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1/12/05 - sj
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What do I do if after all my efforts I cannot get a computer reimaged? | For all Macs that you cannot get reimaged for whatever reason, fill out the checklist with as much information about the problem as you can. Make three copies of this completed form. Keep one (your own campus) or leave with campus office staff (another campus), tape one to monitor of problem machine, and turn in one copy to the IT office when you bring in your paperwork.
If you are on your own campus and know it is a hardware problem, go ahead and submit a work order. Be sure to write on the checklist sheet that you submitted a workorder so these don't get duplicated. If you don't know what the problem is, just turn in that third copy when you come in to the IT office and we will have someone try to figure out what the problem is and get the machine imaged for you. If we are not successful, we will either submit a workorder (if we can) or provide you with a list of computers that need workorders when you return to your campus in August. |
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I can't get the computer to accept the Firmware Update.
I get a Type 46 error message. |
First, of course, make sure you are using the right version of the firmware. See the section below on which Firmware to use on which models.
Next, FoolProof sometimes locks the hard drive so that it will not accept changes. You may want to consider booting the computer from the OS 9.1 Install CD, Open the Utilities Folder and use Drive Setup to erase the computer's hard drive. This will flush out any corrupted apps and/or extensions. Then install the 9.1 OS on the computer. When this finishes, reboot to the hard drive and try upgrading the firmware again. |
Notice that we will not reveal passwords for FoolProof or OSX users on this site. This site is open to the public and is not a secure site. If you need a password call the IT office 414-6553 or HelpDesk 414-8324. |
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When my computer boots in OSX all I get is a blank screen. | A number of things can cause this condition. One biggy is that the firmware did not get updated properly. Other issues can also cause this condition. The link to the right gives some suggested solutions. | Apple Support Article |
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I get this symbol at start up.
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See the article referenced in the above link. | . |
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Firmware Tips | For slot loading iMacs there are two versions of firmware updates. If the machine has OS 8.5 or 8.6, then it needs version 2.4. Then you need to install OS 9.1. Once the machine is at 9.1, you can run a Software Update which will update some files and install the latest Firmware update you need, 4.1.9. Go to Apple/Control Panels/Software Update. This simplifies the update process and for some reason improves the computer's ability to read OSX CDs.
Blue and White G3 towers only have one firmware update that can be installed in OS 8.6. They then also need to be upgraded to 9.1. Running the SW Update on those also improves their ability to read OSX CDs. |
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The computer will not read the OSX Boot CD | Some computers that did not get the RAM upgrade to 256 mb will not boot from the OSX Boot CD. Also, some computers that are running older OSs like OS 8.5 or 8.6 may not read the OSX Boot CD. Use the directions above to install OS 9.1 on the computer, make sure the firmware is updated, and then try booting from the OSX Boot CD again.
If your computer will still not boot from the OSX Boot CD, try another CD or get some fresh ones from the IT office. We have found that these CDs really get a work out in those old and/or dirty drives and new CDs tend to work better. I always try to keep some on hand. |
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The computer's hard drive does not show up on the desktop when I boot from the OSX Boot CD. | NetRestore will not run if it can't find an appropriate drive to use as a target drive. To allow the target computer's HD to mount, launch Disk Utility from the OSX Boot CD's Dock. Erase the target drive. It should now show up on the desktop as an untitled drive.
Quit Disk Utilitiy and relaunch NetRestore. You should now be able to proceed as normal. |
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Which Firmware do I use for which models? | This article on Apple's site explains all about which firmware is needed for which models, along with links to those firmware downloads. NOTE: Some G4 Towers need a firmware update to go to OSX. | Firmware information for Macs going to OSX |
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When I try to upgrade to OS 9.1, I get a message that my Chooser cannot be found. | The simplest way I have found to solve this problem is to Boot from the OS 9.1 Install CD, use Drive Setup to erase the target computer's hard drive, install OS 9.1 from the Install CD, and then you should be able to upgrade the firmware to 4.1.9 on your slot load iMacs. | . |
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I get a Type 1 error as soon as select Restore in NetRestore. | This normally means that NetRestore cannot find the dmg image file you entered in the Source window. This normally means you made a mistake typing in the path to the dmg image. Simply fixing the mistake sometimes does not solve the problem. NetRestore remembers what you first typed in and gives you the same error message again even when you double check the spelling of the path. Try quitting NetRestore, relaunching it and typing in the correct path again. | . |
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Zapping the PRAM | Perameter RAM contains user preference settings that remain in memory when the computer is turned off. Sometimes these settings get corrupted.
Zapping the PRAM, erases these settings and returns the computer to its default preference settings. Note: In most cases, when you complete a firmware update, the PRAM gets zapped through that process. |
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Resetting PMU | The Power Management Unit controls battery settings and general use of electrical poweresetting Power Management Unit
Reset Power Management (for the 12 inch white iBooks only):
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Recalibrating Laptop Batteries | To recalibrate a laptop battery, use it until it is drained completely, then recharge it again fully.
Recalibrate the iBook Battery (This works and is a good practice for all laptops every month or two and extends their life.) 1. Use the laptop until the battery is totally drained. Recharge the battery overnight. This recalibrates the battery. 2. Next, unplug the ibook from the power adaptor and turn the laptop over. Press the test button on the back of the battery. If three or four lights light up, your battery is recalibrated and ready to go. If only one or two lights light up after charging overnight, your battery is depleted and you need to consider purchasing a new battery for your laptop. Note: One year of heavy daily use can deplete a battery. Normally you can expect to get two years of service from a laptop battery. |
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My G3 Blue & White Tower's Monitor just went blank after I reimaged it. How do I fix my monitor? |
It goes blank part way through the reimaging process. 1, 3, 9, 10 all need to be on, the rest need to be off. Another setting that works is: 1, 2, 3, 4 all need to be off, the rest need to be on. Other settings may work. Please let IT know if you have found other successful combinations. |
ViewSonic Adaptor Settings Instructions |
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Class XP | Class XP does work in the classic mode. The shortcut to this needs to be added after imaging or on a campus custom image on the Teacher Account's desktop.
To link successfully to ClassXP, you need to log into your ClassXP server using afp:// protocol. When you locate the blue XP circle icon for the application, drag that icon to the teacher's dock and it will create a shortcut for them. |
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Lotus Notes | The image contains Notes Ver. 6.5 and a shortcut to iNotes in the Teacher's account. It is ready to be set up following upgrade. | |
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Apple Sofware Updates | If you do not want to turn on Auto SW Update, you can use Apple Remote Desktop to push the update out to your classroom computers. When an important update is released, go to Apple's support site and download the update as a .pkg. You can then easily push out the update to all computers with a click or two using ARD. The teachers never even have to know there was a patch. It doesn't interupt their computer use and runs quietly in the background. |
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Operating System Kernal Panic Crash | When booting a Mac in OSX, when the Operating System does not load fast enough, the computer experiences an OS Kernal Panic Crash. Sometimes it gives a message to that effect, other times you will see a couple fuzzy gray bands across the monitor screen.
This could be caused by a bad Boot OS either on your FW Drive or Boot CD, or if netbooting, you are connecting at less than 100 mb transer rate. Solution: Try another Boot CD or Bootable FW Drive. Another Possible Solution: Apple Support Article |
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Multi Language Fatal Error Message | For a number of reasons you may get a gray text box in multiple languages that tells you to reboot your computer. This may be caused by a number of issues.
Solution: Upon reboot, run Disk Utility and repair disk permissions. If you cannot reboot, boot from the #1 Panther Install CD and launch Disk Utilitiy from the top menu to repair permissions. If you get this message when booting from your FW Drive, make sure it is plugged in when you boot from the #1 Panther Install CD or OSX Boot CD and select it when repairing Disk Permissions. |
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My computers cannot see my http or afp image server. | If the computer you are using for a server is located on your campus network, make sure its ethernet cable is plugged directly into the wall. If it is plugged into a hub, you may not be able to see it from other computers that are also plugged into hubs in classrooms. | |
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My iBooks no longer see my Airport hub. | Following reimaging, you will need to reestablish your wireless network connection between your iBooks and your Airport Hub. Use the directions at the right to help you complete this task. | |
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When I log onto our campus server, all the application icons look like blank document icons. | If you connect to your campus server using smb:// protocol, some files and applications will not run correctly on your Mac. When you try to launch these applications, you will receive the message that the correct application to open these documents cannot be found.
Instead, connect to your campus server using afp:// protocol and the appropriate icons should show up. |
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With the new image, students using MS Office cannot insert clipart from the Clip Art Gallary. | Part way through the summer we discovered this flaw in the image. Students do not have read/write privileges to the Clip Gallery User Database. The Step Set directions to solve this problem are linked to the right.
Once you set the correct permissions for this file, you can send the corrected version to all Macs on your campus using Apple Remote Desktop. Call Steve Jeske at IT for directions on how to do this. |
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| 24 | I can't find ClassXP in the Teacher's Dock | This attendance application could not be added the imaged computers by most installers due to access rights issues. Here are the directions on how to add ClassXP and Integrade Pro to the Teacher's Dock. | |
| 25 | My computer did NOT get upgraded but my ClassXP doesn't work now. | ClassXP was upgraded over the summer to version 6.1. This version will not run in Mac OS 8.x.
If your computer is still running a version of Mac OS 8, either upgrade to at least 9.1, or use another computer that is upgraded to do attendance. If your computer is using Mac OS 9.0, upgrade to 9.1, then follow the instructions below. To make ClassXP work in Mac OS 9.1, complete the following steps: 1. Log in to FoolProof level 2 or 3. |
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| 26 | Netrestore quits unexpectedly or fails to complete reimaging. | Check how much ram your computer has. You can reimage a Mac with 128 mb of ram but 256 is the minimum if you want it to work properly. If you have a bad ram stick your computer can act very flakey. Solution: I requires a workorder to get ram added to your computer. |
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| 27 | How do I get my campus calendar to work with iNotes? | The browser version campus calendar can be accessed using the following "formula":
http://n941m001.austin.isd.tenet.edu/Mail-indbs/campusname.nsf Example: http://n941m002.austin.isd.tenet.edu/Mail-indbs/burnet.nsf Be aware that you must know on which server your campus calendar is and that number will go in place of "m001". You can check that by going to the Workspace of your client email and you will see the server number. Or, you can go the AISD address book and Click Configuration> Messaging>Mail-in Databases>Databases and you will find the list of campuses and their campus mailin databases listed. |
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| 28 | I need to set the IP address on my printer. What number do I use? | Static IP Addresses on Campus
Two ranges for static IPs have been reserved for campus use. It is intended that the campuses will manage the use of these IPs to prevent two computers or printers being assigned the same IP. Campus managed servers: 10.<campus number>.32.51-70 Some IPs in the range 10.<campus number>.32.71-100 have been desinated for Food Service, Campus Police, and other systems not normally managed by campus staff. |
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| 29 | I am getting a "Teacher List is locked by someone else error" message in Type To Learn. | Check the "Individualize" section of the "Teacher" menu. You have to press apple-control-T to get the teacher menu, then type in whatever password you have assigned. Go to "Individualize" and check each class name to see if the settings are what you want. Also, you need to "unlock files" almost daily. It seems that when the program quits very quickly, it doesn't have much time to save data to the server's folder and locks students' files. | |
| 30 | PC TIP | How to give a user Admin rights on a PC
Login as admin. |
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| 31 | I can't open PDFs directly in IE's browser window. | There are two plugin's that when installed will allow PDF documents to open directly in IE and Safari. The downloads and instructions for installing them are linked to the right. rev. .4 works with IE and rev. 2.1 works with all others. | Link to Site |
| 32 | What are the colors of the iMacs? | The color of your iMac can make a big difference in how to address its upgrade. Here is a website that shows and labels the various colors.(Thanks to Dave Sanders for tracking this one down.) | Link to Site |
| 33 | Helpful tips for reimaging from Apple | Here are some tips that may help you as you wrestle with the concept or reimaging. These come from an Apple Discussions Article.(Thanks to Jay Lyons for tracking this one down.) | Link to Site |
| 34 | Resetting nvram in Open Firmware | If your Mac boots to the Open Firmware text window you can reset the nvram and open firmware but following these instructions. | Link to Site |
| 35 | Using ARD to copy an Alias of your server | This is an undocumented feature that has some use on campus.
Launch TextEdit from your Applications folder. Type in the address to your server. |
Sorry, no link. This is an undocumented feature. |
| 36 | Should I choose journaling when formatting a drive? | Good question. This article seems to imply that your OSX will be more stable if you select journaling. You can always add the feature using Disk Utility. This may decrease Kernal Panics. Food for thought. | Link to Article |
| 37 | Some computers now say they are "Unavailable" to ARD admin even though they worked before. | We currently have a license for ARD admin ver. 1.2.4. If anyone runs a Software Update and updates ARD to ver. 2.1 (This is checked by default) you will no longer be able to manage that computer with Admin ver. 1.2.4. The only fix is to:
1. Download the ARD Uninstaller and run it to remove the ARD client from the problematic computer. |
Link to Download |
| 38 | What do those error codes mean? | This first link shares the meaning of OS 9 error codes 1 through 32767 This second link is for OS 9 error codes from 0 through -261 Troubleshooting Type 1, 2 or 3 errors |
Link to Codes Link to Codes Link to Codes |
| 39 | How do I type special characters in OS X? | Many applications in OSX use unicode. This makes typing special characters different than in OS 9. | Link to Directions |
troubleshooting.html updated