Windows XP and ER4

1. Logging In
2. Changing Passwords
3. Logging Out
4. File Storage
5. Applications
1. Xilinx
2. Matlab
3. Microsoft Office
6. Usage Policies & Guidelines

Logging In

The first thing you need to know is how to log in. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del. This means to hit and hold the Control key, then press and hold the Alt key, and then press the Delete key (and then release all three keys). This will pop up a window asking for your username and password and into which system you wish to log in.

USERNAME: Your username is the same as it is on the Unix and Email systems. By default it is your last name followed by your first initial. ECE usernames are limited to 8 characters in length. So, if your last name is more than 7 characters long, your username should be the first 7 characters of your last name followed by your first initial. In some cases, a last name is very common (at the time of this writing, there were 22 persons with the last name "Lee" on these systems), and then there may be more than one person who would have the same username. At this point convention is broken, as everyone must have a unique username. Please see the lab consultants in either DL557 or CL260 if you think your username is non-standard.

PASSWORD: Your default password is the string "EE" followed by the last four digits of your BuckID number (note, this assumes you have removed the last three 0's... these are non-relevant digits) followed by your first and last initial. Note that the passwords are now synced between the PCs and Red Hat systems, but not the Mail server.

SYSTEM: The Windows machine may offer you more than one system to "Log on to". You always want to log into the ECE domain. Logging into another domain will not be possible, and even if you can do so, logging into the local machine will limit your network capabilities.

Changing Passwords

First press: Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up the Windows Security Menu. A new window will appear with several options, including logging out and changing your password. Your old windows will be hidden, but have not been destroyed.

Select "Change Password...". You will now be prompted for your current password and your new password. You will also have a confirmation box where you must type in the new password a second time (this is to decrease the possibility of typing errors). Hit the OK button to have the new password take effect.

Logging Out

There are more than one way to do this, but the following is the recommended method within ER4.

1. Close all of your running processes.
2. Bring up the Windows Security Window by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del.
3. Select the "Log Off..." button.
4. Hit "OK" in the pop-up confirmation window.
5. Turn off the monitor (NOT the CPU), straighten the area around your computer, and push in your chair as you leave.

File Storage

SERVER STORAGE: Every account on the ER4 PCs has a 1.5GB home directory. This is the same space as is each student's home directory on the Unix systems. It is mapped to the PC as the Z drive and should be used for all file storage. NOTE BENE: Files saved in the temp space of the C Drive of the local Windows system are not saved to your home directory. Such files may be lost between login sessions and in fact probably will be... use the Z drive for all file storage.

LOCAL CLIENT DISKS: Some of the software on the systems requires that the local client disks be writable. These disks are only to be used by the software's internal processes that require that access. Student files saved to the client disks violate site policy and may be deleted without warning. Note also that cloning software is regularly run against these machine and will wipe out user data without SysAdmin intervention. Data lost from the client machines is irretrievable.

CDRW Drives: Each ER4 PC has an internal CDRW drive. These are the intended method for long term file storage. It is highly recommended that all students make use of these drives for personal backups.

Applications

XILINX: Xilinx is a programmable logic software package used in ECE261 and ECE561, it will likely be your first PC oriented software package whose use is required by your classwork. A student version of Xilinx also comes with the textbook require for those two classes.

MATLAB: Matlab is available on the ER4 Windows Systems. It is a fully functional system and can be used for all class projects. However, Matlab jobs submitted to a Windows system require the user to be with the PC for the duration of the job. Some Matlab jobs can take a long time to run. Those jobs are better submitted to the ER4 Unix systems which allow for untended, back ground processes.

MICROSOFT OFFICE: As a part of the University-Microsoft agreepemtn, MS Office is available on all of the ER4 PCs. A "full" installation was made, but this does not necessarily include every extension or template for each given package. If you find need of something that has not been installed, please send a request to site.

Usage Policies & Guidelines

All usage policies that apply to the Unix labs also apply to the PC labs. Thus no eating or drinking anything other than water in secured containers, is allowed in the labs, and the machines are only to be used for ECE classwork, etcetera...

SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS: Any modifications to the system, be it through modification to the registry or to system files is absolutely forbidden. The systems are set up to run as multi-user workstations and as such are not to be modified by individuals. If you feel that a system modification is required for your scholastic works, please send email to site, and we will take it under advisement.

MULTIPLE PROCESSES: Unlike the HPs, there are no remote users on the ER4 PC systems. Thus, there are no limits on the number of processes that you run (limited to one machine). However, please note that resources on any machine are finite, and the more you run, the slower any given single task will be performed. For best performance from the PCs, please only run what you have to.

SCREEN LOCKS: Please lock your terminal if you are stepping away from it. To do so, bring up the Windows Security Window (by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del) and select Lock Computer. Note that PCs are only to be locked for short periods of time... don't exceed 10 minutes or you may be logged off.

PRINTING: the same printing policies apply to the ER4 PCs as to the Unix systems. The quota system is common between the two systems. Using the printer in the PC lab will count against your Unix quota and vice-versa.

FILE STORAGE: all users have 1.5GB of storage space in their home accounts. This storage is deemed sufficient for student academic purposes. It can be reached as the Z drive. Note: for most users (you should know if you are an exception), your ER4 Windows Desktop, My Documents, and Application Data folders are all redirected into folders of those same names on your Z drive. So files saved on your desktop, count against your quote.

SOFTWARE INSTALLATIONS: users are not to install any software on the ER4 systems. This includes installing software in your home directories (Z drive) so that they can be run on the system. This most specifically includes networked programs like chat, file sharing, and instant messaging systems. Violators of this policy will loose account privileges. Requests for software related to academic pursuits should be made to the Site staff.

GAMES, CHAT & INSTANT MESSAGING: The ER4 PCs are to be used for school work only. Any extraneous use should be restricted to off-peak times, and should be restricted to programs installed by the systems administrators (see above). If asked by a staff member, or even by another student, non-class related work should be suspended immediately.

FILE SHARING: the installation and/or use of file sharing software including but not limited to those of the P2P type (ie: Kaza, EDonkey, etc) are explicit violations of University and Departmental policy (both in the student labs and on University Networks in general). Violations may result in loss of account and network-access privileges.

REBOOTING: Sometimes PCs have to be rebooted. It's just the nature of these systems. However, such reboots should only be performed by ER4 staff. If you feel your PC needs to be rebooted, please see the student consultant in CL260. Please do not reboot it yourself.