Difference between revisions of "Laptop Build Checklist"

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=Build Checklist=
 
=Build Checklist=
 
'''Work through every step as well as you can, and ask if you have questions.'''  Try and learn the reason for each of the steps: this knowledge will come in handy later when, inevitably, things aren't going as smoothly.  Your instructor will be able to answer questions and check your work.  Never overlook the help that the builder to your right or left might be able to lend. Check with your instructor to find out what type of box to build, then work your way down this checklist.
 
'''Work through every step as well as you can, and ask if you have questions.'''  Try and learn the reason for each of the steps: this knowledge will come in handy later when, inevitably, things aren't going as smoothly.  Your instructor will be able to answer questions and check your work.  Never overlook the help that the builder to your right or left might be able to lend. Check with your instructor to find out what type of box to build, then work your way down this checklist.
 +
 +
Note: You can start Bat Check at any time during the Build process, as long as the battery is fully charged!
  
 
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"  
 
{| fontname="Helvetica" fontsize="12" border="1"  
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|width="40%" align="center"|Steps
 
|width="40%" align="center"|Steps
 
|width="53%" align="center"|Notes/Detailed Instructions
 
|width="53%" align="center"|Notes/Detailed Instructions
−
|width="7%"  align="center"|Done
 
−
|-
 
−
| Check For Broken or Damaged Parts || Visually inspect laptop for broken screen, missing keys, etc. If you find one, check with your instructor. ||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Check to see if there's enough RAM || Note # of sticks, size, and speed.<br> ||
 
−
|-
 
−
| Get a Power Supply || Grab appropriate PS from labeled PS boxes ||
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Initial power on || See if expected memory value is displayed during POST or in BIOS. ||
+
| Check For Broken or Damaged Parts || Visually inspect laptop for broken screen, missing keys, etc. If you find one, check with your instructor.  
−
||
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Power down || ||
+
| Get a Power Supply || Grab appropriate PS from labeled PS boxes
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Install imaged hard drive || To do this:
 
| Install imaged hard drive || To do this:
−
* Get the appropriately sized hard drive from the supply shelf.
+
* Get the appropriately sized hard drive from the supply shelf (check appropriate size on whiteboard).
−
* Record hard drive size on build sheet.
 
 
* Attach any necessary adapter or caddy.
 
* Attach any necessary adapter or caddy.
−
* Install in laptop.
+
* Install in laptop.  
−
||
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Install CD/CDRW/DVD Drive(s) (if missing)|| Check the spec sheet to see what kind of drive(s) to install. ||
+
| Install appropriate optical drive (if missing)|| Check the whiteboard to see what kind of optical drive to install.  
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Cover open slots and bays || Make sure you have coverings for all spaces that will not be filled with a card or drive. Look at similar cases for examples of what case pieces may look like. ||
+
| Cover open slots and bays || Make sure you have coverings for all spaces that will not be filled with a card or drive. Look at similar cases for examples of what case pieces may look like.  
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Entering BIOS]] setup || Turn on the computer.  The keystroke to enter setup should be displayed at bootup. ||
+
| Enter BIOS || If you see an error message which reads something like "checksum error, defaults loaded" then your CMOS battery is dead.  Ask your instructor what to do about it.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Check date || Make sure the date is correct. ||
+
| Check the RAM || To check the RAM, check in BIOS or use Memtest if the BIOS doesn't tell you.  Is the appropriate amount installed for the class of Laptop (check the big whiteboard)?  If not, install the appropriate amount.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Restore BIOS defaults || You might need to search around to find the BIOS values that need checking.  While you search, enjoy the pleasure of learning about BIOS configuration! ||
+
| Set boot order in BIOS || 1st-CD-ROM; 2nd-Hard drive; 3rd-Network. Get as close as possible, depending on the BIOS, but make sure the Network boot isn't first.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Auto detect hard drive || Find where to perform this function or make sure this feature is enabled. Sometimes it is not an option. ||
+
| Save and exit BIOS || Continue on to boot to the hard drive. Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek).  
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Set boot order || 1st-CD-ROM; 2nd-Hard drive; 3rd-Network. Get as close as possible, depending on the BIOS. ||
+
| Run basiccheck || If you encounter any errors, check with your instructor.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Disable virus check if present. Sometimes it isn't. || Look around... ||
+
| Test optical drive - data and sound. || For each drive:
−
|-
+
* Use a music disc to test sound.
−
| Make sure parallel port mode is set || Set mode to EPP or Bi-Directional.
+
* Test-read a data CD (if any data shows up in the file browser that opens, test passes).  
−
* If you're having a hard time finding the right menu, try one with "peripherals" or "i/o" in its name.
 
−
* Sometimes laptops have no way of changing this or, no parallel port at all. If this is the case, move on to next step.
 
−
||
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Save and exit BIOS || ||
+
| Test CD/DVD writing || Write to a CD and/or DVD using Brasero Disc Burning. Put a blank disk in and drag and drop a few files from /home/oem/examples to the CD/DVD writing folder that appears. Click "Burn". When each disk is done, verify that they contain the files you wrote to them.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Run basiccheck || Detailed instructions:
+
| Blank the CD/DVD || Using Brasero Disc Burning, select Tools > Erase
−
* Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek).
 
−
* Open a terminal (click on the little black screen icon at the top of the screen).
 
−
* Type "basiccheck" (remember tab completion!) and hit <ENTER>.
 
−
||
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Test CD (and/or DVD) drive - data and sound. || For each drive:
+
| Test USB || Using a USB mouse, make sure that the cursor moves and can interact with things. Do this on all USB ports.
−
* Use a music disc to test sound.
 
−
* Test-read a data CD (if any data shows up in the file browser that opens, test passes).
 
−
||
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Test USB || Details:
+
| Test Cardbus/PCMCIA slots || Put a wifi card in each slot -> if it lights up, then it's good.
−
* plug in a USB mouse
 
−
* see that the cursor moves and can interact with things
 
−
* repeat on all usb ports
 
−
||
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Install Wifi Card || Install, configure and test a wifi card in all Grant boxes, store boxes as available. Internal (miniPCI) is best, but Cardbus will do. For broadcoms refer to [[Fwcutter Instructions]]
+
| Install Wifi Card || Install, configure and test a wifi card. Internal (mini-PCI) is best, but PCMCIA is an acceptable second option. For Broadcom cards, try System > Administration > Hardware Drivers.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Run "printme", from terminal || This will give you a System ID number
 
| Run "printme", from terminal || This will give you a System ID number
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# Answer the questions printme asks,
 
# Answer the questions printme asks,
 
A webpage will open with info about the system. Click "Print." Choose "Print to file." Choose the PDF checkbox and save the file as "build_printme.pdf" to the Desktop.
 
A webpage will open with info about the system. Click "Print." Choose "Print to file." Choose the PDF checkbox and save the file as "build_printme.pdf" to the Desktop.
−
||
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Check in with Build Instructor. || Ask what to do with the Laptop ||
+
|Test the battery || Make sure battery is charged up, put in a music CD. Start playing the CD, then open a terminal and run 'bat_check' Pull power plug and place the laptop on the waiting rack. Don't forget to note on the Keeper label that you've started Bat Check.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Clean up work area || ||
+
| Clean up and check in with Build Instructor. || Ask what to do with the Laptop
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
==FWCutter Instructions==
 
−
 
−
===As of Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron):===
 
−
Open a terminal.  The following command should install b43-fwcutter and fetch the firmware for you.
 
−
oem@freekbox:~$sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter
 
−
Refer to [http://www.linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43 this page] for more information about the change.
 
−
 
−
 
−
===For previous versions of Ubuntu:===
 
−
Open a terminal.
 
−
 
−
oem@freekbox:~$sudo apt-get install bcm43xx-fwcutter
 
−
 
−
Password:
 
−
Reading package lists... Done
 
−
Building dependency tree... Done
 
−
The following NEW packages will be installed:
 
−
  bcm43xx-fwcutter
 
−
0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
 
−
Need to get 16.6kB of archives.
 
−
After unpacking 102kB of additional disk space will be used.
 
−
Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com dapper/universe bcm43xx-fwcutter 20060108-6build1 [16.6kB]
 
−
Fetched 16.6kB in 0s (169kB/s)
 
−
Preconfiguring packages ...
 
−
Selecting previously deselected package bcm43xx-fwcutter.
 
−
(Reading database ... 154295 files and directories currently installed.)
 
−
Unpacking bcm43xx-fwcutter (from .../bcm43xx-fwcutter_20060108-6build1_i386.deb) ...
 
−
Setting up bcm43xx-fwcutter (20060108-6build1) ...
 
−
 
−
oem@freekbox:~$
 
−
 
−
 
−
This will install a program that will fetch the required firmware for Broadcom 43xx cards. Now we have to run it.
 
−
code:
 
−
 
−
oem@freekbox:~$sudo /usr/share/bcm43xx-fwcutter/install_bcm43xx_firmware.sh
 
  
−
Reboot and test your wifi.
 
  
  
 
[[Category:Build]]
 
[[Category:Build]]
 
[[Category:Laptops]]
 
[[Category:Laptops]]

Revision as of 18:04, 29 April 2009

Build Checklist

Work through every step as well as you can, and ask if you have questions. Try and learn the reason for each of the steps: this knowledge will come in handy later when, inevitably, things aren't going as smoothly. Your instructor will be able to answer questions and check your work. Never overlook the help that the builder to your right or left might be able to lend. Check with your instructor to find out what type of box to build, then work your way down this checklist. 

Note: You can start Bat Check at any time during the Build process, as long as the battery is fully charged!
Steps Notes/Detailed Instructions
Check For Broken or Damaged Parts Visually inspect laptop for broken screen, missing keys, etc. If you find one, check with your instructor.
Get a Power Supply Grab appropriate PS from labeled PS boxes
Install imaged hard drive To do this:
  • Get the appropriately sized hard drive from the supply shelf (check appropriate size on whiteboard).
  • Attach any necessary adapter or caddy.
  • Install in laptop.
Install appropriate optical drive (if missing) Check the whiteboard to see what kind of optical drive to install.
Cover open slots and bays Make sure you have coverings for all spaces that will not be filled with a card or drive. Look at similar cases for examples of what case pieces may look like.
Enter BIOS If you see an error message which reads something like "checksum error, defaults loaded" then your CMOS battery is dead. Ask your instructor what to do about it.
Check the RAM To check the RAM, check in BIOS or use Memtest if the BIOS doesn't tell you. Is the appropriate amount installed for the class of Laptop (check the big whiteboard)? If not, install the appropriate amount.
Set boot order in BIOS 1st-CD-ROM; 2nd-Hard drive; 3rd-Network. Get as close as possible, depending on the BIOS, but make sure the Network boot isn't first.
Save and exit BIOS Continue on to boot to the hard drive. Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek).
Run basiccheck If you encounter any errors, check with your instructor.
Test optical drive - data and sound. For each drive:
  • Use a music disc to test sound.
  • Test-read a data CD (if any data shows up in the file browser that opens, test passes).
Test CD/DVD writing Write to a CD and/or DVD using Brasero Disc Burning. Put a blank disk in and drag and drop a few files from /home/oem/examples to the CD/DVD writing folder that appears. Click "Burn". When each disk is done, verify that they contain the files you wrote to them.
Blank the CD/DVD Using Brasero Disc Burning, select Tools > Erase
Test USB Using a USB mouse, make sure that the cursor moves and can interact with things. Do this on all USB ports.
Test Cardbus/PCMCIA slots Put a wifi card in each slot -> if it lights up, then it's good.
Install Wifi Card Install, configure and test a wifi card. Internal (mini-PCI) is best, but PCMCIA is an acceptable second option. For Broadcom cards, try System > Administration > Hardware Drivers.
Run "printme", from terminal This will give you a System ID number
  1. You must be on the wired network
  2. From a terminal, type "printme"
  3. Answer the questions printme asks,

A webpage will open with info about the system. Click "Print." Choose "Print to file." Choose the PDF checkbox and save the file as "build_printme.pdf" to the Desktop.

Test the battery Make sure battery is charged up, put in a music CD. Start playing the CD, then open a terminal and run 'bat_check' Pull power plug and place the laptop on the waiting rack. Don't forget to note on the Keeper label that you've started Bat Check.
Clean up and check in with Build Instructor. Ask what to do with the Laptop
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