Wireless Notebook Computers in the Library: A User Guide

Aurora University
Information Technology Services
Rev. 14 July 2008

IMPORTANT: Four things you need to know

  1. This machine is connected to a networked printer. If you want to print your documents you have two options: 1) Log into wireless and print 2) save your documents to another location (details below)

  2. To use wireless networking, log in with your regular student user name and password. If you want to use the wireless networking feature on these machines, be sure to log in using using the same login you use for WebAdvisor and email. Do not log in as "guest" -- this provides network access only to the local AU web site and nothing else.

  3. Watch the battery power meter. If you are running on battery power, be sure to keep an eye on the battery power monitor (the green battery icon on the task bar). If the power runs out while you are working on a document you run a real risk of losing your work. It's always a good idea to save your work often.

  4. Rebooting deletes all files. Do not shut down or restart the computer if you have saved documents to the hard drive. These computers are equipped with a program that restores the system to its original format on reboot, a process which automatically deletes any files that have been saved to the computer.

Using the wireless networking feature

This computer has a wireless network interface that provides access to the Internet from most locations in the library. Follow these steps to establish a connection:

  1. Start the computer by pressing the power switch at the top center of the keyboard (the button with the white dot).

  2. After the computer has started, open the web browser (either Firefox or Internet Explorer).

  3. The first web page you will see is the login page for the AU wireless network. Log in as a Registered User using your regular AU WebAdvisor/email user name and password and click the Log In button. Do not log in as Guest -- this will only give you access to the AU web site and nothing else. (If you don't see the login screen, try clicking the Reload/Refresh button in your browser).

  4. If you see a message about security certificates, accept the default choice and click OK.

  5. If the computer is slow or the signal strength is weak, try moving to a different location in the library. Moving only a few feet can sometimes improve the connection.

Saving your work

Because this machine is not connected to a printer and you can't permanently save files to the hard disk you must use other means for saving files retrieved from the Internet or create by you. Please note that floppy drives are not available on these machines. Here's a summary of your options:

  1. Save to USB drive. You can save your work to a USB drive, also known as a flash disk, memory stick or thumb drive. You must supply your own USB drive. They are available at the bookstore and at most electronics stores. By saving your work regularly to the USB drive instead of the computer's hard disk, you are protected against data loss if the system runs out of power or locks up.

    • After starting the computer, insert the USB drive in the USB slot on the left side of the machine. The computer will register this device as drive E:.
    • You may now save files to this disk just as you would to a floppy disk or the hard disk.
    • Special note: you can save web pages to the E: drive as an alternative to printing them using the browser's File > Save As command.
    • To remove the USB drive, either shut down the computer, or click the Safely Remove Hardware icon (the one with the green arrow in the lower right-hand corner of the screen) and click the entry for drive E:.

  2. Use email attachments. While you're working, save any files you want to keep to the computer's hard drive in the My Documents folder. When your session is finished, use the web browser to access your email account and send yourself a message with your saved files as attachments. You can retrieve and print them later from any networked, printing-enabled workstation (such as the machines in the Dunham computer labs). Important: if you restart the computer or allow the battery to run down before exporting your files, they will all be lost.

  3. Save to CD-R. Save your files to the My Documents folder as described above, and when your session is finished used the RecordNow! program to burn your collection of files to a CD-R or CD-RW disk (you must supply the blank disk). Burning a CD-R is not the same as saving to a regular drive and requires the use of a special program. Follow these steps:

    • Insert a CD-R or CD-RW disk in the CD drive. If a dialog box containing the message "What do you want Windows to do?" appears, just close it -- you don't need it.
    • Open RecordNow! by clicking the desktop icon
    • On the RecordNow! opening screen click Data Disc.
    • Click Add Files and Folders, click to display the My Documents folder, and select the files you want to save, and click Add. You can repeat this process as many times as necessary.
    • Click Burn to start the copying process. Be patient -- it may take a few minutes depending on how much data you've selected. Don't forget to remove your disk before returning it to the desk.

What to do if the screen goes blank

These computers are set up to go into standby mode after a period of inactivity or when the lid is closed. This saves battery power. You'll know the system has gone into standby when the machine appears to be off and the green "new moon" light below the screen is lit. If you closed the lid to send the unit into standby mode, opening the lid will automatically bring it back. Otherwise simply press the main power switch at the top center of the keyboard. When the screen image returns the programs and files you were using when the machine dozed off should be just where you left them.

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