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The Center for Law and Computers
December 09, 2002

 A Message from the CLC Department:

To assure your experience at Chicago-Kent College of Law is a positive one, the Center for Law and Computers is available to assist you with your computer and technical questions and concerns. You can reach a member of our staff by calling (312) 906-5300 (6-5300 house phones)
or sending an email to helpdesk@kentlaw.edu. We are located in suite 540 if you would like to stop by our offices.


FAQs and Help Links

 


Preparing for Exams on Computers.

Exams are coming up quickly! Here are a couple of things you should do to prepare your computer for the installation of the exam software:

1. Run SCANDISK on your computer; you can use ScanDisk to check your hard disk for logical and physical errors. ScanDisk can then repair the damaged areas. Start ScanDisk by clicking Start, pointing to Programs, pointing to Accessories, pointing to System Tools, and then clicking ScanDisk. Be sure to select the option for a Thorough scan as opposed to the Standard scan. This may take 30-60 minutes to complete so please allow appropriate time.

2. Run DISK DEFRAGMENTER on your computer; you can use Disk Defragmenter to rearrange files and unused space on your hard disk so that programs run faster. You can also start Disk Defragmenter by clicking Start, pointing to Programs, pointing to Accessories, pointing to System Tools, and then clicking Disk Defragmenter. The program may indicate that your hard drive is not significantly fragmented and does not need to be defragmented. It does not hurt your computer to do this even if you get this message. The more often you defragment your computer, the quicker it takes on a regular basis. NOTE: ALWAYS run ScanDisk on your computer before you run the Disk Defragmenter program.

3. When downloading the SofTest program, you must be logged into the Chicago Kent Network.

4. Use Internet Explorer to connect to ExamSoft's web site to download the installation files for SofTest. ExamSoft requires that you use a version of Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater to download their software. NOTE: Windows 98 or above provides a sufficient version of Internet Explorer to download the software.

It is recommended that users with windows 2000/xp install the service packs and security patches provided by microsoft.

To ensure that your system has the service packs and security updates visit the microsoft website by opening the Internet Explorer, click-Tools-Windows Updates. Read the instructions and proceed.

On this page you will find critical updates, Windows updates and driver updates. Note you only need to perform the Critical Updates. Click on critical updates which will then pull all the service packs and patches required on your computer. Click the review and install link and proceed with the directions.

NOTE: DO NOT DOWNLOAD THE SERVICE PACKS AND PATCHES IF YOU ARE NOT SURE.
If you need assistance please visit the helpdesk in room 540.


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Installation Instructions for ExamSoft.

SofTest registration and download site opens November 20 for Fall 2002 final exams.
If you signed up to take one or more exams on computer (either a lab computer or your own laptop);
You MUST read the following information

INTRODUCTION
Chicago-Kent College of Law uses a special program, SofTest, for taking exams on computers. The advantage of using the SofTest program is that it increases the stability, security, and reliability of the exam taking process. Since adopting SofTest and its predecessor programs, we have experienced very few problems with lost exams or corrupted exam files.

If you are taking an exam on computer, you will write your exam using the word processing program built into SofTest. Please read the appropriate section below, depending on whether you plan to use a lab computer or your own laptop to take the exam. If you are taking the exam on your laptop, please note that you must not only download and install the SofTest program, but must also bring certain necessary hardware components to the exam.

LAB COMPUTERS
Although the program is simple to use, please spend a few minutes reviewing the online tutorial videos at: http://www.kentlaw.edu/clc/examsoft/softtest.shtml. In addition, you may run the practice version from any lab computer any time during the exam period (go to Start, Programs, SofTest; then click on the “Practice” button on the lower right of the screen).

LAPTOP COMPUTERS
In order to take exams on your own laptop, you will have to download the SofTest software from the web. THE ENTIRE DOWNLOAD/INSTALLATION PROCESS MUST BE COMPLETED WHILE YOU ARE LOGGED IN TO THE CHICAGO-KENT NETWORK! Go to http://www.examsoft.com/chicagokentlaw, “Exam Takers,” select "Personal Computer," then in the Exam Taker menu, click on the “Download and Registration Process” link and follow the directions. This is a new version of SofTest, so if you have a previous version already installed on your computer (even a version from last semester), you MUST uninstall the old version, and download and install the new version. Do not choose any upgrade options. See further information below.

Provided below is some important information about downloading and installing the software. The process is somewhat time-consuming, so please do not wait until the last minute. If you have any problems or questions, contact the Help Desk (Room 540; e-mail: HELPDESK; phone: 906-5300).

Please note that you MUST come to the exam with the SofTest program properly installed and configured. This includes fully completing the "registration and qualification" process on ExamSoft's web site. Additionally, you should bring the following hardware components with you:
(1) a power cord
(2) a network card
(3) a network cable
(4) a floppy disk drive
If you do not have the software properly installed, or are missing any necessary equipment, you will be required to hand write your exam.

Important Information about Downloading and Installing SofTest:

* In order to guarantee that SofTest will function properly on your computer, Examsoft has implemented a software registration and qualification procedure as part of the SofTest download. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE ENTIRE REGISTRATION/ QUALIFICATION PROCESS OR THE SOFTWARE WILL NOT FUNCTION ON EXAM DAY! You have not completed the process until you see “Registration Status: Complete” in the program’s first screen. Please read on for details.

* You should remove any prior versions of SofTest or other ExamSoft software from your computer before trying to install the new version. To do this, click on the Windows “Start” button à “Settings” à “Control Panel” à "Add/Remove Programs," find “SofTest” and then follow the directions to uninstall it. Reboot your computer before proceeding after you perform this task.

* The process for obtaining and installing SofTest requires a number of steps to be performed online at ExamSoft's web site located at http://www.examsoft.com/chicagokentlaw. We recommend that you download and print out the instructions for this procedure as well as Examsoft's list of frequently asked questions (FAQ's) at http://www.examsoft.com/faq/faq.htm before you begin.

* To download the program, you will be required to provide a "Student ID." In the “Student ID” field, please enter the five-digit exam number previously e-mailed to you by the Registrar’s Office. This will be your Student ID number throughout the exams on computer testing process.

* YOU MUST COMPLETE THE ENTIRE DOWNLOAD/INSTALLATION PROCESS WHILE YOU ARE LOGGED IN TO THE CHICAGO-KENT NETWORK! There are two reasons for this. First, your Chicago-Kent network account must have full permissions to do anything on your laptop. The easiest way to check that this is the case is to complete the entire download and installation process (including registration and qualification) while you are logged in to the Chicago-Kent network. Second, you must be able to access the file server drives on the Chicago-Kent network. If you can not properly log in to the Chicago-Kent network, you will not be able to open your exam files.

* Due to the requirement of accessing shared network drives, Windows XP Home Edition will not function for taking an exam on your laptop at Chicago-Kent.

* Due to the above mentioned permissions requirements, you can not borrow a laptop from a fellow student to take your exams.

You will receive a final registration confirmation by email containing your student ID, password, institution, and registration number if you completed the registration process successfully. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please stop by room 540 or call the Help Desk (312) 906-5300 for further assistance.


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Student Directory and Photo Information.

Students' local addresses and telephone numbers are published in a Student Directory. If a student does not want his/her name, address, or phone number published, the student must complete a privacy form available in the Registrar's office or fill the privacy forms on-line at http://webmail.kentlaw.edu/exchange/logon.asp.


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Computer Help Desk has moved to Suite 540

The Help Desk is now located in Rm 540.   Stop in and visit us in our new location.


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A word about Recent Viruses, Worms and Trojans.

McAfee is our Virus scanning application that is used throughout Chicago-Kent. According to McAfee’s web site there are more then 62,000 virus threats that exist and new ones are found everyday. Viruses and backdoor Trojans can cause major disruptions and financial loss. The “Melissa, I love You, Goner, Code Red” and many others have impacted many organizations to the point that even Microsoft had to turn off their e-mail systems until the virus could be contained. The newer forms of viruses (Backdoor Trojans) are even more devastating by actually giving someone else complete control of your computer and access to all the information stored on them.

There are things that you can do to protect your computer. You can protect yourself by running a full virus scan of all the files on your computer periodically. Ensuring that you have the latest updates from the vendor. Avoid programs from unknown sources (Internet and Email). Never open or double-click on an attachment that is from and unknown recipient.

The Center for Law and Computers posts Virus Updates to your computer desktop as they are released from the vendor or you can access them directly from McAfee’s web site when connected to the internet through the virus application. An ounce of protection will go a long way in ensuring that your documents and computer are virus free.


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Note: the latest DAT file as of 12/06/02 - is sdat4236





Computer Specifications

The Center for Law and Computers Computer Specifications

RECOMMENDED COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS:
Pentium IV (or Pentium III equivalent) 800 or up MHz processor
2 PC Card/Card Bus Slots: network card (notebook only)
512MB RAM
20GB or greater Hard Drive
3.5" Floppy Drive
CD-ROM Drive or DVD-ROM Drive
10/100 Ethernet Card (notebook only)
Windows 2000 PROFESSIONAL, XP PROFESSIONAL

*NOTE* Windows XP home edition will not work with our network
56K modem
Sound Card to support RealPlayer (or RealPlayer equivalent) feed
17" monitor with .28mm dot pitch (desktop only)
12" Active Matrix or TFT display (notebook only)

MINIMUM REQUIRED COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS:
Pentium III (or Pentium II equivalent) 500 or up MHz processor
Available PC Card/Card Bus Slots: network card (notebook only)
256MB RAM
10GB or up Hard Drive
3.5" Floppy Drive
CD-ROM Drive
10/100 Ethernet Card (notebook only)
Windows 98
56K modem
Sound Card to support RealPlayer (or RealPlayer equivalent) feed
14" or 15" color monitor .28mm dot pitch (desktop only)

If you have a computer that nearly meets the minimum requirements and is extremely costly to upgrade, please call the Center for Law and Computers at (312) 906-5300, so that we can assist you in determining the best solution for both short and long-term needs.

A Word About Microsoft Operating Systems

Beginning with Windows ME in calendar year 2000, Microsoft began implementing a strategy of tailoring certain versions of their Windows operating systems specifically toward consumer markets. Windows ME and certain future versions of the Windows operating system include multimedia and "ease of use" features that are designed to make the use of a Windows based computer a more engaging experience in the home.

While this may sound enticing, it is important to realize that the "consumer" versions of Windows are not designed to exist in a corporate network environment like that at Chicago-Kent. In fact, the "consumer" version of Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows XP Home Edition, does not include any capability to connect to corporate networks.

So where does this leave you? At the time of these specifications writing, the Center for Law and Computers recommends Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional (Professional being the KEY word here) as the best all-around operating systems for new notebook computer purchases. If neither is available, then Windows 98 would be the next best choice followed by Windows ME as a last option. For students who already own a notebook, any edition of Windows 98 along with Windows 2000 Professional and XP Professional can be configured to connect to the Chicago-Kent network. Existing Windows ME notebooks can be configured to connect to the network through some additional work by computer support staff. Desktop users are encouraged to remain with the operating system that is presently on their PC.

If you have any questions regarding these computer specifications or anything about computers at Chicago-Kent, please do not hesitate to contact the Center for Law and Computers by calling (312) 906-5300 or emailing helpdesk@kentlaw.edu.

 


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Network Maintenence-----------No Information

A word about MS Windows XP

On October 25th, Microsoft released the newest version of their Windows operating system called Windows XP. This new operating system comes in two distinct editions: Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional. Please be aware that while Windows XP Home Edition can connect to the Internet, it can not in any way be made to connect to corporate networks such as the Chicago-Kent LAN. A computer running the Home Edition of Windows XP will not be able to access network printers, network drives such as H: home directories, and e-mail via Microsoft Outlook.

It is for these reasons that the Center for Law and Computers recommends that anyone purchasing a new machine positively confirm the operating system with their vendor. Computers that are available only with Windows XP pre-installed should only be purchased if it is Windows XP Professional, NOT Windows XP Home Edition.

Windows 98 and Windows 2000 Professional continue to be fully compatible with the Chicago-Kent network.

As always, please feel free to contact the CLC Help Desk if you have any questions or concerns.

Email and Network Accounts:

A Chicago-Kent email account is setup for you. Your username will be your first initial and last name, no punctuation or spaces (i.e. Jane Student = jstudent) and your initial password will be the last six digits of your Social Security Number, no punctuation or spaces (i.e. 999999).

Remove unnecessary files on Network

The Center for Law and Computers provides access to the Network for Chicago-Kent students, faculty, and staff in support of the educational mission of the university. In recent months we have noticed an increase in the amount of personal storage space being consumed on our network. As we continue to maintain and scan the network drives we are noticing numerous occurrences of non-educational types of materials (i.e., MP3, .wav, .mov, .avi). We understand that there are occasions when storing these types of files on the network for educational use is legitimate.


As you may well be aware, the recent court decisions potentially makes us liable if members of our community engage in infringing activity. As a reminder to all students, a portion of the IIT Computer Use Policy states, "Network users must abide by the terms of all software licensing agreements and copyright laws, and may not make copies of or make available on the network copyrighted material, unless permitted by a license. Network users must not perform acts which are deliberately wasteful of computing resources or which unfairly monopolize resources to the exclusion of others..." The complete Computer User Policy can be found at:

http://cns.iit.edu/html/policies/PCompUse.html


When you save and store large music, image, video, or other types of non-educational related material on the network it increases the time it takes for system backups and virus scanning; the large downloads also consume unnecessary bandwidth. Please be considerate of your colleagues and remove or transfer to your laptop ALL files in violation. If files are not removed, the Center for Law and Computers is authorized by the administration to permanently remove them for you.

We ask that you purge all unnecessary messages and files as often as possible from your network and email accounts to help us preserve space on the C-K server. As a reminder, in Outlook mail, you must delete messages from your "Deleted Messages" folder for them to be permanently removed from the mail server. It is also a good maintenance procedure to delete any unneeded messages in the "Sent" folder.

Changing Your Password:

To select a new password:

Access Webmail (http://webmail.kentlaw.edu) from your Internet browser, (i.e. Internet Explorer)

Select the option CHANGE PASSWORD

When prompted, enter your username, password and desired new password when successfully completed, you will receive the message PASSWORD SUCCESSFULLY CHANGED

Your new password takes effect immediately and will give you access to your email account and network files.

Password Security:

Password protection is one of the most important principles of network and e-mail security. Chicago-Kent College of Law provides access to network and electronic mail resources to its students, faculty, and staff, in support of the University's mission of teaching, research, and public service. Passwords are assigned for access to both of these resources to authenticate a user's identity, to protect network users, and to provide security.

New passwords will be provided, and existing passwords will be reset, only when the identity of the requester can be clearly established.

  • Under no circumstances will new or existing passwords be revealed by telephone.

  • The Center for Law and Computers staff will be pleased to handle requests made in one of the following ways:

    1. Requests may be made in person at the Help Desk, room 540. Photo identification is required.

    2. Requests may be faxed to Center for Law and Computers at (312) 906- 5165. The fax must include photo identification and signature.

If you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact the Help Desk at (312) 906-5300

CLC Main Office (Help Desk): Room 540

Technical Support Help Desk Hours of Operation:

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Email: helpdesk@kentlaw.edu

Phone: (312) 906-5300

Fax: (312) 906-5165




Obtaining Microsoft Office 2000 Professional Edition and FrontPage:

The Center for Law and Computers has MS Office 2000 Professional Edition and FrontPage available for purchase at a discounted educational use rate. The disks can be purchased at the Help Desk in Room 540. Each student is allowed to purchase only one copy for the price of $25.50. Please bring your student or other photo ID with you to purchase a set.

Printing on KENTNET

The Center for Law and Computers has implemented print accounting software which allows you to:

1. Send print jobs to queue -- This feature allows you to send print jobs to the print station at the front of each lab where they are held in queue until you release them. In addition, you are able to send multiple print jobs to the queue and they are held until you release them at the print station.

2. You are able to check the balance of your print account -- This feature allows you to look at the number of copies you have remaining for the term (note: each student is allotted 400 pages per semester; additional pages beyond the 400 are billed at $.05 per page)

Your 400 page limit is reset at the beginning of each semester.

PRINTING INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Make sure you have sent your print job to the print station by confirming that your username is shown in the Select Print job username dialogue box.

  2. Double click your username with the mouse to bring up network password entry box.

  3. Enter your NETWORK PASSWORD. Highlight job(s) to print and click the PRINT button on the top left of the program window.

The release station will release all print jobs sent under your username. When your print jobs are listed you have the opportunity to delete them before actually sending them to print.

NOTES:

  • The printer may take a few minutes to warm up if not recently used.

  • You can check your page balance at the workstation you are logged on to by double clicking on the dollar sign icon ( $ ) on the bottom right of your screen.

  • After clicking this icon you will see a balance screen.

  • If the printer says toner low and the "READY" button is not lit, push the "GO" button so it is lit to continue to print. E-mail helpdesk ONLY when your print job becomes faded. You will be credited for any pages printed light due to low toner.

If you have questions, please email HELPDESK@kentlaw.edu or call 906-5300.

Equipment:

The principle printers in the KENTNET system are Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 8000N Printers. There is one printer in each lab 700, 760 and 900 that is set up as the default printer when you sign on in that lab.

Individual Student Printing Accounts:

Each student receives 400 pages of printing per semester. Any printing past 400 pages will be charged to your student printing account at .05 per page. You must settle your student account with the Bursar's Office before receiving your 400 page allotment for the following semester. Students with outstanding balances will have their Kentnet accounts deactivated until the balance is paid. Graduating students with a delinquent printing balance will not receive their diplomas until the accounts are paid in full.

If you print work for a faculty member, you must print out a detailed balance and have the faculty member sign for their pages. Present the signed balance sheet to the Help Desk in the Center for Law and Computers (Room 540). Your print account will be credited accordingly.

Print jobs that are sent to the Document Center printer (9th floor-library) require payment when picked up.

Please report any problems with printers or printing to the Help Desk by Email: helpdesk@kentlaw.edu or in house phone number 6-5300.




Virus Scanning Instructions

It Is Critical to Update Your Virus Detection Software Regularly:

As always, it is a good idea to update the virus protection software on your personal computer periodically to catch any new viruses lurking out there in cyber world Since we have a volume license to McAfee Virus Scan, each student, faculty and staff should have a copy of this software on his/her computer. (It is free to C-K students so...No excuse not to have it!)

The Center for Law and Computers takes a proactive stance in trying to eradicate viruses by cleaning them as they come through our servers, we cannot protect each individual PC. We are asking that you also be proactive to ensure that your PC does not become infected.

Because there are new virus outbreaks DAILY, we want to stress the importance of having the latest virus protection software and updated virus definition (.DAT) files. We'd also like to remind you that regular virus scans of all drives (weekly, if possible) are necessary in order to detect and clean any viruses so they are not sent to friends and/or colleagues.

Chicago-Kent is licensed for and supports McAfee Virus Scan from Network Associates. According to information on their web site, there are over 50,000+ viruses out there and the potential for damage is continuous. We here at the Center for Law and Computers want to make sure you have the best possible protection for your PC. Please follow the manual instructions below to install the latest virus definition updates (.DAT files) for your McAfee software.

Manual Instructions:

FIRST: Check to see that you have a recent version of the virus scanning software on your computer.

You can do this by clicking on the small blue and red "VShield" icon in the lower right corner of your screen with the right mouse button. When you do, a small menu will pop up. Select the "About" choice in this menu by clicking on it once with the left mouse button.


After clicking "About" you will get a box that displays several numbers. There are two important numbers that you should be concerned with. The first number is in boldface and located next to the phrase "McAfee Virus Scan" toward the top of the box's gray area. This number tells you what version of the Virus Scan product or "engine" you are running. You should be running some version of 4.x. Any version of 3.x is too old and should be updated to a later version, please call the Help Desk to schedule an update. The second number you should be concerned with in the "About" box is the number next to the phrase "Virus definitions." The last four digits of this number tell you the version of the ".DAT" you are running. As an example, the picture below is from a PC that is running version 4.0.3 of the Virus Scan product (engine) and version 4115 of the virus definitions (.DAT files).


SECOND: Install the latest virus definition updates on your computer.

Warning

These procedures may force a reboot of your computer. In order to avoid loss of data, close all programs except Outlook before completing any of the following steps.

While signed on to the C-K network, run the update with the following three steps:

  • Find the icon called "virus updates" on your desktop



  • Double click the icon a box will appear as seen below



  • Double click on the "globe" that will begin with the letters sdat




  • Another box will appear that will guide you through the update process


    Or you can update the dat by following steps below

  • Click on "Run" in the Start Menu
  • Click on the Windows "Start Menu" in the lower left hand side of your screen.
  • Click on "Run" in the Start Menu.
  • In the space next to the word "Open:" enter the following text,
    P:\Virus\Network\SDAT-Latest.lnk (that's a lower case "el" n k not an upper case "eye" n k)
    OR
  • While signed on to the C-K network, run the update with the following three steps:
  • Double Click on the folder named VirusUpdates located on your Desktop.
  • Double Click on the file sdatXXXX.exe. Where XXXX is the number of the dat file.

Once the "SuperDat" update program starts, click on "Next."

You may be prompted to restart your computer.

THIRD: Run a virus scan on your PC.

  • Click on the "Start Menu" button.
  • Click on "Programs.
  • Click on "Network Associates" or " McAfee Virus Scan."
  • Drop down to "Virus Scan.
  • A window will open that gives you options to run a virus scan on your drives.
  • Click on "Where & What" tab.
  • Make sure "Include subfolders" box is checked and click the radio button next to "All files."
  • Click on "Action" tab.
  • Click on down arrow and select "Clean infected files automatically.
  • Click "Scan now."

This will begin the scanning process. It will check all the files on the drive you designated. It may take a few minutes to several hours depending on the speed of your computer and the number of files you have. Your patience will pay off, remember you will be preventing problems in the future.

Note: The above procedures can be used in the future to update your .DAT files.

A great source for additional information about viruses is the Network Associates site:

http://www.mcafeeb2b.com/avert/default.asp

As always, if you have questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to contact the help desk at (312) 906-5300.




Email Stations:

The Email stations located throughout the building are intended to allow students convenient and quick access to Email and the Record. Please be considerate to your fellow students when using these stations. If you want to compose many or long messages, or browse the Internet at length, please use one of the 3 computer labs in the library. Thank you for your cooperation.

Computer Labs

Lab 900 is on the ninth floor of the library at the west end of the building and has 12 computers. Turn left when you enter the library through the ninth floor entrance. The printer for the ninth floor lab is in Room 986, in the corner of the area.

Lab 700, the large, glass-walled room on the seventh floor of the library, is the largest lab, with 30 computers. This lab is sometimes used for larger research classes and it is always used for exams. LEXIS-NEXIS and WESTLAW representatives conduct office hours in Lab 700. The schedule of their office hours will be posted weekly in the Record. They can help you with online research questions.

Lab 760, also on the seventh floor of the library, is equipped with 20 computers. It is often used for research classes.

From time to time, the law school schedules classes or exams in the labs. When this occurs, a sign will be posted outside the door of the lab. Please be considerate and use one of the other labs during these scheduled activities.

If you have any problems getting onto KENTNET from any computer, call the CLC at extension 6-5300 from any black house phone located between the public telephones on every floor.

Security and Proper Shutdown of Lab Computers

In order to secure your login name and password, it is important to log out completely. Prior to leaving any of the computer labs, logout and close all programs to do this---click START (located on tool bar in the bottom left corner of the screen) Logoff . A box will appear confirming your logoff. If the system is successfully, the next individual who sits at that lab computer will be prompted to enter his or her own login name and password.


 

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