DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING


DOCUMENT COMPUTER SETTINGS

The Annoyance:

Every time one of the computers on my network has a problem, I have to check the settings. I keep a file of each computer's settings in a file cabinet because keeping it on the computer seems dangerous. I'll need the settings if the computer won't boot or if I can't get to the drive. However, keeping paper-based information is a pain because I have to leaf through all types of information to get to what I need.

The Fix:

The annoying thing about paper is that you can't change the way it's sorted, nor can you perform a search operation. The solution is to keep both computer-based and paper-based information. On my network, every computer has a document on the root directory named ComputerName settings. If I need to replace or reconfigure a network adapter, I just open the document and search for the data.

I also print the document and file it. Every time I make changes to the document, I print it again and toss the old copy. The document is a table with the structure described in Table 8-1. The data represents everything I need to know to reconfigure a component, update a driver, or rebuild the computer in case of a hard-drive failure. Tracking manufacturers of components lets me grab the appropriate driver disks when I have to reinstall those components. On my own computer, I have an additional master document that holds all the settings of all the computers on all the networks. (I have two networksone is a domain and one is a workgroup.) I also print the master document and keep copies of it on a few other computers on the network in case my machine dies.

Table 8-1. Sample computer information data

Computer Name

One

Domain/Workgroup Name

Ivensnet(workgroup)

Windows version

XP Home SP1

Filesystem

NTFS

Drive C

80GB

Drive D

None

CD #1

HL-DT-ST CD-ROM GCR-8523B

CD #2

HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8525B

Administrator Password (during installation)

Blank

NIC

Linksys LNE100TX

IP address

Automatic

DNS IP address

Automatic

Gateway address

None

SMTP server

mail.speakeasy.net

POP server

popmail.ivens.com

Wireless SSID

N/A

Warranty

Ends 8/05 - store warranty-Mantis Computer Co.

Notes

power supply replaced 6/04 - 1 year guarantee


Create the same type of document for your router, and record every setting you made. The document is useful if you have to replace the router, but I've also used it when I had to reset a router to clear a problem. Resetting a router returns all configuration settings to the original defaults, so you have to go through each dialog box and set each field.


EVERY NETWORK NEEDS AN ADMINISTRATOR

In the business world, network administrators ("administrators")are members of the staff. An administrator's role involves a lot of decision-making because networks require a homogeneous number of settings and options to operate correctly. The administrator makes sure each node of the network (computers, routers, modems, printers, and so on) is configured properly to be part of the group. No computer user can be allowed access to settings that would interrupt communications.

In home networks, the administrator is usually the person who put the network together. In some homes, this is a teenager, or even a preteen, because kids who grew up with computers are less intimidated by technology and aren't afraid to experiment to learn.

The administrator of your home network should have a user account on every computer in the network. On Windows XP and 2000 computers, that user account must have administrative permissions. In earlier versions of Windows, the security is so weak that anyone who logs on can do practically anything. The administrator should have a list of every user's logon password to avoid problems with forgotten passwords. However, if the administrator in your home isn't an adult, you might want to skip that step so that you can keep "adult matters" such as finances and medical information private.


TRACK INSTALLED SOFTWARE

The Annoyance:

I want to track the installed software for each computer, including operating system patches. The Add/Remove Programs window displays all the installed software, but it has no Print icon or menu item. In fact, there's no menu at all. It's annoying to have to sit in front of each computer and write down what you see on the screen.

The Fix:

Actually, you can print the list of installed software programs. When the window is open, press Ctrl-P to open the Print dialog box. Click Print to create a hard copy of the list of installed applications.


Tip: Years ago, driven by frustration, I tried pressing Ctrl-P for any window that held data but lacked a Print command. It's amazing how often it works. Try it yourself.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

The Annoyance:

I want to maintain information about the devices displayed in the Device Manager. I expand each device type to see the specific information about each device. However, printing a report from the Device Manager means using a lot of paper filled with detailed technical stuff that doesn't matter for the purpose of rebuilding a computer or tracking manufacturer model numbers.

The Fix:

Take a picture. I don't mean that literally, as in "stand in front of the monitor with a camera" (although that might work; I've never tried it). I mean take a digital snapshot of the window.

The quick and easy way to do this is to use the built-in screen capture feature called PrintScreen. When you press the PrintScreen button on your keyboard, Windows copies an image of the screen to the clipboard. Open any software application capable of managing graphic images (such as the built-in Paint program located on the Accessories submenu) and choose Edit Paste to insert the contents of the clipboard into the software window.


Save the graphic image so that you can access it easily from the computer if you need any of the information it contains. Also, print the image so that you have a hard copy to refer to in case of computer failure.


Warning: You must open the software, paste the image, and save it before you can use the PrintScreen button again. The clipboard holds only one image at a time.

You can also install screen capture software, which gives you more flexibility in cropping the screen image and offers a variety of file formats. Use your favorite search engine to locate screen capture software sites on the Internet.



    Home Networking Annoyances
    Home Networking Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things about Your Home Network
    ISBN: 0596008082
    EAN: 2147483647
    Year: 2006
    Pages: 90
    Authors: Kathy Ivens

    flylib.com © 2008-2017.
    If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net