Things to Know: Tech Tips!
Help Us Help You 
When reporting a service problem or asking for help the more information you can give us about your problem the better we can serve you and hopefully the quicker we can get your issue resovled.
Things we need to know:
- Your Name
- Your School or location
- Your Room Number or Office
- The nature of your problem.
- Tell us if you can login at all.
- Is it accepting your password?
- What is the error message you are getting?
- Have you re-started your computer?
Dell Home Computer Discount Purchase Program
Q. How can I buy a computer from Dell and receive a discount?
A. There are three simple steps to follow to purchase a Dell for your home. Click on this link for more information on how the Dell computer discount purchase program works.
GroupWise
GroupWise Confidentiality Statement
Q. What is the GroupWise Confidentiality Statement?
A. It is a statement that is required on all Board of Education email accounts. You must add the WCBOE confidentiality statement to your GroupWise account.
GroupWise
GroupWise Confidentiality Statement
Q. How do I add the statement to my GroupWise account?
A. Please follow the instructions on the Tech Services Forms & Documents page by clicking on this link.
GroupWise
Signature
Q. How do I setup a signature in GroupWise?
A. To specify a general signature for all items, click Tools > Options > double-click Environment.
Click the Signature tab.
If you selected Signature, type the text you want as a signature in the Signature box. (Right click in box and paste confidentiality statement)
Click a signature option.
Click OK.
GroupWise
Name Format
Q. My Address Book has wrong Name Format in GroupWise. How do I fix it?
A. Go to Tools, Address book click VIEW click NAME FORMAT then choose Show last name then first name click APPLY TO SELECTED BOOKS. (You will receive a QUESTION box, just say YES to all of them).
GroupWise
Date Sort Ascending or Descending Order
Q. How do I change the date order in GroupWise?
A. Open GroupWise and at the top of your Messages you will see FROM DATE SUBJECT etc. If you right click on DATE a menu box will appear you can then click on sort ascending or sort descending order whichever you prefer.
GroupWise
Open Attachments
Q. I’m having a problem opening attachments in GroupWise. Can you tell me how to do that?
A. To specify double-click options for sent items and attachments
Click Tools > Options.
Double-click Environment > click the Default Actions tab.
To change double-click options for sent items, click Open Item to open the item after double-clicking.
or
Click Show Properties to display the Properties window after double-clicking.
To change double-click options for attachments, select a View Attachment option to view the attachment in the current item window or in the GroupWise® viewer.
or
Select Open Attachment to open the attachment in the application it was created in.
By default, GroupWise warns you if an attachment is larger than 1000 KB (1 MB). You can deselect Warn If Larger Than to eliminate the warning message. You can also adjust the attachment size at which the warning message is displayed.
GroupWise
Sent Folder Lost
Q. I’ve lost my sent folder in GroupWise. How do I get it back?
A. To recreate a folder, Choose Find Results folder, Choose Predefined find results folder Select All Sent Items from the list below, Choose next, you have the option of choosing where you would like to position the folder. Once you have made your choice Click finish and you should see the Sent Items folder to left of GroupWise (split screen).
GroupWise
Web mail Access
Q. How do I get GroupWise at home?
A. Go to mail.wcboe.org (do not add www) this will take you to the homepage of mail access. Follow the directions on the screen. Use your Novell username and GroupWise password. If you haven't already set a password for GroupWise you will have to do that. (user name & password should be lower case)
GroupWise
Password
Q. How do I setup a password in GroupWise?
A. In the GroupWise, click Tools, Options.
Double-click Security, click the Password tab.
In the New Password text box, type the password.
In the Confirm New Password text box, re-type the password, click OK, Close.
GroupWise passwords are case-sensitive (for example, Wednesday is not the same as WEDNESDAY).
IFAS Dashboard
Q. How do I access my IFAS Dashboard?
A. When accessing the IFAS Dashboard, please use the 'IFAS Dashboard' icon located in your NAL application window instead of using any other shortcuts/favorites that you have setup. The icon contains additional settings that are necessary for IFAS to function correctly.
Q. My IFAS Dashboard isn't working. Who should I call?
A. Please call Earl Moore in the MIS Dept on phone extension 4452.
Internet Homepage
Q. My Internet Explorer homepage has changed. It now comes up as [fill in the blank] (YPP, Edusoft, etc.). What happened?
A. Right-click and Verify the Internet Explorer icon in the NAL window.
Internet E-mail Address
Q. What is my Interenet e-mail address?
A. Internet e-mail address is your username@wcboe.org. Your user name is your Novell login username. It is usually your first inital and your full last name up to a total of 8 letters.
Junk Mail
Q. How do I block junk e-mail from a user?
A. Important: Use Junk Mail Handling to decide what to do with unwanted Internet e-mail that is sent to your GroupWise® e-mail address. This includes all e-mail where the sender’s address is in the form of name@domain.com, name@domain.org, and so forth.
Junk Mail Handling does not apply to internal e-mail. Internal e-mail is e-mail where the sender is part of your GroupWise system and the From field shows only the name of the sender, not an Internet address as explained above. If you want to block or junk internal e-mail, you can use Rules.
Right-click an item with an Internet address > click Junk Mail.
Click Junk Sender.
or
Click Block Sender.
Select Junk E-Mail From This Address or Block E-Mail From This Address.
If you select Junk, the address is added to the Junk List. All future e-mail items from this e-mail address will be delivered to the Junk Mail folder. You can specify that the items in this folder be automatically deleted after <n> days. This folder is not created in the folder list unless a Junk Mail option is enabled or an address or Internet domain is added to the Junk List (which enables the Junk List option).
If you select Block, the address is added to the Block List. All future e-mail items from this e-mail address will not be delivered to your Mailbox.
If the Junk List or Block List is not enabled, select Enable Junk List or Enable Block List.
At any time, you can click Tools > Junk Mail Handling > Junk List or Block List > New to add an e-mail address to the Junk List or Block List.
Loaner Laptop Reserved
Q. How can I check out a laptop from Tech Services?
A. Please contact the HelpDesk. An email will be sent to you to confirm that your reservation for a laptop, projector and remote has been entered into our work order database.
Note: Our loaner laptops are loaned out for a period of 2 weeks.
You may pick up your laptops at the Technology Services building located in the Facilities compound. The entrance to the facilities compound is at 900 Mount Hermon Road. Enter the driveway through the chain link fence. After you pass the print shop and facilities warehouse our building is the portable on the right side. You will see the shiny handicap ramp leading to our door. Your laptop is available for pick up Monday through Friday from 7:30 until 5:00.
Laptop Login Procedure
Q. How do I login to my new laptop?
A. Please read the laptop login instructions sheet that will come with your new laptop. It will tell you how to log into the Novell network side of the laptop or to the stand alone (workstation only) side of the laptop. If you don’t have a copy of this procedure please call the HelpDesk at ext. 4357 or by e-mail at helpdesk@wcboe.org so we can get you one.
Login Problem
Q. I can’t login. Why won’t it take my password? I’m getting a message that the user name or password is incorrect.
A. Make sure your Numlock key is on.
Novell Application Launcher
Q. What is the NAL window or Novell Application Launcher?
A. It is the window you see on your computer after you login. It is used to open the programs and applications you use. It contains all the applications like MS Word, Internet Explorer, GroupWise and many others.
NAL Isn’t Working
Q: NAL doesn't come up and desktop items were not present when I logged in.
A: Log out make sure “Workstation Only” is not checked.
Novell Forced Password Change
Q. What are the requirements when I change my Novell Login password?
A. Log in as you would normally and you will be prompted on screen to enter a new password. Your new password must be a minimum of 6 characters in length, a combination of both letters and numbers (alphanumeric) and contain both upper and lower case characters.
You will be granted 3 grace logins to change your password. If your password has not been changed by the 4th login attempt, access to the Network will be denied and you will need to call your school Tech or the computer Helpdesk at extension 4357 to have your password manually reset.
Please make your new password something easy for you to remember but hard for someone else to guess, avoid using your name or room number and please, if you write down your new password, do not leave it where it could be easily accessed, especially under your keyboard.
Tech Services or MIS do NOT have access to your Novell password, if you forget it, the only way to gain access to the Network is to call your school Tech or the computer Helpdesk and have the password reset.
Novell Login Password
Q. I can't remember my Novell password. How can I login?
A. Call the HelpDesk and they can change it to a new password for you.
Password Change (Forced)
Q. What are the requirements when I change my Novell Login password?
A. Log in as you would normally and you will be prompted on screen to enter a new password. Your new password must be a minimum of 6 characters in length, a combination of both letters and numbers (alphanumeric) and contain both upper and lower case characters. See Novell Forced Password Change above for more details.
Personal Printers
Q. Can I bring in a personal printer from home?
A. Should a department or individual wish to purchase a printer for local use, the request should be forwarded to the person responsible for ordering such items in their school who will then submit the request through the appropriate channels. A printer recommendation will be made based on the proposed application from a list of equipment that has been tested and approved for use on our system. Just a reminder that we do not support the installation of personal printers whether they are printers brought from home or purchased at local retailers.
Phone Call Forward
Q. How do I get my phone to call forward to another phone in my office?
A. Press the Call Fwd button on your phone or dial 8804. Then dial the 4 digit phone number and hang up. To cancel the call forward press the Call Fwd button or dial 8800.
Phone Problems
Q. My phone isn’t working and appears to be dead, what do I do?
A. The base cord from the wall to the phone needs to be unplugged and then reconnected to make sure it has a good connection. Also check the cord on the phone handset. If your phone is still not working contact your school technician or the computer Helpdesk so they can resolve the problem for you.
Phone Problems
Q. I relocated my desk to the other side of the room and I can’t get my phone to work.
A. Please contact your school technician before you move the phone away from the black voice jack in the room. There might not be another voice jack in that area and we don’t permit long cables to be run along the floor because that is a safety hazard. Please contact your school technician or the computer Helpdesk so they can resolve the problem for you.
Phone System Clock Button Program
Q. How do I set the time on the black digital phone display?
A. Each school has one Admin phone that has a button labeled System Clock. The following instructions should be done twice a year for DST.
First press the system clock button on the phone. Next enter the 4 digit time and then 1 plus 00. Hang up. (The 1 is for AM, 2 for PM and 00 is for seconds.)
If you don’t understand these instructions please contact your school technician or the computer Helpdesk.
Printer Help
Q. How do I purge print jobs in my local printer? How do I get my local printer to work?
A. 1. Click Start Click Settings Click Printers Double Click on the Printer Click Printer Click Purge Print Documents
2. Reboot your Computer
3. Unplug the Power Cord from the Printer
4. Plug the Power Cord in and turn Printer on
5. Click Start Click Settings Click Printers Right Click on Printer Click on Properties Under General Tab Click Print Test Page.
Removable or Jump (USB) drive isn’t shown
Q: How can I get my Removable drive to show up on my computer?
A: Change drive letter of the Removable drive. It’s highly likely the default removable drive letter is assigned as one of the network drives (maybe your F:).
Scan Floppy Disk
Q. How do I scan my floppy disk for possible viruses?
A. Insert the floppy into the computer, Go to My Computer, Right click on A:\, Choose scan for viruses.
Software Applications
Q. Can I check out software for my home computer?
A. Yes, certain software applications can be installed on your home computer. Please contact your school TRT (technology resource teacher) first and if they can’t help you contact your school tech or the computer Helpdesk. To see a list of available software applications in the schools click here.
Individual Purchased Software
Q. How do I get software installed on my classroom computer?
A. To get individual purchased software approved for a classroom computer you would need to follow these steps:
1. Subject area Supervisor has to approve the software for curriculum use.
2. School Principal should be aware of the anticipated use of the software and approve.
3. Next an IMPACT FORM must be initiated that requires numerous signatures. Such as: the Appropriate Director, Facilities Director, Educational Technologies Coordinator, Professional Development Director, Principal and Supervisor.
4. During this process Technology Services will have to check out the compatibility of the product with our network.
5. Upon completion of this process, if no objections arise, Instructional Technology will inform Technology Services at what location the software may be installed.
Following these procedures will result in fully approved software for classroom use. If you have a question, please contact Carl Dragwa in the Instructional Technology Department.
Summer Technology Checklist
Q. What should I do with my computer equipment or my document files when I leave for the summer?
A. The computer and related equipment in your classroom shouldn’t be moved to another location without the permission of the school Principal. Disconnect the electric cord to the computer from the wall socket or the surge protector. Please dust off your computer and cover it with a cloth material. Do not use plastic material of any kind. Your documents files on the network should be cleaned out to help with network storage. Any files on the computer hard drive should be saved and then removed from the hard drive. For a complete summer technology checklist for both hardware and software please see the Tech Services Forms & Documents page by clicking on this link.
Technology Resource Teacher
Q. What is a TRT? Does my school have one?
A. Yes, each school should be assigned a TRT or technology resource teacher. If the software is licensed for home use they should be able to give you the software CD.
Virus E-mail Or Bad E-mail
Q. What do I do with virus e-mails or junk e-mails?
A. Please just delete emails if you don’t recognize the sender. If you have opened the e-mail and think you have a virus on your computer please scan your computer. Please contact the help desk if you can’t get rid of the virus and we will send a technician out to check your machine.
Voice Mail
Voice Mail Setup
Q. How do I set up voice mail on my phone?
A. To set up your voice mail for the first time, follow these simple steps.
Press your VM or voice mail button on your phone.
The default password code for the first time access to your box is 9876. Dial this
code when prompted for your password.
Follow the Voice instructions to complete your VM box setup.
Voice Mail
Checking your Voice Mail
Q. How do I check my voice mail at work?
A. Press the voice mail button on your phone and then enter your password when prompted. Follow the instructions as prompted to preview, save, delete or forward your messages.
Q. How do I check my voice mail from home?
A. To check your mail from home or another location, call 410-742-4030 and after the ring, dial 8660 and press *. This will give you access to the voice mail system. You will then be prompted for your ID. This is the 4-digit extension of your office phone. Once you dial it, you will then be prompted for your 4-digit password. This will verify that you are the owner of this mailbox. You will then have full access to your voice mail just as you would if you were in the office.
Voice Mail
Voice Messaging
Q. How do I leave a message in someone’s voice mail directly?
A. To call someone’s voice mail direct to leave them a message, dial 6900 and when prompted, dial their 4-digit office phone extension.
Wireless Access Points
Q. Can I add an access point to the network to go wireless?
A. No, Unauthorized access points attached to our network are strictly forbidden. While the installation of these wireless devices may seem harmless enough when done by well-intentioned employees in an effort to expand the capability of our network, it is nonetheless considered to be “unauthorized” tampering with the network and should not be done. Unfortunately when these devices are attached to the network there exists the high probability that these “rogue” access points have not been properly secured and could therefore place the entire network at risk. If you need to change your current configuration or need to add any devices or appliances please see your school tech or call the computer help desk and we will assist you.
X2 Login
Q: How do I login to X2? It says my password/login is incorrect, but I know it is right.
A: Username should be the first initial of first name and full last name (all lowercase letters). If that still doesn't work please call the MIS Dept (Management Information Systems) and they can reset your password.
X2 Problem
Q. Who do I call in the MIS Dept for X2 problems?
A. For help please call extension 4479 or 4556.
