Our frequently asked questions cover some of the most common problems faculty encounter when using the University of Michigan's online resources. If you can't find what you're looking for or you'd like to suggest an addition to this page, please fill out our feedback form. You may also want to consult these additional resources:

ITCS Online Help Desk
This is a fairly exhaustive, searchable index of frequently asked questions on everything from Access to Zip disks.

School of Nursing Guide to Computer Resources
The School of Nursing Guide to Computer Resources was created to address the specific needs of the School of Nursing Computing Environment. The FAQ section is extensive.

Tech Support Guy
This lighthearted, "human readable" web site should give you the help you need.

Problems with Coursetools
Questions about UM.Lessons
Questions about PowerPoint
Questions about Dreamweaver
Problems with WorkTools
IFS Troubleshooting
Problems Using a Modem
Problems Using a Scanner

Coursetools

Although your Coursetools Workspace will usually become available the same day you register it can take two or three days sometimes. You should receive two e-mails from the Coursetools administrators - the first e-mail will arrive immediately after you've requested a Workspace and will confirm your request. The second e-mail will tell you that your Workspace is ready. If you have already received an e-mail telling you your site is ready and you still can't access your Workspace, contact Coursetools administration.

I'm getting weird marks - Õ - when I paste text into Coursetools! How can I fix this?

When you paste text that you have highlighted in Microsoft Word into Coursetools the "smart quotes" (curly sixes and nines instead of straight quotation marks) confuse the system. This also happens with apostrophes. To avoid this problem, save your document as plain text (.TXT) before you copy text into Coursetools. If there are just a few Õ marks, you could manually change all the "smart quotes" and apostrophes to regular quotation marks within Coursetools.

How do I add new categories to my Discussion?

Click the Instructor button in your Workspace, then select Setup Under "Set site preferences" click the Discussion Categories button. You'll see a list of all your discussion categories. Type the name of your new category into the list, then click the Make These Changes button.

When I try to use Coursetools I get "security library" errors. What's going on?

Coursetools is designed to work with version 4.x browsers and later (Netscape Navigator 4, Netscape Navigator 6, Microsoft Internet Explorer 4, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6). If you need to download a newer browser you can visit Netscape's home page, or Microsoft's home page or download the Blue Disk (Windows version or Macintosh version).

Why can't I upload resources?

There could be several factors preventing you from uploading resources but the most likely problem is your web browser. Make sure you're using a 4.x browser (see above). If you're still having trouble, make sure your file is under 10 MB. If you're still having trouble it's best to contact SN-ITS or e-mail the Coursetools staff.

UM.Lessons

According to UM.Lessons administration it can take up to 24 hours for your new Workspace to be created. If you have already received an e-mail telling you that your Workspace is ready and it still isn't working, contact UM.Lessons support.

My students have told me that UM.Lessons crashes their internet browser. What do I tell them?

UM.Lessons doesn't seem to work very well with Internet Explorer 5.0. Tell your students they should upgrade to Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0, or else use Netscape 6.0.

How do I check to see how my students are doing on their tests and quizzes?

You'll notice that there are eight buttons in a panel on the left hand side of each lesson you create. One of these is the Reports button. Use this to check your students' test and quiz results.

How do I get rid of a lesson when I'm done using it?

Click the Tools button within a lesson to delete it.

Can I add questions after I've published a lesson?

Yes. Click the Questions button within the lesson to add questions. Make sure to click the Save button when you've finished.

PowerPoint

Your students could download Microsoft's free PowerPoint Viewer from Microsoft's web site. PowerPoint Viewer allows anyone to view your presentation. You could also advise your students to buy the Microsoft Office Suite from the Computer Showcase for $45 (Extremely useful software for an unbeatable price!).

My PowerPoint presentation is too big to upload into Coursetools! How can I make it smaller?

Graphics and imbedded files (like sound or video) can make PowerPoint presentations huge! (If you want to use your PowerPoint presentation in Coursetools, make sure it's under 10 MB.) The easiest option is to break your presentation up into several smaller presentations by copying and pasting within PowerPoint. Make sure each one is less than 10 MB! If you'd rather try to optimize your graphics, read this online tutorial to find out how.

I just opened my saved PowerPoint presentation and all of my graphics have been replaced by red Xs! What's going on?

When PowerPoint runs out of memory, presentation graphics get replaced with big red Xs! If you insert the pictures directly from PowerPoint (Insert -> Picture) as opposed to copying and pasting this is less likely to occur.

But how to deal with the red Xs? Microsoft suggests you close the file without saving then close all other programs to free up as much memory as possible, restart your computer, and finally re-open your file.

My PowerPoint presentation looks great on-screen but when my students print the slides they look terrible. Is there anything I can do?

You can specify how every object on the page prints separately from how it will display on the screen! In Slide View (Click the tiny buttons in the lower left hand corner of your screen to toggle between views.) click the B&W View button at the far right of the main toolbar. This will show you how your slide will print to a black and white printer. To change any object, click on the object (or the background) with your right mouse button and select options from the Black and White... menu.

I've tried everything to make my PowerPoint presentation smaller and it's still over 10 MB. Is there anything else I can do?

Try saving your presentation with a new name. Because of the extensive "Undo" features in PowerPoint it sometimes stores graphics, sounds, and animations you've deleted in case you might want to restore them using the "Undo" command. If you save the file with a different name you'll lose the excess baggage.

Questions about Dreamweaver

No, you can only change the size.

Problems with WorkTools

Check out Adding Users to a Workgroup in our WorkTools tutorial.

Why can't I upload resources?

There could be several factors preventing you from uploading resources but the most likely problem is your web browser. Make sure you're using a 4.x browser (see above). If you're still having trouble, make sure your file is under 10 MB. If you're still having trouble it's best to contact SN-ITS or contact the SN-ITS team.

Is there any way I can get one-on-one help with WorkTools?

Yes. The Media Union Learning Technology Lab offers consulting on a walk-in basis or by appointment. The lab is located in 1321 Media Union on North Campus. Contact lab consultants by phone (615-5512), or e-mail.

IFS Troubleshooting

You can arrange to have a group IFS directory to use as a shared work space or as a means of publishing on the Web However, you could also use WorkTools to meet all of these objectives. To get a group IFS directory, contact the ITCS Accounts Office. You will be asked to fill out a form, then the directory will be created and a directory name assigned to your group.

My question isn't listed here. How can I get more help?

You can either contact the SN-ITS team or visit the ITCS Online Help Desk. Your problem should be solved in no time.

Problems Using a Modem

Have you entered your full email address, uniqname@umich.edu, as the Username? Are you using your University of Michigan Kerberos password? Is the clock on your computer set within two minutes of University clock? (If you are not synchronized, your password will not be recognized.) If all of these settings are correct and the system still won't recognize you, contact the SN-ITS team at your earliest convenience.

I'm dialing in from Kalamazoo and can't access the UM Computing Environment. What can I do?

Check to make sure that you have a working internet connection and that you are connected to the internet - can you access non-UM web sites? If so, e-mail SN-ITS to see if there are any outages on the MichNet Network. If you are connecting via DSL, Cable Modem, or another ISP other than MichNet, contact your ISP to check for outages in your area.

What's the fastest network connection I can get from home?

DSL (Digital Subscriber Lines) and Cable Modems are the fastest network connections that you can get from home. The speeds will vary between 144Kbps (Kilobits/sec) to 1.5Mbps (Megabits/sec) which is based upon how far away you are from the service provider's central office known as the CO. The farther away you are the slower the speed. If you're using a modem you can usually connect at 56Kpbs thugh sometimes at only 28.8Kpbs.

Problems Using a Scanner

Please see Using a Scanner to Digitize Course Materials in our Creating an Electronic Coursepack tutorial.

Where can I scan slides?

The Knowledge Navigation Center has a fully-functional slide scanner and a cheerful staff to show you how to use it. The KNC is located on the second floor of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library.

I want to buy a scanner. What kind should I get?

Check out the scanners that are available to you at a discount from the UM Computer Showcase. Ultimately, you'll want to get lots of advice. Scanners are pretty expensive and quality varies a lot. Visit the website epinions.com to see how consumers rate different scanners. Ask someone you know what kind of scanner they'd recommend. You could also visit stores like CompUSA or Best Buy to look at their selection and ask questions.