Computer Support FAQ for Isle Schools Network

Where is the power button or switch?

What are some keyboard Shortcuts ?

How do I use my computer again if there is a screen saver or my computer is sleeping (screen is blank and computer is on, or something like fireworks suddenly appear on screen) ?

Where should I save my files?

Where should I print?

How do I force a program to quit or force it to restart?

How do I transfer a file to a computer that is not on the schools LAN?

How do I save a disk so it will work on a different Operating System such as MS Windows?

What format should I save my files so I can use them on a different system?

What if I want software installed?

What if I have hardware or network problems? What if I need Hardware Installed?

What if I have other Computer /Network problems or questions not listed?

Keyboard Shortcuts

Use CTRL (Control Key) with non-apple compatible applications, or
Use  (Command Key/open apple) with apple applications
with the following keys:
V for Paste
C for Copy
X for Cut
S for Save
A for Select All
Z for Undo
In a word processor:
B for Bold
I for Italic
U for Underline
This is the general scheme, but there are some exceptions.

DEL (Delete Key)-Clear or Delete
INS (Insert Key)-Change Insert to and from write Over text
Num Lock-Use number keys on keypad
Caps Lock- lock in upper case
Shift-use different characters (the top one appearing on the key) or change case (always to upper case on apple)

Printing:

• Print only if necessary.
• For small jobs, Print to the Closest Laser Printer
• ONLY print to the inkjet printers IF COLOR is needed.
  Inkjet Printers will not be supported except for certain cases, such as Art or Computer Classes, or special presentations.

Trouble Shooting Programs and OS:

Note: Everything that is not saved will be lost if the computer is rebooted.  Everything in the program that is quit will not be saved. (A few programs automatically save documents incase this happens)
Back to questions at the top

Transferring a file to a computer outside the school's local area network (LAN):

• Floppy Disk
• Recordable CD
• Recordable DVD
• Email attachment (Make sure the file is not too big)
• FTP--Is not currently set up for all services
• An outside Internet service that allows you to store files such as Yahoo Brief Case

Saving to a different OS

• Make sure the disk is in MS DOS or MS Windows format.
• Most Macintosh computers can read DOS formatted disk but MS Windows/DOS cannot read Macintosh.
• Many Linux/Unix machines will also read different formats from its own.

Standard and Compatible Formats

Above- An example of a JPEG File

example GIF File

GIF - Graphical Interchange format, Graphic format originally used by CompuServe, a format for graphics with fewer colors on the World Wide Web. GIFs can be animated. Uses .gif extension.

MPEG -Motion Pictures Expert Group, Standard for video and audio (MP3s are in this category)

RTF - Rich Text Format, a file format for word processing documents compatible with most word processors on most operating systems. Uses .rtf extension.

ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange (non-text formats are usually referred to as binary)- Standard text format used with most operating systems and programs. One character is 8 bits (a byte). Files that contain ASCII code can have a number of different file extensions or no extensions at all.
Note: Some MS Windows/DOS files have a different return character than Macintosh/Unix/Linux
To avoid seeing the mess on MS Notepad use MS WordPad Instead

• Plain text format - usually saved as .txt but can have any, or no extension
• HTML- Hyper Text Markup Language- A text document with tags to specify formatting. Used with web pages. These documents link to other documents. Extensions include .htm .html .shtml
  Note: This is an Example of an ASCII HTML File

To Wake up the computer or to get out of a screen saver:

To turn on the computer:

1. Make sure the computer is plugged in to the electricity and network.
2. Make sure all peripherals and keyboard and mouse are plugged in.
3. Turn on the monitor (and other peripherals if necessary), if it is a separate switch.
4. Turn on the computer.

Where is the Power Button or Switch?

• Many of the Macintosh computers power buttons are on the upper right part of the keyboard (there may be an additional switch on the computer itself that needs to be turned on)
• The power button for the iMacs is usually the single button on the front of the Computer.
• On PCs the power button is usually on the computer
• If you encounter a switch: 0 pressed down is off, 1 pressed is on.

Where should I save my files?

Always save files on the file server in your folder if possible.

(Do not save directly to the server when on a dial-up or other indirect connection)
You may need to save the file in the correct group folder if you are working on this file as a group.  Only one person should have the file open at a time.

What if I want software installed?

Software should only be installed by the Technology staff (or installed with Technology staff approval).
On the Isle Public Schools Network:
Contact LWendlandt@isle.k12.mn.us


Back to questions at the top

What if I have a Hardware or network problem?

Make sure the network cable is properly plugged in and the computer is turned on correctly.  
Make sure you typed in your user name and password correctly. Passwords are case sensitive.
If that is not the problem 
on the Isle Public Schools Network:
Contact LWendlandt@isle.k12.mn.us .
Hardware should only be installed by the Technology staff (or installed with Technology staff approval).

Other Problems on the Isle Public Schools Network:
 Contact LWendlandt@isle.k12.mn.us .

Page Created by Nathan Steffenson on 2/17/2002