Browsing articles from "April, 2018"

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts

Apr 19, 2018   //   by Andy Badger   //   Free tutorials  //  No Comments

Copy, paste, and other general keyboard shortcuts

Press this key To do this
Ctrl + A Select all items in a document or window
Ctrl + X Cut the selected item
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) Copy the selected item
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z Undo an action
Ctrl + Y Redo an action
Windows logo key  + L Lock your PC
Windows logo key  + D Display and hide the desktop
Alt + Left arrow Go back
Alt + Right arrow Go forward
Alt + Page Up Move up one screen
Alt + Page Down Move down one screen
Ctrl + R (or F5) Refresh the active window
Ctrl + Right arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl + Left arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl + Down arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl + Up arrow Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key Select a block of text
Ctrl + Esc Open Start
Ctrl + Shift + Esc Open Task Manager
Shift with any arrow key Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document
Shift + Delete Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
Esc Stop or leave the current task

Network Connectivity/Speed issues

Apr 18, 2018   //   by Andy Badger   //   Technician Guides  //  No Comments

Quite often you’ll be presented with what appears to be slow network speeds or connectivity issues. Basic troubleshooting for this should be carried out in a logical order and below is a basic step by step guide;

  1. Determine whether the connectivity/slow network issues are internal or external.  Simply trying to access external websites and internal shared drives/printers will determine whether the problem is inside the network or outside.
  2. If they are reporting slowness, determine whether it is slow internet or slow internal network.  First run an internet speed test (http://www.speedtest.net/) – you can use other speed test sites including the LGfL support site speed test but generally the Ookla one loads fastest and is reliable.  The LGfL support site will tell you what connection speed the school should have under LGfL Trustnet deployment – Overview.  If this speed is good you can run an internal network speed test using a tool like NAS Performance Tester
  3. Once you’ve determined whether the problem is external or internal you need to start eliminating potential causes to narrow down the search.  If the issue is internet related – best bet is to raise a support case on LGfL (if an LGfL school of course).  If the issue is network related, try different switches (patch the machines differently) or isolate the trouble machine or machines and the server if possible and re-run your tests above.
  4. Once you’ve run all of the above tests, you should have a good idea of where the problem lies.  If you are still struggling, escalate a case on the helpdesk.