Chromebook and Hotspot Lending: Chromebook Setup & FAQs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Keyboard

1. Forward and back buttons for the browser
2. Reload button for the browser
3. Toggle "Fullscreen Mode"
4. Allows you select between the apps you currently have open
5. Brightness adjust
6. Mute button
7. Volume adjust
8. Lock the Chromebook
9. Brings up the "search" tool to find tabs, files, and apps on the device (similar to the Windows button on other computers)

The screen also has touch capabilities.

Additional Information

• Tour of Your Chromebook
  For tips on using windows, tabs, apps, and more
• Using Google Drive
  For information on how to create, edit, and format documents, spreadsheet, and presentations
• Sharing Files in Google Drive
  Sharing on Google Drive allows you to share files with others and control whether they can edit, comment on, or only view it

Note: This guide will walk you through the first-time setup of the Chromebook. After you set it up, the Chromebook will only require you to enter your password to use.

1. Welcome screen. Choose a language and accessibility options (screen magnification, screen reader, high contrast mode, etc.) Make any selections you would like, and then click “Get Started.”
2. Connect to the internet.
   • If you have Wi-Fi at home, select your home network and enter the password when prompted.
   • If you’re in the library, select the “Library-Guest” network.
   • If you’re using one of the library’s Wi-Fi hotspots, you can find the network name (listed as SSID) and password on the back of the hotspot.
3. Google’s terms of service. Click “Accept and Continue.” The Chromebook will then check for any software updates and download them if necessary.
4. Who’s using this Chromebook?
   • If you’d like to sign into an existing Google account or set up a new one, select the “You” option in response to “Who’s using this Chromebook?” 
   • If you’d like to access parental controls for content filtering, screen time, and more, select “A child.” 
   • If you only want to browse the internet and don’t need to save or download files, you select the “Browse as Guest” option at the bottom of the screen.

Note: To get the most out of your Chromebook, we highly recommend logging in with a Google account. This will allow you to securely save bookmarks, passwords, and files you create or download online, allowing you to access them from any computer in the future.  If you have a Gmail email address or an Android phone, you already have a Google account. You will use either your email address or phone number and password to log in the Chromebook.

5. Log in. The next screen will prompt you to enter your email address or phone number and click “Next.”  Then enter your password and again click “Next” again. 
   Note: Some Google accounts have what’s called “Two-Factor Authentication.” To increase the security of your account, logging in to your account on a new device will require an additional step, usually a six-digit password sent to you via email or text message sent to you try to log in.  If you have Two-Factor Authentication active on your account, you will need to enter that code now.
6. The next screen contains information about how Google can share your bookmarks, apps, passwords, and more between the various devices you use, like tablets, smartphones and computers.  There is a checkbox to review and change what is shared between your devices once this initial setup is complete.
7. Google Play’s terms of service. Google Play is the store where Google provides apps for the Chromebook and Android phones. Here you have options on how data from these apps are shared across your devices. After clicking “More,” you will see options including backing up data from apps to your Google account and whether you want apps you download from the app store to have access to location data. For example, apps like Google Maps would use location data to provide you with directions, and some websites use location data to provide recommendations to businesses or services located near you. To proceed, click “Accept.”
8. Google Assistant. You can use voice commands to interact with your Chromebook, like Siri on Apple devices or Cortana on Microsoft devices. Google Assistant uses AI to interpret your commands based on the context of what you see on your screen. To do this, it must transmit that information securely online.  You can activate this feature by clicking “I Agree” or leave it off by clicking “No thanks.”
   • Normally, to have Google Assistant listen to your commands, you must hold down the “search” key (the one with the magnifying glass) and the “A” key. The following screen allows you to set up the Chromebook to recognize your voice so Google Assistant will be activated anytime you say “Hey Google.” Click “I agree” to turn this feature on, or “No thanks” to leave this feature off.
9. Display theme. Choose the one you prefer and click “Next.”
10. You’re done! Click “Get Started” to start using your Chromebook. When you turn your Chromebook on in the future, the most you’ll have to do is click on your account and enter your password.

• Turn On Chromebook Accessibility Features

  You can make your Chromebook easier to use by turning on accessibility features that work best for your needs.

• Chrome Accessibility Videos

  Google Chrome's accessibility series on YouTube.

• Zoom In or Magnify Your Chromebook Screen

  To see items on your Chromebook screen better, you can change your screen resolution, zoom in, or magnify.

• ChromeVox Screen Reader

  ChromeVox is a free screen reader that comes pre-installed on Chromebooks so all you have to do is turn it on.

• Use Gmail with a Screen Reader

  Use the tips on this page to get the best Gmail experience with a desktop screen reader.

• Navigate in Google Drive with a Screen Reader

  Use these areas of the Drive web interface to navigate with your screen reader.

• Manage Files in Google Drive with a Screen Reader

  Learn how to create, copy, share, and move files in Drive with a screen reader.

• Use a Braille Device with Your Chromebook

  You can use most USB braille devices, such as a refreshable braille display, with your Chromebook.

• Chromebooks Help Forum for Accessibility

  The Chromebook Accessibility Team's online forum for tips and help, including contact information and Google Group.

How do I check my email and browse the internet?

• You can check your email by going to your email provider’s website and logging into your email account. Google Chrome is a web browser, so as soon as you log in with your Google account or as a guest, you can start surfing the web.

Where is Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint?

• Chromebooks use Google’s Chrome operating system. Instead of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint software programs, Google has equivalent applications called Docs (Word), Sheets (Excel) and Slides (PowerPoint).

How do I access apps like Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc.?

• First, you must be logged in to your Google account. All apps on the device are accessed through the "launcher" by clicking the  button on the lower left-hand corner of the screen

How do I save my document/spreadsheet/presentation?

• Your document will be automatically saved in whichever application you are working within your personalized Google Drive account.

How do I change the name of my document from "Untitled Doc"?

• Click the words “Untitled Doc” and give the document a new name.

How do I save my document in order to share it with someone who has Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint?

• In the document you're working on, go to the File menu and scroll to “Download As.” From the menu, choose the Microsoft format that appears.

I did that. Where did it go?

• It downloaded to the "Downloads" location on the Chromebook. To access this location, you will need to open the “Files” application on the Chromebook. This can be found by clicking the  button on the lower left of the screen and opening the files app.

How can I save this file to use on another device?

• You can either email the file as an attachment to yourself or insert a flash drive into one of the Chromebook’s USB ports and then cut or copy and paste the file from the downloads folder to the flash drive.

How do I locate my flash drive on the Chromebook?

• Open the “Files” application. In the left column you will see your flash drive. Click on it to open it and view the documents on the drive.

Can I open Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint files on my Chromebook?

• Google applications will open Microsoft format documents in the corresponding application: Word will open in Docs; Excel will open in Sheets; and PowerPoint will open in Slides. However, the full suite of editing tools will not be available until the document is converted to the corresponding Google application.
  • After double clicking the file, you will be in preview mode. To open the file in the corresponding Google application, click the “Open” button at the top of the preview window and Google will convert the document into the corresponding Google App format and automatically save it in your Google Drive

How do I print from my Chromebook?

• If you have a printer at home, use this guide to connect your Chromebook to it. If you need to print at the library, see our Wireless Printing Guide.

How do I safely eject my flash drive?

• Go to the “Files” application and in the left column, to the right of the flash drive name, there will be an eject icon (triangle with a line under it). Click the icon and then remove your flash drive from the Chromebook.

How do I know my personal information isn't stored on the Chromebook after I've used it?

• Before you return your Chromebook, you can "powerwash" the device which deletes all files and data stored on the Chromebook and returns it to the state it was new out of the box. For information on how to do this, see the Returning Devices tab. Don't worry if your forget to do this; library staff will "powerwash" all Chromebooks when they are returned to the library.