The scope of this document will cover features of laptops and discuss the divisional laptops.
The Division has several laptops available for MMM staff to borrow. It is useful to borrow the laptops when you are going on a trip, when you want to give a PowerPoint presentation, or when you just need an extra computer.
The divisional laptops are configured to obtain IP addresses from a DHCP server. This allows the laptops to be more mobile.
To reserve the laptop, use the web site AV/Computer Reservation Form. This web site lists the software that is available on the laptops. Also available to reserve along with the laptops include:
If the laptop has trouble connecting to the network you may need to issue a command to obtain an IP address. To do this, click on the Start menu and select Run. In the Open field, type Cmd. This will bring up a DOS Command Prompt. At the command line, type:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
Standby is a state in which your monitor and hard disk turn off, so that your computer uses less power. When you want to use the computer again, it comes out of standby quickly, and your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. Use standby to save power when you will be away from the computer for a short time while working. Because Standby does not save your desktop state to disk, a power failure while on Standby can cause you to lose unsaved information.
Hibernation is a state in which your computer shuts down to save power, but first saves everything in memory on your hard disk. When you restart the computer, your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. Use hibernation to save power when you will be away from the computer for an extended time while working.
To place the laptop in either Standby or Hibernate, click on Start, Shutdown and select Standby or Hibernate from the pull-down menu.
To bring a system out of Standby or Hibernate mode, push the power button. This will bring you back to your previous state. Note: this does not work properly for all systems.
You can set your system to automatically go into Standby or Hibernate modes by using power saving features. To access the power saving features, right-click on the background of the Desktop and select Properties, click on the Screen Saver tab and click on the Power button. Here you can specify how you want your laptop to behave.
Laptops in MMM are configured to be network systems, so before you take a laptop off the network several things need to be considered:
When you log into a Windows system, you are authenticating with the Windows domain controllers. When a laptop is off the network, your login credentials need to be cached. So before you can take a laptop off the network, you have to have successfully logged in.
Since software is installed over the network, it needs to be installed before your laptop is taken off the network. When first receiving a laptop, make sure that all the software is installed by opening all applications. For more information on software, see Chapter 8. If software is not installed on your laptop before you take it off the network, then you may not be able to use the application.
It is recommended that laptop users make files available offline. If you do, your network files will be available while you are off the network. For more information on using offline files, see Chapter 4.
In MMM, laptops are configured for the MMM network. If you need your laptop to be configured for more than one network (such as a broadband connection at home), please submit an assist request to have your system configured for a DHCP reservation.
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Last Modified: 23-Jan-2003