All change…

Using a different computer to the one you’ve got used to can sometimes involve a bit of fiddling to start with, but is perfectly normal and common practice in the workplace so worth getting used to.  Below are some of the common issues and solutions.

Firefox Homepage (Or “where’s the blog”)

This blog should normally be the first page you see when opening Firefox.  If it isn’t then the steps below should solve the problem.

1. In Firefox go to Tools, then Options
2. In the box labelled Home Page delete what’s there and insert the web address of this blog (www.swansea-itec.co.uk/blog).  If you are already on the correct page you cans imply press the Use Current Page button to do this.
3. Press OK

“Word keeps trying to install”

The first time you open Word (or another Office application) on a different PC to normal you will see an installation message.  After a few moments it will ask you to confirm you user name. This is normal.  Just click OK when asked for your user name.

American Keyboard (Or “My @ key doesn’t work”)

Some of the training PCs have been incorrectly set to use an American keyboard layout.  unfortunately this needs to be changed for each user.  If you are getting a quote mark (“) instead of your @ symbol, you have this problem.  To solve it…

1. Got to Start then Control Panel
2. Select the Regional and Language Options
3. Check that both drop down boxes on the Regional Options page have English (United Kingdom) selected.
4. Press Apply
5. Click the languages tab
6. Click the Details button.
7. Check the the input language is changed to English (United Kingdom
8. Press OK

You may have to close and reopen any windows you are working in to get the change to work correctly.

Missing Printers

This is fairly common problem but an easy one to resolve and something which is useful to know how to do in any case.  If you can’t see the printer you need:

1. Click on Start and then Printers and Faxes
2. Click on Add a Printer then click on Next
3. Click on Network Printer then click on Next
4. Click on Find a Printer in the Directory then click on Next
5. Click on Find Now. A list of printers will appear in the box below.
6. Double-click the Printer you want to use (Normally Yellow Room or TFT-Lab)
7. Select Yes and then click on OK.
8. Click on Finish.

Missing Network Drives (Or “I can’t find my user space”)

This is a more unusual error, but a quick one to solve.  If trainee on ‘atlas’ does not appear in My Computer then:

1. Click on Tools then Map network Drive
2. In the Drive Letter box, select T:
3. In the Folder box type: \\atlas\trainee
4. Press OK.