Difference between revisions of "Laptop Build Checklist"
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| Check For Broken or Damaged Parts || Visually inspect laptop for broken screen, missing keys, weak hinges, cosmetic problems, etc. If in doubt, check with your instructor and make repairs as directed. | | Check For Broken or Damaged Parts || Visually inspect laptop for broken screen, missing keys, weak hinges, cosmetic problems, etc. If in doubt, check with your instructor and make repairs as directed. | ||
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| Memtest Results || Memtest should be checked off on the Keeper Label as the last step of Eval. If there isn't a Keeper label already on the laptop, Evaluation has not been completed. | | Memtest Results || Memtest should be checked off on the Keeper Label as the last step of Eval. If there isn't a Keeper label already on the laptop, Evaluation has not been completed. | ||
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| Look at the Keeper Label || Compare to the whiteboard to make sure nothing looks out of line: e.g. there's only 256 MB of RAM, the CD is read only. On the Keeper label, mark the start box on the Build line. | | Look at the Keeper Label || Compare to the whiteboard to make sure nothing looks out of line: e.g. there's only 256 MB of RAM, the CD is read only. On the Keeper label, mark the start box on the Build line. | ||
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− | | Get a Power Supply || Grab appropriate power supply from the labeled boxes (the box labels are color-coded by brand for easy locating). Match the output voltage and amperage on the power supply to the input voltage and amps on the laptop's UL/CSA listing label | + | | Get a Power Supply || Grab appropriate power supply from the labeled boxes (the box labels are color-coded by brand for easy locating). Match the output voltage and amperage on the power supply to the input voltage and amps on the laptop's UL/CSA listing label. |
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| Install imaged hard drive || To do this: | | Install imaged hard drive || To do this: | ||
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| 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. | | 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. | ||
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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. |
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− | | | + | |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(2-512MB)Check whiteboard. Once the ram is upgraded, run memtest while you continue with build to verify the new amount. |
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| Save and exit BIOS || Continue on to boot to the hard drive. Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek). | | Save and exit BIOS || Continue on to boot to the hard drive. Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek). | ||
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| Test Cardbus/PCMCIA slots || Put a wifi card in each slot -> if it lights up, then it's good. | | Test Cardbus/PCMCIA slots || Put a wifi card in each slot -> if it lights up, then it's good. | ||
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− | | Run "printme", from terminal || This will give you a System ID number | + | | Run "printme", from terminal || This will give you a System ID number. If an ID number is shown, the laptop has been through the system previously. |
# You must be on the wired network | # You must be on the wired network | ||
# 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.''' | ||
− | # | + | # ''Covered'' or ''Uncovered''is now incorporated in the Printme checklist |
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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Revision as of 10:21, 25 February 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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