To ensure a smooth start to the school year, it's essential to make sure your PALCS equipment is ready to go. Follow these steps to perform a tech tune-up on your device:
1. Physically check your PALCS Equipment
- Make sure you have all the PALCS equipment you will need (laptop, printer, headset).
- Inspect the laptop for damage (cracks, chips or other physical problems).
- If there is dirt or grime on the device, use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe down the screen and keyboard. Avoid using harsh chemicals, abrasive materials, or any dripping wet wipes.
- Power on the laptop and make sure that the screen is working. If it is not powering on, check your charger to make sure all the connection points are firmly together. You may also want to try a different outlet.
2. Make sure your PALCS Laptop is functioning correctly
- Make sure you are connected to the internet ( Wireless Network Connection and Troubleshooting ).
- Sign in to the computer with the same username and password that you use to log in to the lobby.
- Check for any pending Windows updates ( Computer Updates ).
- Verify that the mouse and keyboard are working. (Open up a Word or Google doc and type each key to make sure they are working.)
- Test your Microphone, Speakers and Webcam. (A handy way to do this AND test if Zoom is installed and working is by joining the test Zoom meeting - Zoom Test Room.) If your webcam is grey/blurry check the privacy filter is not engaged ( HP Privacy Filter & Camera Troubleshooting ).
- If you are missing Zoom, you can install it from the Software Catalog ( Zoom Installation and Updating ).
3. Check on your PALCS Accounts
- Make sure you are able to Log in to www.palcschool.org
- Check for any announcements or updates from your teachers
- On the PALCS Lobby, click on the "Email" tab to navigate to your school email. Check for any important messages/updates that might have been sent.
- Make sure you are signed up for Remind ( Remind Text Alerts ) so you don't miss any updates.
4. Clean up your Data
- Last school year you probably created and downloaded many files and documents. You may want to follow the tips listed here: Cleaning up Computer Storage
- Before deleting everything, it is a good idea to make sure that everything important is backed up! ( Backing up your files ) Moving any files you want to keep from your computer to your Google Drive is an excellent way to clean up and backup those important files.
- It can also be a good idea to "Archive" older Google Drive documents and folders by creating a new "Archive" folder and move any files/folders that won't be needed for the upcoming school year into that folder. There is no need to delete files on your Google drive as you will never run out of room. But it can be very helpful to move everything you don't think you will need into one "archive" folder that way it is out of the way and you can start the year with a clean slate.
Once you have tested and checked all these things you will get a jump start on the school year and be extra ready once Onboarding begins! ( How to begin Onboarding ) If you run into any issues while conducting this "tune up" please let us know by submitting a ticket!