Laptop Eval

Total Absolute Fantasy

• Train people to be hackers and be happy to dig around command line and forums for solutions and ideas.

Basic Flow and Goals:

• Hardware ID -> Laptop Eval -> Command Line Intro -> Laptop Build
• How to filter out builders who are not necessarily ready.

Links

Meeting Notes

Laptop Ratings

Solutions :

• Take step by step photos of each laptop disassembly and keep them on file. As a new laptop comes in compare to database of steps, if it's not in there a builder has to make one. We could sort them by the above archetypes.

1. Need time to get it done.
2. Spend time and we all take a different model and disassemble them step by step. begin with the "easiest" kind.
3. Use egg cartons that hold the screws from step 1, 2, 3 etc to held with re-assembly.

• Generalized ideas of what to look for (i.e. the archetypes above), instead of using specific models.

Training :

• Similar to pre-build, documentation is provided.

Documentation

• Provide flow charts on how to find methods to disassemble laptops. i.e. Is it in our LAN? If not,go to XYZ.com.
• Prebuilds documentation is very easy to find.
• Need to find a balance between easily followable documentation, but easily referenced as well (i.e. on the wall in front of them).

1. Binders are possible, but are bulky due to large number of models.
2. Wiki is good, but requires another computer to run on it.
3. Use a printout hung under the lights in laptops to make a "wall".

• Use pre-existing documentation and link from our LAN and ask volunteers to search it for info. If they cannot find it, ask them to search for it via Google and then add the link to our database.

Challenges :

Hardest part for beginners is how to disassemble old laptops with breaking them.

Hardware ID

• Basic form and function, basic examples. Photos of powersupply ratings. Where RAM goes, etc.
• Wifi, optical drives, HD's, etc.
• ZIF and LIF adapters and differences.