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. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Look at the Keeper Label || | + | | Look at the Keeper Label || Check the Make, Model, Proc, and RAM portions of the Keeper Label and add whatever's missing. On the Keeper label, mark the start box on the Build line. If something seems odd (e.g., ominous notes, missing pieces, bizarre specs), just ask your instructor. . |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Get a Power Supply || Grab appropriate power supply from the labeled boxes (the box labels are color-coded by brand for easy locating). | + | | Get a Power Supply || Look for a label on the bottom of the laptop that described its '''Voltage''' and '''Amperage''' requirements. Grab an appropriate power supply from the labeled boxes on the shelves (the box labels are color-coded by brand for easy locating). |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Install imaged hard drive || Get a hard drive from your instructor, install the hard drive in the caddy (attach an adapter if necessary) and then install in the laptop. | + | | Install imaged hard drive || Get a hard drive from your instructor, install the hard drive in the caddy (attach an adapter if necessary) and then install it in the laptop. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Install appropriate optical drive (if missing or CD read only) | + | | Install appropriate optical drive (if missing or CD read only) || Look on the Optical Drive shelf to see if any are available for the model you are working with. If nothing seems like it will fit, ask your Instructor if any '''Parts Machines''' are available. |
|- | |- | ||
| Power Up Laptop|| | | Power Up Laptop|| | ||
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|Boot to Ubuntu || Boot to the hard drive. Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek). | |Boot to Ubuntu || Boot to the hard drive. Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek). | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |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. (For 10.04: left-click icon -> click on "Laptop battery X min. until charged" -> Details -> look at '''Percentage'''.) 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. (For 10.04: left-click icon -> click on "Laptop battery X min. until charged" -> Details -> look at '''Percentage'''.) 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. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | 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 PCMCIA is an acceptable second option. For wireless advice, try the [[Wireless Tips]] page. | + | | 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, you can try and access a website like Google or llama.freegeek.org). Internal (mini-PCI) is best, but PCMCIA is an acceptable second option. For wireless advice, try the [[Wireless Tips]] page. |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Run | + | | Run '''basiccheck''' || Open the command line terminal and type <code>basiccheck</code>. You will need to be connected to the network (Either Wireless or LAN) to test the networking step. If you encounter any errors, check with your instructor. |
|- | |- | ||
|Test optical drive - data, sound, and DVD. || For each drive: | |Test optical drive - data, sound, and DVD. || For each drive: | ||
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* Test the DVD-ROM, if present. If a DVD icon appears on the desktop, the test passes. Do '''not'' install codecs. | * Test the DVD-ROM, if present. If a DVD icon appears on the desktop, the test passes. Do '''not'' install codecs. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Test CD/DVD writing || | + | | Test CD/DVD writing || |
− | # Open up Brasero Disc Burning (under Applications > Sound & Video) | + | We generally use ''Brasero'' to test CD/DVD writing, although it will occasionally fail. If this happens, then we use another writing utility called ''K3b''. If the drive is a DVD-RW, you only need to test writing to DVD. |
− | # | + | For '''Brasero''': |
− | # | + | # Open up Brasero Disc Burning (under '''Applications >> Sound & Video''') |
− | # Click '''Burn''' on the | + | # Click '''Data Project''' |
− | # When a disk is done, verify that it contains the files you wrote to it by inserting the disc and checking out what pops up. | + | # Click the '''green +''' symbol (near the top left of the window) and select examples.desktop. |
+ | # Click '''Burn''' on the lower right-hand corner. | ||
+ | # A new window will appear with a few options. If available, select '''User burnproof''' and '''Burn the image directly without saving it to disk''' and click '''Burn'''. | ||
+ | # When a disk is done, verify that it contains the files you wrote to it by inserting the disc and checking out what pops up. | ||
+ | For '''K3b''': | ||
+ | # Check that K3b is installed. Look for it under '''Applications >> Sound & Video''', and select it if it's there. | ||
+ | #* If K3b isn't listed, you can install it by searching for <code>k3b</code> in the ''Ubuntu Software Center'', or by typing <code>sudo apt-get install k3b</code> into a terminal. | ||
+ | # Select New Data Project (near the bottom of the window, or through '''File >> New Project >> New Data Project'''). | ||
+ | # Double-click examples.desktop in the top-right window pane so that it appears in the bottom window pane. | ||
+ | # Click '''Burn''', and then click '''Burn''' again on the window that pops up. | ||
+ | # When a disk is done, verify that it contains the files you wrote to it by inserting the disc and checking out what pops up. |- | ||
+ | | Blank the CD|| | ||
+ | * For ''Brasero'' | ||
+ | *# Select '''Tools >> Blank'''. | ||
+ | *# Make sure '''Fast Blanking''' is selected and click '''Blank'''. | ||
+ | * For ''K3b'' | ||
+ | *# Select '''Format''' (Near the top of the window, or through '''Tools >> Format/Erase rewritable disk...''' | ||
+ | *# Make sure '''Quick Format''' is selected and click '''Start'''. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Check battery charging percentage|| |
+ | Is it almost charged or is it charging compared to last check? Take note. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Test all USB ports || |
+ | Using a USB mouse, make sure that the cursor moves and can interact with things. Do this on all the USB ports. If any of the ports don't work, check in with your instructor. | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | + | | Edit Power Management || | |
− | + | Go to System > Preferences > Power Management. | |
− | | Edit Power Management || Go to System > Preferences > Power Management. | ||
'''Step 1. "On AC Power" tab''' | '''Step 1. "On AC Power" tab''' | ||
* When laptop lid is closed -- set to "Blank screen" | * When laptop lid is closed -- set to "Blank screen" | ||
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| 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. | | 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 ''''' | + | # From a terminal, type <code>printme</code> |
− | # ''' | + | # '''NOTE: Always select ''Laptop'' for system type''' |
− | # Make a note of anything special or any problems you encountered that weren't corrected and should be disclosed | + | # Make sure to double check for '''FG-PDX''' or '''Uncovered electronic device''' stickers |
+ | # Make a note of anything special or any problems you encountered that weren't corrected and should be disclosed | ||
# Reference the whiteboard for what to write in the "notes" section (All but battery check) | # Reference the whiteboard for what to write in the "notes" section (All but battery check) | ||
− | # Print | + | # Select Print, and then choose Print to file on the Desktop. Call it something like "BUILD" or "BUILD PRINTME" |
|- | |- | ||
|Test the battery || | |Test the battery || | ||
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* Disconnect the power supply and place the laptop on the waiting rack. If it shuts down when unplugged, the battery is bad and you'll need to search for another battery (can't find one? check in with your instructor). | * Disconnect the power supply and place the laptop on the waiting rack. If it shuts down when unplugged, the battery is bad and you'll need to search for another battery (can't find one? check in with your instructor). | ||
* Mark on the Keeper label that Build is complete, the Charging check has been completed and that you've started Bat Check. | * 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 | + | * If you want to see for how many minutes bat check has run, open up another terminal and type <code>watch -n60 wc -l bat_mon</code>. [[Laptop Power %26 Batteries]] can provide additional information. |
'''Step 3.''' | '''Step 3.''' |
Revision as of 10:57, 20 October 2011
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.
STEPS | NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS | ||
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. | ||
Look at the Keeper Label | Check the Make, Model, Proc, and RAM portions of the Keeper Label and add whatever's missing. On the Keeper label, mark the start box on the Build line. If something seems odd (e.g., ominous notes, missing pieces, bizarre specs), just ask your instructor. . | ||
Get a Power Supply | Look for a label on the bottom of the laptop that described its Voltage and Amperage requirements. Grab an appropriate power supply from the labeled boxes on the shelves (the box labels are color-coded by brand for easy locating). | ||
Install imaged hard drive | Get a hard drive from your instructor, install the hard drive in the caddy (attach an adapter if necessary) and then install it in the laptop. | ||
Install appropriate optical drive (if missing or CD read only) | Look on the Optical Drive shelf to see if any are available for the model you are working with. If nothing seems like it will fit, ask your Instructor if any Parts Machines are available. | ||
Power Up Laptop | |||
Enter BIOS | If you see an error message like "checksum error, defaults loaded" then your CMOS battery is dead. Ask your instructor what to do about it. | ||
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. | ||
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. If the laptop is High End, then it should have more than 512 MB of RAM (preferably 1 GB or more). Once the RAM is upgraded, verify the new amount in BIOS). | ||
Boot to Ubuntu | Boot to the hard drive. Log in as "oem" (password: freegeek). | ||
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. (For 10.04: left-click icon -> click on "Laptop battery X min. until charged" -> Details -> look at Percentage.) 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. | ||
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, you can try and access a website like Google or llama.freegeek.org). Internal (mini-PCI) is best, but PCMCIA is an acceptable second option. For wireless advice, try the Wireless Tips page. | ||
Run basiccheck | Open the command line terminal and type basiccheck . You will need to be connected to the network (Either Wireless or LAN) to test the networking step. If you encounter any errors, check with your instructor.
| ||
Test optical drive - data, sound, and DVD. | For each drive:
| ||
Test CD/DVD writing |
We generally use Brasero to test CD/DVD writing, although it will occasionally fail. If this happens, then we use another writing utility called K3b. If the drive is a DVD-RW, you only need to test writing to DVD. For Brasero:
For K3b:
|
Blank the CD |
|
Check battery charging percentage |
Is it almost charged or is it charging compared to last check? Take note. | ||
Test all USB ports |
Using a USB mouse, make sure that the cursor moves and can interact with things. Do this on all the USB ports. If any of the ports don't work, check in with your instructor. | ||
Edit Power Management |
Go to System > Preferences > Power Management. Step 1. "On AC Power" tab
Step 2. "On Battery Power" tab
Step 3. "General" tab and finish
| ||
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.
| ||
Test the battery |
Step 1. Make sure battery is fully charged:
Step 2.
Step 3. If the charge is not complete:
| ||
Clean up and check in with Laptops Instructor. | Your instructor will direct you to your next task. |