Wednesday: I know I didn't post the last two days but we've been taking finals and such so I know what you were doing. I haven't had a chance to look at your projects but I will do that over the break and put your grades in PowerSchool. I will be adding grades for working hard during class time and trying to figure things out with all that we've learned the first semester as well as a grade for blogging. I will also put a grade in for the final. I think I'll make that out of 100 points. It is a somewhat subjective grade on finding all the problems and knowing what to do to fix them. A couple of people needed hints.
I hope all of you have a great break with plenty of time with your family and some rest from school and books. I'll see you all back on the 4th but then I'm gone to a workshop in Columbia on the 5th. Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Semester Exam
For the semester exam I have decided to try something new. I am going to "mess up" a computer and you get to try to fix it. I will make one hardware change and one set-up change. So this could be unplugging a cord from the power supply inside the computer, loosening the memory, etc... You each took apart a computer so you should know what needs to be plugged in. As for the setup, I might change an IP or DNS number, delete a driver for one of the devices in the computer, or put a virus on the machine. Everyones will be different. We have even on Tuesday and Odd on Thursday so that will give me an hour between tests to "mess" things up.
December 16, 2011
Friday: TGIF! Crazy day so far. I haven't had a minute to catch up or think much and it is almost noon. So far, I've gotten projects in and I appreciate everyone being on time. I probably won't get to look at this weekend though because of my daughters graduation. But I wanted you all to not have that project on top of studying for finals. So some time next week, I'll enter a grade on PS. Look at the blog over the weekend for what your final will be about. I'll put something there today.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
December 15, 2011
Thursday: I am gone this morning for dental appointments for my son and myself. He was sick yesterday and is not feeling well still so I'm not sure if I will be in at all. I am watching my e-mail to make sure that I send people to help teachers if they need it. So watch your phones. I will be back tomorrow for sure. Your assignment is due at the end of the day. You can print, share it back on google docs, or e-mail to me.
Have a good day.
PS. We will have a final next week. I'll let you know tomorrow what it will cover.
Have a good day.
PS. We will have a final next week. I'll let you know tomorrow what it will cover.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
December 14, 2011
Wednesday: The Apple workshop that I went to was very informative but I realized that deploying a cart of 30 iPads will be a lot of work. It is up to Ms. Winslow to find the money but I'll be responsible to set them up if it happens. We'll see. I was invited to a workshop in January on Google Chromebooks so I'm going to go to that for some comparison. We will buy something for the MS this year I believe.
There is a virus hitting several computers this morning. I think we have them under control but I'll see how the day goes.
I will be gone tomorrow morning for dental appointments for myself and kids. Austin is also sick so we'll see if I'm here at all tomorrow. I'll blog and use text to contact you if I need something.
There is a virus hitting several computers this morning. I think we have them under control but I'll see how the day goes.
I will be gone tomorrow morning for dental appointments for myself and kids. Austin is also sick so we'll see if I'm here at all tomorrow. I'll blog and use text to contact you if I need something.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
December 13, 2011
Additional info: I left part of your assignment on the back table. It is copies of the laptops for sale in the Best Buy ad that you need to categorize for the last part of the assignment. Pick one up and take it with you.
Kellen--Please make sure the lab is shut down and don't just flip the switches for the left side of the room!
Kellen--Please make sure the lab is shut down and don't just flip the switches for the left side of the room!
December 13, 2011
Tuesday: I found out late yesterday that I am going to go with Mrs. Winslow to an Apple iPad workshop that is different than the one I went to before. this one is more technical and talks about how to update them, synch them with a computer for uploading apps, etc... It is from 9:30 to 3 so I am leaving around 9. If I don't text you with something to do, work on your assignment. I'm trying to get the adds scanned or copied that I want you to use for the very last part. If you have questions, text me.
Monday, December 12, 2011
December 12, 2011
Monday: I hope everyone had a good weekend. I always enjoy mine.
Do not forget that you have an assignment due on Friday and I will get the information to you in the next day or two what the final will cover. I am disappointed that you all do not remember the DNS, gateway, or subnetmask numbers so I know that will be on there. Also, where do you check to see if a device is working or not--like the network card and how do you get there. These are basic things you need to know every day.
Do not forget that you have an assignment due on Friday and I will get the information to you in the next day or two what the final will cover. I am disappointed that you all do not remember the DNS, gateway, or subnetmask numbers so I know that will be on there. Also, where do you check to see if a device is working or not--like the network card and how do you get there. These are basic things you need to know every day.
Friday, December 9, 2011
December 9, 2011
Friday: TGIF! It has been a busy last couple of days. I still have computers that need to be hooked up to the copier in the laundry room at the Elem so some of you will be doing that. I have several calls I need to make about equipment that has to be done today and I'll have to run to Dark Horse Electronics again today for another part for Ms. Mitchell's room. I'll be glad to get her done. Dave is also installing LCD projectors in Mr. Karsten's room and Ms. Rich at the elementary so we will have to get their computers hooked up. Not too many dull moments in this office. Have a great weekend and don't forget your assignment due next Friday.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
December 8, 2011
Thursday: I guess I forgot totally to blog yesterday and I'll skip it for now. It was a very busy day on Wednesday. I worked at the elementary several hours to get the copy machine on-line so teachers could print to it and then I worked with Dave in Ms. Mitchell's room all afternoon to help get her LCD and SmartBoard hooked up.
Today, Devun and I went to Ms. Taylor at the MS 1st hour and took a projector down because we can't get any bulbs to work in it. I called Epson and they are sending a new one. We have software to load in Ms. Mitchell's room, printers to add at the Elementary, and another projector to set up for Ms. Taylor (ms) while we wait for the new one to arrive.
Don't forget to work on your assignment that is due next Friday at home. If you wait to the last minute, I'll be able to tell.
Today, Devun and I went to Ms. Taylor at the MS 1st hour and took a projector down because we can't get any bulbs to work in it. I called Epson and they are sending a new one. We have software to load in Ms. Mitchell's room, printers to add at the Elementary, and another projector to set up for Ms. Taylor (ms) while we wait for the new one to arrive.
Don't forget to work on your assignment that is due next Friday at home. If you wait to the last minute, I'll be able to tell.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Helpful Hint
As I remember various tools or websites that I use to help fix computers, I like to share those with you so that you know what is out there for your own personal or professional use later.
If a computer isn't starting up correctly and starts to beep, count the beeps and notice if they are long or short. Then you can find a website like this one: http://computerhope.com/beep.htm
Take a minute to look at this so you can see that it tells you what to check. So for example, 3 short beeps refers to a RAM failure so reset the memory in your machine and try again. If it still doesn't work, the memory chips could be bad. Six short beeps would indicate something wrong with the keyboard.
If a computer isn't starting up correctly and starts to beep, count the beeps and notice if they are long or short. Then you can find a website like this one: http://computerhope.com/beep.htm
Take a minute to look at this so you can see that it tells you what to check. So for example, 3 short beeps refers to a RAM failure so reset the memory in your machine and try again. If it still doesn't work, the memory chips could be bad. Six short beeps would indicate something wrong with the keyboard.
December 6, 2011
Tuesday: I hope all of you had an uneventful trip to school this morning. Mine was ok but I took it slow.
I figured out today where the prezi presentations went that you all e-mailed to me and I said I never got. They were in my junk mail box that I never look at. Sorry about that. I have a grading sheet for each of you so if you haven't gotten it, let me know.
You should have time this week to work on your assignment as I haven't had a lot of calls or e-mails lately. Have a great day.
I figured out today where the prezi presentations went that you all e-mailed to me and I said I never got. They were in my junk mail box that I never look at. Sorry about that. I have a grading sheet for each of you so if you haven't gotten it, let me know.
You should have time this week to work on your assignment as I haven't had a lot of calls or e-mails lately. Have a great day.
Monday, December 5, 2011
December 5, 2011
Monday: I hope everyone had a great weekend.
I have shared a document with you that you will need to complete the assignment before or by Dec. 16. You should read the article I posted the other day as part of this assignment. The purpose of this assignment is for you to get familiar with the most common processors and to really think about what you are buying when shopping for a computer. You will have the opportunity to compare laptops and then pick one you think is the best for your needs and explain why to me.
Today I tried to show most of you how to take a password off of a machine using Hirens Boot CD. This CD can be downloaded off the web and has tons of tools on it. I also showed you how to use LogMeIn.com to take control of another machine. This is helpful if you are trying to work on someone's machine or help them with a problem and you are in two different locations. If you did not learn about these 2 things, please remind me to show these to you on Tuesday. If you have any questions, let me know.
Have a good evening and stay warm.
I have shared a document with you that you will need to complete the assignment before or by Dec. 16. You should read the article I posted the other day as part of this assignment. The purpose of this assignment is for you to get familiar with the most common processors and to really think about what you are buying when shopping for a computer. You will have the opportunity to compare laptops and then pick one you think is the best for your needs and explain why to me.
Today I tried to show most of you how to take a password off of a machine using Hirens Boot CD. This CD can be downloaded off the web and has tons of tools on it. I also showed you how to use LogMeIn.com to take control of another machine. This is helpful if you are trying to work on someone's machine or help them with a problem and you are in two different locations. If you did not learn about these 2 things, please remind me to show these to you on Tuesday. If you have any questions, let me know.
Have a good evening and stay warm.
Friday, December 2, 2011
December 2, 2011
Friday: Today I am going to have you watch some video's regarding on-line safety. There are probably 25 videos but you can pick the ones you want to watch. A couple people still need to take a pc apart and put it back together.
We are going to start a project that compares AMD processors and Intel processors and then you are going to do some comparison shopping. I have found an article that I want you to read to help in understanding the difference between the two. It won't let me copy the address here so go to http://www.techradar.com and in the search box to the top right type intel vs amd and it should bring up the article called: News: Intel vs AMD: which processor is best. Here is another article with personal views from different people on the subject. http://www.squidoo.com/intel-vs-amd. You can google this topic also to find out more information. You will be using what you have read to do the rest of the assignment--coming on Monday.
Have a good weekend.
We are going to start a project that compares AMD processors and Intel processors and then you are going to do some comparison shopping. I have found an article that I want you to read to help in understanding the difference between the two. It won't let me copy the address here so go to http://www.techradar.com and in the search box to the top right type intel vs amd and it should bring up the article called: News: Intel vs AMD: which processor is best. Here is another article with personal views from different people on the subject. http://www.squidoo.com/intel-vs-amd. You can google this topic also to find out more information. You will be using what you have read to do the rest of the assignment--coming on Monday.
Have a good weekend.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
December 1, 2011
Thursday: I came in late today because Austin wasn't feeling well this morning. I did get here in time to listen to a 10 o'clock webinar by DESE--yippee! We will finish up the computer building today and/or the Cat5 making. Someone asked me if Cat5 and ethernet were the same and my answer is yes. The terms are used interchangeably.
I want to stress to you all how important it is to use your brain and to try to figure out problems. There is almost always more than one way to fix a problem with a computer and software. The only exception is a bad piece of hardware. Here is an example: I sent Caleb up to the Rock House this morning to install a printer. He tried the normal way of adding printer and then typing in the ip address. The IP couldn't be found. Caleb did try rebooting, checking another pc to make sure that it was the correct ip for the printer etc... (good job Caleb) So I had to think of another way to do this. I went to the website of the copy machine (sharp) and downloaded an installation package for that printer. I unzipped the download and found the setup icon and installed from there. (I did ping the printer first to make sure they could talk to each other.) Tada! it worked! Please think of it as a puzzle and you have to figure out what does work when the normal doesn't. Have a good day!
I want to stress to you all how important it is to use your brain and to try to figure out problems. There is almost always more than one way to fix a problem with a computer and software. The only exception is a bad piece of hardware. Here is an example: I sent Caleb up to the Rock House this morning to install a printer. He tried the normal way of adding printer and then typing in the ip address. The IP couldn't be found. Caleb did try rebooting, checking another pc to make sure that it was the correct ip for the printer etc... (good job Caleb) So I had to think of another way to do this. I went to the website of the copy machine (sharp) and downloaded an installation package for that printer. I unzipped the download and found the setup icon and installed from there. (I did ping the printer first to make sure they could talk to each other.) Tada! it worked! Please think of it as a puzzle and you have to figure out what does work when the normal doesn't. Have a good day!
November 30, 2011
Wednesday: Sorry, I am late posting. You all need to get on me about that. Most of you have made your Cat5 cables and at least started tearing apart a pc so that you can put it back together. One of the main reasons for doing this is so that if a part fails, you know how to take it out and replace it. DO not be afraid of the PC. I have had a motherboard shorted out by a student before so that is why we don't take those out any longer. Usually if you pay attention to how you get something out, you put the new one in just the same way.
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