Teacher In-service – Technology Trouble Shooting

12 Basic Tips

1. Problem: MacBook Not Behaving.

Many issues can be solved by simply quitting the program and starting again.

1.      Press Command + Option + esc

2.      Choose the program or programs that you are having issues with.

3.      Click Force Quit

Webpage Issues: Frozen webpage or incorrectly loaded pages. Often, simply clicking the refresh button next to the address bar will solve your problem. If Refreshing the Page doesn’t work you may need to restart the browser or change to a different browser.

1.      Press Command + Q to quit the program. Then try your site again.

2.      If it still doesn’t work try another browser. Ex: Safari instead of Chrome. Still having Problems?

3.      Press Command + Shift + Q

4.      Click Logout

5.      Reenter your login information

6.      Press Command + Shift + Eject

7.      Click Restart If your Keyboard is unresponsive

As a last resort, press and hold the power button until the computer shuts down completely. Then restart. If you continue to have the same issues after trying all of these troubleshooting steps, contact your IT person.

Helpful sites: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6921

2. Problem: Computer Running Slowly. The following is the most common reason why a computer runs slowly.

1.      Check how many programs are running in the background. This is a common problem that will slow a computer down. In this case reboot.

2.      Some extra reasons that may be causing a slow computer:

a.      All new Windows updates need to be installed

b.      While on the internet, update all browser plugins

c.      Check to make sure that the computer is not overheating.

d.      Just having an older computer can cause slow processing. The older models cannot run all the new updates causing the computer to run much slower.

3.      Contact the IP person- malware and other viruses might need to be removed.

Helpful sites: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000179.htm

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6921

3. Problem: Missing Icons on the Computer. Check to see if the Show desktop icons option is unchecked.

1.      Right click the desktop.

2.      Select View and then Show desktop icons.

3.      Make sure the option is checked by clicking on it. After clicking on the Show desktop icons option, the icons should reappear.

4.      If you still can’t see your desktop icons, contact your IT department. Some Malware programs can also be responsible for missing icons and will need to be addressed by a professional.

Helpful sites: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2670504

4. Problem: Printer Issues for Windows.  If you are unable to print, one of these quick fixes may take care of the problem.

1.      Make sure the printer is plugged in and turned on.

2.      If using a wireless model, make sure you are networked to the printer you are trying to use.

3.      Select File – Print from the menu (do not click on the printer icon or the selected printer will start)

4.      Use the drop down arrow to select the appropriate printer.

5.      Click Print or the printer icon.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/185111/10_biggest_printer_problems_and_how_to_fix_them.html

5. Problem: Printer Needs New Toner (for the Brother Printers). It is best if you order a new Brother TN 420 or TN 450 toner cartridge before the old one is empty. Also, the “Toner Low” message is to inform you that the cartridge is almost, but not completely, empty. If you do not have a new cartridge when this message shows, it is a good idea to go ahead and get one. When you are ready:

1.      Make sure the machine is turned on and has been on for at least ten minutes to give it a chance to cool down.

2.      Open the front cover and take out the drum unit and toner cartridge assembly. This should be done by pushing down the green lock handle on the left side of the toner cartridge assembly and then pulling on the handle in the middle of the drum unit. It should lift it out of the machine easily. HINT- Place the assembly on a piece of paper to reduce spilling toner!

3.      Unwrap the new toner cartridge. Hold this new toner cartridge level with both hands and gently shake it from side to side several times to spread the toner evenly inside the cartridge.

4.      Pull off the protective cover. HINT- The protective cover is a large piece of plastic across the front of the cartridge and is usually orange in color.

5.      Push the new toner cartridge into the drum unit until you hear it lock into place. If you put it in correctly, the green lock lever will lift automatically.

6.      Clean the primary corona wire inside the drum unit by gently sliding the green tab from left to right several times. HINT- Return this tab to the original (Home) position to keep printed pages from having a vertical line.

7.      Put the drum unit and toner cartridge assembly back into the machine and then close the front cover. HINT- Do not turn off the machine or open the front cover until the Ready LED lights up.

Helpful site: http://www.windowstalk.org/common-brother-printer-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/

6. Problem: Wireless Not Working on Laptop.

 1. Try another wireless device.

2. If the other device doesn’t connect, the device is not the problem. Therefore-

 Check your wifi connection:

1.      Make sure wifi is turned on (usually via a switch).

2.      Reboot your device.

3.      Click the wifi icon in the notification area for a list of available networks.

4.      Find your network - it should say “Connected.”

5.      Attempt to connect if you aren’t, and make sure you have the right password.

A few other things you might try:

• Look at the bars next to the network’s name to make sure you have a strong signal from the router. If you don’t, try moving to a room near the router if possible.

 • Use Windows’ diagnostics. Right-click the network icon in the notification area and select Troubleshoot problems. Then go through the wizard.

• Turn off your firewall— temporarily, of course—and try again. If it works, figure out what’s wrong with your firewall setting or contact your IT person for help.

Helpful sites: http://www.pcworld.com/article/260524/how_to_fix_your_wi_fi_network_7_tips.html

7. Problem: Wondering How to Share a Google Document.

1.      If the document you want to share is open, look at the top right corner. There is a blue “share“ button. Click it.

2.      It will open up a box that says “share with others”.

3.      If you are sharing with a teacher or classmate, you can start typing his/her name in the box under “people”, and the email will show up in a list. Choose the person you want to share it with.

4.      You must also choose what type of access you want the person to have. You have the following choices: can edit, can comment, or can view. (Most of your teachers want you to share with “can edit”.

If you are sharing it with someone that is not on our school system (like parents), you can get a shareable link.

5.      In the “share with others” window, look in the top right corner and click on the “get shareable link”. Click the arrow next to “copy link”.

6.      Choose “more”.

7.      Choose “anyone with the link”.

8.      Choose what access you want them to have (can edit, can comment, or can view).

9.       You can copy the link and post it, or email it to the person you want to share it with.

To share straight from your Google Drive without opening the document-

10.   Highlight the document you wish to share.

11.   Click the person with the plus sign.

12.    It will open up the “share with others” window.

13.    Follow the directions on sharing the document beginning with number 3

Helpful site: http://computers.tutsplus.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sharing-in-google-docs--cms-20676

8. Troubleshoot: Missing Toolbar in Microsoft Office 10 . To reset the toolbars

 1. Click on the Home tab.

2. Right click with the mouse’s arrow on any part of the displayed ribbon.

3. Uncheck Minimize the ribbon.

9. Problem: Flipped Monitor Display (Windows PC)

Keyboard Shortcut Solution:

1.      Press Ctrl + Alt + Arrow Keys (through Windows 7)

2.      Note that you must be logged in first for this solution to work, so yes, logging in while the screen is upside down will be an interesting challenge

Mouse/Menu Solution:

1.      In Windows 7, right-click the desktop and go to Graphics Options – Rotation – Rotate to Normal

 2.  In Windows 10, right-click the desktop and go to Display Settings – Orientation – and change from Flipped back to Landscape.

Helpful site: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/how-rotate-screen-on-laptop-or-pc-summary-3615164/

10. Problem: Jammed Copy Machine.

1.      Find out where the jam is by opening the cover of the copy machine and the paper tray.

2.      Turn off the copy machine before removing the paper jam.

3.      Clean out any paper fragments.

4.      Check the roller to make sure it is still smooth and free of snags.

5.      Replace the cover and paper tray. Turn the printer back on and follow the onscreen directions to cancel the paper jam message.

To avoid paper jams in the future:

1.      Use one kind of paper at a time.

2.      Tell the printer what kind of paper you are using.

3.      When you reload your input tray pay attention to how the paper should be loaded and whether the length or width guides need adjusting.

Helpful site: http://www.pcworld.com/article/227252/how_to_fix_and_avoid_printer_paper_jams.html

11. Problem: SMART Board needs Orienting.  If you touch the interactive surface of the SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard with your finger and your cursor appears somewhere other than where you’re pressing, try orienting the interactive whiteboard. To orient the interactive whiteboard:

1.      Press and hold the Keyboard and Right Mouse buttons on the pen tray simultaneously until the Orientation screen appears

2.      Press the pen firmly near each target, indicated by the white, diamond-shaped graphic

3.      Maintain constant pressure as you drag the tip of the pen to the center of the target

4.      Once you’ve reached the target point, release your pen from the surface of the interactive whiteboard. The orientation point registers when you release your touch.

5.      Repeat for each target point on the screen

When you’ve set all orientation points, the orientation screen disappears and you are ready to use your smartboard.

Increasing the calibration detail-

1.      Press the SMART Board icon in the notification area

2.      Select Control Panel from the SMART Board Tools menu

3.      Press the SMART Hardware Settings button. The SMART Hardware Settings window opens.

4.      Select Orientation/Alignment Settings from the drop-down menu

5.      Select Fine (20 Points)

6.      Press OK to apply the new orientation and alignment settings

7.      Press the Orient button in the Control Panel window to begin the orientation process

Helpful site: http://downloads01.smarttech.com/media/services/quickreferences/pdf/english/orienting_sbiw.pdf

12. Problem: Screen has been zoomed in or out.

1.      Hold down the control button.

2.      Use the mouse roller wheel to zoom in or out.

3.      To use Magnifier, hold down the Windows key.  Press the + on the number pad to zoom in. Press – on the number pad to zoom out.

4.      To exit Magnifier, press the Windows key and escape at the same time.

It is always ok to ask for help if you are not comfortable doing any of these steps.