Difference between revisions of "Laptop Build Checklist"
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| '''Battery Check''' || | | '''Battery Check''' || | ||
− | + | First, we're going to change some default settings in Power Management. | |
+ | |||
+ | Go to System > Preferences > Power Management. | ||
+ | #'''"On AC Power" tab''' | ||
+ | #* When laptop lid is closed -- set to "Blank screen" | ||
+ | |||
+ | #'''"On Battery Power" tab''' | ||
+ | #* When laptop lid is closed -- set to "Blank screen" | ||
+ | #* When battery power is critically low -- set to "Shutdown" (This is in preparation for Battery Test) | ||
+ | |||
+ | #'''"General" tab and finish''' | ||
+ | #* Notification Area -- set to "Always display an icon" | ||
+ | #* Click "Close" to save changes. | ||
+ | #* Test setting by closing and reopening the screen lid, the desktop should reappear. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now, check the battery icon on the top panel and note whether it's fully charged or charging. Mark the first box next to '''Charging''' on the Keeper Label. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Get wireless working.''' || | | '''Get wireless working.''' || | ||
− | + | Click the '''Network icon''' on the top panel to see if wireless is installed and working. | |
+ | *'''Wireless is present and shows networks to connect to''' | ||
+ | *# Select ''freegeek'' from the list of available wireless networks, | ||
+ | *# Once you're connected, open Firefox and try navigating to a webpage (for example, http://llama.freegeek.org), | ||
+ | *# You should see a Free Geek's Wireless Terms of Service page. Read through it, if you care to, and click '''I accept''' at the bottom of the page, | ||
+ | *# Confirm that you can browse to webpages, and move on to the next step. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''Wireless is present, but no networks are seen''' | ||
+ | *# If you see a message like ''"Wireless is disabled"'', try '''right clicking''' the '''Network icon''' and confirming the '''Enable Wireless''' option is checked off. If that doesn't work, try locating the Wireless switch on the keyboard; either a physical button or switch, frequently located on the sides of the laptop or above the keyboard. | ||
+ | *# If you see a messsage like ''"Device not ready"'', the proper drivers may not yet be installed. Go to '''System >> Administration >> Hardware Drivers''' and see if any options are listed there. Before you select an option from the list, make sure you're connected to the network with an '''ethernet cable'''. After it's finished installing a driver, if you still see the same error, try running the following in a terminal: <code>sudo service networking restart</code> | ||
+ | *# If none of the above works, consult your Instructor or try looking online. You can also try looking at the [[Wireless Tips]] page for some ideas. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''Wireless isn't present''' | ||
+ | *# If the '''Network icon''' doesn't show an option for wireless, you may not have a wireless card installed. Ideally, we would like to use '''PCI''' or '''Mini-PCI''' wireless cards, although '''PCMCIA''' cards are an acceptable alternative. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Run basiccheck''' || | | '''Run basiccheck''' || | ||
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* 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. Skip this test if you have a RW, you will test data read in the next step). | * Test-read a data CD (if any data shows up in the file browser that opens, test passes. Skip this test if you have a RW, you will test data read in the next step). | ||
− | * 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''' || | ||
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# Select '''Format''' (Near the top of the window, or through '''Tools >> Format/Erase rewritable disk...''' | # Select '''Format''' (Near the top of the window, or through '''Tools >> Format/Erase rewritable disk...''' | ||
# Make sure '''Quick Format''' is selected and click '''Start'''. | # Make sure '''Quick Format''' is selected and click '''Start'''. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If either program cannot successfully blank a disc but manages to successfully burn to disc, then we'll include a note in the printme to indicate as much. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Check battery charging percentage''' || | | '''Check battery charging percentage''' || | ||
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| '''Test all USB ports''' || | | '''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. | 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. | ||
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| '''Run '''''printme''''' from terminal''' || | | '''Run '''''printme''''' from terminal''' || | ||
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| '''Test the battery''' || | | '''Test the battery''' || | ||
− | ''' | + | '''Make sure battery is fully charged:''' |
− | Make sure battery is fully charged: | ||
* Click the battery icon to see its charge percentage | * Click the battery icon to see its charge percentage | ||
:If fully charged, then move to Step 2. | :If fully charged, then move to Step 2. | ||
:If not fully charged, then move to Step 3. | :If not fully charged, then move to Step 3. | ||
− | '''Step 2 | + | '''Step 2: If the battery is fully charged''' |
− | If the battery is fully charged | ||
* Place the laptop on testing shelf ''with its power adapter'' | * Place the laptop on testing shelf ''with its power adapter'' | ||
* Open a terminal and run <code>batterytest</code>. If a battery test has already been run, but you need to rerun it, then type <code>rm ~/bat_mon</code> into the terminal, followed with <code>batterytest</code> | * Open a terminal and run <code>batterytest</code>. If a battery test has already been run, but you need to rerun it, then type <code>rm ~/bat_mon</code> into the terminal, followed with <code>batterytest</code> | ||
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[[Laptop Power %26 Batteries]] can provide additional information. | [[Laptop Power %26 Batteries]] can provide additional information. | ||
− | '''Step 3 | + | '''Step 3: If the charge is not complete''' |
− | If the charge is not complete | ||
* Mark the keeper label Build started and completed | * Mark the keeper label Build started and completed | ||
* Make sure the keeper label Charging started box is checked. | * Make sure the keeper label Charging started box is checked. |
Revision as of 18:34, 8 November 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 |
Start your engines! |
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 |
First, we're going to change some default settings in Power Management. Go to System > Preferences > Power Management.
Now, check the battery icon on the top panel and note whether it's fully charged or charging. Mark the first box next to Charging on the Keeper Label. |
Get wireless working. |
Click the Network icon on the top panel to see if wireless is installed and working.
|
Run basiccheck |
Open the command line terminal and type |
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 |
For Brasero
For K3b
If either program cannot successfully blank a disc but manages to successfully burn to disc, then we'll include a note in the printme to indicate as much. |
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. |
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 |
Make sure battery is fully charged:
Step 2: If the battery is fully charged
while : ; do stress-test ; sleep 300 ; done
watch -n60 wc -l bat_mon Laptop Power & Batteries can provide additional information. 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. |