Difference between revisions of "Wireless Card Testing"

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(→‎Wireless Card Testing: added specific URL address)
(added new and improved PCI wireless card testing)
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==Wireless Card Testing==
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{|fontsize="14" border=".05" fontweight="bold" cellpadding=".5" width="100%"
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All working wireless cards go to the store. Things to write on a sticker for the store:
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|align="left" padding=".5"|These are instructions for testing Wireless PCI Cards for desktop computers. PCI cards are not hot swappable, so make sure the computer is off before starting the testing process. If you have any questions, check in with your instructor.
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'''
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{|fontsize="12" cellpadding=".5" border=".05" font-weight="bold" cellpadding=".7"
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    -Whether the card works with linux
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    -Chipset Number
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|width="25%" align="center"|STEPS
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    -If it needs a driver downloaded, mark it as such
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|width="75%" align="center"|NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
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    -Attach a “tested by” sticker with your initials'''
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| Check for Damage || Visually inspect the PCI wireless card for a missing faceplate and or loose or damaged antenna connector. If the card is missing its antenna, replace it with another antenna.
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'''General'''
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| Seat Card & Turn On || Place The Wireless Card into the PCI slot on the external motherboard, click the Power On switch, log into Ubuntu OS.
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#Locate a wireless card and match it with an antenna if it needs one.
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#Make sure the motherboard is unpowered with its power supply switched off.
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| Determine Card Status ||
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#Attach the wireless card to a free PCI slot.
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Recycle into the yellow bin IF:
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#Once card is inserted, remove hands from motherboard and turn on power supply.
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#the card's lights do not come on
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#Turn on motherboard.
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#AND the card does not show up in lspci or sudo lshw when you type these commands into a terminal
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#Login.
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*If both conditions are true, your done with testing, go to the next card and start again.
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Keep IF:
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'''Does it work with Linux?'''
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#you can connect to the Free Geek Wireless Network and surf the web.
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#OR if the card shows up in '''lspci''' or '''sudo lshw''' (run these commands in a terminal) but does not work with Linux (eg does not allow you to connect to the internet.)
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#Wait for OS to load and then attempt to connect wirelessly to FreeGeek wireless (should happen automatically).
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''Not sure if the card is compatible?''  
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#Once connected, try to surf the web.
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#Open Firefox and type this address in the URL https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported. This is an Ubuntu community page dedicated to listing wireless cards' varying functionality under linux operating systems. The page may also list the need for drivers on specific cards.
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#Click the side link “By Manufacturer” and search for the wireless card's chip set.
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'''What is the card's chipset?'''
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*Keep in mind that this list is not comprehensive and may not include the card you are looking for.  If that's the case, test it anyway.
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#Open the terminal and type “lspci”.
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| Label || Initial and stick a Tested By Sticker on the Keeper Card. If the wireless card is not compatible with Linux, write that on a sticker or piece of tape, attach to the card with a Powers On Untested Sticker.  
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#Look for the line about the wireless card and record the chipset number.
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| Power Down || Turn off the computer and remove the wireless card.  
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Put all '''tested''', '''working''', '''labeled''' wireless cards '''with antenna attached''' in the “To Store” box.  Recycle ones that fail.
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| Store Box || Place the Keeper Card in the outgoing thrift store box.
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'''Troubleshooting:'''
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| Do it again! || Thanks for your good work!
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#If the card appears to be in working order but you cannot connect to wireless, establish a wired connection.  Open Firefox and type this address in the URL https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported. Click the side link “By Manufacturer”.  This is an Ubuntu community page dedicated to listing wireless cards' varying functionality under linux operating systems. The page may also list the need for drivers on specific cards.
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[[Category:Hardware Testing]]
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#If the card appears to be in working order but you cannot connect to wireless, write a sticker that indicates this card may not work with linux. Also write “AS IS”. These can also go to the store, but will be sold at an untested price.
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[[Category:Howto]]
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[[Category:Advanced Testing]]

Revision as of 15:38, 12 June 2010

These are instructions for testing Wireless PCI Cards for desktop computers. PCI cards are not hot swappable, so make sure the computer is off before starting the testing process. If you have any questions, check in with your instructor.
STEPS NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
Check for Damage Visually inspect the PCI wireless card for a missing faceplate and or loose or damaged antenna connector. If the card is missing its antenna, replace it with another antenna.
Seat Card & Turn On Place The Wireless Card into the PCI slot on the external motherboard, click the Power On switch, log into Ubuntu OS.
Determine Card Status

Recycle into the yellow bin IF:

  1. the card's lights do not come on
  2. AND the card does not show up in lspci or sudo lshw when you type these commands into a terminal
  • If both conditions are true, your done with testing, go to the next card and start again.

Keep IF:

  1. you can connect to the Free Geek Wireless Network and surf the web.
  2. OR if the card shows up in lspci or sudo lshw (run these commands in a terminal) but does not work with Linux (eg does not allow you to connect to the internet.)

Not sure if the card is compatible?

  1. Open Firefox and type this address in the URL https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported. This is an Ubuntu community page dedicated to listing wireless cards' varying functionality under linux operating systems. The page may also list the need for drivers on specific cards.
  2. Click the side link “By Manufacturer” and search for the wireless card's chip set.
  • Keep in mind that this list is not comprehensive and may not include the card you are looking for. If that's the case, test it anyway.
Label Initial and stick a Tested By Sticker on the Keeper Card. If the wireless card is not compatible with Linux, write that on a sticker or piece of tape, attach to the card with a Powers On Untested Sticker.
Power Down Turn off the computer and remove the wireless card.
Store Box Place the Keeper Card in the outgoing thrift store box.
Do it again! Thanks for your good work!
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