LSS InfoLab - FAQ

If you notice blinking lights on the scanner, or if a window pops up indicating that the scanner can't be found, or if it just doesn't work - disconnect and reconnect the cables going to the computer. This solves the problem in 99.9% of cases. You do not have to reboot the computer in this instance.

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How do I use the H2 audio recorder?

The H2 comes with a power supply.  If you want the H2 to be more mobile, you can provide two AA batteries.

Helpful Documentation:

LSS Website: Using the H2 Audio Recorders: http://lss.wisc.edu/how-to/236

Samsontech Website: H2-Handy Recorder: http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodid=1916

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How do I use the 250 GB external hard drive?

The LSS InfoLab has 3 LaCie 250 GB hard drives available for 4 week loan periods. These are intended for project work where large files may have to be saved for more than a few days.

The drives can be used on either Mac or Windows computers. The drives are formatted as FAT32, a format which can be used to save files from either a Mac or Windows computer.

NOTE: If the files are larger than 4 GB and the student is using Windows XP, the drive must be reformatted as NTFS. The instructions for that are on the drive in the Windows directory.

There are four cables included with the external drive.  All are labeled. 

• The USB power cable acts like a power supply.  You may need to use this cable to power the drive.  It is in addition to the file transfer cable.
• There are three file transfer cables.  Two are Firewire - 400 and 800 speeds.  One is a conventional USB 2.0 cable.

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Can I check out a VGA adapter without a Macbook?

Yes, VGA adapters can be checked out alone, and used with a personal Macbook. Remember though that these adapters will not fit all Macbooks.

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How do I project from an InfoLab Macbook?

To use a Macbook with a classroom projector or a projector from the LSS AV Pool, you will need to also check out a VGA adapter. The adapters are a separate checkout from the laptops, and require a second signature. The VGA adapters available in the InfoLab will fit in the InfoLab Macbooks, but will not fit in all Macbooks or Macbook Pros. If you are using a personal Macbook, please verify that the adapter fits in your computer. For step-by-step directions from the Mac or XP sides of the Macbooks, follow the instructions in How to project from an Infolab Macbook.

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How long can I keep my equipment?

MacBooks, still cameras, Mini-DV videocameras, Kodak Zi6 videocameras, and H2 audio recorders are available for 3-day checkouts on schedule below.

Monday -> due on Thursday
Tuesday -> due on Friday
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday -> due on Monday

The external hard drives are checked out for 28 days.

Note that equipment must be returned to the lab it was checked out from. The LSS InfoLab is not open over the weekend, thus the weekend is treated as a single day.  If your equipment is due on Friday, your overdue fee on Monday is only $20, not $60.

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How do I renew equipment?

There are no renewals on equipment from the LSS InfoLab. If you want to rent a laptop for a longer period of time, DoIT has an inexpensive rental service. More information can be found at http://support.doit.wisc.edu/showroom/page.php?id=3086.

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How do I get a laptop for longer than 3 days - like the entire semester?

DoIT has a rental service that provides Mac and PC laptops at daily, weekly, monthly, and semester-long rates. A semester-long rental is only $150. More information can be found at http://support.doit.wisc.edu/showroom/page.php?id=3086.

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How do I renew equipment?

Equipment from the LSS InfoLab can not be renewed.  If you have questions about this policy, please contact the lab manager.

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Can I reserve equipment?

Equipment from the LSS InfoLab can not be reserved.  The only InfoLab on campus that has a limited amount of reservable equipment is College Library InfoLab.  See this page for more information:  http://www.college.library.wisc.edu/technology/equipment_checkout/reservation.shtml

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Where can I find out about my fine?

Go to the Equipment Checkout System and click on the "Pay Fines" tab  (https://ecs.library.wisc.edu/infolab_fines/).  Log in with your UW Student ID number.

If you wish to dispute the fine, you will find the fine appeal process on that page as well.

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How do I pay my fine?

The university-wide laptop checkout system is now fully automated and laptop, camera, and peripheral fines are enforced across campus. If an item is returned late, the system will automatically block the user from checking out any other electronic item at the University. The block is removed once the fine is paid online with a credit card.

To pay the fine, go to the Equipment Checkout System and click on the "Pay Fines" tab  (https://ecs.library.wisc.edu/infolab_fines/).  Log in with your UW Student ID number.

You must use a credit card to pay fines.  The only way to pay the fine is through the Equipment Checkout System.

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What fonts and keyboards are installed on the InfoLab computers?

PC:

The LSS InfoLab PCs have all the XP fonts installed, including right-to-left and complex script fonts. Commonly used XP keyboards are available from the system tray, by clicking on the keyboard indicator icon. All the XP keyboards can be installed by going into Control Panels -> Regional and Language Options -> Languages -> Details.

Macs:

All available fonts and keyboards are installed on the iMacs.

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Installing a Keyboard Not Already Installed

PCs: If you cannot find the language keyboard (e.g., Zulu) you need installed on one of our lab PCs, go through the following steps to install it.

1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options.
2. Click on the Languages tab.
3. Click on the Details... button in the "Text services and input languages" area.
4. On the Settings tab, click on the Add... button.
5. In the Input Language drop-down window (click the down arrow beside English), select the language you need to install.
6. Click the Ok button.
7. Then click Ok button on the Text Services and Input Languages window to close it,
8. then click the Ok button on the Regional and Language Options window to close it.
9. Close the Control Panel window and the newly installed keyboard should now be available.
10. To activate the new keyboard, open a web browser or MS Word and then click on the "EN" button that appears down by the clock on the computer screen. Select your newly installed keyboard and type away
    
    Keep in mind that the keyboard will uninstall the next time the computer is started, so if you need the keyboard on a permanent basis for a class, please email antonella@lss.wisc.edu or sue@lss.wisc.edu and request the keyboard be installed permanently.

iMacs: If you cannot find the language keyboard (e.g. Zulu) you need installed on one of our lab iMacs, go through the following steps to install it.

1. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences... > International.
2. Click on the Input Menu tab.
3. Put a checkmark in the far lefthand column (titled "On").
4. Close the System Preferences... window.
5. Open your program of choice (a web browser, MS Word, etc.) and then...
6. To activate the new keyboard, click on the flag on the far right of the menu bar at the top of the iMac screen (it usually shows as an American flag, by default) and select your input language of choice.
7. Type away.

 

Keep in mind that the keyboard will uninstall the next time the computer is started, so if you need the keyboard on a permanent basis for a class, please email antonella@lss.wisc.edu or sue@lss.wisc.edu and request the keyboard be installed permanently.

 

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Unfreezing a computer

Macintosh: Try the unfreeze key combination - Apple-Option-Esc.

PC: Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete. Click on the Task List button on the window that appears. Go to the Applications tab and look for one that says "Not Responding". Select it, then press the End Task button. If no applications are "not responding", you can go to the Processes tab, select the executable for the program that's running, and press the End Process button.

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Restarting a computer

CAUTION!!! Restarting a computer resets the computer - all files saved to the computer will be deleted.

Macintosh: If the iMac is frozen, the power/restart button is on the back of the monitor/CPU, behind the lower-left corner of the screen. Hold the button in for 7-9 seconds, and the iMac will shutdown. Press the power button again, and it will restart.

PC: The restart button is the smaller round button on the front of the PC, between the Dell emblem and the USB ports. Hold the button down for 8 to 10 seconds and the system will shut off. Press the button again and the system will restart.

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Refreshing the computers

CAUTION!!! Restarting a computer resets the computer - all files saved to the computer will be deleted.

Macintosh: Reboot the computer to automatically run the maintenance program.

PC: Restart the computer.

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Checking the Network

If you suspect that the network may be down, try these tests.

• Try using both a browser and WiscMail. If both produce error messages, then the networking has most likely been interrupted.
• Check that the cables on the rear of the computer are tight.
• Check that the cables plugged into the electrical outlets under the tables are plugged in tightly.

If the problem is still occurring, call a staff member.

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Ethernet Cables

The Van Hise InfoLab does NOT supply or check out ethernet cables.

The UW wireless network is widely available on campus. If a cable is needed, they are are available for a minimal price at the DoIT tech store.

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How do I get a password for my lessons in the Digital Learning Lab?

The Infolab attendants do not have the passwords to the Digital Learning Lab files. Only the TA/instructor is given those passwords, with instructions to provide the password to their students. So... students must go back to the TA or instructor.

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What if I get a "block/unblock" prompt in my web browser?

In most cases, you want to click the "Unblock" button. This usually occurs when you are trying to watch streamed video in a browser. By clicking unblock, you are allowing the browser (Internet Explorer or Firefox) to go ahead and play the video.

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How do I write (change the language input) and read in languages other than English?

This site may be useful to you: Computing with Accents, Symbols, and Foreign Scripts at Penn State.

On a PC:

1. Open your program of choice (Word, Word Perfect, etc.).
2. Click on the keyboard indicator in the system tray (a BLUE SQUARE in the lower right-hand corner that likely has "EN" in it - - that means English.]
3. The keyboards we currently have installed on the PCs appear.
4. Click on the language you want to type in: that language becomes the one you type in.
5. If you want to type in a language that does not appear on the Language bar, see the link at the top of this page -- "How do I install a keyboard that is not already installed" -- and follow the directions there.

On a Macintosh:

1. Open the program of your choice (Word, etc.).
2. Click on the FLAG in the upper right-hand corner of the task bar at the TOP of the screen. [The flag is likely an American flag - - that means English.]
3. From the languages that appear, choose one of the keyboards we currently have installed on the Macintoshes.
4. That language becomes the one you type in.
5. If the language you want to type in is not there, see the link at the top of this page -- "How do I install a keyboard that is not already installed" -- and follow the directions there.

To view web pages in another language on a PC or Macintosh:
In Firefox: no need to do anything special. Foreign language websites appear automatically in the language they are created.

In IE: no need to do anything special. Foreign language websites appear automatically in the language they are created.

In rare cases, it may be necessary to change the character set in either Firefox or IE. To do so in Firefox, open the web page and choose VIEW > CHARACTER ENCODING > then choose the language needed. In IE, open the web page then choose VIEW > ENCODING > MORE > then choose the language needed.

In Netscape: in some instances, it is necessary to change the character set. Open the web page, then choose VIEW > CHARACTER SET > then choose the language needed.

ALSO - - we have printed handouts available on the rack near the door or on our homepage to help patrons with international characters and languages. See the following section.

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How do I use the foreign language spell checkers in Word?

See Multi-language Computing in the LSS InfoLab. 

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How do I run Language Courseware in the LSS Infolab?

See the "Language Courseware" handout.

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Importing a Microsoft Works file into Microsoft Word on the PC

Select File | Open. Change the File Type dropdown menu to say Works (.wps files). This allows you to see Works file through the browse window. Browse to the floppy or zip disk, and select the appropriate file. Most Works files will open without any problem.

If the file doesn't open, start over with File | Open. Change the Files of Type menu to Recover text from any file. This will try to bring in unformatted text, and will probably have several lines of code at the beginning and end of the document. Tell the student to delete these odd lines, select the text, and change the font to something like Times New Roman.

If the file still doesn't open, then it isn't a Works file. They could try WordPerfect and see if it will open there.

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How do I run software (not music) programs from a CD or DVD?

Insert the CD or DVD disk into the drive. For the PC, double-click on "My Computer" and then double-click on "DVD-RW (D:)" For the Macintosh, a CD/DVD icon will appear on the desktop; double-click on it. You may need to find the executable file on the disk that starts the program. Sometimes the file has an .exe extension on the name, indicating an executable file. Sometimes there is a colorful icon with the name of the program underneath it. Sometimes the CD or DVD will require an installation of software and the file will be called "setup" or "launch." And, sometimes the CD/DVD is programmed to start automatically when you insert the disk, so you won't have to worry about any of the above!

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How do I use Audacity to record myself?

For directions specifically for the Infolab visit this Audacity How-to Guide.

For general assistance with Audacity and more advanced information, visit this LSS Audacity page.

 

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How can I see where the keys are in a foreign language keyboard?

On a PC: Start Menu > Accessibility > On Screen Keyboard

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How do I use the English-International keyboard?
How can I enter accents and diacritics?

The Wikipedia article on the English International keyboard gives good directions on using the keyboard to enter accents for Western languages: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#US-International

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How do I get videos to play smoothly on the Paroles CDs?

Uninstall the new version of QuickTime on your computer:

1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
2. Scroll down the list of "Currently installed programs" and select "QuickTime."
3. Click on the "Change/Remove" button.
4. Click on the "Uninstall Everything" button and uninstall QuickTime.

Install the old version of QuickTime FROM the Paroles CD:

1. Go to Start > My Computer.
2. Select and open the Paroles CD by clicking on it.
3. Click on and open the folder called QT3Inst.
4. Double-click on the Setup.exe file and follow the directions to install QuickTime 3.0.
   Just click Next and/or Ok whenever you are asked any questions.
5. Once the install is complete, play the Paroles CD again and this time the videos will play correctly.

 

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Logging in with your Netid

When logging in, type your netid in all lowercase letters. Mixed or uppercase netids will not authenticate correctly.

Check the dropdown menu on the login window.  It should be set to login.wisc.edu, not infolabs-dellxx, AD, Grainger, or any other setting.

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Printing PDF files from the Macs

If you encounter problems printing PDF files from a Learn@UW course, or the like, follow the steps below:

1. Download the PDF to the Mac.
2. Open Adobe 8.0 Professional. (Go > Applications > Adobe 8.0 Professional)
3. Open the downloaded PDF with Adobe. (File > Open > and navigate to location of saved PDF)
4. Re-save the PDF to make it compatible with Adobe 4.0 or later. (File > Reduce File Size... > Compatible with Acrobat 4.0 and later > Ok > Save > Yes)
5. Close down all programs and documents.
6. Re-open the newly saved PDF.
7. Send to the printer as normal.

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Printing PDF files from e-reserves or WebCT

If you encounter problems printing PDF files, follow the steps below:

1. Use the Printer icon on the Adobe toolbar instead of the File > Print option on the Internet toolbar.
2. Check the "Print as Image" box on the right-hand side of the printer dialog box.

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Printing PDF files with multiple pages to one printed sheet

To print a PDF so that you have multiple pages per printed sheet, follow these directions:

1. In Acrobat Reader, select File | Print.
2. Under Page Scaling, change the drop down to Multiple Pages per Sheet.
3. Customize the number of pages per sheet and the order of the pages as desired.

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Printing from a laptop computer

On a PC:
First, make sure you are connected to the UW_Net wireless network. See How do I use my own laptop on the wireless network? above.

Second, check DoIT's website here and follow the directions there, except for the following points:

For Windows Vista, follow all the directions except those for Step #6. At Step #6, "Choose Select a shared printer by name", enter the following:    \\goprint.doit.wisc.edu\B&W_Queue_LSS      and click Next. Follow all the other directions as instructed.

For Windows XP, follow all the directions except those for Step #7-8. At Step #7, enter    \\goprint.doit.wisc.edu\B&W_Queue_LSS   and click Next after you have entered that information. Move on to Step 9 and follow the rest of the directions.

On a Mac:
First, make sure you are connected to the UW_Net wireless network. See How do I use my own laptop on the wireless network? above.

Instructions for printing wirelessly from Macs are found on DoIT's website here: http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=10185.

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Macintosh Printing

If you encounter problems printing from a Macintosh, follow the steps below:

1. Check the software that you're printing from.
2. Check to see if the network is having problems, or if it's just a print queue. Test the network by using a browser or diskless email. If either of those applications don't work, take a look at Checking the Network.
3. Double-click on the printer icon, located on the desktop of the Macintosh. If a red "stop sign" symbol appears in the upper left-hand corner of the printer window, the queue has been stopped. Select Printing | Start Print Queue to restart the print queue. Delete any old print jobs by selecting them, then clicking on the Trash icon.

If the problem is still occurring, call a staff member.

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Printing handouts or outlines in Powerpoint (PC and Macintosh)

On the PC: Select File | Print. Find the Print What option toward the bottom and select either Handouts or Outline View. For Handouts, select the number of slides to print per page.

On the Macintosh: Select File | Print. Change "General" to "Microsoft Powerpoint". Under the Print What option, select one of the Handout views, or Outline view.

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How do I print from Learn@UW courses?

Printing from Learn@UW can be a major pain.

When a student is viewing a Word document in Learn@UW, it appears in a framed page. There is one frame for the header across the top of the page. There is a second frame for the bookmarks in the left-hand column. And there is a third frame for the actual document, which appears in the right-hand column. You can tell that it's a Word document because the ruler appears at the top of the document.

To print, use the printer icon in Learn@UW, not the one in the web browser. Click on the printer icon and you'll get a print dialog box. Click on the Options tab. Select the choice for "Print each frame individually", and click OK to send the job to the Print Station.

At the print station, you should see three print jobs for your computer. Two have web addresses, and one will say Microsoft Word. You want to print the Microsoft Word document. Cancel the other two print jobs.

Arrrrgggghhhhhh.

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How do I check Email?

WiscMail and My UW-Madison are bookmarked in all of the browsers.

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What if I try to send mail through a mail link on a webpage?

Clicking on a mail link in PC web browsers brings up a window from Outlook Express asking you to create an account.  The LSS InfoLab does not support Outlook Express, or any non-web method of sending or retrieving mail from your wisc.edu address.

Copy and paste the email address from the webpage into the TO field of your web email.

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Where can I go to send a fax?

General fax service is not supplied by the InfoLabs. Fax service can be found at Ebling Library-HSLC. Go to the following link, paying attention to the 'Fax Service' tab. http://ebling.library.wisc.edu/infocommons/

Some departments also provide fax service for students who are declared majors. Check with your departmental secretary.

Can I check out a laptop without a case?

Although we sympathize with students that don't want to carry a case around, we do require that a case go out with every macbook. This ensures protection of the macbook. Students may be responsible for replace/repair costs if a macbook is returned damaged.

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Questions or Comments about the LSS InfoLab can be addressed to Sue Weier (sue at lss.wisc.edu) or Antonella Caloro (antonella at lss.wisc.edu). The phone number for the LSS InfoLab is 262-4575. This number will reach the lab attendant working in the InfoLab.