Laptop Laptop OverviewOverview

Jackie Sizemore

Instructional Technology Specialist

Keep in mind that this laptop will be MCSD property, but it will be your responsibility to replace it if lost, stolen, or damaged!

Do Not…•Drop your laptop

•Place heavy objects on your laptop

•Eat or drink over your laptop

•Pack your laptop in a tightly packed suitcase or bag

•Disassemble your laptop

•Scratch, hit, or press the laptop LCD display

•Place any objects between the display and the key board or under the keyboard

•Pick up or hold your laptop by the display

•Store your laptop where the temperature is below 41F or above 95F

•Place your laptop closer than 5 inches from any electrical appliance that generates a strong magnetic field (a motor, TV, refrigerator, large audio speakers and some cordless telephones)

•Place your laptop near magnets

•Pick up your laptop with cords attached to the back

•Touch the lens on the DVD drive tray

Do Not…

•Treat your laptop with care

•Use a quality carrying case that will provide protection for your laptop

•Use it to help you with all of your school work, not just Integrade and E-mail but also technology enriched lessons.

Do…

•You should occasionally clean your laptop.

•Use a soft lint-free cloth moistened with a non-alkaline detergent to wipe the exterior of the laptop.

•Avoid spraying cleaners directly on the display or the keyboard.

•Gently wipe the LCD panel with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth. If a stain remains, moisten the cloth with LCD cleaner and wipe the stain again. Be sure to dry the LCD before closing it.

•A 50-50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water or water alone may be used as an LCD cleaner to moisten your cloth.

•Antistatic LCD cleaning cloths are also safe to use. Example- KimWipes/Office Depot Note that NOT ALL Anti static wipes are safe for LCD panels. PLEASE READ PACKAGE CAREFULLY!

Cleaning Your Laptop

Extending Battery Life•If your battery is brand new and you are charging it for the first time, it might not become fully charged due to the characteristics of the chemicals in the cell. To maximize performance, ensure that all chemicals in the battery are fully activated by cycling the battery (fully charged, then fully discharged) three times. This procedure is also recommended if you stored the battery for a few months.

•Do not charge the battery pack until all of its power is used. Recharging a battery pack that is not completely discharged can shorten battery life.

•Once you start charging the battery pack, do not use it until it is fully charged.

•Connect the power cord to the laptop and plug into the wall.

•Plug the Cat5e (Yellow) Network cable from the wall into the Network jack of the laptop.

Setting up Your Laptop

•Plug your external mouse and or keyboard to the USB ports. (optional)

•Power On your laptop.

•Login with your personal ID and password when the Novell screen appears.

Setting up Your Laptop

If you want to use a printer you will either need to unplug the mouse or see if you have an extra USB drive.

You will have a touch pad and a mouse attached to the laptop but an external mouse is much easier to use!

The large ThinkPad button on the keyboard is for help with understanding your new laptop!

Using Laptop at Home

Bypass Novell by selecting the “workstation only” command. Then click OK. If you do not have that option, let me know.

You will have to talk with your home Internet Service Provider to find out how to access your Internet connection at home. Most companies will not just let you plug and play. You can add another computer for free usually but they have to go through the hook up process with you. You can also use this service whenever you travel!

Wireless Access at Home

• You may have wireless access at home. You will have to be responsible for connecting but I can work with you to show you some of the steps.

• See me after class.

Questions or Concerns?