Setting Up Your Laptop
Features vary from laptop to laptop: Not every laptop has the same keyboard
layout; the CD-ROM or DVD drive may eject forward, to the left, to the right,
or might not even exist; connectors and holes may be on the sides, back or
both; and the power button? Well, it could be anywhere!
Beyond the differences, if you squint your eyes tight enough, all laptop computers
look basically the same. Setup for each is similar, so the sections that
follow address issues that are the same for all laptop owners.
 If you find any specific instructions regarding setup inside the laptop box or —
should you be so lucky — if you find a manual, heed its instructions first. Then
refer back here for a gentle review.
Do you need to charge the battery?
When setting up your laptop, the holiest piece of hardware is the battery.
Om! It either came preinstalled (and perhaps even non-removable) inside the
laptop, or it came separately and must be installed.
Install or set up the battery. Fortunately, this is one of those things where the
instructions are actually included with the laptop. The instructions may tell
you how to install the battery, or which doodah to remove to make the battery
work, or other important battery preparations.
- You can use your laptop without the battery, but before doing that I recommend
properly setting up the battery to ensure that it works.
- Some batteries come DOA and must be charged before use. This is normally
done by installing the battery inside the laptop, then plugging the
laptop’s power brick both into the wall and into the laptop. Battery
charging takes place automatically.
- It usually takes a few hours to charge a laptop’s battery. The time
depends on the type of battery, power management hardware, and
whether or not you’re using the laptop at the time.
- If the battery is already charged, then install it, and you’re ready to go!
Literally!
- The manufacturer may claim that the battery is fully charged, but don’t
be surprised if it isn’t. No big deal; just install the battery and plug in the
laptop. It will charge.
- I usually let my laptop’s batteries charge overnight.
- Be sure to put any extra or spare batteries in storage when not in use.
Chapter 8 discusses storing batteries.
- Also refer to Chapter 8 for more information on managing your laptop’s
battery and power management in general.
Is some assembly required?
Beyond that battery, you may be required to add some features to your
laptop. Pray that such a thing doesn’t happen to you! But I’ve known some
laptops to arrive without memory, disk drives, and other options installed.
When that’s the case, it’s up to you to properly install those items. I wish you
the best of luck!
- Most laptops come fully assembled. In fact, installing extra features is
not an option for many laptops.
- Fortunately, installing options such as memory or a network adapter are
one-time affairs. Follow the directions closely. Read them over first
before attempting the installation. In most cases, the operation proceeds
smoothly. It also helps that most things are inserted in only one direction
so that you cannot goof things up.
 Beware of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). That tiny little spark you generate
on a dry day could permanently damage your laptop. When installing
options, always keep one hand touching the laptop’s case. This helps
lessen the potential of the dreaded ESD.
- If your laptop came with a docking station or port replicator, don’t
worry about setting it up or using it just yet. The laptop works fine
without that optional feature, so I recommend using the laptop for a
while before you need to mount the docking station or port replicator.
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