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Key stages

  • Delete data and old OS
  • Install Linux OS
  • Install software
  • Clean laptop and make as customer happy as possble

Deleting data and old OS

Handwritten notes wiping and installing linux from an old laptop

  • Initial thoughts on what tools to use to wipe the HD
  • Plan 1: Use DBAN
  • Plan 2: DBAN didn't work a second approach required
  • Attempts to install Linux failed
  • Installed correct firmware for BCM4311
  • Installed software packages
  • Cleaned machine and provided extra eternal storage

Initial thoughts on what tools to use to wipe the HD

Plan 1: Use DBAN

Important to get approach clear in mind before attempting erasing!

Plan 2: DBAN didn't work a second approach required

Used Gparted and a shred then dd to wipe

Installing Linux OS

Initial attempts to install Linux failed

Discovered problems with both wi-Fi broadcom chipset and direct Eathernet This took several hours to figure out what was going on Puppy Linux became invaluable as a diagnostic tool in assuring me that Wi-Fi chipset did work, using Puppy Linux Frisbee.

Installed correct firmware for BCM4311

Switched to Linux Mint with ethernet cable (now functioning) and installed the BCM4311 drivers

Installed software packages

Added much software and offical ppas for

  • LibreOffice, themes etc.
  • GIMP plugins
  • Blender and other tools.

Clean laptop and make as customer happy as possble

Cleaned machine

I finished by physically cleaning the laptop including using acetone to remove Microsoft labels and dirt and such. I discovered the machine was for a 17 year old whos parents were not able to buy a computer .For him it was his 'new' computer for Christmas, so I put extra effort into polishing it up especially as I wasn't sure about his internet access.

Make as customer happy as possble

  • Created a simple text document user could read so that hopefully they could make use of the machine.

  • Added a new 16GB USB stick in to give some external capacity to backup files.

I'm pleased to say the Laptop did look good and worked well, before passing it to the person who was going to deliver it to the young man :)