How to set up your Computers at the Beginning of the Year
of the UBS ports in the back. If you have a mouse
When I set up the computer lab computers I
disconnect everything from the computer. If you do
this you may want to mark where the monitor was
plugged in with a sticker or sharpie. In most cases
there is only one choice but that is not always true.
I wipe down all the cords with a damp paper towel.
They are dusty and no one will be back there again
until next August.
I remove everything, including keyboards and mice,
from the tables but the computer and monitor and
dust the tables, computer and network parts being
careful not to get anything wet.
Put everything back together as shown on the
opposite side. This is your chance to tuck away
cables but be careful to coil or wrap each cord
separately in case one piece needs to be removed for
repair or replacement.
The number of cords you have
depends on the number of
computers and whether you have a
printer in your room or not. The
average scenario is three computers
and no printer. In this case you will have six power
cords, three monitor to computer cables, three USB
mice, and three keyboards. You will also have four
network cables (similar to phone cables but larger)
and a switch.
Plug each monitor back into the computer the same
way it was plugged in before. Plug the mice into one
that is not USB it is color coded to show you where
it goes. This type of mouse only fits one way, so do
not force it. Plug the keyboard into the back of the
computer. It is also color coded and fits a certain
way.
Your network set up is the most important
piece. One network cable
(color does not matter) must
go from the network drop
(on your wall) to port 1 of
the switch. The switch is a
small rectangular box with
many ports (5 to 8) on one
edge. Each computer (and
Kyocera printer if you have
one) should have a cable from the back of the
computer to the switch box. It is important that
there are no cables with both ends into the switch
box. This creates a loop and brings down our local
network. The switch also has a power cord which
must be plugged in. The switch is rather delicate. If
it falls to the floor it could stop working so be sure
to place it well on the computer table to prevent
this. If you have any extra cords or cables when you
are done, put them in my mailbox or office.
If you have headphones plug them into the front. If
you have mikes, plug them into the back, where an
arrow indicates “sound out.”
That’s all there is to it. It might take you an hour but
your computer stations will be clean and neat for the
year.
If you turn them all on and test the Internet and
they don’t work, send me an email and I will put you
on my To Do list for troubleshooting. Thank
goodness you have your wireless laptops!