UncleNUC Wiki

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====== UncleNUC Lab ======
===== Repair, Renew and Repurpose =====

++++Lab Setup|
  * Working NUCs
  * Various SO-DIMM RAM sticks for the different devices
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JGSPGGZ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07JGSPGGZ&linkId=47060ad926faae32bd4f685b657a41ca|A-Tech 8GB DDR3/DDR3L 1600MHz SODIMM 1.35V PRC3L-12800 2Rx8]]
    * DDR4-2400 1.2V SO-DIMM
    * DDR4-2666 1.2V SO-DIMM (10i7)
  * Various 19V power supplies ([[https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000007053/intel-nuc/intel-nuc-kits.html|link]])
    * 5.5mm  x 2.5mm x 15mm barrel connector
    * 65W (19V * 3.42A) is the most common for older NUCs ([[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PWLS6B8/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07PWLS6B8&linkId=5eef874e0780c6ebf46644c59efa4dfe|example generic power supply]])
    * 90W, 120W for 10i7 and similar
    * 230W power supply for some NUCs has a different for factor
    * NUC9 series have discrete video adapters and have an integrated power supply
    * Power powerful NUCs need higher wattage power supply
  * 19V power supply with connector to plug into "internal power supply" 2 pin connector
    * A NUC "internal" power supply is hard to come by
    * Or make an adapter from the barrel connector to the molex connection
      * Velleman CD017-1 DC Jack to Screw Terminal, 2.5 mm x 5.5 mm
      * 5557-02R Molex receptacle
  * Spare [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NZVFQRJ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B08NZVFQRJ&linkId=b51da9516cdc6f1fbb45de5a1b0ecef2|CR2032 batteries with molex connector]] to replace CMOS battery (these last 5-7 years)
  * Various SSDs
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075485RBX/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B075485RBX&linkId=105ada16eb176462a5bef618cf09a29f|mSATA]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0719D9YL7/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0719D9YL7&linkId=4086e958dd548696200079c781e62fe9|2.5" SSD]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084QDFDLZ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B084QDFDLZ&linkId=e28f2998464bcdb8054964af18af3379|M.2 SATA]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BN217QG/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07BN217QG&linkId=b95e4df83bb661772157e642627d89da|M.2 NVMe]]
  * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017M4J1BU/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B017M4J1BU&linkId=277f61326c21293c0ea2ae80744825fa|Wired USB keyboard]] and mouse (optionally use a wireless USB mouse)
  * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CB1QNLT/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B08CB1QNLT&linkId=a6fb36800d9b16c97ca89e9206f50e28|USB to Ethernet adapter]] for NUCs with no LAN
  * Wireless cards
    * Intel Dell Wireless-N 7260 Mini PCI-E WiFi Bluetooth card 300Mbps 7260 HMW Y74H6 
  * Display cables and adapters
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014I8TIV6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B014I8TIV6&linkId=a5e97e9dd11555d0934ec2678a84cc0d|HDMI cables]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GYMM3L5/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07GYMM3L5&linkId=808e492fda703515503304be2c26edec|Mini DP to HDMI adapters]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2HOS08/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00B2HOS08&linkId=998b94bb12a7393b385d5c5dd07c9348|Mini HDMI to HDMI adapters]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017Q8ZVWK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B017Q8ZVWK&linkId=6e370f762a10705c0d5a0e2669424b5a|DP to HDMI adapters]]
  * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YX9O9O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B007YX9O9O&linkId=d0829e02b0b5b2efc06e155639c762e0|USB sticks]]
    * [[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d|Windows 10 installation]] USB stick
    * [[https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop|Ubuntu 20.10 desktop]] installation USB stick
    * [[https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005636/intel-nuc.html|BIOS recovery]] USB stick (many NUCs share the same .bio file)
  * Cleaning supplies
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0775T6VXQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0775T6VXQ&linkId=752e7ad694e2788f414843f9e9e46176|Vacuum]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QJY6MKD/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07QJY6MKD&linkId=cce720d8a98b7ba3db06e4bc084a149d|Canned air]] or [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082XR3987/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B082XR3987&linkId=cbec59bea28d6cfe1eecdf7bcf14acab|blower]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GW9TJ3G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07GW9TJ3G&linkCode=as2&tag=unclenuc-20&linkId=c905bae6eca84e81d660e60da0a3eb23|ColorCoral Dust Cleaning Gel]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JTKER4Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01JTKER4Q&linkId=3e5d459a71652f92424572bb87f73756|Electronics Contact Cleaner]]
    * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UD0GFE/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B002UD0GFE&linkId=ff9a6a7809a7dd0cdb2cb08f12171046|Plastics clean and shine]]
    * Screws
      * NUC screws to replace missing screws (notebook screw kit works fine)
        * M2x3 ???? for M2 SSDs
        * M2.5 * 3 for mSATA SSDs (M2.5 * 4 works)
        * M2.5 * 5 for motherboard
        * M3 * 5 for 2.5" SSD and HDD
      * [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IYO5Q9I/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01IYO5Q9I&linkId=a9ac126b9e63d58d1f4747d3b5f65e9d|magnetic screw cup]]
      * magnetic small Philipps screwdriver (I use [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CKLVL3C/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B08CKLVL3C&linkId=f47fb44704f5ab98db1930c4da197266|this kit]])
      * Multi-meter
        * Check CMOS 3V battery residual voltage (new 3.3 volt; drops down to 2.8-2.7V it is considered dead; 10% than nominal voltage should be replaced)
        * Check power on board
++++

++++NUC arrives as fully "Working" (no missing parts)|
  * [[process:Initial_Clean|Initial Clean]]
  * Inventory the device against vs Expected Specifications
  * [[process:Initial Test]]
  * [[process:Update firmware]]
  * Use provided power adapter or compatible bench power adapter
  * Upgrade RAM as needed (my minimum is 4GB for Windows 10, preferred 8GB)
  * Install wireless card and/or antennas as needed
  * Reset or reload OS
  * Performance test
  * If power adapter was provided, be sure it is tested
  * If no power adapter was provided, add a power adapter
  * Post-test reset or reload OS
  * [[Process:Final clean]]
  * Write up status card
++++

++++NUC arrives as "Working" but missing parts (RAM, storage) |
  * [[process:Initial_Clean|Initial Clean]]
  * Inventory vs Expected Specs
  * Remove RAM and storage that arrived with unit and install pre-tested RAM and storage
  * Use provided power adapter or compatible bench power adapter
  * [[process:Initial Test]]
  * [[process:Update firmware]]
  * Upgrade RAM as needed (I generally recommend 8GB)
  * Install wireless card and/or antennas as needed
  * Install M2 mSATA 32GB minimum, 64GB or more recommended
  * Reset or reload OS
  * Performance test
  * If power adapter was provided, be sure it is tested
  * If no power adapter was provided, add a power adapter
  * Post-test reset or reload OS
  * [[Process:Final clean]]
  * Write up status card
++++

++++NUC arrives as "Working" but intermittent issues |
  * [[process:Initial_Clean|Initial Clean]]
  * [[process:CPU fan and cooling system clean|CPU Fan and Cooling System Clean]]
  * Inventory vs Expected Specs
  * Remove RAM and storage that arrived with unit and install pre-tested RAM and storage
  * Remove Wifi card, if any
  * Use provided power adapter or compatible bench power adapter
  * Reset BIOS settings (F2, F9)
  * CMOS battery failure message, CMOS battery low message, or loss of date/time means the CMOS battery has failed
    * Replace the battery - [[https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000006787/intel-nuc.html]]
    * Example of replacement batteries I use: [[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NZVFQRJ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=unclenuc-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B08NZVFQRJ&linkId=b51da9516cdc6f1fbb45de5a1b0ecef2|CR2032 batteries with molex connector]]
  * Reset BIOS to defaults
  * [[process:Update firmware]] / [[https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005636/intel-nuc.html|Update BIOS]] (F7)
  * [[process:Initial Test]]
  * [[https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000024102/intel-nuc.html|Hardware diagnostics tests]]
  * Re-test with original RAM, if any
  * Re-test with original storage, if any
  * Re-test with original wifi-card, if any
  * Reset or reload OS
  * Performance test (hardware diagnostics/performance, [[process:winsat|winsat score]], other benchmark)
  * Test if original issues are still occuring
  * If power adapter was provided, be sure it is tested
  * If no power adapter was provided, add a power adapter
  * Post-test reset or reload OS
  * [[Process:Final clean]]
  * Write up status card
++++

++++NUC arrives as "Does not Boot" |
  * [[process:Initial_Clean|Initial Clean]]
  * Inventory vs Expected Specs
  * After cleaning, the RAM, storage and any wifi card ((when I receive NUCs the wifi card is usually "missing")) should be removed. Install a known working compatible RAM SO-DIMM (testing a RAM SODIM: [[ https://www.memtest86.com/downloads/memtest86-usb.zip]])
  * Connect video, __wired__ keyboard, and compatible lab bench power supply
  * Power the device on
  * Review Intel NUC boot troubleshooting documentation
    * [[https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/topics/wizard-nuc.html|No Boot Troubleshooting Wizard]]
    * [[https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005845/intel-nuc.html|Full troubleshooting instructions]]
  * [[No power light, processer fan not turning, USB ports have power]]
  * [[No power at all]]
  * [[Power light blinking patterns of 3]]
  * [[Power light blinking pattern of 1]]
  * [[Power light rapid blinking then powers off]]
  * [[Power light steady on, no video, CPU fan turning]]
  * [[Power light steady on, no video, CPU fan not turning]]
++++

===== Lab Projects =====
Hands-on learning works great together with Intel NUCs.

[[:lab:stack_of_nucs:start|Stack of NUCs Lab]] - use server build automation, Ansible, and Kubernetes in this advanced lab.