Frequently Asked Questions
SoA's Computer-Aided Design and Imaging Facility


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Table of Contents

  1. How do I print to the network printers in the Computer Lab?
  2. I saved files on a computer in the lab and now they are gone. Why?  Is there a better place to store my work?
  3. How do I contact the Systems Administrator?
  4. How do I set up the Plotters on my computer?
  5. How do I get my computer to work on the network?

How do I print to the HP Laser Jet and the Epson 3000 in the SOA Computer Lab?

      Ø      Using a Windows  machine, click on Start > Run.

Ø      In the Open box type: \\annie and click OK.

Ø      Wait for about 30 seconds and a small box will pop up prompting you to enter your username and password.

Ø      Your username is the word acronym SOA  followed by a backslash ( \ ) followed by your netid.  (note:  there are no spaces in this line. For example soa\username).

Ø      Your password is the password you selected when you first logged onto the SOA domain.

Ø      A list of Printers and Directories will pop up.

Ø      Find the one that is labeled: Laser_N203

Ø      If you want to print to the Epson Stylus 1280, find the one labeled:  Epson_N203

Ø      Double click on this printer’s icon and click OK when prompted to setup on your computer.

      This printer will now be an available printer on your computer.

Ø      NOTE: You will have to go through this procedure every time you log onto a computer for the first time.

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How Do I set up the Plotters on my computer?

Follow the instructions for setting up the other printers (see above).  To determine whether to use the Post Script drivers (PS3) or the standard drivers use the following guidelines:
           ~ If you are using an Adobe product (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) use the PS3 drivers.
           ~ If you are using any other product (FormZ, 3D Max, etc.) use the standard drivers.

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I tried to log on to a computer in the lab but I got a message saying I was locked out.  Why?

For security purposes, it is necessary to "lock out" your account if someone unsuccessfully attempts to log on to your account more than a certain amount of times.  If this happens to you, come see me and I'll reset your account.  Bring identification with you!

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I saved files on a computer in the lab but now they are gone.  Why?

     It has always been the School's policy that no personal files of any sort are to be saved on any lab equipment.  This policy has not been enforced as strictly as it should have, leading to situations where a Micron is so full of MP3 files that it is virtually inoperable.  Students are permitted to temporarily save "works in progress" to the hard drives but for no longer than 3 days.  Therefore,  all personal files on Lab machines will be deleted as of February 9, 2001.  If you have personal files on any of the machines in the lab including, but not limited to, renderings, email, downloads, software, documents, scanned images, and drawings, please remove them.
     I will periodically "re-image" all of the machines in the lab.  Be aware that this means that even files hidden within directories other than the Temp folder will be deleted.  A re-imaged machine contains only the Operating System and Applications.  All user profiles and files will be deleted permanently
.
     You have several options for storing your data.  Some of these options are:  zip disks (machines in lab have 250mb zip drives), shares on your pc, and University Unix accounts.  You can buy space on a University server to store your data.  Storing your files with the University is useful because your data is backed up periodically by O.I.T.  Please call 8-HELP for more information about this procedure.

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How do I contact the Systems Administrator ?

Call 258-2250 or email at archcomp@princeton.edu

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How do set up Plotasmagoria and DarthPlotter on my computer?

1. Click on this link: \\annie >double click on Plotasmagoria or Plotasmagoria-PS3.
2. When prompted to install drivers on your computer click 'yes' or 'ok'.
3. To determine whether to use the Post Script drivers (PS3) or the standard drivers use the   
    following guidelines:
           ~ If you are using an Adobe product (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) use the PS3 drivers.
           ~ If you are using any other product (FormZ, 3D Max, etc.) use the standard drivers.


How do I get my computer to work on the network? (Dormnet)

Part I – Making Changes to Dormnet Subcriptions

To CHANGE DORMNET ENTRIES:

Ø First find your Ethernet address using the instructions below.
Ø Go to a computer that is already on the network (Computers in the Lab).
Ø For any Princeton University member who does live in a Dorm on campus, click on "Making Changes for Dormnet Subscriptions at the following website:

o http://heymon.princeton.edu/hostmaster/dormnet.html

Ø Then click on "Change a Dormnet Entry." Assuming the entry you specified exists, you will be prompted for a name and password. (You are only prompted the first time you use the Host Database from this Web browser session, so when you are done, be sure to quit from the Web browser!) Enter your Princeton userid and password. To successfully change a particular entry in the Host Database, your Princeton userid and password must be valid, and the userid must match one of the Technical Contacts presently listed for that Host Database entry.
Ø Select the field that you would like to be changed and enter the new information in that field.
Ø Once you have changed the entry, make sure that you click on "Submit to Hostmaster" to enable these changes.

Part II – Subscribing to Dormnet

If you do not live in University housing, chances are you are not being charged for and are not subscribed to Dormnet. Please use the following set of instruction to subscribe to Dormnet.

Ø Plug your computer into the Ethernet outlet at your desk using the ethernet cable.
Ø Start Netscape (or any modern web browser) and go to http://www.princeton.edu/dormnet
Ø Click on Subscribe Now.
Ø Read the statements and, if you agree with them, click the "I Agree" button.
Ø Type in your NetID and password and click OK.
Ø Follow the instructions on the screen and submit the requested information. Be sure to exit from Netscape!
Ø Once this is complete and you receive confirmation that you are subscribed, you may need to go to Part I of this document to fill out the Ethernet hardware address.

You will receive email when your request is processed. The request is processed automatically within one day of submitting your information. For Windows subscribers, your account on DORMPRINT, the CIT Windows server necessary for your networked laser printing, is already available.

Part III – Finding the Ethernet Hardware Address or Physical Address of your computer.

You can find your ethernet address using Microsoft's ipconfig utility:

Ø Click the Start button.
Ø Select Programs and then select Accessories/Command Prompt.
Ø At the C:\> prompt, enter the following then press the Enter key: ipconfig /all
Ø Your machine's Ethernet hardware address is listed as the Physical Address.
Ø To close the Command Prompt window, enter the following at the C:\> prompt then press the Enter key: exit