Difference between revisions of "Laptop Build Checklist"
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| Install imaged hard drive || To do this: | | Install imaged hard drive || To do this: | ||
− | * Look at the whiteboard to see what size hard drive is appropriate for the laptop, check to see if the drive is a SATA or | + | * Look at the whiteboard to see what size hard drive is appropriate for the laptop, check to see if the drive is a SATA or IDE, and ask your instructor where you can get one. |
* Install the hard drive in the caddy and attach an adapter if required. | * Install the hard drive in the caddy and attach an adapter if required. | ||
* Install in laptop. | * Install in laptop. | ||
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| Set boot order in BIOS || Look for the boot order in BIOS. Of the available options, the preferred order is as follows : CD-ROM boots first; Hard drive boots somewhere between CD-ROM and Network; Network boots last. Get as close as possible, depending on the BIOS, but make sure the Network boot isn't before the hard drive. | | Set boot order in BIOS || Look for the boot order in BIOS. Of the available options, the preferred order is as follows : CD-ROM boots first; Hard drive boots somewhere between CD-ROM and Network; Network boots last. Get as close as possible, depending on the BIOS, but make sure the Network boot isn't before the hard drive. | ||
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− | |While in | + | |While in BIOS, check the RAM || Is there at least 512 MB of RAM? If not, save and exit bios, add RAM sized to fill the available slots (2-256MB). If the laptop is High End, then it should have more than 512 MB of RAM (preferably 1 GB or moer). Once the RAM is upgraded, verify the new amount (either in BIOS or via memtest). |
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− | | | + | |Boot to Ubuntu || Boot to the hard drive. Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek). |
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|Battery Check||On the Ubuntu OS toolbar, a battery icon is visible when the battery is charging. Check the icon to see the percent of charge and make a note of it for use later on. If no icon is visible, the battery is fully charged, not seated correctly, or possibly deceased. Mark the charging start box on the Keeper label. | |Battery Check||On the Ubuntu OS toolbar, a battery icon is visible when the battery is charging. Check the icon to see the percent of charge and make a note of it for use later on. If no icon is visible, the battery is fully charged, not seated correctly, or possibly deceased. Mark the charging start box on the Keeper label. | ||
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− | | Get wireless working. || If there ''isn't'' already a wireless card installed, then install, configure and test a wifi card (to determine if wireless card is already present and working, try and access a website like Google). Internal (mini-PCI) is best, but the PCI slot may be unavailable because its filled by a modem / | + | | Get wireless working. || If there ''isn't'' already a wireless card installed, then install, configure and test a wifi card (to determine if wireless card is already present and working, try and access a website like Google). Internal (mini-PCI) is best, but the PCI slot may be unavailable because its filled by a modem / LAN card. PCMCIA is an acceptable second option, so provide PCMCIA wireless. For wireless advice, try the [[Wireless Tips]] page. |
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| Set freegeek.org as homepage || In Firefox, go to freegeek.org Then set this page as the home page under Edit > Preferences > Main. Alternately, you can drag the Free Geek icon (on the left of the address bar) and drop it on the "Home" icon (immediately to the left of the address bar). | | Set freegeek.org as homepage || In Firefox, go to freegeek.org Then set this page as the home page under Edit > Preferences > Main. Alternately, you can drag the Free Geek icon (on the left of the address bar) and drop it on the "Home" icon (immediately to the left of the address bar). | ||
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− | | Run basiccheck || Open the command line terminal and type '''basiccheck'''. You will need to be connected to the wired network to test the networking step. If you encounter any errors, check with your instructor. | + | | Run basiccheck || Open the command line terminal and type '''basiccheck'''. You will need to be connected to the wired or wireless network to test the networking step. If you encounter any errors, check with your instructor. |
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|Test optical drive - data, sound, and DVD.|| For each drive: | |Test optical drive - data, sound, and DVD.|| For each drive: | ||
* Use a music disc to test sound. | * 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-read a data CD (if any data shows up in the file browser that opens, test passes). | ||
− | * If there is a DVD-Rom, use the "Free Geek DVD" to check whether a movie will play. If a popup tells you a codec is missing, allow the search and | + | * If there is a DVD-Rom, use the "Free Geek DVD" to check whether a movie will play. If a popup tells you a codec is missing, allow the search and install the codec. Try playing it again. |
* Don't forget to remove discs! | * Don't forget to remove discs! | ||
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− | |Test CD/DVD writing || Write to a CD '''and''' a DVD, if DVD-RW is present. You can use Brasero Disc Burning or, if this fails, install and use K3B. 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. | + | |Test CD/DVD writing || Write to a CD '''and''' a DVD, if DVD-RW is present. You can use Brasero Disc Burning or, if this fails, install and use [[Troubleshooting Optical Drives|K3B]]. 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. |
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|Blank the CD||Using Brasero Disc Burning, select Tools > Erase. Using K3B, select Tools > Erase CD-RW | |Blank the CD||Using Brasero Disc Burning, select Tools > Erase. Using K3B, select Tools > Erase CD-RW | ||
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# From a terminal, type "printme" | # From a terminal, type "printme" | ||
# Answer the questions printme asks, '''NOTE: Always select ''Laptop'' for system type.''' | # Answer the questions printme asks, '''NOTE: Always select ''Laptop'' for system type.''' | ||
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A webpage will open with info about the system. Click "Print." Choose "Print to file." Choose the PDF checkbox and save the file to the Desktop (name the file something with the word '''build''' in it, e.g. "Build Printme" or "BUILD" | A webpage will open with info about the system. Click "Print." Choose "Print to file." Choose the PDF checkbox and save the file to the Desktop (name the file something with the word '''build''' in it, e.g. "Build Printme" or "BUILD" | ||
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* Select "Repeat" | * Select "Repeat" | ||
* Start playing the CD | * Start playing the CD | ||
− | * Open a terminal and run ''bat_check''. | + | * Open a terminal and run ''bat_check''. |
* Disconnect the power supply and place the laptop on the waiting rack. If it shuts down when unplugged, the battery is bad. Note that on the Keeper label and mark Build as complete. If not, mark on the Keeper label that build is complete, the Charging check has been completed and that you've started Bat Check. If you want to see for how many minutes bat check has run, open up another terminal and type ''watch wc bat_time''. [[Laptop Power %26 Batteries]] can provide additional information. | * Disconnect the power supply and place the laptop on the waiting rack. If it shuts down when unplugged, the battery is bad. Note that on the Keeper label and mark Build as complete. If not, mark on the Keeper label that build is complete, the Charging check has been completed and that you've started Bat Check. If you want to see for how many minutes bat check has run, open up another terminal and type ''watch wc bat_time''. [[Laptop Power %26 Batteries]] can provide additional information. | ||
'''Step 3.''' | '''Step 3.''' | ||
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* Leave a note indicating charging is in progress. | * Leave a note indicating charging is in progress. | ||
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− | || Clean up and check in with | + | || Clean up and check in with Laptops Instructor. || Your instructor will direct you to your next task. |
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|| Multitasking || Periodically check the waiting rack and see if Charging has completed on your prior build. If yes, mark the Keeper label Charging done, mark Bat Test as started, initiated Step 2. above, and remove charging note. | || Multitasking || Periodically check the waiting rack and see if Charging has completed on your prior build. If yes, mark the Keeper label Charging done, mark Bat Test as started, initiated Step 2. above, and remove charging note. |
Revision as of 17:29, 2 March 2010
The evaluation should have been completed to reach Build. Work through each 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 on 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. You can also find information on the Free Geek wiki at Laptops. Check with your instructor to find out what type of box to build, then work your way down this checklist.
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