What should I do when I come in each morning?
  • If it's Monday or the first day after a break, turn your computer and peripherals on and log on to the network.

  • On other days, turn on the monitor and any peripherals and log on to the network.

  • Always turn on each computer individually. Don't use the power strip off/on switch to turn several computers off or on simultaneously.
What will the network do for me?
  • All network space is backed up every night; your hard drive is not.

  • Network space is shared by all so use it for all of the work you generate -- not programs.

  • Network file space has been set up for several purposes and is available based on how you log on.

    • type
    designated by
    example
    purpose
    accessible by logon
    personal space your user name dbrown Save all your work, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. your user name
    web publishing your user name and web$ dbrownweb$ Publish information on the Internet. your user name for publishing, by URL for the world
    shared teacher space teachershr   Share files to collaborate with other teachers in your building. your user name to staff in your building
    student space kidshr   Teachers can make files available to students. Students can store files to access them on any computer they log onto. Teachers can access by your user name. Students can access with student logons, such as starreader.
  • Students should never work on a machine logged on as a teacher because they can get to any private resources such as gradebooks. When you want to switch to a student log on, choose Start, then Shut Down and Log on as a New User. (words may be slightly different)

  • You can take a look at all of this by clicking on My Computer.
Why am I jsmith when I log on to the computer and smithjohn@smyrna.k12.de.us?
  • Logging on as jsmith, gives you access to all of the local area network resources (LAN) such as the file spaces listed above.

  • smithjohn identifies you to the K-12 state mail server in Dover.

  • Different keys for different doors. Every system where you keep individual information will require you to have a logon and password. Sometimes you'll use the same name or password on multiple systems but the system is what manages your access. For example, you may have another logon/password set for IM Series.
How can I keep my computer healthy?
  • Keep the screen and other surfaces clean using Windex sprayed onto a cloth.

  • Make sure to shut down properly: Use Shut Down from the Start menu, then turn off the power to the individual machine.

  • Learn how to clean the mouse ball.

  • Keep the keyboard clean by turning it over and shaking it out once a week.

  • If they are available, use dust covers when the computer is off. Keyboards can be covered when the computer is on.
What do I do when my computer "freezes"?
  • Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete.

  • This will bring up the Task Manager. Then find the program that says "Not responding" and click End Task.

  • If that doesn't work, choose Reboot. (Unfortunately, you will loose any work you haven't yet saved. Therefore, save your work every 5 minutes as you are creating it.)
What should I do if my computer is broken or malfunctioning? What will happen after I report it?
  • Try restarting the computer or peripheral or both. Maybe it's just temporarily incapacitated.

  • From another computer, send an e-mail to techfix@smyrna.k12.de.us and put a note on the broken machine so the technicians will know which one to fix.

  • The tech support staff will schedule the fix. If you don't hear from techfix acknowledging your request within 24 hours, submit your request again. If no one comes to fix the machine within 3 days, submit your request directly to browndavid@smyrna.k12.de.us.

  • Technical support is committed to keeping your computers functioning and will try to restore your computer in 1 to 3 days. If you have saved your work regularly on your network file space, you simply log on to another computer to keep working.
What do I have to do to get new software?
  • Use the new Software Evaluation form.

  • Make sure software is compatible with Windows 2000 since that is where the district is headed.

What should I do when I leave for the day?

  • If it's Friday or right before a break, use Shut Down to turn off your machine and then turn off the individual computer and peripherals.

  • On any other day, just log off the network and turn off the monitor and other peripherals.