HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 603.01 NEW 3-2009-MCT MaintBeaumont
Effective: 3/5/2009
Revised:
Replaces:
603.01 - MCT Maintenance
I. Guiding Philosophx
Having the right information available at the right time can be critical for the success of
an emergency operation. So that we can depend on this capability when it matters most, we must
maintain our technology assets in a manner that keeps them operating at peak performance.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish appropriate maintenance standards for City -
issued, Panasonic -brand Toughbook laptop computers.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to:
A. Explain the MCT battery charging system.
B. Communicate the purpose of and requirements pertaining to rebooting the MCT.
C. Describe the appropriate cleaning equipment and procedures to be employed.
IV. Definitions
A. LCD - Liquid Crystal Display; a low-power, flat -panel display used in many laptop
computers, calculators and digital watches, made up of a liquid crystal that is
sandwiched between layers of glass or plastic and becomes opaque when electric
current passes through it. The contrast between the opaque and transparent areas
forms visible characters.
B. MCT - Mobile Computer Terminal; a system that brings information technology to
personnel operating within a motor vehicle.
C. Reboot - The process of turning a computer or operating system off and then on
again; restart; a valuable tool to assist in troubleshooting and repairing minor
computer problems.
V. MCT Battery Charging System
A. With the exception of the Chief's Cars, MCTs are set to operate continuously from
the vehicle battery.
B. The Chief's Cars utilize a Chargeguard system that allows the MDC to draw from the
vehicle battery for 12 hours before it switches to the computer battery.
C. When the vehicle is started, the Chargeguard system switches back to the vehicle
battery to operate the MCT for another 12 hours.
D. Additionally, all apparatus with MCTs are provided with on -board charging systems
that are designed to maintain the charge of the apparatus battery.
VI. Rebooting the MDC
A. The purpose of re -booting the MCT is to reset the unit processes and restore the
memory to their optimum working capacity. Conducting this routine procedure helps
to ensure that the device, its components, and features are working properly.
B. The ranking Officer assigned to each unit equipped with a MCT is responsible for
insuring that the MCT is rebooted each morning during the morning apparatus and
equipment check.
VII. Cleaning
A. The Panasonic Toughbook laptop computer comes with a low reflection coating
applied to the display screen to improve outdoor visibility. This coating is subject to
damage from scratches, smudging, and clouding caused by the use of improper
cleaning agents and harsh cloths. The LCD screen is not glass and should not be
cleaned like glass.
B. What to use:
1. "Soft Cloth" provided with the Panasonic brand laptop computer, OR
2. Micro -Chamois, or Microfiber "Terry" cloth, AND
3. Klear Screen brand LCD cleaner or comparable cleaning product.
C. Whatnot to use:
1. Alcohol, acetone, or ammonia based cleaners
2. Tissue, paper towel, or ordinary cloth
3. Tap water as it contains chemical additives
D. Procedures:
1. When using the "Soft Cloth"
a. Use the "soft cloth" when it is dry. Do not apply water or solvents to
the cloth.
b. Lightly wipe foreign particles and dust adhering to the LCD display
on one side of the cloth. Do not use force, since the LCD surface
may be damaged with the foreign particles and dust.
c. Next, wipe off fingerprints, smudges, etc., with the other side of the
cloth.
d. After wiping off foreign particles and dust, wash the soft cloth in a
neutral detergent to remove any particles, dust, or dirt. Do not use
bleach or a fabric conditioner.
e. Do not wipe areas other than the LCD display with the soft cloth.
2. When using the Micro -Chamois or Microfiber Cloth and LCD Cleaner
a. If possible, shut down laptop and allow it to cool before attempting
to clean the screen.
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3. Tips:
b. If it is not practical to shut down the laptop, minimize windows to
reach the dark desktop screen. This will aid in identifying prints,
smudges, etc. that require additional detail.
c. Use the Micro -Chamois cloth to remove any obvious dust and gently
brush off any dirt particles.
d. Moisten a corner of the Micro -Chamois cloth with two pumps from
the spray dispenser. Do not spray the cleaner directly on the screen.
e. Support the screen and starting at the top, wipe in one direction
across the screen, using straight lines, not a circular motion. Do not
apply a hard pressure to the display screen when cleaning.
f. If the display has an uneven haze or if the solution has dried too
quickly, repeat the procedure. If streaks are still present, attempt the
procedure again using the "Terry Cloth" towel provided in the
cleaning kit.
g. The cleaning procedure may have to be repeated several times for
difficult spots. Do not apply hard pressure to the screen in an effort
to remove difficult spots.
h. When dirty, hand -wash the cloth with mild detergent or liquid dish
soap and warm water. Rinse well and line dry. Do not iron.
a. Don't leave any liquid on the screen, remove all excess moisture
because it may damage the screen.
b. Make sure to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
around the screen.
c. Do not spray any liquids directly on the LCD screen, always apply
the solution to your cloth first.
d. Avoid dripping the solution directly onto your laptop.
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