Software Problems
by Susan Delap

The EES Software Manager/Staff Engineer and their assistants ensure that the computers and peripherals are working and the correct software is installed in MSEC 239, oversees the equipment in MSEC 345, and manages the department's software holdings. If you notice any problems or require assistance, please email the Help Desk: helpdesk at ees.nmt.edu.

If you need help on a specifc problem or help in learning how to run software, look under HELP in the program. Sometimes there are on-line tutorials, and sometimes the help is actually helpful. If not, look under Software Documentation for a list of books available for checkout and local FAQs webpages. If you still need assistance, try the software manufacturer's website. They frequently have FAQs that cover things not in the regular documentation. If you're still stumped, ask your instructor or fellow classsmates. Look over the GENERAL TIPS below too. Although they were written with Windows users in mind, they may be helpful to users of other operating systems.

If you need assistance using any of the specialty equipment such as scanners, CD burners, etc., check the Computing Resources web page for FAQs and How-To's that are gradually being added.

Here are some GENERAL TIPS that might help you through general problems:

• Try accessing the HELP menu. Some titles have tutorials.
• If software is behaving strangely, reboot the computer.
• If it continues to behave strangely, try a different computer. (If you isolate the problem to a particular computer, please notify the Software Manager so he can reinstall the program.)
• If it still misbehaves, try creating a new file and recreate the part that is giving you trouble. (Files get corrupted.)
• If it still gives you problems, it may be a bug in the software. Check out the manufacturer's website for FAQs, newsgroups--if it's a bug, other people have probably encountered it and there may be a bug fix on the site. If you do find an update or bug fix, please bring it to the attention of the Software Manager so he can install it to all the computers.
• If you can't find any information, try contacting the software manufacturer for technical support.
• If all else fails, look for a workaround.
• If the problem involves printing, try printing to different printers to determine if the problem is with the file or with the printer.
• Sometimes you need to cycle power on the printer.
• Try reducing the file size--if may be too big to print.
• Try creating a new file with only the problem element and see if that prints.
• If it is a graphic that is not printing right, try changing it's characteristics, like color to grayscale, or try resizing it smaller.
• Sometimes fonts get corrupted--try changing the font. If the font works on another computer, contact the Software Manager so he can reinstall the corrupted font.