SteveB_NI

Sounds pretty much exactly what I have here too - and I'm the only ICT support. I must be mental though as I wouldn't have it any other way... I like being in control of knowing when a job is done it's done to the best of my ability.

I'm still trying to get familiar with Windows Server 2008R2 & was hoping someone could point me in the right direction with this task... A program is installed on some workstations in a lab & although the program displays within the start menu > all programs for me - it doesn't appear there for student users.... I'm assuming I need to create a GPO for those workstations to display the shortcut for all logged on users? If so - how would I go about doing this? Or is there a better way? The shortcut BTW is within C:/Program Files/Audacity/

Great timing for this topic - thanks! I'm looking for replacement projectors too and was thinking of the Epson x14 but is it worth the price difference over a X11? Sorry for hijacking the thread but definitely from my research epson is the one to go for.

I'm in desperate need of replacing a number of older Hitachi CP-X325 data projectors with something modern & was wondering how universal the mounting brackets of projectors are? The current bracket is an X shape which adjusts & fits onto the bottom of the projector in 4 places - each held in place with a large screw... the bracket then connects to the pole via 4 bolts. I was hoping to source & buy a number of new data projectors (Epson EB-X14LU EDU XGA Projector for example). But I'm concerned now that our existing brackets / pole won't be suitable & it will therefore require a contractor to come in and re-do the job. I can't test with any other projector here as we only have the same model throughout! Thanks for any help!

I'm trying to upload an image to WDS server on Server 2008R2 & I'm hitting a basic problem... it's definitely worked in the past but I really cannot remember something for the life of me now! The server name is not appearing to be correct / allowing me to connect to it. I have tried different variations of what I think it is but still no joy - can anyone advise me in what format this has to be put in - say for example the WDS server is on DC02, and the server name is \\College-DC02 - this isn't working for me at the mo. Thanks in advance

I got round that question here when removing old equipment... by removing from their rooms & getting it collected by the WEEE disposal company whilst they were blissfully unaware during the summer holidays

I've just taken delivery of new desktops (HPs) for a school Win 2008R2 network - with currently XP clients. The desktops came with Win7 Professional installed (for future use) and alongside the standard partitions there is one called Recovery. Whenever you get new desktops - and they happen to have a recovery partition - do you wipe the entire HDD & re-install Windows or whatever & just run with a single partition? It will be connected via domain anyway so I don't see the point of having partitions on the actual HDD? Thanks!

Thanks all - I'm now about to order a quantity of HP desktops - HP Pro 3500 - which is a Micro tower. I'm getting them upgraded to wireless desktops to enable more flexibility with where they get eventually located! Anything I should worry about regarding these before I put the order in?

Good point Flakes - I was thinking that myself just after I posted! Cheers

I'm in a great position now within my new job where I'm given flexibility to order equipment to refurb areas of the school & increase their computer provision. I've been looking at new desktops & I was thinking of the following: 1: HP Compaq Pro 4300 SFF or: 2: HP Omni 120-1120ea Desktop All in one I basically want to pair option 1 up with a 21.5" widescreen LCD monitor, but the all in one (option 2) looks good to me too... I also require these desktops to be connected via a mixture of WiFi and wired LAN so the wifi capability of option 2 appeals to me too... unless you think a wifi pci card will be just as good to buy and add to option 1. Damage isn't really an issue here - and these machines will be used by AS/A2 level students predominately. Basically just want your opinions! Thanks!

That's what I would do myself as well, or you could use Clonezilla to image the hard drive if you use VL key. I imaged our standalone workstations using Clonezilla - easy to use and very quick to restore image.

I've just started in this school that has many Interwrite pads throughout the classrooms - but a few don't seem to have pens at present. Where would I be able to order replacement pens from? I've looked around a few of our usual supplier websites & have had no success so far. I presume these can be replaced as easily as a promethean whiteboard pen?

I'm using SysPrep to prepare an image for deployment over WDS - it's currently Windows XP. Can anyone advise me about something I noticed - I set up a workstation perfectly, and added all required software, followed by running SysPrep & capturing the image. I then deployed this image on a few workstations to test & joined the domain. Everything worked fine until I logged in as anyone & the Windows settings I had configured, such as desktop resolution etc hadn't transferred across. Another thing that hadn't set was the browser choice within Windows when you first log in - I had already set this for Windows Internet Explorer to be the default choice. Is there something else I need to do to stop this question being asked after SysPrep? Thanks in advance

Can anyone give me a bit of a hand with this issue I'm having... I've got a Spirit laser cutter, but unfortunately I'm having problems printing from 2d Design. The printer is connected via USB & is recognised ok - when I print to it the job disappears from the list of print jobs, but the LCD on the lasercutter still displays "Empty file". Am I missing a step here?! Thanks!

Saw this posted on another forum & thought I would share... Ladies & Gentlemen... I present the 1986 Argos catalogue scanned Vintage British Argos 1985 Catalogue | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Enjoy Blast from the past!

Thanks for your reply - it doesn't matter now anyway - once they realised I was going to be wanting to charge for it, they seem to have ran a mile. Typical!

I've designed and developed websites for several linked schools which I was asked to do as part of my employment at this school - all done & everyone happy (including me as I enjoy doing this type of work). Now... 1 of the schools has asked me if I'd consider doing a similar website for another school (not linked to this school in anyway) - with no mention as yet of possible payment. Now, I am employed by this school, so not as a contractor. I would only be able to work on the new school site outside of my working hours, so it would involve my own time being spent entirely on it. Obviously I'm going to want payment for this, but as I'm not self-employed as it were, how do I stand in charging the new school for my time? I certainly wouldn't be charging a large amount for this site. Do I need to run this past my current employer as I'm going to possibly be benefiting from work I done through this employment? Cheers for any advice.

I can agree with exactly everything you said there ... especially the time issue with 30 kids. We have the clocks throughout the school already, but the reason why I asked was to see if anyone had issues with power supplies to them - we seem to have a large number of issues here. For a small class though, or indeed staff - the clocks work perfectly. It's just finding the time for adequate training & then staff encouragement etc.

Out of interest, does anyone use biometric clocks in school (similar to the one like http://www.tasolutions.co.za/images/sy-745.JPG?) If so, do you find they are prone to breaking down? We have a number of them which have become broken & will not stay on - they need to be switched onto battery power each time someone wants to use it to register. Thanks!

I like to start the day with a coffee while reading the news online and catching up on discussion forums (not entirely work related!) Although the above can vary because sometimes I often like to just get stuck in immediately to my days work and projects. Always with a coffee in hand though..

Same here.. not at all jealous. mmmmm. BTW, out of interest... how much does the entrance to BETT cost?

Personally my preferred resolution this year will be 1920x1200... Due to some still using 800x600 though I may have to break this resolution at times when designing lol

Are they paying you building supervisor wages then lol. I would hate to have the responsibility for the school premises being closed up properly!

I can't confirm or deny that they are using lemonade here but we are definitely not having a good time at the moment over here! A lot of properties (residential mostly) are without water and have been since Xmas eve in one case I know of personally. Water supplies to 40,000 homes or so have been restricted over night tonight to allow reservoir levels to increase... Apparently the amount of leaks etc is crazy and a lot of the water is just being wasted. I can only imagine a lot of offices and schools etc will discover the damage when they re-open after Xmas break. The supplies of bottled water is getting back to normal now I think but for a few days it was pretty short in supply! So far I've been lucky in my house but who knows what might happen!

I'm in a similar boat only I've been asked to work tomorrow (a lovely bank holiday) and take part in training of staff. It just so happened to be the only whole day I could have spent with my other half over the Xmas holidays. Lovely. There is some things time in leiu don't make up for.