Rutledge

Using Your MUS Laptop


Offline Files
To make network files available offline, see Laptops - Offline Files

A great deal of information about your Laptop can be found by clicking the ThinkPad Button in the upper left-hand corner of the Thinkpad.

Undock your machine
Your machine may have a setting to hot undock it. If so, set your machine to hot undock so that you can undock it without restarting it.

Go to Start, Control Panel, and Power Settings. Choose the Suspend/Hibernate Option and select Hot undocking.

Determine whether you have a Replicator or Docking Station by looking at the images below. (Neither image has a laptop attached.) Read the instructions for the device you have.

Replicator

Docking Station

If you have a Replicator...

Push the black button and remove your laptop. If you are not able to use you machine after you have undocked, you will need to restart it.

If you have a Docking Station...

1st push the blue button. You will need to have your key inserted and turned to the On position. Once it has disconnected, push the black button. If the computer has not yet fully disconnected, you may need to push it again. Remove your laptop.

The TrackPoint (red tip) is really easy to use once you get used to it. See me if you want some help. If you need to use your power supply, it is important to use the one that came with your laptop or one that MUS has supplied you with.

Logon to Your Machine Off the MUS Network
Use the same logon sequence that you do at school. You will get an error message. Click OK.

Funny Typing - Getting #s  or Characters When You Strike the Letter Keys
When you restart your computer and start typing, you may not get what you expected. In fact the sentence above would look like this: When y64 restart y64r c60*4ter and start ty*5ngt, y64 0ay n6t get what y64 ex*ected.
How frustrating!
It is because your Num Lock key has automatically turned on. To turn it off, hold the Shift key and click the Num Lock key (upper portion of your laptop keypad.)

Your Computer Has Been Locked
Try typing in your password. If that does not work, retype your username as well as your password. If you get funny characters, see the entry above. If you absolutely cannot get it unlocked, hold down the power button until the screen goes black. You will need to restart the computer after a few seconds.

Sleeping Machine
Your machine may be asleep or hibernating.

If it is asleep the quarter moon below the screen will be green. To "wake it up" click Fn and F4. If the screen is black and the moon is not on, it may be hibernating. If so, hold the on/off key for around 2 seconds.  See more details under Function Keys below.

Battery Power
There is a  Battery MaxiMiser Gauge in the task tray that displays the percentage of battery power remaining.
Note: To increase the life of the battery, do not recharge the battery when the remaining power is greater than 95 percent. You should be able to get 3-4 hours of use from a fully charged battery. Turning off the display saves battery power.

The following information is from the ThinkPad help section:
How can I maximize battery life?

To maximize battery life, do the following:

  • Use the battery until the charge is completely depleted--until the battery and power indicators flash in unison.
  • Recharge the battery completely before using it. The battery is fully charged if the battery indicator shows green when the ac adapter is plugged in.
  • For a new battery or a battery that you have not used recently, do one of the following:
    1. Recharge the battery completely before using it. The battery is fully charged when the ac adapter is plugged in and the battery indicator is green.
    2. Use the battery until the charge is completely depleted--until that is the battery and power indicators flash in unison).

    Always use power management features such as power modes, screen blank, standby, and hibernation. 
    For more detailed information about power management features, refer to one of the following resources   

    IBM site information    Extending battery life    UNC help desk

Power Schemes
You can set power options by clicking Start, Settings, Control Panel, Power Options, and the Power Schemes tab or you can click the ThinkPad button on the laptop, click the ThinkPad Configuration Utility button, click Power Management and then click the Power Schemes tab.

Function Keys
You use the Function keys by holding the Fn button and also a Function button (blue keys at the top.)

Key Function Note
Fn + F3 laptop in Standby mode (turns the screen off) Any key turns it back on
Fn + F4 laptop in Suspend mode (screen and disk drive off.) Closing the lid also puts it in Suspend mode. Quarter moon below the screen will be green. Fn (or you can press Fn+F4) to turn it back on
Fn + F7 Monitor toggle - especially useful when hooked to a projector or external monitor. toggles to 3 settings
Fn +F12 Hibernate Hold power button 1-2 seconds to bring it back.
Fn + Spacebar Makes the screen contents appear larger Hit the same keys again to reduce the size.

 
Care Tips
Do not leave the ThinkPad exposed to temperatures below 40°F or above 85°F for long periods.

Other Good Care and Travel Tips      Wake Forest Tips page (different model, but info is useful)

Random Other Information
You can request an additional network cable for your classroom.
All new laptops have a wireless card. If you need help setting up yours, see one of the IT Managers. If you have an older laptop, you will not have a wireless card installed. If you need one, send a request to Mike.

Home Internet Service Provider
If you use RoadRunner or some other cable connection, plug in the ethernet cable to the back of your laptop. If you have a problem, you might need to restart the cable modem and restart your computer. The cable company usually suggests leaving the cable modem off for two minutes before plugging it back in.

IBM Help
Support on the Web
1-800-772-2227  24 hour service; 7days/week, including holidays. Have the model # and serial # available. They are on the bottom of the laptop. The model # will be 4 digits, followed by 3 digits. The serial # is right below it.

 
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