SoCSTech Docs Help

PC Startups and DeepFreeze

Ok, this really is kinda our Bread-and-Butter, and we need to make sure they're all working correctly. No PCs, no teaching, sad students, crap NSS.

Aims

To ensure all PCs are starting up and working correctly, and that DeepFreeze is correctly communicating with them.

Gotchas!

  • WoL (as of the time of writing) doesn't work correctly in INB2102/2B - you'll have to run around manually

Procedure

  • Log in to DeepFreeze and navigate to the "Computers" tab

  • We will be using the built in Wake-on-LAN feature to turn on and test communication with all PCs

    • Due to the nature of WoL, we have to stagger the startup of all PCs - we do this manually

    • Using the search bar under "Computer Name" search 1 row of desks at a time, like 1A-A

    • Select all PCs under that search term and click "Wakeup" from the actions row

    • Repeat for all rows in all labs! It doesn't take long, promise!

  • Once that has been done for all PCs, visit each lab and check everything is on

    • Is a PC off? It could be a case of the WoL packet didn't reach the PC - try turning on manually and checking network connections. Sometimes it just doesn't work for some reason

    • If a PC fails to turn on or boot at all, quickly investigate as to why, and prepare it for a repair if needed

    • Because lab sessions are sometimes underbooked, have absences or have people using BYOD, a PC being out of action for a day is not a huge issue. However, to maintain appearances we do need to ensure we get a fix sorted ASAP

  • Nothing turned on at all?

    • Is the power actually working? If no PC turns on it could be an issue with some of our circuits - a diagnostic will be outlined in an upcoming docs page

    • If PCs do turn on manually, it could be an issue with DeepFreeze, or, Networks

Last modified: 13 May 2024