Documenting your contact with students - what if the student isn't there when you call them

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The System Information Utility

Training: System restore: THE RULES

Documenting your contact with students - what if the student isn't there when you call them
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If a student leaves you a message requesting support, you must get back to them as soon as you can. If the student is not there when you call them back, you will obviously leave a message for them. Remember to detail in the message how the student can get back to you. Once you have done this, you have fulfilled your responsibility, until the student returns your call. In order to maintain a record of the fact that you called the student, open a new call ticket in HEAT, with the student's name, the described problem, and the fact that you attempted to call them. Specify the time you called them back. Leave the call as unresolved, and save it. If you try to call the student again, and they continue to not respond, update the call.

With this documentation in hand, if a student complains that you didn't get back to them, you have proof that you did. Once the proof is presented, it is the student's problem that the contact has not been followed through. If you have no proof that you contacted the student, then I have nothing to fasll back on to suupport you. Follow this advice and you'll save yourself a lot of aggravation.

Net-Send Pop-up ads: The problem and the solution
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We've recently seen an increase in "Net-Send" pop up advertising - as if the ad were sent as a message. Someone reported a lot of diploma ads being sent to him. The ads are taking advantage of the Windows messaging service, which can be disabled. Here is the way to do it:

In Windows XP and 2000:

- Go to Start > Run and type "services.msc".
- Scroll down untill you see "Messenger". Double-click it.
- In the middle of the General tab, expand the menu labeled "Startup Type".
- Choose "Disabled".
- Click OK.

In Windows 9x/ME:

- Go to the Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs.
- Look for a program called Winpopup. Remove it.



The System Information utility
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Flash Simulation
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System Info Utility: System File Checker and Registry Checker

All versions of Windows have a System Information utility. You can get a lot of information about the particular computer, as well as use some diagnostic and troubleshooting tools. The versions for WIndows XP and Windows 9x/ME are similar, but do not have all of the same features. To access the System Information utility in all versions of Windows, go to Start > Run > Programs (or in XP, All Programs) > Accessories > System Tools > System Information.

Some information browsing features common to all versions of Windows System Information utilities:

- Detailed hardware information. You can find out the identification of any particular device through this utility.
- Information on drivers
- Network information
- What programs are strarting up
- Currently running processes (the same info you can get from ctrl-alt-delete)
- Port information
- USB information
- Problem devices ( an excellent troubleshooting tool).



There are some good troubleshooting tools in System Information. To access these tools, open System Information, and browse the "Tools" entry in the menu.
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a. Some troubleshooting tools common to all versions of Windows System Information utilities:

- Dr. Watson: A utility which scans your system and reports any abnormalities. In Windows 9x/ME, it runs in the tray and can be prompted to manually scan your system.
- DirectX Diagnostics: A tool to test multimedia components of the system. This is a good tool when there are video and audio behaviors of concern.

b. Some troubleshooting tools unique to Windows 9x/ME System Information:

- System file checker: A tool for extracting system files that have become corrupted. Learn this and it will save your life several times over.
- Registry Checker: a tool to check the registry for errors and restore a good copy if there is a corruption. You can also create a backup of the registry with this tool.
- Internet Explorer Repair Tool
-Access to ScanDisk

c. Some Troubleshooting tools unique to XP System Information:

- Net Diagnostics: a tool for testing the network connectivity
- Access to System Restore (WIn Me also has this feature). In System restore, you may back up the registry.

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