Computer Builds

Stage 1

Tear-down of recyclable computers to learn parts and how they go together (1-2 times or until participant is comfortable with parts ID)

• refer to posted diagrams and ask staff if help is needed id'ing parts
• list of parts? Put parts list in appendix?
• process
• unplug cables...
• list out suggested steps? Need diagrams?

Stage 2

Tear-down and reconstruction of a known-to-be-working computer with no 'issues' -- repeat Stage 1 and reverse process – plug it in – does it work?

Stage 3

Construct a working computer from parts (available in garage)

• Collect necessary parts:
• “Stripped” computer (case, power supply, motherboard)
• “Clean” hard drive, >20 GB
• Appropriate RAM (see RAM identification chart...), at least 512 MB
• Optical drive(s) – at least CD-R, if possible, or DVD?
• IDE cable(s) for the above
• Floppy drive(s), if computer originally included
• If not included on motherboard:
• sound
• video
• network (Ethernet)
• Install parts
• seat RAM
• insert add-on cards (video, sound, etc.) if applicable
• install drives
• set hard drive to Master; install on first/primary “channel” -- if motherboard has blue port use 80-pin (blue) IDE cable
• if one optical (CD or DVD) drive, set to Slave; install on same channel as HD
• if 2+ optical drives, put on separate (secondary) channel/cable from hard drive; set one to Master, one to slave
• floppy & floppy cable (the one with a “twist”)
• connect keyboard & mouse
• power
• Boot to BIOS
• When first turning on computer, hit indicated key (“press X for setup”), Delete and/or do “F key dance” (e.g. press F1, F2, etc.)
• Make sure date/time are correct – if not, motherboard battery may be bad, and errors may occur during installation
• Check to see if:
• drives are detected
• booting from optical disc (CD-ROM) is enabled
• exit BIOS, saving any changes
• insert Ubuntu CD-ROM (10.04.1?)
• run Memtest
• if prompted, hit F4 and choose “OEM installation” (if not, install oem-config-gtk later and run Prepare for End User or oem-config-prepare)
• use entire disk
• username: oem
• password: freegeek
• reboot & verify that everything looks OK
• download & install available updates
• if install has issues, reboot to CD and run verify