In Microsoft Office Word 2007, Overtype Mode (pressing the Insert key makes keystrokes over-write as you type) is turned off by default. Here's how to enable Overtype Mode:

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then at the bottom of the dialog, click Word Options.
2. In the left pane, click Advanced.
3. Under Editing options, select the box next to User the Insert key to control overtype mode
4. Under Editing options, select the box next to overtype mode
5. Click OK

Posted: 2/05/10

Even if automatic notification of Java Runtime updates is turned off the Control Panel, it will get turned on again because of a bug in the way Java Updates stores its settings in the Registry. This can cause a problem with Envisionware LPTOne, because it is sensitive to the version of Java installed on a computer.

Here's how to turn Java Update Notifications off for good.

• Open the C:\ drive and then open Program Files (or Programs folder in Vista)
• Open the Java folder, and then the "JRExx" folder, and then the Bin folder
• Right-click on the file javacpl.exe, and choose Run As Administrator
• When the Java Control Panel opens, select the Update tab
• De-select "Check for Updates Automatically"
• Select "Never Update" when the Java Update Warning pops up
• Click OK, and close the Java Control Panel
• On Vista and Windows 7 computers, do this in each existing user profile

Posted: 12/02/09

Recently, libraries with GX520 Small Form Factor computers have experienced hard drive failures or serious errors that led to the replacement of the drives. Since GX520s were purchased in late 2005 and early 2006, most of them are still under warranty. However, the warranty will expire on all of them by the end of March 2010.

Recommendation: Run hard drive diagnostics on all GX520 systems, with priority given to the Small Form Factor models. Doing this before a drive fails will save troubleshooting time, and even some money later on.

Library staff using GX520s should back up their data regularly, since hard drive failure can happen with little or no warning.

Testing the hard drive

Either run the built-in diagnostics by hitting F12 at startup, or use any recent Dell Utility CD (included with all OptiPlex systems). If the hard drive test produces errors, note the error codes and call Dell Support at 866-876-3355. Get the Service Tag and Express Service code of the GX520 before you call.

If you do get a replacement hard drive from Dell, request a GX520 Ghost Restore DVD.

Posted: 10/22/09

The OSL e-mail server crashed on Wednesday, September 30, because two hard drives failed. It is back up again, with all e-mail accounts available. Public Folders are back online, but the previous message contents of these folders wasn't restored.

Updated: 10/21/09

Mozilla released Firefox 3.5.x during the Summer of 2009. This is a major upgrade. Computers with older versions, especially those running Firefox 2.0x should be upgraded to 3.5.x as soon as possible, because of the security and speed improvements. Highly recommended. Download Firefox

Updated: 10/02/09

The new Encore catalog search interface is available for testing: Encore

Posted: 06/23/09

Libraries with Active Directory servers (Server 2000, Server 2003 or Server 2008) can use Group Policy to set up automatic Windows patch management with the OSL WSUS server. Group Policy is particularly useful for patching staff computers. Please note that you should create a new folder ("Organization Unit") for the WSUS policy.

Full article: Using Group Policy With WSUS

Posted: 05/26/09

Service Pack 2 for Office 2007 is available. Download it directly from Microsoft: Office 2007 SP2. This service pack can also be downloaded from the OSL Support FTP server.

Posted: 04/28/09

Adobe recently released new versions of two of its main "Reader" programs. Adobe Reader 9.1 for Acrobat PDF files is available directly from Adobe Downloads. Installation of this new version is highly recommended because it fixes a serious security hole in Adobe Reader.

Also available is an update for Adobe Flash reader. The new version of Flash is 10.0.22.87. Remember to de-select installing Google Toolbar when you download these Adobe products.

Posted: 03/11/09

Symantec Anti Virus (SAV) version 8.1 will reach its End Of Support Life on January 31, 2009. Symantec Antivirus 9.0 will reach its End of Support Life on March 31, 2009. Symantec will no longer provide virus definitions updates for these products. If you are using SAV 8.1 or 9.0, now is the time to upgrade to Symantec Endpoint Protection.

Posted: 12/23/08

Microsoft offers interactive online reference guides to the Office 2007 user interface. The guides compare commands in the 2003 and 2007 versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. The guides are available on the Microsoft Office site. Download versions of the guides are also available.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (XP SP3) is available for download from the OSL SupportFTP server.

This is the full 324 MB "Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers" file. Using this file allows you to download SP3 once, and then install it on multiple computers. This local download minimizes Internet bandwidth usage, because the server is inside the OSL network. (E-mail Rick for the FTP login & password).

It takes about 15 to 30 minutes per machine to upgrade to SP3, using the full network installation package.

(The "web download" of SP3 is available from Microsoft Update, but takes longer to install on each computer - typically  40 to 60 minutes -  and you have to download it for each computer that is upgraded.)

SP3 is the first service pack for XP since 2004. It is also the last service pack that Microsoft will release for Windows XP.

I am available to do SP3 upgrades. Just send me an e-mail to set up an appointment.

Rick

There is still a need to be able to copy several CD-ROM programs to a hard drive, and then run the programs without needing the original CD in the optical drive. Most of these are educational discs for children. Now there are much better freeware tools for creating and mounting virtual CD-ROMs to a hard drive. Read more ...

The Steering Committee approved this on July 26, 2007.

Policy for usage of Ocean State Library Message Boards:

The Message Boards (Public Folders) are for use with information directly related to work at Ocean State Libraries and its Member Libraries. There is quite a bit of information already available that members need to read.  Requests for additional crates or envelopes, or questions related to library materials or the ILS usage, offerings of library items available for the taking are all examples of acceptable uses of the list.  In order to respect the time and access of the members of Ocean State Libraries, we ask that the Message Boards are not to be used for:

Non-library related messages of any other kind, for example,

• Personal, non-work related announcements
• Solicitations related to non-profits or charities that are not related to OSL or its member libraries.

Instructions for Printing Daily Notices.

1. Scroll down the left side bar to the notices icon (double click on this).
2. Click on LOCATION to sort list in alphabetical order.
3. There are six (6) notices that need to be printed:
   • Overdue
   • Hold pick-up only (these are your holds)
   • Item paging slip (these holds are on certain barcodes)
   • Title paging slip (these are holds that patron have requested)
   • Hold Cancellation
   • Bills
4. To print highlight line you want, then move the cursor to the PREPARE icon at the top of the right hand side of screen. A pop up box will come up on the screen click on PRINT.  A second pop up box will come up click on PRINT.
5. The next screen will show how many items you will have to print. At this point you will click on send notices. NOTE: If you want a list for example of your TNS or E-Mails BEFORE you send notices at the top of screen click on print and this will give you that list.
   
6. At next screen it will ask you to send entries. Click on OK and this will send items to the printer.
   
7. At final screen it will ask to Clear All Print Notices click on Yes. Then you will click on Close and then Close again.
   

1. The circ account has to have "Manager-Controlled Options" enabled. If that isn't the case, ask someone in DP to change it for you. Once Manager-Controlled Options are enabled, DP can then change printing options by going to the Printing tab and under Printing Defaults, selecting "Last used on workstation for login".
2. On your circ desk computer, go to the Printers folder. Add Generic/Text only. Make it the Default printer.
3. On your circ desk computer, close Millennium circ if it is running.
4. Go to the C:\Millennium directory. If you see a file named 'print.properties', delete it.
5. Start Millennium and login with your circ account. Click Yes at the "Print Date Due Slips" prompt.
6. In Millennium circulation, do:
   • File
   • Select Printer
   • Receipt Printer
   • Local Printer
   • Click OK
   • Name: Generic/Text Only
   • Select the Format tab
   • Select Text (narrow)
   • Set characters per line = 40
   • Set ines per page = 60
   • Optionally, set Lines to eject = 4
   • Select "Send auto-cut"
   • Click OK
7. Do a few checkouts to test receipt printing. Receipts should eject a few lines and then partially cut the paper.
8. Close Millennium.
9. Start Millenium again. Click Yes at the "Print Date Due Slips" prompt.
10. Do a few checkouts. Receipts should eject a few lines and then partially cut the paper.

Contacting Dell for service is straight-forward. Phone numbers and what to do are listed on the OSL Support Dell Service and Troubleshooting page.

Before you call Dell, take a look at some of the troubleshooting tips available on the same page. If you need to remove a lost BIOS password, run hard drive diagnostics, reset the BIOS to default state, or locate the system documentation, this is the place to start.