Loaner & Replacement Laptops

Loaner & Replacement Laptops

Stuff happens. When the need arises, loaner laptops are available at the reception desks in each office.

Things to note:

  1. You are responsible for any files left on your laptop. Ask IT for assistance if needed. 
    1. Our firm policy is to not have any client data stored on your local laptop C:\. If you need anything from your local C:\, we recommend backing it up to your U:\
    2. Following firm policies will make a hardware failure much less disruptive
  1. Please remove any USB receivers from your laptop (mouse, keyboard)
  1. Laptop swaps must be done physically in the office, as the laptop must connect to the Abdo-Private network for a user’s first login on a given laptop.  Remote employees – please contact IT for options.
    1. Estimate 15 – 30 min for the swap, depending on installs and how much data needs to be transferred between devices
    2. Some settings and installations are specific to your login - thus, you need to complete some steps yourself
  1. Each loaner comes with instructions attached. Ask IT for assistance (not Administration staff)
    1. Sample shown below
    2. There is a folder (C:\APPS TO INSTALL) with links to installers if any apps didn’t carry over from other users

Before using a loaner laptop, please reach out to IT to ensure your issue cannot be fixed. 

When you’re done with the loaner laptop, return it to the front desk. 

Sample of instructions attached to loaner laptops -- has a simplified URL

Quick Laptop Set Up: Key Steps

Please take a few minutes to complete the following steps IN ORDER. This will make the swap smoother & ensure that you have what you need. This process should take approximately 15 minutes & only needs to be done once during your use of the laptop. Investing a few minutes in a proper set-up after your first login will speed up your return to work & minimize frustration.


If you have questions at any point in this process, please reach out to IT.
** Download links can be found in C:\APPS TO INSTALL **

Chrome

Set Chrome as the Default Browser

  1. Click on the Windows icon   in the lower left corner of your desktop
  2. Click on Settings  and then choose Apps
  3. Choose Default apps
  4. Scroll down to Web Browser in the list, select Chrome and confirm the change


 Pin Bitwarden Extension to the Local Chrome Toolbar

  1. Shortly after launching your local Chrome, the Bitwarden browser extension should automatically install.
  2. If it doesn't automatically install, you can alternatively use the Cloud Chrome or Edge Bitwarden browser extension since it will always be there.
  3. To pin the Bitwarden Extension (if it is not pinned yet) click on the extensions icon  in the upper-right corner of your Chrome browser and then click on the pin icon for the Bitwarden extension.  This ensures that it is always visible on your menu bar.


Log into the Bitwarden Browser Extension

  1. LOCAL: It may ask for a device approval. If you have Bitwarden on your mobile device, you can approve it from there. Otherwise, should log into the cloud Bitwarden extension. 
  2. CLOUD: When logging into the cloud Chrome or Edge and the Bitwarden extension still requires approval, please submit a ticket to IT!

Log into Abdo Connect


Other Apps

Install MS Teams

  1. If missing, open the Teams Installer link in C:\APPS TO INSTALL or here
  2. Use your Abdo Cloud credentials to log in and authenticate
  3. Allow your organization to manage your device. This allows your login to carry over to other Microsoft and SSO-enabled apps on the same device
  4. Pin Teams to the Windows taskbar


Install Zoom

  1. If missing, open the Zoom Installer link in C:\APPS TO INSTALL or here

  1. Use your Zoom credentials to log in

To make your experience smoother with Zoom, you may need to edit some of the Zoom app settings. Here is what the general settings for most people in the firm looks like. On the home screen of the Zoom desktop app, you will need to select the link to connect your Outlook calendar if it is not displaying your events. 



Log into Abdo Cloud

  1. Click on the Abdo Cloud icon  on your desktop and pin it to your taskbar
  2. Click on Subscribe
  3. Select your name in the Pick an account list. Your list of remote apps should now appear

Local Installation of Office 365

  1. Verify that you can launch Word, Excel, or PowerPoint locally. If Office apps are missing, log into office.com with your Abdo Cloud credentials and select Install Office in the upper right corner to install the suite of apps locally.


Data / Files Store on Your Laptop

If the issue with your laptop still allows you to access it and connect to the cloud, you may copy any locally saved files to your U:\ drive.  
NOTE:  Abdo's policy is to NOT store files on your local laptop hard drive.