Appendix. Additional Information
The PC workstations in the MLC lab are PC's running Windows NT 4.0. In order to use the PC workstations you must have an ORST account. When you logon to a machine in the MLC lab your ORST directory on the ORST server will be visible as drive Z: This is where you should keep your personal files. Then they will be available from any PC in the MLC lab (and many other labs) when you login.
Faculty can obtain an account at
Students should use
Note registered students must use the my.orst.edu page. Accounts are normally created fairly quickly, even within minutes, but it is advisable to plan ahead and obtain an account before you desperately need it.
Save your files on the Z: drive. The Z: drive is really your personal directory on the ORST server. Your login name is used to decide what server directory to attach to the Z: drive. Your files will be accessible from anywhere that you can connect to the ORST server (see below). If you make the mistake of saving your files on the local hard drive you will not be able to access them from any other PC, not even in the MLC lab. Even worse, your files may be deleted during routine maintenance. Please be careful. It is your work that is at stake.
The machines in the lab are normally left powered on, but the monitors may be turned off. If the monitor is off, then switch it on by pressing the large round button on the monitor. Be careful not to press the round buttons on the PC case. Next press the Ctrl-Alt-Delete keys simultaneously. You should get a login prompt. Enter your ORST user name and then press the Tab key (not the Enter key). Then enter your ORST password and press the Enter key.
Next you may see a message about a slow network connection. This message is bogus, but it is accompanied by a question, "Do you want to download your profile?" You should answer "Download" if you want your customary layout of desktop icons, wallpaper, and so forth. Changes made to your profile during the current session will be saved to the server when you logout. You will not have your familiar desktop layout if you do not get in the habit of answering "Download" to this question.
Next you may see a question about a default Novell server. Just answer "None" unless you have a reason to answer otherwise. This question should never appear again.
When you are done with your session, you must logout. To logout click once on the Start button (this is a very strange Windows idiom) on the left end of the menu bar at the bottom of the screen. A menu will pop up. From the menu select "Shut Down …" A dialog window will pop up. From the choices it offers you, select "Close all programs and logon as a different user." If you prefer, you can also choose "Restart" which will cause the PC to reboot. A restart takes longer.
Another way to logout is to press Ctrl-Alt-Delete. A menu will appear. Select "Logoff" and then "OK."
Do not select "Shutdown" unless you have a reason to do so. On the other hand do not turn off the PC without first selecting "Shutdown."
You may turn off the monitor if you wish. That will save power and will reduce the load on the air-conditioner.
Note: If you do not logout then you leave your account open for the next person to come along. That person will have access to your personal files on the ORST server. Do not forget to logout!
Note: Various updates to Windows NT 4.0 alter the text in some of the menus, especially the start button pop-up menu. Thus other NT machines may have different text from that indicated above.
If you plan to leave the lab, even just for a few minutes, save your work and logoff. When you return and logon, even to a different machine, your work will be available. Do not select "Lock Workstation." If you do, someone else wishing to use the workstation may power-cycle it in order to gain access and some of your work may be lost as a result. The same comments apply to relying on a password-protected screensaver. Don't do it! Save your work and logoff. You have no claim on any workstation if you are not physically present.
To start Maple (or Matlab, or Mathematica, ... ) select the Start button (lower left corner of the screen), then Programs from the pop-up menu, etc. If you do not know the appropriate steps here ask for help. Writing all this out in detail produces an incredibly dull document.
The information in this section relates to accessing files from off campus or from labs where you are not automatically connected to your ORST directory. Your files are automatically available in some computer labs if you are on campus.
Your files saved on the Z: drive (ORST server directory) are available from anywhere in the world. You can use a browser like Internet Explorer or Netscape to access
ftp://username@home.orst.edu
where username should be replaced by your ORST user name. A pop-up window will ask you for your password before you get access. If you are using Internet Explorer you can simply use
In this case a pop-up window will ask you for you user name and password before you get access. You can download your files using the browser in the usual way.
You can also upload files using the browser. For Internet Explorer you can simply copy and paste (in the File menu or with the mouse) or drag and drop a file. It is almost like working with a directory in Windows Explorer.
Netscape is a bit different. It does not support copy and paste (in the File menu or with the mouse) but it does support drag and drop to upload a file. In Netscape you can also upload a file by selecting "Upload File" from the File menu. Then you wade through the directory structure, highlight your file when you find it, and select "Open."
In either Internet Explorer or Netscape, drag and drop is probably the most convenient way to upload a file to the ORST server. To carry it out, you highlight the file name in Windows Explorer by pressing the left mouse button while the mouse pointer is over the file name. Then you move the mouse pointer to the browser window, keeping the mouse button depressed all the time, and release the mouse button when the pointer is over the browser window. Internet Explorer will silently copy the file unless it already exists on the server – in which case you are asked if you want to overwrite it. Netscape will ask you if you want to upload the file, will warn you about security, and then upload the file. Netscape will silently overwrite the file if it already exists.
Note the behavior of Internet Explorer and Netscape is version dependent and configurable, so you should be prepared for variations. Things may not be exactly as described above. Experiment!
This ftp access via a browser does not always work. In that case you will need to use ftp client software. Also sometimes an ftp client is more convenient or is the only tool available.
You can access your ORST directory from some other PC labs on campus in the same manner as in the MLC lab. For occasional access from other locations, you may find it convenient to use a browser as explained in the previous section. The following information is a bit more technical.
It is also possible sometimes to mount your ORST directory in much the same way as is done in the labs. For example, access from some PC's running Windows NT 4.0 is possible, depending on how they are connected, by issuing the command
net use z: \\home\username /user:ORST\username
at the command line. If it works, this command will mount your ORST directory as drive Z: on the PC. Here, username should be replaced (twice) with your ORST user name. This command does not work with Windows 95 in general because the Windows 95 net use command does not allow you to pass the ORST\username (domain and user) parameter. This command will also generally fail off campus since it depends on NetBIOS.
To remove the shared drive when you are done with it, use
net use z: /delete
The lab PC's are equipped with 1.44 Mb floppies and 100 MB Zip drives. The most convenient way to handle your files is to keep them on the Z: drive, but once in a while you may want a copy you can walk away with. After copying your files to a floppy or a Zip disk wait a minute or so to make sure the system finishes writing the files to the disk before you eject it.
Be careful not to insert floppies in the Zip drive. You could ruin it. Fortunately Zip disks will not fit in the floppy drive, so you can not go wrong if you are using a Zip disk.
The MLC Lab is equipped with a 32 page per minute HP LaserJet. Eventually we hope to institute a system of print quotas, but for the present there is no system limit. We ask that you limit your printing as much as possible. Toner and paper in the printer will be replaced on a haphazard and infrequent schedule. If you print too much you will deny print service to your colleagues.
Go to Table of ContentsUsers sometimes change the video mode to accommodate vision problems, to permit more information on the desktop or for esthetical reasons. A number of video modes are available but the display adapter supports more video modes than the monitor is capable of displaying. You will have to be careful to stay out of trouble.
To change the video mode first right click on some empty portion of the desktop. A menu will popup. Select "Properties" from this menu. A video dialog window will appear. It has several tabs near the top. Select the tab labeled "Settings." On the settings page select the desired video resolution and vertical frequency. Also select "True Color" (on the left side of the page). There is no reason to select any other color depth.
Next press the Test button. A test screen will display or you will get an error message from the monitor: Signal out of range. In either case the display will reset after 5 seconds (roughly). Do not omit this step. It is a lot of trouble to recover if you commit to an unsupported video mode. Make sure you test any video mode before deciding to use it.
If your choice of video mode fails the video test do not try to use that video mode.
If the test screen looked alright then press the "Apply" button at the bottom of the dialog window. Note – the video image may look somewhat distorted but still be alright. The monitor allows a wide range of adjustments (see paragraph after the next). If you omit pressing the "Apply" button then your new video mode will not be set. After you press "Apply" you may receive a message that the computer has to reboot in order to enable the new settings. Let it reboot. You will have to login again after it finishes rebooting.
If you do not alter the font size (left side of the "Settings" page), you probably will not receive a reboot (restart) message.
If you select a video mode other than 1024 X 768 – 85 Hz chances are you will have to adjust the monitor. Typically the image will not fill the viewing area of the screen, it may be off to one side, or it may overflow the viewing area. The image may be adjusted by using the small buttons on the front of the monitor. Once the monitor is adjusted for a given video mode it will probably remember the settings next time you select the same mode, so it will not need to be adjusted every time. Note: We adjusted the monitors only for 1024 X 768 – 85 Hz (or sometimes 75 Hz if we were drowsy) so other modes will almost certainly need adjustment (at least once).
Here are some supported video modes:
This list may not be accurate if a monitor had to be replaced (because of failure, for example), so be sure to test any video mode before setting it.
Go to Table of ContentsAmong the software on the MLC systems is:
Note Scientific WorkPlace is available on each PC but is limited to 5 concurrent users.
In order to carry out your project you may need to install some software (legal software only please). That’s alright, but you have to remember that your Z: drive and your personal registry settings are not visible to other users, but part of your personal software may be. Thus you may cause problems for other users because of broken bits and pieces of your software trying to execute, or because of altered file associations. This problem is really one of bad software design but it is very common with Windows software.
Broken file associations can be especially troublesome for people who use Internet Explorer or Netscape and rely on the browser to start up appropriate applications for various file types.
The solution is fairly simple (sometimes):
If you install personal software on a lab PC then uninstall it after you finish your current session. It’s a hassle, but being a good citizen requires some effort.Note some software does not uninstall cleanly so you may still cause a problem even if you uninstall. Therefore it is best not to install software unless you really need to do so.
The lab may be reserved at specific times for classes. Reservation may be made by sending email to Tom Dick, tpdick@math.orst.edu . MLC employees will be keeping an eye on the lab in the daytime, and some of Russ Ruby’s helpers will watch it in the evening. None of these helpers is responsible for user support. You are mostly on your own.
Distribution of Assignments and Notes. Preparation
A simple way to distribute assignments, notes or instruction to your students is to make the material available on your web page. All the lab PCs run Internet Explorer and Netscape. Note that the current version of Netscape (4.7) may fail to start Maple to handle a Maple Worksheet (see below). However it can still be used to download the Worksheet and then Maple can be started manually. Most of your students will have a great deal of experience with this sort of thing, and can help those who do not. Make use of this resource!Before bringing a class to the lab it is a good idea to visit the lab to check that the software works as expected. You should also test any prepared handouts or work sets. Sometimes things do not work exactly as
you expect (or want). It is best to be forewarned and prepared!Faculty and GTA's who plan to use the lab outside of normal open hours will require a key. A key permit is available in the office. You take the permit and a deposit (perhaps $ 5.00) to the key shop in order to obtain a key. The key for the Lab is different from the main office key.
If you plan to use the lab only in the daytime (Monday through Friday), or early evenings (Monday through Thursday), you will not need a key. Thus you are spared the burden and the responsibility.
The Math Office may have a few keys available for temporary checkout to serve people who do not want to bother getting their own key and to allow for the possibility of guest users.
The lab must be locked at all times that it is not officially open - even if someone is in the lab. Anyone who grants after-hours admission to someone who does not have approved access must remain in the lab with that person or persons. Failure to observe the rules may result in the loss of key privileges.
Go to Table of ContentsIf you have a problem with some software in the lab not behaving as it should please advise
It would be helpful if you cc a copy to the MLC PC Lab committee (see below). Before sending in a problem report try to rule out user error and temporary problems.
If you do something really creative and cause an application to become unresponsive or to behave peculiarly and to refuse to quit, you may be able to recover by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete (all three keys simultaneously). A menu will appear. From the menu select "Task Manager." Once the task manager window appears, select the "Applications" tab, highlight the troublesome application and press the "End Task" button at the bottom of the window. You may receive a few questions - use your best judgment in answering.
The task manager can also be brought up by right-clicking on the menu bar at the bottom of the screen (in an area free of buttons). A menu will appear. Select "Task manager" from the menu and then proceed as above.
Netscape or Internet Explorer Displays Junk for Maple Worksheets
When Netscape or Internet Explorer are asked to open a Maple Worksheet (.MWS file) they will normally ask if you want to download the file or open it from its current location. If you are getting the file from a trusted source you can just elect to open it. The browser will then start up Maple and display the worksheet within Maple. This feature is very handy but sometimes the file associations are messed up (by other software, by a browser bug, or by a previous user). In that case the browser may try to display the worksheet as a text file and you will see a mess.
The solution is to download the worksheet and save it to your Z: drive. Next start Maple by hand (from the start button menu) and open the worksheet from within Maple. You should also report the problem to scfadmin@mail.orst.edu so it can be fixed. Be sure to mention which PC you were using.
Netscape Does not Display All Graphics on a Page
If you view a page with a background graphic in Netscape 4.7 on one of the MLC Lab PCs sometimes some of the foreground images will not display. You may even see the foreground images display momentarily and then disappear. Pages without background images do not have this problem.
People can be quite religious about which browser they prefer, so the obvious solution, to use Internet Explorer, may not be acceptable. In that case try doing without the missing images, or experiment with the graphics options in Netscape to see if you can find an acceptable setting.
Please report all hardware problems to the MLC PC Lab committee (see below). Before sending in a problem report try to rule out user error and temporary problems.
Password Doesn’t Work (CapsLock) If you have more than one account it is possible that you inadvertently type the wrong password. Try again, typing slowly and deliberately … but first, check the state of the CapsLock key. Passwords are case sensitive. If you use majuscules where you should be using minuscules, or conversely, you will be denied access.If a PC is not responding correctly and is not usable try pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete. A menu should come up on the screen. Select "Shutdown" from the menu, then "Shutdown and restart" from the next menu. The PC will reboot. You may have to answer some questions about stopping applications. At this point it is futile to select "Wait." Just go ahead and terminate them. Note this drastic measure will result in the loss of unsaved work.
Ordinarily the PC's should not be powered down. However these PCs are sensitive to power failures. After a power failure there is a good chance that 2 or 3 PC’s will not reboot properly and will lock up. In this state they do not respond to the keyboard, not even to the Ctrl-Alt-Delete key combination. If a PC does not respond to the keyboard it is reasonable to try to get it working by powering it down, and restarting it. After powering down the PC, do not restart it right away, lest you emulate a power failure. Wait a minute or two.
Monitor Error Message: Signal out of range
This error message means that someone set the PC to a video mode supported by the video adapter, but not by the monitor. To fix this problem requires drastic measures.First restart the PC, either by using the restart button, or by powering down and then re-starting. During the restart a Dell message will display. After that comes the NT boot menu with the first selection highlighted. The second selection will be to start NT in VGA mode. Cursor down to the VGA mode selection and then press "Enter." After a bit, NT will start in standard VGA mode, 640 by 480 resolution with16 colors. Now log in. Everything will look terrible, but at least you can see it.
You are now ready to repair the video mode problem. To do so you have to set the default video mode to a supported mode. Here's how to do it:
If you are uncomfortable carrying out these steps, or if you are unsuccessful, please send a problem report to the MLC PC Lab Committee (see below)..
If you select a video mode other than 1024 X 768 – 85 Hz chances are you will have to adjust the monitor. Typically the image will not fill the viewing area of the screen, it may be off to one side, or it may overflow the viewing area. As mentioned above, the image may be adjusted by using the small buttons on the front of the monitor. Once the monitor is adjusted for a given video mode it will probably remember the settings next time you select the same mode, so it will not need to be adjusted every time.A list of some supported video modes is given above. This list may not be accurate if a monitor had to be replaced (because of failure, for example), so be sure to test any video mode before setting it.
Go to Table of ContentsAppendix. Additional Information
The MLC PC Lab Committee, Spring 2000, consists of:
The latest version of this manual is available at: http://oregonstate.edu/~peterseb
Go to Table of Contents