Basic Classroom Troubleshooting

8/3/2019 Basic Classroom Troubleshooting

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Basic Troubleshootingin the classroom

By: Ryan Ukno & David Citulsky


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In this session, we will show you basic

troubleshooting techniques in the

following areas:

A typical PC desktop/notebook system setup

Peripheral equipment connected to a

desktop/notebook system Smartboard and Mimio equipment

Networking wired and wireless

Software (MS) troubleshooting

Fixing software errors/viruses etc. using free

easy-to-use tools


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PC/NOTEBOOK SYSTEMSETUP

Sec 1


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Desktop PC system setupA Desktop PC (Personal Computer) consists of a

Computer Case box that contains the following

components:

Motherboard CPU

Memory

Video card

Sound card

Power supply DVD/CD & Floppy drive

Case fans (optional)


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Desktop port

connections

On the back


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Notebook system setupA notebook (or laptop) PC is a mobile/portable

version of a desktop PC. It contains the same

internal components as the desktop but in a

smaller compact form-factor.

The main components are:

Display

Keyboard

Touchpad

Power adapter


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Typical ports on a notebook system


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Lets look at a few common

problems you might encounter

with your notebook or desktop.


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It wont power ON!

Desktop

Check that your power

cord is firmly plugged

in and the switch on

the power supply

switch is ON (1).

Check that lights are

ON and you hear the

fans working inside.

Problem may be a bad

connection i.e. video

If there are no lights or

fans check that the

power outlet works!

Notebook

Check that there is

lights (indicate power

or battery)

Check that your

battery is charged

otherwise plug in

your adapter directly.

Disconnect your

battery and plug theAC adapter directly. If

it powers on, your

battery may need

replacement.


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No display!

Desktop

Check video cable

connections to

monitor

Check that your

monitor

contrast/brightness is

not set too low

Make sure monitor

has a green light.I

fits orange, recheck

connections. If

connections are good,

video card may be bad.

Notebook

Check that nothing is

plugged into the VGA

port .

Try Fn+Fx (depends

on model) to enable

primary display and

disable ext vga output

If there is lights but

nothing comes on,hold power button for

5-10 secs to

completely power off.

Wait 30 sec and

power it back on.


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No operating system! Make sure there is NO floppy in the

floppy drive when you are starting

up the computer.

Make sure there is NO DVD/CD in theDVD/CD drive when starting up.

Make sure there is NO USB drive

plugged in when starting up.

It may try to boot off these drives

Make sure floppy/dvd/cd/usb drives

are empty and restart the computer.


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Keyboard/mouse not responding Check keyboard connection. Press

Numlock or Capslock key light

should be on keyboard

Check mouse (optical only)connection. Optical light on bottom

should be lit.

Unplug/re-plug connectors to the

ports and restart the computer.

For wireless, check the batteries and

replace if necessary. Synchronize the

mouse/keyboard with the CC button.


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PERIPHERALS

Sec 2


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Peripherals in the classroom

Scanners

Printers (laserjet, deskjet)

Webcameras

Microphones

Speakers

Monitors/LCD projectors


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Scanners/printers/webcams

These peripherals will typically use

the same cable interface USB 2.0

All should plug into the USB port of

the computer

USB Type A Male

To computer

USB Type B Male

To peripheral


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Speakers/Microphones setup Both are color coded and should be

easy to identify.


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Monitor and LCD projector setup

Can be connected together with one

VGA cable or with two VGA cables

The most common in classroom

desktops is using two VGA cables For notebook computers, only one

VGA cable is necessary to connect to

the LCD projector.


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Lets look at a few problems youmight run into with peripherals..


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Scanner/printer/webcam is not

detected!

First check your connections,

windows should make a sound

when a USB device is plugged in. If it doesnt make that sound you

may have a bad USB cable.

If it does make the sound and

cannot be recognized, reinstall thesoftware. Obtain the CD software

drivers CD or find software online.


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Printer is on but will not print!

Check the status lights of the printer

If it is blinking, printer has error.

If no lights on printer, check the printqueue of the printer and delete old

jobs

If the printer is network shared,

make sure the computer connectedto the printer is turned ON.


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Microphone troubleshooting

If your mic doesnt receive sound

make sure it is set as the default

recording device in sound options.

Adjust the sound level input options Can use third-party apps such as

Skype to configure the microphone

so it is ready to be used.


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Speakers doesnt have sound!

Check there is power to the speakers

Plug in a set of headphones to test

the sound card

Check sound levels not set to mute! Try speakers on a different computer

If it works on another, reinstall the

device driver software for your

soundcard.


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Monitor-projector shows no input

Check connections, back of

computer/monitor and projector

On projector select correct source

i.e. VGA or computer1 or 2 Some systems will have a video driver

utility where you specify to output to

a second monitor (LCD)

For notebook, use the special comboFn+Fx (different by manufacturer) to

output to projector.


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INTERACTIVE BOARDSSMARTBOARD/MIMIO

Sec 3


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NETWORKTROUBLESHOOTINGWIRED AND WIRELESS CONNECTIONS

Sec 4


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Lets look at a wired connection:

You will find wired connections in

most classrooms - usually 2 ports per

classroom

A wired connection will have: Cat 5 network cable(s)

A network switch


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Troubleshooting:

Internet or network is down!

First, always check cable connections

in classroom! Check your systray

network icon. These indicate an

unplugged cable

Be sure to check the switch (if available) and

network port on PC. A link light should be lit

on both ends.

Also, make sure the switch has power.

All else fails, try a different CAT5 cable!


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Wired network problems contd

If connections are ok but still no network access Check first that entire network is not down

Limited connectivity errors can sometimes be fixed by

restarting your computer and/or network switch.

Network switch in classroom

Make sure that every cable plugged into the switch

has a link light.

Be aware of

loopback

connections in

your classroom


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Wireless connections

wireless connections are made up of

scattered wireless access points

sometimes found in classrooms.

They connect to wireless clientsusing secured or unsecured

connections.


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Troubleshooting:

Wireless network connectionsNot connected?Check that you are connected by viewing the

wireless status icon:

This shows disconnected

Right-click to view available wireless networks

If you do not see a list of wireless networks, check

that your wireless adapter is enabled!


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Problems connecting to the wireless??

Make sure the passphrase is correct.

If passphrase is wrong or changed, go into

control panel, wireless connection

properties, wireless networks tab and

remove a network.

Find the network again from the list of

available networks and reconnect using the

correct passphrase.


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Wireless troubleshooting contd

In Windows XP you might see the

following error:


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Network troubleshooting contd

This can fixed by making sure use

windows to configure my wireless..

is checked.


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SOFTWARE PROBLEMS

Sec 5


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Software troubleshooting

Most newer computers are designed to

multitask (run more than one program

at a time).

However, there may be times where aprogram (or two) will stop responding

or freeze up!


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Software troubleshooting contd

In some cases, you may not get a chance to end a

program or shut it down at all.

Heres what you can do:

Right-click the taskbar and select task manager or

start task manager

Find the program

under task and click

End Task

Sometimes you mayhave to find the

program under

processes and click

end process


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Software errors

Diagnosing errors can be a frustratingtask.

Most of the time, you can find solutions to error

messages by searching online either a support

website or knowledgebase.

Its always good to keep track of when the programworked and when it didnt.

- Did the error occur after an update?

- Did it occur after installing a different program?

You can always undo the update or installation as

a quick fix

Documenting the exact error

message would be one of the

first steps you should take.


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Software troubles contd

For uninstalling troublesome software, you

would go through the control panel and

add/remove programs or Programs and

features.


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Software toubles contd

In some cases, finding an update for

a program can cure certain

bugs/errors for that program.

Updates can usually be found fromtheir help menu and check for newer

version or updates.


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Software troubles other solutions

Find an alternate program as a workaround

Eg. Adobe reader crashes constantly use

alternate pdf program like Foxit Reader.

Using windows system restore

Use as a last resort.

Be sure to restore to the most recent and last

working restore point. This method notrecommended for first time users.


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Software file deletions?

If youve accidentally deleted a file, always check

first if its in your recycle bin.

If its a file on the network, always ask your network

administrator or technician as they should have past

day backups that they can recover.

Well also show a freeware file recovery software for

you to try if files were deleted on the hard drive.

*Need to recover a word document file?

Check your word options where auto file recovery is.


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Software malware

When surfing online, you may get pop ups or

programs showing up where it shows an antivirusor protection program that claims to clean your PC.

If you see these types of programs, find it under

task manager and end task.

To clean spyware, you will need an antispyware

tool which will be covered next and is also free!


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FREE APPS/TOOLS TO USE

Sec 6


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Tools spyware cleaning

Continuing from the last section, the

commonly most used tool for spyware

removal is Malwarebytes which is free

to download.

Once you download the program,install it (use defaults) and make sure it

checks for updates.

Run a full scan on all your hard drives.

Scans can be anywhere from 15-60mins depending on size of hard drive.

After it is done, show list of items,

check all and click remove selected.


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Malwarebytes


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Software tools - CCleaner

Want to clean up disk space/delete

unneeded files?

A good free program for that is CCleaner

Download the program and install usingdefault paths/settings.

Run the program and click analyze.

This will show you the list of unneeded

files and the size its taking on your harddrive. Click run cleaner to clean them up!


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CCleaner


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File recovery

A good freeware recovery program you

can try is recuva. It can recover files

from any hard drive, flash usb or

memory card!


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Maintenance and security

Making sure your PC has the latest

security updates is very important.

Updates will fix any security flaws or

exploits that hackers can gain access to.

Verify you are receiving auto upates by

going to control panel, system and

windows update.

Also, check that your antivirus software

is up to date and set to auto-update.

Make sure it is always enabled and

scanning in real time.


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Url Links

http://www.smarttech.com

http://www.mimio.dymo.com/en-US.aspx

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

http://www.piriform.com/recuva/download


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And this concludes our session

Any questions?

Hopefully these tips will make you

better at diagnosing common

computer issues.

Documents

Basic Classroom Troubleshooting