Technical Problems and Solutions
What technical problems are you running into? Please help your colleagues by brainstorming solutions to posted problems.
posted by Marcia @ 10/02/2007 10:55:00 AM
47 comments
Wichita Public Schools Instructional Technology
This blog is for Instructional Technology and the Site Technology Specialists we support.
47 Comments:
The computers in the computer lab seem to always have issues. Whether it is the tower that won't function correctly and needs continual attention or the settings being changed by random kids, it is a great hassle.
How are the students logging in? Does the student account have admin rights? If so, I would change this to help eliminate some issues.
Also, you can teach a group of older students to help keep the lab computers cleaned up and running.
In our computer lab, we do not have very many problems. We have newer computers which helps. The student account does not have admin rights, therefore, they cannot change very many things. Another thing we do in our lab is have assigned seats. This way we can find out which student may have changed something and deal with him personally. We have found the assigned seats really help. The students take ownership in their computer and want to keep it clean and in working order. When our teachers bring the kids to open lab or for MAP testing, they have the kids sit in their assigned seats as well.
My Technical Problem is with posting to this portal. I have created a google account with a password. Each time I change the discussion topics, I have to put in my google username and password again even though I have not left the portal. Every time, it says I have an incorrect password (which I don't). The only way I can have my google display name work is to recreate it! I would participate more, if it was more user friendly to use.
I guess I am just use to WEBCT or Blackboard, where you put in your credentials once and can move about freely. There is no word verification for each post.
A simple way to post without having to log in each time is just select the "Other" or "Anonymous" identities and then just type your name at the end of your post - no login is required.
I have one teacher that uses quite a bit of technology in her room (she is pretty computer savvy) but her 3 desktops computers that her students use won't let her access the Enterprise folders. It was okay last year - and she can get it on the laptops from the cart - but not her desktops in her room. Any ideas?
THANKS!
Debbie - it may depend on the permissions on the Enterprise folders and how students are logging on to those computers. First, you try to log on to her machine and access the Enterprise folder and see if you can get on. If you can't get on, then you know it has something to do with the comptuter.
You can cal the help desk at well and have them help you figure out what the issue may be.
Hope this gets you a place to start.
One computer in the computer lab will not shut down. I have to hold down the power button until it shuts down. Why?
The only problem with not giving admin rights to student accounts is the updates. When students are logged on the computer the updates will not download. You have to have admin rights. Updates seem to happen daily, or what their doing won't work because something needs to be install. It's a pain to keep logging off just to run updates or install software.
We have a computer in our Technology room that keeps telling us to install java and we do that but it keeps coming back that we need to install java. Why? When we install it how do we get the computer to recognize that it has been installed?
I am a new STS and I wanted to know is there a way we can dispose of computers that are no longer working? I know we were probably told but I couldnt find the information. Can anyone help me?
Conputer Disposal for New STS
We have a proceedure in place for getting rid of your old computers. The document tht tells you how to do this is located on our website at http://technology.usd259.org/sts/forms.htm (click on the document called Obsolete Computer Directions.)
You must have 20 coreded items before they will come and pick up your stuff. A CPU is consdiered a corded item and a monitor is a corded item.
If you have more quesdtions, please drop me an e-mail.
Our school has airliners for the first time this year! One of our teachers uses his daily. This week it stopped working - in the morning it worked, after lunch it didn't. Pushing the power button doesn't turn on the power. It's dead. Is there a reset?
Airliner problem
1) Make sure it is charged. If you let the battery die completely, you have to buy a new $40.00 battery.
2) Try a hard reset - Press the power button and the two buttons right below the pen holder and hold for thirty seconds. During this process the power light will not power on at all. As soon as you lift your fingers the power light should turn back on. I would suggest doing the reset while the power supply is connected.
3) Call SMART Technologies Technical support at 1.866.518.6791 (toll-free)
How do you fix the Java issue. It keeps telling us to install it and it is already installed.
I would try uninstalling the Java from your machine (go to the control panel and select "Add or Remove Programs") and then downloading and reinstalling it. You can get a download from http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp
If this doesn't work, I would call in a work order.
Anyone have any other ideas?
A major problem at our school involves staff loosing power cords to laptops, projector cords, etc. I currently have 7 laptops that cannot be used because we have no power cords for them. This year all computers and technology pieces have to be checked out to staff....it's just a shame we have many who are so irresponsible.
The computerized nature of many of the district’s assessment tests can be either a great benefit, or an exercise in frustration. For example, after scanning the school year’s first DCA tests, I discovered on October 12 that several teachers were unable to access their student scores. This caused me extra work trying to determine if those scores would be available before the end of the day and finally finding out that no, they would not be available until, perhaps, the following week. Additionally, those teachers unable to read their DCA scores were irritated with both the system and with me for being unable to “fix” the problem in a timely manner. I realize that’s part of being the technology contact person, but it does create unnecessary stress.
Is anyone else having trouble with computers losing the domain this year? I've had to rejoing 2 computers twice this year and a couple of others once. Weird!
Re: SchoolNet. I have also experienced problems with SchoolNet. It would be very helpful to receive an email stating that SchoolNet is experiencing a problem, the nature of the problem and the estimated time/date that the problem will be fixed. I still do not have about half of my buildings results.
We are still having trouble keeping our orientation on our smart boards, espically if they have been on several times throughout the day.
We are having problems with the newer Dell flat screen monitors/desktops hooking up to a projector. Any tips?
SchoolNet Issue:
Kim Davis says she sends e-mails to data leaders, assessment, Instructional coaches and schoolnet scanners. If you are one of those above and are not gettimg her e-mails, please contsatc her and have her add you to the list of people who get updates.
I have learned that the new Dells have to be hooked up a certain way so that they work with projectors and Smartboards. I have also figured out how to share printers. I agree that the computer lab is a hassle to maintain. It is amazing how teachers do not help maintain it- students need to be monitored so that cords are not unplugged, students removing icons and turning the desktop image upside down, leaving candy trash, ect. I am surprised how they think that it is the Tech's job to maintain this all for them.
One suggestion- I made tags for each monitor so that the students can visully see the school logon and password. It has helped the number of times I have to call to get out password unlocked.
The assigned seats work as well but I still feel that teachers need to understand that computer lab is NOT a break- we have no other adult in the lab at our building- they leave to use the restroom, hang out in the office or lounge. I will find out if our students have the admin. feature- I will change that if they do!
Re- School Net- The problem in our building is that the School Net person IS NOT the tech and she does not share the information with the Tech person. I agree that I have spent time on issues that she will look at me and say "I got an email about that- didn't you?" Can be frustrating!
With some monitors you can disable the rotation feature by doing the following:
right-click on an empty area on the desktop, click on 'properties' then on the 'settings' tab followed by the 'Advanced' button. On here there is a tab relating to graphics, mine says 'Intel(R) Extreme Graphics' click on the tab then on the 'Graphics properties' button, choose the 'rotation' tab and remove the tick from the 'Enable Rotation' - remember to click 'apply'. Hope this helps
Ok i now have 5 dell keyboards taht teachers are having problems with like at start when they hit Ctrl-Alt-Del it won't work but if you use the Ctrl-Alt on the right side of the computer it will. They have also noticed that some random keys will not type or type but not every time when its pressed. I called 3Help on one and got a new one but starting to wonder if anyone else been having this problem with the NEW Dell Desktops
I have a problem with one Gateway desktop. Sometime this summer it started periodically giving us the message: "Updating your computer is almost complete. You must restart your computer for updates to take effect...." You know the rest. Only problem is that when we restart it, nothing happens. I can't figure out what it's trying to update. Help!
Here's another question: As a relatively new STS, I have only done the bulk order during the summer until today. Every other time, Melvin has named the computers & joined them to the domain. Today, they are still in the box. I will gladly do it; is that ok? & where can I find some directions to make sure that I am doing it right? Thanks!
Joining Computers to the Network
STS can join up to 10 computers to the domain without requesting additional privileges. The directions to do this are on the MIS STS Portal at http://wpsportal1/sites/mis/customerservice/sts/default.aspx
Look on the right side of the page under critical links.
Re: SMART Boards
If you are continually having issues with orienting, I would call SMART Technologies help desk at 1.866.518.6791
If they are not resloving your problems, we can have Kent Audio Visual come out and take a look. Please drop me (Marcia) and e-mail and let me know the status. We WILL get this solved.
RE: Gateway desktop not updating.
Most likely some file has become corrupt. The easiest way to fix this is to reimage the machine. Call in a work order.
Chris said...
Ok i now have 5 dell keyboards taht teachers are having problems with like at start when they hit Ctrl-Alt-Del it won't work but if you use the Ctrl-Alt on the right side of the computer it will. They have also noticed that some random keys will not type or type but not every time when its pressed. I called 3Help on one and got a new one but starting to wonder if anyone else been having this problem with the NEW Dell Desktops
4:05 PM
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Brad said...
In regards to the keyboard issue, i have heard that some schools have had this same problem. Once again, put in a work order, and MIS can take care of it for you.
I believe you can actually join 10 computers per day to the domain.
Anonymous said...
We have a computer in our Technology room that keeps telling us to install java and we do that but it keeps coming back that we need to install java. Why? When we install it how do we get the computer to recognize that it has been installed?
11:40 AM
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Brad said...
In regards to Java wanting to install an update...it seems that Sun does an update of Java about every two months. If your systems is using a web application that uses Java, this could be prompting for the update. If it still comes up after the update, you first want to restart the sysyem and see if this works...the other option is to uninstall Java and try to reload it.
Brad
Anonymous said...
We are having problems with the newer Dell flat screen monitors/desktops hooking up to a projector. Any tips?
6:54 PM
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Brad said...
Can the person who posted this gives some more details on what you are seeing?
Anonymous said...
We are having problems with the newer Dell flat screen monitors/desktops hooking up to a projector. Any tips?
6:54 PM
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Brad said...
Can the person who posted this gives some more details on what you are seeing?
With the new dells and projectors- the video card is now internal not external so you hook them up a different way. You need one of the white adaptors that dell left in the big box after they unpacked everything and left. I found out that they hook up a different way by turning in a work order. Greg came out and helped me problem solve. Also the Smartboards have to be rehooked up after you get the projector working. Why Dell comes and does not explain the "extras" in the box is beyond me. USD259 gives them BIG business and they did not take 5 minutes to go over the "Leftover" box with me. (Believe me- being a first timer- I had MANY questions about everything!)
As far as the bulk order- it is overwelming being new and taking care of these things! Starky is AWESOME about picking up old computers and were VERY timely in doing so!
Thanks for answering my questions re: joining computers to the domain & the Gateway that keeps trying unsuccessfully to update!
New question: Now that I have joined these comps to the USD 259 domain, can the teachers use them? Will they need to be "imaged?" Or does it come with the district specs already & set to go? I see that the pattern for naming the computers is: school number, room number, and does it matter what I do with the w part? I am assuming that is referring to "workstation #." Am I correct?
I have had teachers ask me if there is a district wide electronic grade book? Does anyone know anything about it? If so could you please let me know?
Thank you
Moneisha
Re: Gradebook
There is not a district wide gradebook. There is one for middle and high but not elementary.
Patricia said:
New question: Now that I have joined these comps to the USD 259 domain, can the teachers use them? Will they need to be "imaged?" Or does it come with the district specs already & set to go? I see that the pattern for naming the computers is: school number, room number, and does it matter what I do with the w part? I am assuming that is referring to "workstation #." Am I correct?
If you purchased a computer through the bulk order, they should come ready to use other than any building specific software or settings. As far as the naming protocal, the w is for "Watershed" and is followed by the watershed cycle year. This is year 5 of the watershed. After that should be a two digit number refering to the computer number in that room. If it is a new computer this year and the third computer in room 100 I would name it 123r100w503.
Gradekeeper (www.gradekeeper.com)is a nice basic gradebook program. I think it's $20 for a single license and $100 for a school license. The licenses do not expire. I used this program for three years.
I've used MyGradebook (www.mygradebook.com) for the last two years. It costs $49.95 per year, but parents can log on and look at their kids' grades. I LOVE IT!!
We use Easy Grade Pro school wide and we love it. It is very easy to use and saves tons of time.
I still am having problems with computers dropping the domain. HELP desk has no suggestions. AARGH
I am lucky to be a full time Technology teacher in an elementary school. It helps so much to be available to solve problems. I use the help desk often and when a problem goes beyond my limited knowledge. They are great and can often walk me through a problem. I try to keep a list in a folder of common problems and solutions. That has cut down on my calls to the help desk but believe me I am a regular at calling. Melvin is also great about solving problems with me.
My issues in the lab (I don't teach the lab but am sometimes in here when classes come) involve teachers who come in and give students vague directions to have freetime. The teacher then sits down and read e-mail or works on the computer and ignores students. When the teacher/adults supervise and have assigned activities, the lab is left in much better shape.
School Net- I have the same problem with not getting the emails. It is sent to a teacher who is not the STS. If she shares them- I am in the loop- if not- then I spend time trying to get an answer that has already been sent out. I think STS should be on the list!
As far as the losing equipment issue- should they not pay for these lost parts? I am sure that when the agreement is signed- this is part of the deal. An example- a dog of a teacher chewed on the power cord of the laptop she uses at home. Our admin. just ordered her another one. I do not understand why we are not held to the expectations we expect our student to uphold! We are using money on these types of items instead of using them to advance our students! Should this me addressed district wide?????
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