Windows system introduction
Content
Windows account
All users with a Unix Account are entitled to a Windows Account. Windows accounts are administered by the Novell file server called Skywalker (csskywalker.cs.dal.ca). New Novell accounts have the same username as their corresponding Unix account. (The initial password of the Unix account is the user's student ID number.)
Certain actions are restricted on the windows machines. Users are unable to install software that requires writing to the system registry. Users can, however, install software to their own disk space provided it requires no write to the registry. User disk space is located on the server and is mapped to the G: drive. Users are unable to shutdown or restart the computer.
Now you can use your username and password to login graduate computers.
Logging in Windows system
You can log in a Windows machine with your Windows account username and password.
Here are solutions of some typical login problems
(1) If you get an error message "The tree/server could not be found" when you try to log in a Windows machine
Solution: The machine is not connected to the network correctly. This could mean that the network cable has become unplugged from either the back of the machine or the wall, the network cable is damaged, or for some reason the network card has been disabled. If you get this message, please notify the help desk and try another machine.
(2) If you get an error message "Workstation failed to log you in" when you try to log in a Windows machine
Solution: The context for your Novell account was not set correctly or the password and username you've entered do not match. You can follow the following steps to solve this problem:
First check whether the context was set correctly or not. Simply click the advanced button then select the proper context from the drop down menu. The context should be set to grads.cs.dal.ca for graduate students.
If you find that even after you've selected the proper context you are still unable to log in, it could be that your username and/or password were entered incorrectly. The username for Novell will be the same as your Unix account username. The initial password for Novell is set to your Student ID (Banner) number (same as your Unix account initial password) but if you've logged in before you would have been forced to select a new password. Make sure you are entering the proper password. If you are still unable to log in, ask Help Desk to resolve the problem.
Note: Do not confuse your Unix account with your Windows account – although you have the same username and initial password for these two account, they are two separate systems. Changing the password for one account will not affect the password for the other account and the passwords for two accounts will differ unless you've set them to be the same.
Software environment
Most window machines run under the operating system windows 2000 professional. Many useful programs have been installed in the machines. To open a program, click “start”, point to “Programs”, then locate the shortcut of the program you want to start and click it. Here is the introduction of some installed programs:
· Web browser, such as IE and Netscape
· Microsoft office, including Word, Excel, Visio, FrontPage, PowerPoint, Access:
Microsoft Word is a powerful document editor for creating, editing and printing documents.
Excel is a spreadsheet program which enables you to create spreadsheets and then turn data into information with analysis tools.
Visio is a drawing and diagramming tool that can help people transform business or technical concepts into visual diagrams. Diagrams created in Visio enable you to organize and visualize complex ideas, processes, and systems clearly. Visio also automates data visualization by synchronizing directly with data sources to provide up-to-date diagrams.
FrontPage includes design, authoring, data, and publishing tools, which give user the ability to create Web sites and manage those Web sites. With a graphical view of the structure of your Web site, you can see and edit any of the hyperlinks.
PowerPoint enables you to create, present and collaborate on presentations. You can Use PowerPoint to create presentation slides which show with graphics, animations, and multimedia.
Access is a Database Management Program which user can use to access, manage and share information, find answers, and build solutions.
· Programming IDE such as JCreator, Microsoft visual studio, and programming reference such as Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN)
JCreator is an IDE for Java. JCreator provides the user with a wide range of tools such as: Project management, templates, Class browsers, code completion, debugger interface, syntax highlighting, wizards and a fully customizable user interface. To learn more about JCreator, click here.
Microsoft visual studio, including Visual C++, Visual Basic, Visual FoxPro, etc. (All these programming systems are provided by Microsoft.)
The MSDN Library is the reference for developers with technical programming information; including sample code, documentation, technical articles, the Microsoft Developer Knowledge Base, and anything else you might need to develop solutions that implement Microsoft technology.
· Ftp tools, such as WS_FTP, SmartFTP
Using Ftp tools, you can transfer files between your local disk and the unix server. You can download files to your local disk from Unix server or upload files from local disk to Unix server. Here we use WS_FTP as an example to show how to upload and download the file.
1. Start up WS_FTP.
2. Select Flame from the list of profile names, which will open a session to flame.cs.dal.ca. You need to provide your user id and password. The user id is your Unix account username, the password is the password of the Unix account. Click “ok” to continue.
Ø If you want to upload the file(s) from the remote system
3. In the "Local System" window select the file(s) you want to move.
4. In the "Remote System" window select the directory you want to move the file in.
5. Click on the --> button to move the file.
6. (Your can use the right mouse button to change the protection (chmod) at this point).
Ø If you want to download the local file(s) from the remote system
3. In the "Remote System" window select the file(s) you want to move.
4. In the "Local System" window select the directory you want to move the file in.
5. Click on the --> button to move the file.
last revised: July 2004