Guide to Library and Technology Services' Public Computing Sites and Classrooms
Computing services, and therefore the contents of this guide, are continually under development and must be considered a "work in progress". For detailed information about specific computing sites, see the Technology Classrooms Resource Guide
If you find errors or omissions send mail to jahb@lehigh.edu.
Introduction
Welcome to Library and Technology Services computing facilities. The computers
within these facilities are part of centralized local area networks (interconnected
computers) which allow sharing of software, files, and resources such as printers.
This guide explains the procedures on how to properly use these computers, where
to find assistance, and the policies governing their use.
Getting Help
The Help Desk service in the Fairchild-Martindale Library Information Commons (main floor of the Fairchild-Martindale Library) provides a starting point for getting answers to questions about Lehigh libraries, computing, and telecommunications. Help Desk staff respond to inquiries about hardware, software, classroom and lab computing, library collections and services, and phone problems and services. You can reach the help desk by calling 610-758-HELP (8-4357). You can also email the helpdesk at helpdesk@lehigh.edu, or reach them for help via chat.
For in-depth or specialized assistance with computing or library research questions,
you may be referred to a Computing Consultant or Librarian who specializes in
your topic. More information about the Help Desk is available at: http://www.lehigh.edu/helpdesk
System Startup
After restarting the computer will display some messages from the boot prom as it loads into memory.
The system will display the message "Hit F12 for Refresh Options" and you need to hit F12 within 3 seconds to reload otherwise it will boot from the local hard drive. The message is not on a custom screen, it is the last of the start up messages displayed and the timing is quick.
If you elect to reload the system software from the network drives by hitting F12 (quickly), you will be presented with a "preliminary" windows blue screen requesting authentication ID and password. You only get one chance to enter the ID and password correctly, i.e. there is no retry. If you mistype them, you need to reboot and start over. After you authenticate, you can choose to do a single refresh, or start the multicast client.
The reload process takes about 10-13 minutes on a lightly loaded network with a 100Mb connection as the image is about 2GB.
Ghost Refresh - If you pressed F12 for this option, the computer will load software to connect to a remote image server and run ghost from this server to restore the hard drive image for this public site computer. The process of doing this requires that you authenticate to the Active Directory in order to access the image. As it finishes, it will automatically reboot the computer twice more.
Many problems with a public site computer (e.g., cannot print, software problem, computer hangs or freezes, etc.) can be resolved by doing a Ghost refresh. The length of time it takes to perform this varies between ten and 30 minutes. It is important to not interrupt this process once it has started.
When the refresh process is complete, all software not on the base image will have been removed from the hard drive (see software section below for an explanation). The computer will continue to start up Windows and then present you with the login screen.
It is not advisable to refresh more than three computers in the same site simultaneously, since the more computers being reloaded, the slower the process is. If you need all the computers in a public site reloaded for a class please use the Multicast option described below.
Ghost Multicast Refresh Directions
LTS strongly recommends that users wishing to refresh more than two computers at a time use the Multicast method. Failure to do so could result in the local subnet becoming so saturated with network traffic that the site could actually become unusable! With Multicast the bandwidth used for any number of computers is roughly the same as for two computers. Below are instructions for using Multicast. You should only run a single multicast server at a any one time per subnet because of the way the automatic configuration is setup.
1) Start the Ghost Multicast Server as follows: from any Windows XP public site computer that you are logged into, do a Start | Run | mcast . The following screen should come up:
Note that Session Name and Image File should reflect the model computer at your site.
2) Next you must reboot each computer that you would like to refresh. When prompted at the blue and white screen choose Multicast Ghost Refresh. You only have a few seconds to make your selection before it defaults to a standard boot so you must pay close attention to the dialog during boot. You should see each client appear in the window above.
3) Once all computers appear in the window you can initiate the mass refresh by clicking the Send button. Once these computers have finished you can (if necessary) refresh the machine that acted as the temporary server by rebooting it and selecting item Ghost Refresh at the blue and white screen.
Accessing the PC LAN
Accounts and Passwords
In order to provide enhanced security and access to features, a username and password are required to use any computer on an LTS public site LAN. Students, faculty, and staff can open LAN accounts through the Web at http://www.lehigh.edu/open from any computer with Internet access. The open process creates and synchronizes userid/passwords for AFS, Active Directory, the Portal and other services.. These provide access to many of the university resources including Blackboard, the LAN H and I drives, LU-Public spaces, Microsoft Active Directory authentication to public site computers, and other services.
The account opening process can be performed from any logged in computer, at
the Help Desk at the E.W. Fairchild-Martindale Library, the library kiosks in
the Fairchild-Martindale and Linderman Libraries, or at service points within
the Computing Center. Any user name and password obtained through this process
is for individual use only; NEVER share your password with others.
Logging in to the LAN
Once any LTS public site computer has been started and is ready for use, you will see the instruction to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to Login. Pressing the Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys will cause a dialog box similar to this to appear on the screen.
To log into the computer, enter your user name and password in the appropriate fields; press the Tab key to move between fields and click on OK when finished.
Interpreting Common Error Messages:
If you encounter difficulty logging in, check the context by clicking on the Advanced button. The context for most students should be student.lehigh, and [department].f-s.lehigh for most faculty and staff. The context determines who has access to which files and is used by departments for various purposes. While LTS public site computers are set to automatically determine the proper context for each individual, other campus computers will simply default to the context of the last individual to use the machine. To force the computer to connect to a specific context, enter the full context name in the form .userid.context (e.g., .xyz3.student.lehigh for a student with the id xyz3).
Another problem you may encounter when logging in is a 'Locked' workstation. If another user has been logged into the workstation and left without logging out, the computer will display the message Workstation Locked in the top of the login screen. If you are not the user who is logged in, you will need to reboot (turn off and turn on) the computer in order to log in to it.
If the computer displays the message "The trust relationship is broken", the machine is no longer in the active directory and will need to be reloaded. (This message has nothing to do with your account; it's a problem with the computer.) Restart the computer and follow the software reloading process. Also, check the LAN cable to be sure that it is connected to the proper jack at both ends.
If you see a pop-up window asking you to log into Windows after you've entered your userid/password, the most likely cause is that your passwords are not synchronized with the Active Directory. Go to any PC with an active Web browser, and navigate to the "Open" page: http://www.lehigh.edu/open and follow the prompts to synchronize your passwords. After completing this process, wait about 5 minutes and log in again.
Windows XP Desktop
The Desktop (screen) contains only a few items after Windows XP starts. Along the left-hand side are:- Recycle Bin
- Internet Explorer web browser
- Lehigh E-mail (Netscape or Mozilla Mail program)
- LOGOUT : exit or logout from your computer account
- Netscape Navigator
At the bottom of your screen is the taskbar which includes the Start button at one end and the system clock at the other.
Other icons, such as the Netscape Quicklaunch and the Symantec Antivirus active protection logo, may appear in the taskbar.
All software can be started from the Start button's All Programs menu. Other Start button functions include the My Documents icon, My Computer, and Getting Windows XP Help. In the All Programs menu you will find the Install Software (Prism) application, your LAN Home Directory, the LU Public directory listing, as well as the programs installed on the computer.
Links will appear on the desktop for 'Portal', 'IMP (web email)' 'Lehigh Software', 'Blackboard CourseInfo', and 'Technology Classrooms.' Clicking on these will bring up an Internet Explorer 6.0 window with the appropriate web page.
Password Protected Screensaver
In order to protect users' confidential data, a password-protected screen saver has been implemented at the public sites and computing classrooms. This screen saver will appear at the public sites when a logged-in computer is inactive for 10 minutes. The password protected screenscaver will display a login screen with the words "Workstation Locked" at the top.
If the original user returns to the computer, he or she can log back in to see the screen as it was left. In order for a different user to use the computer, the computer needs to be rebooted (turned off and back on).
Exiting the LAN
Logging Out of the LAN 
When you are finished using a computer at an LTS public site, YOU MUST LOGOUT of the LAN. You can do this by double-clicking on the bright yellow exclamation point icon on the desktop, or choosing Log Off from the Start Menu. Failure to do so will result in your account being accessible to whoever next uses that particular computer until the password protected screen saver turns on.
After double-clicking the bright yellow exclamation point icon you should NOT walk away from the machine until the logout process has completed! Often the logout process will have difficulty shutting down a process and may display a confirmation box. Or if you've left an application opened it may ask if you wish to save your file. At this point you are still logged and a passerby can access your files. Only when you see the main Logon screen are you assured that you've completely logged out.
As one of the features of required LAN logins is the ability to access electronic
mail and files from any public site (see Netscape Mail), your electronic
mail could also be open to whoever next uses that computer. That individual
could then send electronic mail (harassing, abusive, profane, etc.) in your
name, as well as altering or deleting files. Furthermore, if you used the Portal,
your academic records could be available to the next person to wander by. To
avoid serious repercussions, always logout!
Security & Information Policies
Security and information policies are in place to protect the
University's computing, networking and telecommunications resources. These policies
also cover topics such as e-mail abuses, personal servers, copyright issues
and much more. Review the campus-wide security measures at http://www.lehigh.edu/security.
Computer Use Policy Statement
All utilization of computers owned by Lehigh University, or connected to networks owned by Lehigh University, is covered by the policies set forth in the Information Resource’s document entitled "Policies on the Use of Computer Systems and Facilities" which is available for reference on-line at the location: http://www.lehigh.edu/security/computepolicy.html. A summary of the policy is as follows:
Antivirus protection
While once spread mostly by floppy diskette, invasive software (described by terms such as computer viruses, worms, and Trojan programs) can now be spread around the world in a matter of days; anyone connected to the Internet can be at risk from invasive software. However, there are a number of things you can do to minimize risks to computer systems from invasive software.
- Virus Detection Software - should be run on all computers and must be kept updated.
- Electronic Mail - avoid opening executable (.exe) attachments and attachments of unknown nature, or which you are not expecting. Save attachments as files and run virus detection on them before opening them.
- Enable Macro Virus Protection - within all products with macros (e.g., Microsoft Word and Excel)
- Web Browsers - allow easy downloads of malicious software; download with caution, and run virus detection on the files before running/installing them.
A first line of defense against invasive software is virus detection software. Virus detection software checks all files that are opened to ensure that they are free from viruses or other invasive software. Lehigh has a site license for Symantec AntiVirus which runs by default on all LTS public site computers. Symantec AntiVirus is also available for installation on departmental machines via the Install Software Icon and is available for home use (via CD from the Circulation Desk at Fairchild-Martindale library or Web download from http://www.lehigh.edu/security/norton/ ) by students, faculty, and staff.
For additional information on computer viruses, or to download Symantec AntiVirus,
see the Lehigh Security and Information Policy Web page at http://www.lehigh.edu/security.
Mozilla Firefox/Thunderbird Notes
The PC-based mail program on Lehigh's public sites is being migrated to Mozilla Thunderbird in the spring semester. In most cases, the functionality of the mail program will remain the same.
- Mozilla Thunderbird (for security reasons and to avoid losing messages, you should be using the IMAP version, which is the public site default)-- Choose Lehigh Mail, or click on the Red or icon in the taskbar and choose Mail and Newgroups from the Window menu. (This should be pre-configured for you based on your login.)
- IMP, the web based mail reader: http://www.lehigh.edu/imp
More information about using mail can be found on the web page: http://www.lehigh.edu/computing/accounts.html
PC and Linux Workstation Site Information
LTS sites contain more than 400 computers in 31 computing sites around campus. Detailed site information is available here. The information available includes site usage information, site hours, hardware available, room reservation contacts, departmental supplies contacts, site types and news. Site hours for the EWFM Computing Center, the EWFM Library and Linderman Library may also be obtained by calling 610-758-2828.
Linux Workstations
In addition to the computers at distributed sites, LTS
maintains more than
20 IBM Linux workstations located in 4 public sites on campus
. They
are also connected to the campus backbone and the central file space; as a result,
a single user can perform high intensity computing using the resources of several
workstations simultaneously.
Note: Telnet is now disabled on these machines and compute server. To access
those machines remotely, use the Secure login (SSH) programs. SSH
Secure Shell is available for download from the http://www.lehigh.edu/security/download/
page.
Questions about availablity of software for Linux workstations
and compute server should be directed to Mary Jo Schulze, 610-758-4590-- software
function questions should be directed to the Helpdesk or your computing consultant.
Network Jacks (for use with portables/laptops)
Windows Software
Basics
To begin using any software, left-click on the Start button, then go to All Programs and find the folder for the software. At minimum, the following software is available: Acrobat Reader, Symantec Antivirus, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator, SSH Secure Shell, along with Quicktime and Realplayer. (Other utility programs are under Accessories.) These programs are at all computing facilities and available after login. LTS refers to this base set of programs as the base image. Performing a complete software reload provides a new copy of this base image to the computer's hard drive.The base image available at LTS public computing sites and classrooms contains a minimal selection of fundamental software. The base image is kept as concise as possible since the size directly influences the computer's refresh time; the current site image requires a ten to fifteen minute refresh period. All software not included in the base image is made available through the Install Software icon.
Installing Software
The Lehigh Software link on the Desktop allows the installation of software that is not included in the base image. Double-click on Lehigh Software, or choose Install Software from the top of the "All Programs" menu under Start, to get a list of software. (The list of software available on the public sites differs slightly from that available in campus offices or on WIRED computers). Click on a software title for the description/installation page, then click on the install button. In the File Download window that comes up, click the radio button next to 'Open this file from its current location', then click 'OK'. You will be asked whether you are sure you want to play this script; click 'Yes'. Wait for the installation to finish. When you receive a message that the installation is complete, click on OK. You begin using the software by the same process as above (click on Start, then All Programs). Software that has been installed this way is removed from the computer when a complete software reload is performed.Availability
If the program has limited availability (e.g., it is only available for use in Packard Lab room 502), this information will appear in the 'Restrictions' column of the Install Software listing. Although you will be able to install the software, you will not be able to run it – a 'Key Server' message "cannot grant you permission to run this program" will appear. The limited availability of software can usually be attributed to terms contained in the software’s license agreement.Some software is acquired in limited quantities (e.g., 25 licenses). If the maximum number of copies of the program are already is use by other people on the network, you are presented with a message "all licenses are checked out, KeyServer will notify you when a license is available." You are then given an option to be placed on a waiting list. LTS strives to have a sufficient number of licenses available so, hopefully, you will not see this message often.
Information
Complete information about what software packages LTS provides is available on Lehigh’s Web page at the following URL: http://www.lehigh.edu/computing/software/software.html. There is a listing of site and volume licensed software, software listed by categories (e.g., word processors), and an alphabetical listing. Questions regarding PC and Mac software available at the public computing sites and classrooms can be directed to Gwyn Allman, 610-758-6247. Questions about software functionality should be directed to the Helpdesk or a computing consultant.Library Resource Connections
From the Library and Technology Services page off LU's home page, you can go
to the Library page available at: http://www.lehigh.edu/library/.
Accessible from this page are ASA (the library's catalog), abstract/index services
and full text databases, electronic journals, service requests and guides to
using subject resources. Students completing papers will also find the Citation,
Style and Footnotes section helpful (http://www.lehigh.edu/library/footnote/).
Faculty should contact their Client Services librarian about special instructional
needs for database access or for assistance in teaching database use.
Blackboard CourseInfo Courses
Blackboard Courses material is hosted on the server http://ci.lehigh.edu. Normally, you can go straight to the Blackboard server by clicking on the link on the public site computer's desktop marked "Blackboard CourseInfo". Otherwise, open either Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firebird and point it at http://ci.lehigh.edu/
Files & Printing Q&A
#1) I just saved my PC file and now I can't remember where I put it.
The location of the file depends on what program you are using. Many programs such as Microsoft Word will default to saving a file in the "My Documents" folder on the desktop. On the XP public sites, the "My Documents" folder is actually your LAN space (also known as your 'H' drive).
Warning: when saving material from an Office application (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access), be sure to save to a drive that has enough space for it; attempting to save to a drive with insufficient space can result in loss of the file. Saving to your H: drive and then copying to a floppy or zip disk is usually the best option.
A quick tip: Always select "Save As..." from the program's File menu when saving a file. This will allow you to not only designate where to save the file, but also what format to save it in. LTS highly recommends saving your files to your H: drive while you are working on them, and transporting copies via a floppy or Zip disk. (see #3 Where should I put my files?)
If the file is not immediately apparent in the "My Documents" or "My Files"
folders, you have two options: 1) use the Search option in the Start menu to
use Windows Search function or 2) use the My Computer option in the Start menu
to manually search for your file. If you remember the name of your file (or
a part of it such as .doc or .wpd) use Search; if you forgot what you named
it, you will have to use My Computer.
#2) How do I find or search for PC files?
Using Search:
From the Start menu, choose Search. 
In the "Search for files or folders named:" box, type all
or part of the file name that you are looking for. If
you are not sure what the file name is (or there may be two different files
with the same name), type in text from the file in the "Containing text:" box.
In the "Look in:" drop down menu, choose the drive you think the file
may be on; if you have no idea select "My Computer" (searching all the drives
on the computer could take awhile). Click "Search Now" button.
Using My Computer :
In the Start menu, click on the "My Computer" icon. This will open a window with two panes. On the right is a list of drives and storage devices, and on the left are functions. Click on the C: drive to look for files in the C drives. If you go into the Windows or Programs directories, you will need to click past a "do not edit these files" screen.
#3) Where should I put my files?
Storage areas for files include:
- Removable media such as a 3.5" diskette or CD-writeable drive
- Local hard drive (desktop, other folders on the C: drive)
- Personal LAN space (H: drive, "My Documents"
folder on public site computers only)
Students
LTS highly recommends saving your files to the H: drive, which is the Local Area Network Drive and is backed up every evening. For portability, copy files onto a 3.5" diskette or writeable CD (important files should still be backed up onto H:). The "My Documents" directory on the public site computers actually accesses the same LAN folder as the H: Drive. Files saved to the desktop or any other local drive will disappear whenever the computer you are working at is reloaded.Faculty/Staff
LTS recommends saving your files to your Home folder on the LAN; removeable media can also be used for portability, but you are encouraged to back-up files on the LAN. To do this, select "Save As..." from the program’s File menu. In the "Save In:" field, find "Userid on Home03/H1/Home (H:)" under "My Computer." Save your file in that H:\ drive. If you want others to have access to the file (they can read it but cannot change it), you should put it in the Public folder which is inside your Home folder. Files in the Home folder are backed up so this a safe place for your files.LU Public
A shortcut to everyone's public folder on the LAN is available on the Start Button. Anything saved to the H:\public directory on your LAN space is visible to everyone.
#4) If I accidentally deleted a file from an LTS centrally managed server (i.e., LAN, Compute Server, AFS, or Network Server), is there any way to get it back?
If you saved the file on the LAN, AFS, Compute Server or the Network Server -- yes. LTS copies files on these systems to tape, which permits recoverability. Of course, the file needs to have been saved on the system at the time the backup tape is made. Cycles of backup tapes for each computer service are retained over a broad time frame. For brevity and since most people require a file reloaded from the the most recent backup tapes, the weekly backup schedule is presented below. If the deleted file was on the system for a longer period of time such as 4 weeks or 6 months, then other backup tapes (schedule not listed here) might exist to recover your file. If you need a file reloaded, contact your Computing Consultant, WIRED Consultant, or the Help Desk to arrange for the reload. File reloads are usually completed within 24 hours, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. - midnight.
Computing Systems Weekly File Backup Schedule
| Network Server (e-mail) | ALL files are copied to tape EVERY early a.m. beginning at 01:00 a.m., and ending at 06:00 a.m. |
| Compute Server | ALL files are copied to tape every Friday beginning in the early a.m. after midnight, currently ending sometime Friday afternoon. Files that have been modified are copied to tape every Sat.- Thu. beginning in the early a.m. after midnight ending by 02:00 a.m. |
| AFS Servers | All files are copied to tape every Monday through Sunday beginning at 12:01 a.m. (Note that a complete copy of your AFS space is backed up to the yesterday directory at 2am every day; you can copy files from there yourself.) |
| Local Area Network (H & I Drive) Servers | All files are copied to tape every Friday beginning at 8 p.m. Files that have been modified are copied to tape every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. |
Also, you can restore previous versions of files and deleted files from the H: and I: drives using Shadowcopy: http://www.lehigh.edu/helpdesk/docs/shadow/copy.html
#5) Can I print multiple copies of my paper?
No, you may only print one copy. If you need to make duplicates, there are copy machines in several areas across campus. LTS policies on printing include:
- Printing of multiple copies is not permitted. Please use a photocopier.
- Printing of large documents should be very limited and should be routed to the high speed printer in the Fairchild-Martindale computing center. For printer routing instructions, see: http://www.lehigh.edu/~insna/#printers
- No transparencies.
- Toner cartridges are recycled. Please return all parts to the box when changing toner cartridges.
- Printing supplies are expensive -- please be conservative.
#6) I clicked on "Print" but my paper isn't printing. What's going on?
First, do not try to print again, since this will only worsen the problem. Long print jobs and multiple copies of the same job can cause errors and loss of data. During heavy usage it may take a while for the printer to get to your print request.
#7) How do I cancel printing of a document that has already been sent to the printer?
In the Start menu, select Printers and Faxes. Double-click
on the printer to which you sent your job. If the job is still displayed, you
can select it and click Delete to remove it.
#8) The printer says it's out of toner or paper. Where do I get more?
A list of site contacts is available at: Sites.
Contact the Operation/Supplies Contact listed for the specific site.
#9) Where can I place documents I want to share with other students or staff?
Each person's LAN Home space includes a subfolder called "public". Items put into the public folder are visible to (but not editable by) other people on the LAN, through the LU Public menu item on the All Programs menu.
For Faculty Using Classrooms
Classroom support
LTS provides the highest priority response to faculty experiencing technology problems while teaching a Lehigh class during the hours of Monday through Friday 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. While all problems may not be resolved on the spot, a Technology Installation and Maintenance Services (TIMS) technician will be dispatched as soon as possible. If quick repairs cannot be made, or in the case of a prolonged outage, Instructional Technology Support Services (ITSS) will contact faculty using the affected room to arrange for loaner equipment or class relocation until repairs can be completed. Contact the LTS Help Desk at x8HELP (84357) to report technical difficulties and expedite service.While classroom technology systems are inspected and tested
regularly, we rely on our clients to report technical problems, missing equipment,
burned out overhead bulbs, etc. To enable LTS to provide prompt service, please
report all difficulties as soon as possible to the Help Desk. An email distribution
list is maintained for all technology rooms to alert clients to any problems
that develop during the course of the semester. Contact Facilities Services
at x83941 or x83940 to report facility problems such as broken furniture, HVAC
problems, burned out lights, cleaning issues, etc.
Using the DVD Player:
To use a DVD, turn on the computer, log in, open the drive and insert the disk. At the prompt, double click the "Play movie using WinDVD" icon. Click the maximize icon in the display window to fill the screen. A right mouse click displays the text controls, and a double click returns to the smaller display with a control panel.
Classroom training
Instructions for use of classroom technology are posted in each room. They are also available on the web by clicking on the classroom in the classrooms listing here. Instructional Technology Support Services (ITSS) may be contacted at 610-758-3059 to arrange for training for any technology classroom.Equipment delivery in support of classes
Instructional Technology Support Services (ITSS) may be contacted at 610-758-3059 to arrange for delivery of projection technology in support of Registrar scheduled classes. Overhead, slide or video projectors can be delivered as needed. Microphones are also available for selected rooms. These items are also available for pickup in the Media Center in Fairchild-Martindale Library. It is strongly recommended that faculty requiring technology support for classes on a regular basis arrange with the Registrar for assignment to a room where the needed equipment is permanently installed.Registrar and reservations for classrooms
Any use of classrooms outside of scheduled class time must be reserved through the Office of the Registrar. This is very important to avoid scheduling conflicts.It is strongly recommended faculty insure that specific technology
needs are included on the "line schedule", which is the form used by the Registrar
to designate which courses will be taught each semester. This information will
enable the Registrar to schedule your course in an appropriate room. There is
a column on the line schedule titled "miscellaneous" where technology requirements
should be added. The line schedule is sent to departments in August, November,
and December. Please note that any changes to the master course schedule should
include equipment requests.