Lesson 2: Getting Started on the Network--Part I

Objectives of this Tutorial:

R   The student will be able to better understand how to access the network.

R   The student will be able to change their password.

R   The student will more fully understand the differences between user profiles.

How to Log on to the Network and Get Busy!

     Okay, so the tech department has installed your new Windows 2000 computer. Now what? You have work to do, and you don’t want to be bothered with too much geek speak. We’ll try and keep it short and not-too-techie.  Here’s how you get started.

Account Names and Passwords

     Windows 2000 has a high degree of security built in. You can set up different accounts for different users, each with different levels of access. Your computer will have three accounts already set up— one for your use, one for student use, and one for the tech administrators.

R   Administrator Log-In

An account for the technology staff.  It’s not that they are control freaks, but they need a way to get into your computer if something goes wrong. This is where they will install software (only district-authorized software, please).  This account is reserved for them.

R   Teacher/Staff User

This is your account. With it you can set up new accounts, change system security, and generally do the work you need to do. The initial password is the same as your log-in name, but you are encouraged to change the password as soon as possible to one only you know.

R   Student User

All Windows 2000 computers come with a guest account which allows users to run programs, but not to change any system settings.  You might choose to use this account for students, or you might change the password so students (or anyone else) can't get in.

Logging On to Your Personal Workstation

R   When you start up your computer, you will encounter a log-in screen.

R   Type your user name in the box labeled User Name (for the purposes of our district’s network protocol, you would use your first initial and last name with NO SPACES).

R   Type your password in the box labeled Password (careful here--IT IS CASE SENSITIVE!)

R   In the domain box should be the name of your particular school

R   Click OK and you will be brought to your desktop

Logging Off Your Computer

If you were paying attention when you changed your password, you probably already know one way to log off.

R   By using a Ctrl-Alt-Delete, you can get to the Windows security screen, where one of the options is to log off.

R   You can also log off from the Start menu on the lower left-hand side of the screen. From this menu, you can also choose to shut your computer down, or even put it to sleep.

R   Putting your computer to sleep when you are finished for the day will protect your screen and hard drive just like turning it off does.  However, you will be able to start up much more quickly the next morning from “sleep” than from off.

R   Please do not simply switch your computer off at the end of the day by pressing the button on the face of the tower. Doing so may lead to operating system corruption, and you might lose important data.

If you have any questions about how to log on to the network, or any of the expressed lesson objectives, please contact me.