PDFs print out with a full or partial blank page.

When a user experiences this problem from our public PCs, print it out at the Information desk using this method and it should work:

1. Click the Acrobat Reader print icon as you would normally.
2. When the window opens look in the lower left corner and click on the "Advanced" button.
3. Another window opens and you check the option "Print as image" then "OK".
4. Complete the print job as you would normally.

The print job comes out a little slower when doing this.
Please report these 'problem documents' to me. Preferably email them to me if you can.

Public PC Login Issue

PROBLEM: users UTORid and password suddenly don't work. Public PC responds as if it is incorrect. (may occur on more than one PC)
SOLUTION: If the network cable of the public PC is removed and put back, and you hit 'Cancel' at the login prompt, the PC logs in fine afterwards.

But for us to track this problem and resolve it, I need to know the time of the incident and the PC number.
So please call me immediately if i'm here.
If i'm not around, you may try the solution yourself (email/phone me the day/time/PC#)...or put an out of order sign on the PC and email or phone me.

This problem is extremely rare now, but may still occur. Jeff - Feb/08

Copycard Errors

Be it a TCard, Staff Card, Visitors Card or Department on Account card, various errors can occur when cards are used for copying or printing.

For all card errors:
1. Dirt on the chip can cause errors so first try wiping it with something cotton.
2. Push down on the chip while wiping it. Sometimes parts of the chip 'pull up' a bit causing errors.
3. Always try it in more than one card unit before being certain of the error you are seeing. (the three copiers by ILL have newer units and may be more reliable for what the error really is)

Card Expired
All cards have a hidden internal expiry date.
The expiry date is set for about 5-6 years so we usually don't see it as many users are not here that long.
When this appears, send the user to the TCard office for a replacement.

Card Flagged
This means the card reader they last used to print or copy something, has tagged the card as having an improper transaction. (e.g. user was not properly charged)
I see a lot of users pulling their card out of the unit before it says to. This may be the cause of most 'card flagged' errors.
When this appears, send the user to the last card unit they printed or copied with...or to the TCard office to have it fixed.
When a flagged card is inserted into the correct card unit, it will be kicked back out without any indication it was fixed. In other words...it won't lock into the unit and say "Card Flagged" or show the value on the card. Always put the card back in after it gets kicked out like this. In that way you can be certain that is was fixed.

Invalid Card
I cannot recall hearing any specific 'meaning' for this so I simply consider it a general error or fault in the chip.
Most times I find cleaning the chip fixes the problem.
When cleaning does not resolve this, send the user to the TCard office to have it fixed.

Public PC Login For Users From Another Campus

If a student comes to us from another campus and needs to log into our public PCs for the first time...they have to register despite the fact that they have already done so at their own campus.

But the registration process is different for those with a UTORid on their card.

1. If the UTORid is on the users card, they must go to Robarts Information Commons Help Desk.
There they are issued a secret activation key to complete the process. It cannot be issued here, nor can they use any such key given to them at another campus.

2. If the UTORid is NOT on the users card, they can register here from our locked Public PCs.
Direct them to the button in the lower right corner of the public PC login form that states"UTORid Activation and help...".

UTORdial Connection Issue Due to Microsoft Update KB911280

Library students, staff, or faculty who attempt to connect to the Internet from home using UTORdial may experience problems if they are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP and have installed the update patch numbered KB911280.

The solution is to uninstall the patch.
Refer users to the Information Commons help desk. Best thing would be for them to phone 978-HELP from home...but it is probably as simple as uninstalling any program. The update should be visible from the 'Add/Remove Programs' function.

More information is here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/911280

Public Photocopiers - Double-sided copying.
It is possible to do this but it is awkward and more likely to produce a jam.

Putting a piece of paper through a copier twice is more likely to cause a jam when the paper has just come out. I think this is because of the tremendous amount of heat used to bond the ink to the paper and the resulting curl on the paper. So if the page is not nice and flat like a fresh piece...it doesn't go through the copier as well.

To do double-sided, there is a feeder tray on the right side of the machine. It is folded up, so must first be pulled out and down to open it.
The risk here is, the user has no way on knowing 'how' they must place the sheet in the feeder so the copies will come out on the correct side or position on the paper. So tell them they can do it if they don't mind wasting a few copies on 'experimenting' with how to position the paper.