Start of the Year Tech Notes
This page is intended to help with technology issues that tend to arise at the start of each school year. Send maintenance requests or questions to Glenn Polloway; use e-mail, leave a voice-mail (extension 239), or write out a note. Thanks.

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My computers are not where they are supposed to be in the classroom.
Send me a note. If a lot of furniture has to be moved around, write up a work order for maintenance.
I tried to turn something on and it doesn't seem to be working.
Check the wires in the back of the computer. Make sure everything is plugged in. If there is anything unplugged, but you're not sure where it goes, ask for assistance within the building (other teachers, library/lab staff) before sending me a note.
I cannot connect to the network.
Does the Novell login screen show up at all? If it doesn't, the computer is either not plugged into the network (usually a blue cord to an orange outlet that is slightly larger than a phone outlet on the wall) or there may be some other problem with the network. If the login screen does appear, but your login still doesn't seem to be working, send me a note.
I have forgotten my password.
Send me a note with a new password and I will reset your network and e-mail passwords.
My printer doesn't seem to be working; I send print jobs and they don't print.
This is probably a network connection issue. Go to the networked printer issues page for a detailed fix for the problem.
My printer seems to be out of ink, or print quality is lousy.
Most of the printers have been sitting dormant all summer. The ink tends to dry out a bit. Try cleaning the cartridges a few times. On most Epson printers, there is a button with a graphic that looks like ink droplets; hold down that button for about 5 seconds and the printer should cycle through an ink-cleaning routine. This may have to be done several times for print quality to return to normal.
I told you about a problem a while back that hasn't been fixed yet.
Remind me about the issue. Occasionally an issue is overlooked or forgotten; sorry about that.
I want to move files to the network, or clean up my network folders a bit.
Take a look at the tutorial: Working With Network Folders
There is a problem with my PowerSchool login.
Contact me, but copy any correspondence to your school secretary as well.
Information in PowerSchool seems incorrect or incomplete.
Contact your school secretary first; if it is a larger problem she will escalate the problem to me.
I thought I would have newer, better computers this year.
Every effort is made to cycle the purchase of new machines in such a way as to ensure that there is always at least one newer machine in every classroom. Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to limitations in the budget.
Something I installed on the computer is missing.
Computers are protected using the Deep Freeze software; this prevents any unauthorized installation of programs and also removes any files saved to the hard drive when the computer is restarted. Ask for permission for software installations, and save your work to the network folder.
I bought some software that I would like installed.
Contact me; after I have approved the use of the software I will make arrangements for installation. Absolutely no software is to be installed without prior approval. If we have already discussed it and I have approved the software prior to now, feel free to remind me of that.
Someone forwarded me something that seems scandalous yet important for everyone in the district to know, or else they might die from drinking diet soda, or get cancer from deodorant, etc.
Step one: smack yourself upside the head. Step two: Consult the Urban Legends Reference Pages to determine mendacity of the message.