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Kansas State University

 

IT Help Desk
Kansas State University
214 Hale Library
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-7722
helpdesk@k-state.edu
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Eisenhower Portable Cart Documentation

Multimedia Classroom Equipment
Last update: October 2, 2007

Start Up Shut Down Procedure

Projector: Sharp (The unit is mounted on the left side of the cart)
Default: power off
Resolution of projector is 1024 by 768 pixels.  The Sharp can project images from the computer, VCR/DVD, or from the visual presenter. The unit is powered up with the on button.  It will turn from red to green when powered up, and you will hear the cooling fan turn on.  When powering the projector off, press the off button twice.  DO NOT turn off power to the podium until the cooling fan on the projector has shut off.

Power
Podium power is supplied through the long cord attached to the bottom of the cart.  A surge protector on the shelf beneath the projector turns on power to the projector, VCR/DVD, visual presenter and computer.  It takes about one minute to power up.

Switching Device
A Media Link controller has been installed on top of the cart.  Use this device to switch between the PC, the visual presenter, and the VCR/DVD player.

Computer (select "PC" on the Media Link)
PC Default: power off
Faculty may store information on the D drive under the "instructors" folder using individual folders for each class (e.g., BIOCH 750). Make sure no bare files are in the "instructors" folder, as these will be deleted.

The keyboard shelf is beneath the podium top.  You will need a key to open it.

Zip Drive
The computer is equipped with a 250 MB ZIP disk drive.  It will read Zip 100 and Zip 250 disks.

USB Mass Storage Device
The PC is equipped with a front-accessible USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection located at the front, bottom of the PC. To connect your device, insert the USB device firmly into the socket. It will be automatically detected and will exist as drive letter "G:" in the menu for the My Computer icon. When finished with using the device, stop the device by right clicking on the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon located at the bottom of the display near the time clock. (The icon resembles a small card with a green arrow above it.) A dialog box will appear letting you know you may remove the USB device. Note: Be careful not to shut the podium door on your USB device while using this connection.

Software aboard computers
IBM Pentium-Windows Operating System, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Plug-ins, Corel Office Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Network connectivity tools, Netscape and Internet Explorer web browsers, Audio CD Player, and PC-DVD Player.

Visual Presenter (Select "Document Camera" on the Media Link)
Default: power off
The Epson is a camera projector for opaque materials, transparencies, slides, and negatives, as well as three-dimensional objects.  The power switch is on the upper right side of the unit. The unit is stored in the drawer on the right-hand side of the cart.
Press the document camera button on the Media Link.  You will see output to both the computer monitor and the projector unit.
To focus the Epson, zoom in closely on the image by pressing the "Tele" button, then hit auto focus.  While the auto focus button is blinking, the camera is still focusing.

VCR/DVD Player  (Select "VCR" on the Media Link)
The VCR/DVD player is located on the shelf beneath the Visual Presenter.  The power switch is located on the front left side. The VCR is capable of playing both VHS and Super VHS tapes. The audio from the player will automatically begin playing through the stereo speaker on either side of the shelf as soon as the VCR is started.

Viewing monitor
Default: power on
The monitor, located to the right inside the computer cart, displays the image from the VCR/DVD unit. A blue screen indicates that the VCR side is on. A black background with a dancing DVD symbol indicates that the DVD side is on.

Sound Controls
The speaker on the left side of the podium controls the volume for all sound outputting devices.  You may access this speaker at the rear of the cart. For sound from the PC, the volume control for the PC may also be used.  Note:  If adjusting any of the volume controls, be sure to restore them to their previous position before turning off the equipment.

Contact Information

e-Log
An electronic log or "e-log" has been created to assist the reporting of problems.  There is an icon on the instructor's computer desktop which will launch the e-log.  Enter your name in the appropriate text box, select the room which has a problem from the drop-down menu provided, and enter a brief description of the problem in the large text box below.  The URL for the e-log is http://www.k-state.edu/infotech/classrooms/e-log.htm, and it can be accessed from any web browser.

Hot line
If you have problems while in a Technology Classroom a hotline is available to you. Follow the procedure below:
The hot-line number is 2-5798.  Be sure to let the individuals know that you are using the Eisenhower Computer Cart and what room you are using the equipment in should they need to be physically present to resolve problems.

Hints

LISTSERV
You either have been or will be added to a mailing list named tc-l. This will provide technology classroom updates and announcements for all classrooms and individual classrooms. The subject line in e-mail will indicate the individual room or all rooms.  For more information on LISTSERV mailing lists, see the web site at: http://www.k-state.edu/cns/services/listserv/.

Software Concerns
When evaluating software that might be used on a PC with this cart, please ensure that it is compatible with Windows XP or. We will not be able to support installation of software that is not Windows XP compatible. DOS applications cannot be installed on the technology classroom computers because they will cause a hole in the security.  You must notify iTAC Special Projects at least three weeks in advance if you want special class related software installed.

The documentation for all classrooms and for the Eisenhower cart is located on a web page at http://www.k-state.edu/infotech/classrooms/Docindex.html Click on TC Documentation and select the appropriate room or resource.  If you have a printer attached to your computer, you may print your own copy of the documentation.

Reminder:

If you have problems while using this cart, a hotline is available to you. Call anytime.  The hot-line number is 2-5798