Build

Build Program

All build documentation goes here!

How it works

The Build Program is our primary ongoing volunteer program. We take donated computers and see if they work. If they don't work, we replace hardware as necessary to fix them. If we can't fix them, we strip them for useful components and send them to a certified recycler for disposal.

Once our computers have been made functional, we install our standard desktop Linux distro (currently Xubuntu) on them to replace whatever they had before (most likely Windows) and turn it into a fully-functional multipurpose desktop! Also because Linux is both free and resource-efficient, it's a great way to give new life to old hardware.

All of this is done by volunteers and is intended to be an excellent way for them to learn about PC hardware and repair. Once you've built 4 computers you get to keep one of them!

Steps

Pre-Build - safety and basic hardware ID lecture. Should take ~45 mins

• Safety Class

Assessment - pick out some hardware that has already been received/logged, see if it boots. Note, hardware logging/determining whether its suitable for the build program or should just be recycled is something done by Donations beforehand. Wipe the HDD if it hasn't been done already.

Assembly - do whatever is needed to make the hardware bootable, install an OS. If the computer can't be fixed, divert to recycle

QC - make sure everything works and the computer is ready for sale or grant

What's needed

• Target machine
• Safety equipment: Eye protection, gloves, dust mask
• Tools: Screwdrivers + and -, large and small hex-head drivers
• Tray for small parts
• Bins for fasteners, etc

Procedure

Where conditionals are expressed, refer to session leader or label.If you are doing teardown, don't make assumptions / decisions about case parts, components or other bits unless you are also the person who tested the machine! If there are no labels, ask. If there's no one to ask, pick a different machine.

We provide guidance for first-time tear-downs. Always make sure a senior volunteer is available.

1. Ensure nothing is plugged in to the machine.
2. Ensure eye protection and gloves.
3. Remove all external case screws, sort and bin.
4. Pop case cover and remove.
5. Disconnect power supply from motherboard and all peripherals.
6. Remove internal cables, sort and bin them.
7. Remove internal peripherals (HDD, optical drives, card readers, anything that lives in a drive bay.) If HDD is Refurb, put in Pending Wipe area. (blue box)
8. Remove slot screws, slot blanks, and expansion cards.
9. Remove all internal screws. Sort and bin.
10. If case is recycle, remove drive bays and any other removable case parts.
11. Remove mainboard. Pull CPU with heatsink, pull RAM. If mainboard is recycle, pull CMOS battery. If CPU is recycle, remove heatsink.
12. If case is recycle:
    1. Remove any remaining fasteners.
    2. Pull off front panel.
    3. Use violence to reduce case to small parts.
    4. Chuck parts in recycle box.

What's Needed

• Setup station (Keyboard, mouse, monitor speakers or headphones, power, network connection)
• Live media or access to Install Server
• Slot blanks or tape
• FGSEA stickers
• Basic toolkit

Procedure

Source: http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/QC_checklist

1. Check that the case is closed and secure.
   1. If not, open it and check that:
   2. components are properly connected
   3. the interior is dust-free
   4. cables are tucked out of the way
   5. airflow path is unobstructed
   6. if any of above is not true, send unit back to builder.
   7. close and fasten the case.
2. Pick up the case and move it around, check for rattling sounds. If there's loose stuff inside, open up and take it out.
3. Ensure all slots, bays and ports are covered
   1. Cover ports that don't work with electrical tape. We have slot covers for empty slots.
4. Power on the machine. If it doesn't POST, send it back.
   1. Enter BIOS and ensure settings are correct (ask workshop lead if you don't know what settings are correct)
5. Boot from HDD. Does gdm greeter screen come up?
6. Reboot, this time from PXE (if supported) and run the automated test tools we haven't built yet :^/
   1. Harass the relevant Working Groups about that. If there aren't any, form one.

Procedure

Source: http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/QC_checklist

1. Check that the case is closed and secure.
   1. If not, open it and check that:
   2. components are properly connected
   3. the interior is dust-free
   4. cables are tucked out of the way
   5. airflow path is unobstructed
   6. if any of above is not true, send unit back to builder.
   7. close and fasten the case.
2. Pick up the case and move it around, check for rattling sounds. If there's loose stuff inside, open up and take it out.
3. Ensure all slots, bays and ports are covered
   1. Cover ports that don't work with electrical tape. We have slot covers for empty slots.
4. Power on the machine. If it doesn't POST, send it back.
   1. Enter BIOS and ensure settings are correct (ask workshop lead if you don't know what settings are correct)
5. Boot from HDD. Does gdm greeter screen come up?
6. Reboot, this time from PXE (if supported) and run the automated test tools we haven't built yet :^/
   1. Harass the relevant Working Groups about that. If there aren't any, form one.