Hardware Topics
- Monitor Setup and screen Resolution
- Why won't my keyboard or mouse work?
- Why isn’t my printer working?
- My computer won’t start. What do I do?
- Troubleshooting Computer Network connection issues
- Troubleshooting Audio and Video
- Adding Printers to a Computer on Active Directory
Monitor Setup and screen Resolution
To set up your monitor make sure that the power supply for the monitor is plugged in. Then make sure your monitor is properly connected to the correct port on your computer. The monitor cable and the port on the computer are usually color-coded or labeled. The image below shows three common connection types.
To change your monitor's resolution on Windows 7:
- Click Start, click Control Panel, click Adjust Resolution. Or you can right-click on your desktop and select Screen Resolution.
- Select the screen you want to adjust and go to the Resolution option. Click the dropdown menu and select your desired resolution.
- When prompted to apply the settings, click OK. Your screen will turn black for a moment.
- Once your screen resolution changes, you have 15 seconds to confirm the change. Click Keep Changes to confirm the change; click Revert or do nothing to revert to your previous setting.
To change your monitor's resolution on Windows 10:
- Click Start, Settings(1), System, and verify Display is selected. Or you can right click on your desktop and select Display Settings(2).
- Select the screen you want to adjust (3) and go down to the Resolution(4) option. Click the dropdown menu and select your desired resolution.
- Your screen may turn flicker for a moment, then your screen resolution changes, and you have 15 seconds to confirm the change. Click Keep Changes to confirm the change; click Revert or do nothing to revert to your previous setting.
If you continue to experience problems, contact the Help Desk at ext. 2308 or submit a work order ticket.
Remember: Always include your name, location (campus/building and room), make and model of equipment, Service tag and/or Barcode, specific, detailed description of the problem you are experiencing. Without this information, there may be a delay in getting to your request.
Why won't my keyboard or mouse work?
Check to make sure the keyboard or mouse is plugged in correctly to a USB port on the computer. Unplug and re-connect it to another USB port (front or back) on your computer. Your mouse will usually have a laser underneath it, make sure that is coming on (Note: do not shine the laser in eyes). Your keyboard will usually indicate if your Caps Lock or Num Lock keys are enabled. There is usually a LED light on the top right-hand side of your keyboard or on the key itself. Toggle this option on and off, by pushing the key, and see if this light turns on and off. If you get no lights this could indicate you have a bad keyboard. Replace it with a keyboard or mouse that works. If that one works, then the keyboard is bad. Plugin the mouse or keyboard and restart the computer
If you continue to experience problems, contact the Help Desk at ext. 2308 or submit a work order ticket.
Remember: Always include your name, location (campus/building and room), make and model of equipment, Service tag and/or Barcode, specific, detailed description of the problem you are experiencing. Without this information, there may be a delay in getting to your request.
Why isn’t my printer working?
First, check to make sure the power cord and network cable (usually blue) are seated properly in the correct port. If your issue is ongoing unplug the power and network port, wait for 30 seconds, and reconnect these cables. Verify if your printer is powering on. You should see some kind of LED light on the printer and hear the rollers if the printer is powering on. If the printer is powering on but you still can't print, try checking the network port on the printer to see if there are any LED lights flashing on it.
If cables and power supply are properly connected and you continue to experience problems, contact the Help Desk at ext. 2308 or submit a work order ticket. Please note any error messages or troubleshooting you have done.
Remember: Always include your name, location (campus/building and room), make and model of equipment, Service tag and/or Barcode, specific, detailed description of the problem you are experiencing. Without this information, there may be a delay in getting to your request.
My computer won’t start. What do I do?
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Still not working? Pay close attention when you push the startup button, do you hear any fans, beeps, chimes or tones? The power button should also light up, is it lighting up? If so what color? Is there any information being displayed on the screen during the startup? Or any activity on the monitor screen?
Have this information ready and contact the Help Desk at ext. 2308 or submit a work order ticket.
Remember: Always include your name, location (campus/building and room), make and model of equipment, Service tag and/or Barcode, specific, detailed description of the problem you are experiencing. Without this information, there may be a delay in getting to your request.
Troubleshooting Computer Network connection issues
Ask other teachers/staff if they are experiencing similar problems. If they are, contact the Help Desk at ext. 2308. There may be a problem with the network.
If they are not, check the Ethernet port (where the network cable plugs in) on the back of your computer to ensure it is firmly connected to both ends and that there is a green light next to the port on your computer.
Check your browser’s Proxy settings:
- Open Internet Explorer.
- Under the Tools menu select Internet Options.
- Click on the Connections tab.
- Click the LAN Settings.
- All checkboxes should be unchecked.
- Click OK. Click OK.
If you continue to experience problems, contact the Help Desk at 755-9599 or submit a work order ticket.
Remember: Always include your name, location (campus/building and room), make and model of equipment, Service tag and/or Barcode, specific, detailed description of the problem you are experiencing. Without this information, there may be a delay in getting to your request.
Troubleshooting Audio and Video
Adding Printers to a Computer on Active Directory
In order to add a printer to a computer that is on Active Directory, you will need the drivers for the printer. For printers on the District's network, you will also need the IP address of the printer. This can be obtained from your printer’s menu, usually under settings or configuration.
- Reboot the machine twice. (This forces Active Directory policies and changes to take effect on the machine.)
- Click Start > Devices and Printers.
- Click Add a Printer on the top navigation bar.
- Select Add a local printer on the next screen. Click Next.
- Check the radio button Create a new port.
- Choose Standard TCP/IP Port. Click Next.
- On the next screen enter the IP Address of the printer in the box next to Hostname or IP Address.
- The IP address can be found in the configuration or settings menu of your printer.
- Click Next.
- The system will detect the printer and model.
- Select Manufacturer of your printer and choose your printer under Printer on the Install the Printer Driver screen.
a. If your printer is not listed, click on Have Disk.
b. On the Install From Disk screen click Browse.
c. Navigate to the location where printer software/drivers are located and select the folder. Note: On district equipment drivers are located on the C: drive in the Print Drivers folder. Printer drivers end in .inf.
d. Click Open.
e. Click OK.
f. Choose your printer. Then click Next. - On the next screen under the Printer Name box enter the name you want for the printer. NOTE: In front of the printer model name which is automatically filled in please add your campus and room number. For example, a Dell 2330dn Laser Printer at Tennyson in Room 1 should have a name that looks like this "TMS Rm 1 Dell 2330dn Laser Printer." This distinguishes between printers of the same model on the same campus.
- Click Next.
- Select the radio button next to Do not share this printer. Click Next.
- On the next screen click Print A Test Page to check if the installation was successful.
- Click Finish.