Laptop Build Checklist
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
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. |
| Affix Keeper Label | If there isn't a Keeper label already on the laptop, please affix one and fill out what you know (i.e. Processor info, RAM amount, Laptop Make and Model). |
| Get a Power Supply | Grab appropriate PS from labeled PS boxes |
| Install imaged hard drive | To do this:
|
| 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 | There will be a number items that can boot listed 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. |
| Save and exit BIOS | Continue on to boot to the hard drive. Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek). |
| Install Wifi Card | If there isn't already a wireless card installed, then install, configure and test a wifi card. Internal (mini-PCI) is best, but PCMCIA is an acceptable second option. For wireless advice, try the Wireless Tips page. |
| Set freegeek.org as homepage | In Firefox, go to freegeek.org Then set this page as the home page under Edit > Preferences > Main |
| Run basiccheck | If you encounter any errors, check with your instructor. |
| Test optical drive - data and sound. | For each drive:
|
| 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. |
| Run "printme", from terminal | This will give you a System ID number
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 |