Troubleshooting Tips & Hints

 Network Access (Hard wired)

• Plug network cable into the laptops Ethernet jack
• Turn computer on
• Enter username--first initial first name, middle initial, and first six letters of last name
• Tab or use mouse to access password
• Password--xxxxxx
• Tab or use mouse to select OK.

All letters are lowercase in your username and password. Your password might include letters and numbers.

Network Access (Wireless)

• Turn computer on
• Enter username--first initial first name, middle initial, and first six letters of last name
• Tab or use mouse to access password
• Password--xxxxxx
• Tab or use mouse to select OK.
• All letters are lowercase in your username and password. Your password might include letters and numbers.

Note: You will not be able to print, save your work to the network, or use your web browser if you are not logged into the network at campus! Solution: If you are using wireless access, reboot your laptop and log back into the network. If you are using a hard-wired connection, try a different network jack/location.

Windows XP/2000 Laptops:

When logging in at home, check "workstation only" from the Novell login prompt. Use your college provided login name and password. Do NOT check "workstation only" when you are on campus as you will not be able to print or save your work.

Laptop Shutdown

Always shut down your laptop when you are done using it or plan to put it back in its case. Closing the lid does NOT shut it off, it will continue to run, and you can burn up components when it is enclosed in the case and running.

• Close all software applications and windows
• Start
• Shutdown
• Shutdown

Laptop Fails to Shutdown

Hold the power button down for at least 10 seconds or until green LED light clicks off.

Laptop Freezes Up

OpenGL screensaver running or set to start to soon, fifteen minutes should be the minimum for screensaver startup.

Screen Saver Suggestions

For optimal performance use default "flying windows," as it is not OpenGL. Keep running applications to a minimum; open only what you need! Third party software, beta versions, or Real Player running in the background all use system resources and slow down your laptop.

Problem Software:

Kazaa and Morpheus Software -- Music download software, installs third party software other than itself and can change network settings that will not allow you to connect on campus. These softwares are a great source for viruses, and could possible allow others to access your laptop/PC and do damage to files needed by the operating system.

File Sharing Software-Software -- like Bearshare, Gnucleus, Limewire, Phex and Swapper can install other programs such as advertising pop-ups and change network settings. These softwares are a great source for viruses and could possible allow others to access your laptop/PC and damage your laptop or other units. Many of these are created by private individuals with their best interests in mind.

New.net domains -- This software is a coupon distribution software that has proven to cause problems with network access in the past! Constant pop-ups are very hard to remove once installed.

Gator Software -- Gator software tracks the Internet sites that you visit and forwards that data back to the company's servers. This information is then sold to advertisers who purchase the opportunity to make ads pop up at certain moments (i.e. when specific words appear on a screen). It also lets companies launch a pop-up ad when users visit a competitor's Web site."

OfferCompanion, Trickler, and GAIN Software -- This pop-up software is similar to Gator. It is spyware software used to track your Internet activities.

Select/Change a Default Printer-Start

• Start
• Printers and Faxes
• Printer with the checkmark is the current default printer
• Select printer to be default
• Right click
• Select "Set as Default Printer" from the menu

Select/Change printer within Microsoft Office Application

• File
• Print
• Name
• Select appropriate printer from the drop-down list

Verify that you are printing to the appropriate printer, based on the building and room number before starting your print job!

College Printer Not Installed

If you are do not see a College printer installed, you can install the printer through iPrint.

• Display the Novell-Delivered Application Window
• Select iPrint for the appropriate town
• Click install for the missing classroom printer
• Click OK when printer is installed

Adding a Home Printer

• Verify that the printer you are trying to install is not in the "printers" folder. If you have tried to install it before and it has failed, delete it before you try to install it again.
• Connect the printer cable to the laptop (at the serial cable port in the back of the laptop or the USB port.
• Verify that the printer is plugged in and power button turned on and then turn on your laptop.
• When "Windows" starts to load it will recognize the printer and ask for the drivers it needs to run the printer. Insert the CD or floppy disks that came with your printer and point the driver display window to the appropriate location (A:\ for floppy disks or D:\ for the CD-ROM). If it prompts you for the Windows 98 CD, you can find the files in C:\windows\cabs\win98.
• If printer asks you to "print a test page", click yes.
• Note: When reconnecting to your home printer, it is best to repeat paragraphs 2 and 3 each time.

Frequency of Web Page Access-Internet Explorer:

• Tools
• Internet Options
• General. Click "settings" then verify that the settings in "check for newer versions of stored pages" is set to "Every visit to the page"

Empty Cache Frequently

Netscape

• Edit
• Preferences
• Advanced (double-click)
• Cache. Clear the disk cache by clicking on Clear Disk Cache and memory cache by clicking on Clear Memory Cache.

Internet Explorer:

• Tools
• Internet Options
• General
• Clear the cache by clicking Delete Files, check "delete all offline content", click OK.

Frequency of Web Page Access-Internet Explorer:

• Tools
• Internet Options
• General. Click "settings" then verify that the settings in "check for newer versions of stored pages" is set to "Every visit to the page"

"Cannot find server" error

"Cannot find server" error when trying to access the Internet from your home connection: Internet Explorer:

• Tools
• Internet Options
• Connections. Verify that "dial whenever a network connection is not present" is checked and that your home internet account is listed in the "Dial-up and VPN window"