How to Check Returned Computers

Author: Kylie Davies

Date: August 07

If the computer won't load our distro or has been installed with Windows
use AIDA to check the hardware present and then use a Knoppix 5.0 disk
to check the file system (or any version that had support for NTFS file
systems).

Make sure you have a copy of the tech spec before you start so you can
check cards/items against it. Front desk will get this as well as look
up the price and receipt for the computer.

1. Check all parts of the computer are returned, including any wheel
mouse.

2. Check physical appearance

3. Check monitor brand and type if possible.

4. Check the voltage switch hasn't been changed at the back of the
computer

5. Check all hardware as listed on the tech spec with AIDA. If any
discrepancies note this on the service request sheet.

6. Check the operation of the mouse and keyboard

7. Check operation of optical device, sound card and floppy device (load
knoppix or use our distro if present).

8. If our distro is missing, check HDD partitioning using the command
cfdisk (as root). (An alternative is fdisk -l (as root)). Switch to a console
with CTRL+ALT+F2. Report partition table on service request form if anything out of the ordinary.

9. If necessary check /var/log/syslog with cat /var/log/syslog | more
or equivalent. If hard drive is corrupt 'DriveRequestSeekError' lines
will be present. Report last user login if possible and anything else
out of the ordinary.