M1 and M2, marked [Eval Cards])
  7. A DVI Image:dvi.png to VGA adapter (should be on top shelf with Eval video cards) Image:dvitovga.png
  8. A place for hard drives (spot under top shelf marked [Hard Drives])
  9. A bin for untested RAM under 512MBs (should be under top shelf marked [RAM under 512MBs])
  10. A bin for untested RAM 512MBs or more (should be under top shelf marked [RAM 512MBs or more])
  11. A tray for CPUs 1.8Ghz/1800+ or higher from failed computers (should be under top shelf)
  12. A bin for CPUs under 1.8Ghz/1800+ from failed computers (should be under top shelf marked [CPUs under 1800+/1.8Ghz])
  13. A rag for cleaning heat sink compound off CPUs from failed computers (should be under top shelf)
  14. 3 Small bins for screws, 1 for each station (should be under top shelf marked [Screws])
  15. A scrap bin (should be under Eval bench)

Next prepare workstation:

  • Put loose screws in bins marked screws
  • Clear work space of junk (anything not used for eval)
  • Turn on power bar, monitor/s, light/s

Process

Chose a computer to evaluate

Computers that come from Receiving are placed on a pallet to the right of the evaluation bench. Any computer piled here should be waiting for evaluation.

Initial inspection

1) Case Exterior Inspection

Visually inspect case checking for:
  • Discoloration, yellowing/browning, deep scratches, patches of missing paint, doodles in permanent marker, rust, algae, tar from excessive smoking
  • Damaged front cover (cracked, discolored, badly scratched, falls off easily or completely missing)
  • Dents, bent corners
  • Twisted, warped or distorted frame
  • Missing panels (sides, top, bottom, back, front)
  • Panels that don't fit (warped, bent, dented)
Sometimes panels and front covers from failed computers can be "harvested" to replace missing or damaged case parts

If it has any of these then they fail.

For cases that fail visual inspection:
  1. Open the case (see: 2) Open the Case)
  2. Remove hard drives (see: 3) Identify and Remove Hard Drives), power supply, motherboard (attach motherboard back plate to motherboard with tape)
  3. Evaluate the motherboard separately (see: Evaluating Motherboards)
  4. Using a permanent marker (not a whiteboard/dry erase marker) write on the back or bottom of the case (Not on a part that comes off like front or removable side panel):
    EF or E with a cross through it (Eval Fail) and:
    • CF (Case Fail)
  5. Close the case securing any loose parts/side panels
  6. Stack the case against the back wall of Dismantle:
    • On it's side in a safe secure manner
    • No higher than the white board (3' feet/1m meter)
From time to time we receive "nice cases" that require special attention

Keep cases that have the following features: (even if the internal components fail)

  • has a streamlined design
  • Cool stuff that glows or lights up
  • See through side and/or top panels
  • Is a color other than beige
  • Mini-ITX form factor
  • Some cases made by: "Antec", "Lian-li", "Alienware", "Thermaltake", "Corsair",
  • Anything you think is really cool (the phrase "I'd pay money for that" comes to mind)

If you're unsure ask a staff member

If you find a nice case but the internal components fail see: Failed Computers With Nice Cases

2) Open the Case

Not all cases are made the same and trying to explain how to open all of them would take far to long.

Instead this section will cover the most common styles and will give hints for less common styles

  1. Lay the computer on its side with the motherboard on the bottom
    • The motherboard backplate (where all the connectors for keyboard, mouse, USB, Ethernet, are) will be closer to one side, that's the side the motherboard's attached to
  2. Remove screws holding the side panel (the side opposite the motherboard)
    • Keep case screws to secure side panels after eval (pass or fail, loose side panels are dangerous and can slide off or cause entire stacks of cases to fall)
    • Spare case screws can usually be "harvested" from the power supplies of failed computers
  3. Some side panels:
    • Slide to the back than off
    • Slide to the front than off (usually have to remove front cover)
    • Slide to the top than off (usually have to remove top cover)
    • Are 2 or 3 sided
    • Are hinged on one side
    • Have a tab, lever or button/s (usually on the sides or front for buttons, on the back or side's for levers, on the sides for tabs)
    • Are jammed or stuck and may require some "convincing" with a slot style screwdriver (please use cation when forcing things)
    • Are locked! (look for keys attached to the case and if you can't find any ask a staff member to help you)

Hints:

  • On some cases only one side opens (this is good, it means everything is designed to come out from that side and possibly the front)
  • Dells usually have buttons on the top and bottom and are hinged at the front or have a lever at the back that releases the side panel
  • IBM/Lenovos usually have a lever at the back or on the side that releases the side panel, also there's usually a button at the back near the top that releases the front
  • Some servers have a lever at the back (usually near the bottom) and a button on the front (usually near the bottom) and are hinged at the top.

3) Identify and Remove Hard Drives

This is the most important step in Eval as hard drives could contain personal information

ALL RECORDABLE MEDIA MUST BE SECURELY ERASED OR DESTROYED!!!

This means all hard drives MUST BE sent to hard drive testing where they will be securely wiped (all data is erased, then a test pattern is written over all available space (making it impossible to recover any erased data) and is than checked to be absolutely certain that all data has been completely erased)

Hard drives that fail testing and other recordable media (VHS/SVHS tapes, Data tapes, Data reals, Audio cassettes, Data cassettes, CDR/RWs, DVDR/RWs, Floppy disks: 8", 5 1/4", 3 1/2") MUST BE DESTROYED

HDD/Hard disk drives come in different shapes and sizes but all have the same basic design:

  • Has a sealed metal casing (you can't put a disk/CD/DVD into it)
  • Usually has a 4 inch base (same size as a 3.5" floppy drive)
    • Sometimes has a 5 3/4" Base (same size as a CD/DVD drive)
  • Has connectors for data and power at the back:
    • SCSI: 50pin flat ribbon cable and 4pin power
    • IDE: 40pin flat ribbon cable and 4pin power
    • SATA: 8pin SATA ribbon cable and 15pin SATA power

Be sure to REMOVE ALL HARD DRIVES!!!:

  1. Disconnect the data and power cables
  2. Remove screws securing the hard drive/s to the case
    • Some cases have a tab/s or lever/s to release the hard drive/s (Dells, IBM/Lenovo)
    • Some cases have special mounting brackets/parts/cages, please reinstall these parts after removing the hard drive/s (It can be frustrating for builders when important hard drive mounting components are missing)
    • Remove any drive rails attached to the hard drive/s (part that guide's the hard drive/s in or out of the case)
  3. Stack hard drives on the eval bench (there should be a spot for hard drives)

4) Vacuum the case

Pay attention to the bottom of the case, flat cables, and any place where fans have been blowing. Also vacuum the outside rear and front of the case.

Incompatibles

Check the Incompatibles list for the make of computer you are evaluating. If the computer is on the list ask a staff member where it should go

Visual triage

Do an initial visual inspection and Fail the computer if you find any of the following:

  1. Any capacitors that are blown (Capacitor plague)
    Any capacitor which is bulging or has material coming out of the top is dead. Touching the top of the capacitor is the best method of locating bulged caps. There is a motherboard at Eval with examples of blown caps.
  2. If it has a slot style CPU (most PentiumII and PentiumIIIs)
  3. If it has Rambus RAM or SDRAM
    Some SDRAM computers may be worth continuing to evaluate. If there are a lot of the same computers being evaluated (multiples of the same computer can be used for hardware grants or sold to some wholesalers)

If the computer Fails:

  1. Remove the CPU if it's a socket type (not slot style)
    • Wipe off the heat sink compound with a rag
    • If the CPU is 1.8Ghz(Intel)/1800+(AMD) or more put it on a CPU try
    • If the CPU is under 1.8Ghz(Intel)/1800+(AMD) put it in the bin marked CPUs under 1.8Ghz/1800+
  2. Remove the RAM (place untested RAM in a bin marked RAM)
  3. Using a permanent marker (not a whiteboard/dry erase marker) write on the back or bottom of the case (Not on a part that comes off like front or removable side panel):
    EF or E with a cross through it (Eval Fail) and:
    • BC for Blown Caps
    • SS for Slot Style CPU
    • RR for Rambus [dynamic] RAM (RDRAM)
    • SD for Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)
    • NC for No CPU
  4. Close the case securing any loose parts/side panels
  5. Stack the case against the back wall of Dismantle:
    • On it's side in a safe secure manner
    • No higher than the white board (3' feet/1m meter)

If it does not have CPU, but is a socket type and it passes the other criteria:

  • Pull out the motherboard and send it to Motherboard testing in the build area
  • Eval the case as normal

Post Triage

After a computer passes Visual triage attempt to determine whether the computer boots (posts) and is fast enough to be reused as build fodder.

  1. Check the computer for RAM
    • If there is no RAM in the computer, install the eval RAM provided.
    most servers use ECC RAM (not provided), ECC RAM can usually be obtained from Ram Testing
    If there is no ECC RAM available ask a staff member for assistance
  2. Check for video out
    Video out is usually a blue 15 pin (VGA) connector or a 29/23 pin (DVI) connector:
    If there is no video out connector install an eval video card
  3. Connect your stations keyboard
    If there is a 6 pin PS/2 connector (usually purple) than use a PS/2 keyboard
    If there is no PS/2 connector than use a USB keyboard
  4. Connect your stations monitor
    If there is already a video card installed connect the monitor to this and not to the video out attached to the motherboard
  5. Most power supplies have a red (supply voltage selector) switch that is set to either: 115v or 230v
    It MUST be set to 115 or it could EXPLODE
    It is set to 115v when 115 is the only number visible on the switch

The computers that are donated to Free Geek are almost always post consumer (meaning they've been used) and are often donated because they do not work anymore. Any number of things could be wrong with the computers that are donated

  • Sometimes these problems can be fixed in eval, if you have trouble with the next steps see the It Won't Boot section for help

Attempt to determine the model and:

  • Clock speed for Intel
  • Performance rating for AMD

For Intels:

  • The clock speed will be in Ghz (gigahertz, 1.8Ghz or more) or Mhz (megahertz, 1800Mhz or more), note 1800 Mhz = 1.8 Ghz

For AMDs:

  • A performance rating of 1800+ or higher (this is not the same as the clock speed in Ghz, for example an Athlon XP with a performance rating of 1800+ will have a clock speed of 1533Mhz/1.533Ghz)

The POST screen (with the CPU model and clock speed/performance rating) usually clears before you have a chance to read it:

  • Use the pause key to pause the boot process
  • Use the space bar to resume the boot process
By pausing, resuming and pausing again you can step through the boot process
  1. Connect your stations power cord
  2. Turn on the computer
    • Some power supplies have an ON OFF switch (1 for ON, 0 for OFF)
    Set this to on (1)
    • If the computer does not turn on automatically than push the power button (usually on the front of the case)
    • The power button should be marked by a circle with a vertical line dividing the top (power button symbol)

Hopefully the computer now boots and shows some kind of POST

  • If the POST screen does not show the CPU information than try entering the BIOS
    • Restart the computer and repeatedly press the [Del], [F1], [F2]
    • If these keys don't work restart and try [Enter], [F10], [Ins]
    • If you still can't get into the BIOS refer to the BIOS sheet for likely key combinations

When you enter the BIOS setup use the arrow keys to navigate and enter to select submenus

Look for the following to find the CPU information:
  • Near the top of the screen
  • In the System Information submenu (sometimes the System Information submenu is under Advanced Settings)
  • In the Advanced Settings tab

Not all BIOS setups will show the CPU model and clock speed

  • If you cant find the CPU information ask a staff member for assistance

When you've determined the CPU clock speed is 1.8Ghz/1800Mhz or more (for Intel) or a performance rating of 1800+ or more (for AMD) and the Model:

  • Complete a Keeper sheet (Do not turn off the computer before you've filled out the keeper sheet as its easy to forget what the CPU information was)
  • See: completing a Keeper sheet
  • Unplug the:
    1. Power
    2. Keyboard and monitor
    3. Any components you installed to eval the computer (eval RAM,eval video card)
  • Reattach any drive rails, important case parts that were removed during eval
  • Close the case securing any front/side panels with correct (coarse thread) case screws
  • Attach the complete keeper sheet to the front of the case with masking tape (Do not tape to cover plates that may fall off)
  • Store the passed computer with the Eval passes. Ask the warehouse coordinator where eval passes are currently being stored.

If the CPU is below 1.8Ghz/1800+

  1. Remove any components you installed to eval the computer (eval RAM,eval video card)
  2. Remove the RAM (place untested RAM in a bin marked RAM)
  3. Using a permanent marker (not a whiteboard/dry erase marker) write on the back or bottom of the case (Not on a part that comes off like front or removable side panel):
    EF or E with a cross through it (Eval Fail) and:
    • TS (Too Slow)
  4. Close the case securing any loose parts/side panels
  5. Stack the case against the back wall of Dismantle:
    • On it's side in a safe secure manner
    • No higher than the white board (3' feet/1m meter)

If the computer fails for some other reason than its to slow:

  1. Remove the CPU:
    • Wipe off the heat sink compound with a rag
    • If the CPU is 1.8Ghz(Intel)/1800+(AMD) or more put it on a CPU try
    • If the CPU is under 1.8Ghz(Intel)/1800+(AMD) put it in the bin marked CPUs under 1.8Ghz/1800+
  2. Remove any components you installed to eval the computer (eval RAM,eval video card)
  3. Remove the RAM (place untested RAM in a bin marked RAM)
  4. Using a permanent marker (not a whiteboard/dry erase marker) write on the back or bottom of the case (Not on a part that comes off like front or removable side panel):
    EF or E with a cross through it (Eval Fail) and:
    • X (for total or unknown failure)
  5. Close the case securing any loose parts/side panels
  6. Stack the case against the back wall of Dismantle:
    • On it's side in a safe secure manner
    • No higher than the white board (3' feet/1m meter)

Evaluating Motherboards

Evaluating a motherboard is almost the same process as evaluating a complete computer:

  1. Identify and Remove Hard Drives
  2. Vacuum the motherboard
  3. Check the Incompatibles list
  4. Do Visual triage
  5. Connect the eval power supply (See: Connect the eval power supply subsection of: It Won't Boot)
  6. Do Post Triage

If the motherboard passes:

  1. Remove
  2. Complete a keeper sheet
  3. Attach the complete keeper sheet to the motherboard with masking tape

If the motherboard fails at any stage:

  1. Remove the CPU if it's a socket type (not slot style)
    • Wipe off the heat sink compound with a rag
    • If the CPU is 1.8Ghz(Intel)/1800+(AMD) or more put it on a CPU try
    • If the CPU is under 1.8Ghz(Intel)/1800+(AMD) put it in the bin marked CPUs under 1.8Ghz/1800+
  2. Remove any components you installed to eval the computer (eval RAM,eval video card)
  3. Remove the RAM (place untested RAM in a bin marked RAM)
  4. Using a permanent marker (not a whiteboard/dry erase marker) write on the motherboard:
    EF or E with a cross through it (Eval Fail) and the reason for failure:
    • BC for Blown Caps
    • SS for Slot Style CPU
    • RR for Rambus [dynamic] RAM (RDRAM)
    • SD for Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)
    • NC for No CPU
    • TS (Too Slow)
    • X (for total or unknown failure)
  5. Place it on the Dismantle bench

It Won't Boot

Free Geek receives all manner of used computers

Filling Out A Keeper Sheet

For machines that pass Eval fill out a Keeper Sheet

Keeper Sheets are located in a bin on the Eval bench
  1. Start by filling in your volunteer number and Date. yy/mm/dd
  2. In the [RAM Slots] section:
    • Indicate how many of what type of RAM by circling the appropriate number
      • SDRAM: 1.2.3.4
      • DDR: 1.2.3.4
      • DDR2: 1.2.3.4
  3. In the [Processor Name] section:
    1. Circle the type of processor
    2. If its a multi core processor than circle how many
      • Core Amount 1.2.3.4
  4. In the [CPU Model Number/Speed] section:
    • With a pen write the speed in Gigahertz (1.8 ghz or more for Intel) or performance rating (1800+ or more for AMD)
  5. Mark the [Multi Processor Capable] check box only if there are multiple processor slots (more than one CPU)
    • This is not the same as multi core ( 1 processor with multiple cores)
  6. Indicate how many expansion slots the motherboard has
    • _PCI
    • _AGP
    • _PCIex16
    • _PCIex1
    • _PCIex4
    • _PCIex8
      • If there are other special expansion slots (CNR, ANR, WiFi) indicate how many in the [Notes] Secton
  7. Mark the [Successful POST] (Power On Self Test) check box if you were able to get a boot menu (needed to determine processor speed) or saw an error free POST screen (use the pause key to hold on the POST screen)
  8. Indicate any problems that you might have encountered during Eval:
    • No or faulty power supply
    • no on-board video
    • Noisy, faulty or broken fans
    • Missing damaged drive rails
    • If speacial RAM is needed (indicate what RAM was used to Eval)

Failed Computers With Nice Cases

If you find a nice case but the internal components fail:

  1. Identify and Remove Hard Drives
  2. Remove the motherboard and evaluate separately
  3. Remove any optical drives (keep drive rails)
  4. If the power supply is:
    • Under 350watts than remove it (reattach any mounting hardware)
    • 350watts or more than:
    Test the power supply (see the: [Test the power supply] subsection of: It Won't Boot
    • If the power supply fails than remove it (reattach any mounting hardware)
    • If the power supply passes than leave it in the case
  5. Vacuum the case
  6. Reattach any case parts removed for eval
  7. Close the case securing any loose parts/side panels
  8. Attach a keeper sheet to the front of the case with masking tape (Do not tape to cover plates that may fall off)
  9. Put the case in front of the store box in receiving

Helpful Tips

If the power button connector(to the motherboard) is not connected see staff. Also check out the motherboard pin out page for certain models.

Having problems getting in the BIOS, check out the Entering BIOS page

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