MC Lab Checks

Basics

The MC Lab checks are a process used to ensure that the labs are operating properly, and is also used by management to gauge lab usage throughout the term.

Rooms

The following labs are to be checked:

• MC 4065 - CS tutorial centre, 5 mac mini's
• MC 3003 - iMac's, 60 seats
• MC 3004 - iMac's, switching to mac mini's, 30 seats
• MC 3005 - iMac's, 30 seats
• MC 3022 - Zotac Zbox thin client, 30 seats
• MC 3027 - mac mini's, 30 seats
• MC 2061 - ASRock ION nettop, 30 seats
• MC 2062 - older iMac's, getting replaced with iMac's from MC 3004, 30 seats
• MC 2063 - older iMac's, 30 seats

To visually see where the room's are in MC:

• MC 2nd Floor Plan
• MC 3rd Floor Plan

Procedure

The procedure for checking the labs is very basic. Firstly, you will need to set up the Calendar app on Connect Webapp

• login with your WatIAM user ID and password
• navigate to the Calendar app
• click the Share tab, top - middle of screen, and click on Add Calendar
• Add the following calendars:
  • math mc-4065
  • math mc-3003
  • math mc-3004
  • math mc-3005
  • math mc-3022
  • math mc-3027
  • math mc-2061
  • math mc-2062
  • math mc-2063

This will enable you to view during what time throughout the week the labs are being booked. You will choose a time that the lab is not booked, where less people will be occupying the space.

• Generally speaking MC 3003, MC 3005 and MC 3027 are the main labs that are booked throughout the week*

Once you know the lab is free, head on over to MC.

Record that you have been to the labs in ST#99020. Track the time spent and any findings.

iMac Labs

• MC 3003
• MC 3005
• MC 2062
• MC 2063

• Edward Chrzanowski, Point of Contact for the Mac labs, DC 2615, echrzano@uwaterloo.ca

The process for the iMac labs is very straight forward. Simply go to each machine, and press any key on the keyboard (unless someone is sitting at the desk).

Observe

• If the machine is on, the screen should turn on when a button is pressed on the keyboard
  • If not, turn on the machine, button on the back, left side
    • If this does not work, proceed to Diagnostics
• Make sure there is no one logged in
• At the sign in screen, make sure there are no coloured dots beside the username box
  • If there is, there may be a network issue. Go to Diagnostics
• Make sure the keyboard and mouse are moved to the front of the desk, and are accessible and functional
  • Go to Diagnostics if there is a problem with either of these.
• Make sure there are no odd noises or odd screen issues.

Diagnostics

If there are any problems, check here first.

• iMac will not turn on
  • Unplug ALL cables from the machine for ~10-20 seconds, then plug them in again. The machine "Should" turn on by itself after this

• There is a yellow/red dot or label "network accounts unavailable" beside the username box
  • This indicates a network issue. A few things you can try include:
    • Unplug and plug in the network cable
    • Make sure the network cable is not damaged
    • Make sure the network cable is connected on both ends (i.e to the machine and to the wall jack)
  • If all else fails contact your Supervisor and Dan Hergott, CSCF Networking Specialist dhergott@uwaterloo.ca

• The keyboard/mouse does not work.
  • Try unplugging and plugging in the keyboard/mouse
  • restart the machine
    • replacement keyboards/mice can be sourced from MC 3026 or DC 2560G/DC 2561. Speak with your Supervisor for best solution.

• Screen displays a "Do Not Enter" symbol.
  • This indicates the system cannot find an OS.
  • Report this to echrzano@uwaterloo.ca

• Screen displays a Globe.
  • The system is attempting to Netboot, which it shouldn't be doing.
  • Report this to echrzano@uwaterloo.ca

• If any other problems are discovered, create a ticket for the lab Point of Contact. See Tickets below.

Nettop/Thin Client Labs

• MC 3022
• MC 2061

• Clayton Tucker, Point of Contact for Nettop/Thin Client labs, DC 2560B, ctucker@uwaterloo.ca

The process for the Nettop/Thin Client labs remains the same as the Mac labs. Simply go to each machine, and press any key on the keyboard (unless someone is sitting at the desk).

Observe

• If the machine is on, the screen should turn on when a button is pressed on the keyboard
  • If not, turn on the machine, button on the front.
    • If this does not work, proceed to Diagnostics
• Make sure there is no one logged in
• Make sure the keyboard and mouse are moved to the front of the desk, and are accessible and functional
  • Go to Diagnostics if there is a problem with either of these.
• Make sure there are no odd noises or odd screen issues.

Diagnostics

• Nothing happens when I press on the keyboard.
  • Check to make sure the monitor and Nettop/Thin Client is plugged into the wall.
  • Make sure the power cable is connected to the monitor and Nettop/Thin Client
  • Make sure the Nettop/Thin Client and the monitor are on
  • Check if the video cable is connected and/or damaged
    • Replacement video cables are in MC 3026 or DC 2560G/DC 2561
  • Make sure the keyboard/mouse are connected

• The screen displays a bunch of weird code
  • Make sure the network cable is connected and then restart the machine

• If any other problems are discovered, create a ticket for Clayton. See Tickets below.

Mac Mini Labs

• MC 3027
• MC 3004 (Soon)

• Edward Chrzanowski, Point of Contact for the Mac labs, DC 2615, echrzano@uwaterloo.ca

The process for the Mac Mini labs is very straight forward. Simply go to each machine, and press any key on the keyboard (unless someone is sitting at the desk).

Observe

• If the machine is on, the screen should turn on when a button is pressed on the keyboard
  • If not, turn on the machine, button on the back.
    • If this does not work, proceed to Diagnostics
• Make sure there is no one logged in
• Make sure the keyboard and mouse are moved to the front of the desk, and are accessible and functional
  • Go to Diagnostics if there is a problem with either of these.
• Make sure there are no odd noises or odd screen issues.

Diagnostics

• iMac will not turn on
  • Unplug ALL cables from the machine for ~10-20 seconds, then plug them in again. The machine "Should" turn on by itself after this

• Nothing happens when I press on the keyboard
  • Make sure the power cable is connected to the monitor
  • Make sure the mac is plugged into the wall
  • Ensure that the keyboard and mouse are connected
  • Make sure that the video cable is connected and not damaged
    • Replacement video cables can be found in MC 3026 and DC 2560G/DC 2561

• There is a yellow/red dot or label "network accounts unavailable" beside the username box
  • This indicates a network issue. A few things you can try include:
    • Unplug and plug in the network cable
    • Make sure the network cable is not damaged
    • Make sure the network cable is connected on both ends (i.e to the machine and to the wall jack)
  • If all else fails contact your Supervisor and Dan Hergott, CSCF Networking Specialist

• The keyboard/mouse does not work.
  • Try unplugging and plugging in the keyboard/mouse. This is a major issue with Mac Mini's
  • restart the machine
    • replacement keyboards/mice can be sourced from MC 3026 or DC 2560G/DC 2561. Speak with your Supervisor/Ed for best solution.

• Screen displays a "Do Not Enter" symbol.
  • This indicates the system cannot find an OS.
  • Report this to echrzano@uwaterloo.ca

• Screen displays a Globe.
  • The system is attempting to Netboot, which it shouldn't be doing.
  • Report this to echrzano@uwaterloo.ca

• If any other problems are discovered, create a ticket for echrzano@uwaterloo.ca. See Tickets below.

Tickets

Record that you have been to the labs in ST#99020. Track the time spent and any findings.

Within this ticket will be many "See Also" tickets, related to each room. Select the ticket related to the room with the problem, and create a "See Also" there, in the following format:

• subject line - MM/DD/YY (machine name.cs or barcode) (BRIEF problem description)
• Responsible - echrzano for Mac's, ctucker for Nettops/Thin Clients, dhergott for networking/power issues
• Owner - echrzano for Mac's, ctucker for Nettops/Thin Clients, dhergott for networking then your user ID, pbeldows if something needs to be purchased, then your Supervisor
• Service - Student Computing Environment - Labs - (Mac Labs or Thin Clients)
• Component - Desktop, Display..., or Thin Client
• Advancement - Problem or Abuse

Schedule

I will make an effort to try and do a scheduled Lab check every Wednesday morning, as this seems to be the most optimal time that All labs are not booked.

-- JohnGilbert - 2015-02-27