GeoSpa Welcome

Introduction, Tips, and FAQ
Last Updated 09/01/2006

Logging In

  • If the power button on the Dell is flashing the computer is in sleep mode, press the power button once
  • Your domain must be set to GEOSPA to login, not the local computer name
  • Change your password by going to https://sec.jql.usu.edu/

Passwords

  • Change your default password and don't use any passwords found in the dictionary.
  • Use of special characters, capitals, and creative acronyms are encouraged.
  • We actively run crack programs on your passwords
  • Poor choices of passwords will be voraciously taunted with bad puns and result in locked accounts

File Management

  • Right click on “My Documents” and select “Properties” change your save location to “Z:\”
  • Never save large files to your desktop this will slow down your login and logout
  • Save all your files in your Z:\ drive
  • All data files saved to the PC are removed regularly
  • A 100MB quota is set initally on all home directories

Browsing External Web Sites

  • Web browsers need to use the proxy server proxy.usu.edu port 80 to view websites pages
    • Firefox
       "Tools -> Options", "General", "Connections" and select "Manual Proxy Configuration"
    • Netscape & Mozilla
       "Edit -> Preferences", then open "Advanced", "Proxies"
    • Internet Explorer
       "Tools -> Internet Options", "Connections", "LAN Settings", "Proxy Server"
    • Instructions with screenshots: 
       http://helpdesk.usu.edu/content/networking/proxy.server.php

Access to BNR208

  • Coursework and student access for classes taught in BNR208 have the highest priority.
  • BNR 208 is not a USU open access lab
  • A course fee or student access fee is required for access to BNR208
  • A two hour time limit is set for all non-class activities

Reset Profile

  • From time to time your Profile may become corrupted
  • Your profile contains your personal preferences such as background, bookmarks, and your desktop
  • The most common profile corruption is due to the dual monitors opening an application "off screen"
  • To reset your profile to the default setting:
    • Find the text file "reset_profile" on your desktop
    • Remove this file
    • Logout
    • Wait 8 minutes
    • Log back in

Lockscreen

  • Bonnie can unlock a computer if it is accidentally left logged in

CNR

Windows XP Tips

  • To sort items in the "Start Menu -> All Programs" list right click on the list and select "Sort by Name"
  • To see how much disk space you are using right click on a directory and select "ExplorerXP"
    • ExplorerXP is available from http://www.freeware-guide.com/

Printing

  • 0-20 Pages per day - Free
  • 20-100 Pages per day - $0.05 per page
  • 100+ Pages per day - $1 per page (Please Visit a Copy Center*

Food and Drink

  • Help save our computers, No Food or Drink is all allowed in the lab, unless you are bringing chocolate to share

Misuse and Abuse

  • Misuse and Abuse of computer resources is not tolerated and will be dealt with in unpleasant manners

Personal Computer Support