Desktop Computer Manual
1602 Airline Drive, Houston, Texas 77009 HOURS: Monday - Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM
For Tech Help Email: [email protected]
Connecting Your Computer
1. Plug the Power Cord into the back of the computer, then into the power outlet.
2. For internet connection connect Ethernet Cable directly into cable box, or use Wi-Fi
3. For printer connection connect Printer Cable directly into any available USB port.
4. Some computers may have switches on the side for Wi-fi or Bluetooth. There also may be some touch panel options over the keyboard. Please ensure that the switch or touch panel option is on so that you can connect to either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Logging On and Navigation
When you first turn on your computer and it starts up, you will see the Ubuntu screen, followed by the log in screen.
This screen says Compudopt.
The empty Password field will appear below.
The password for the computer is:
password (all lowercase letters)
Now you will see the desktop and you can go to the programs that you would like to use.
The desktop is comprised of two bars: the menu bar - located at the top of the screen, and the Launcher - a vertically oriented bar at the far left.
Click on the Dash icon (bottom left icon on the Launcher) to run an application. Dash allows you to search for information, both locally (installed applications, recent files, bookmarks, etc.) as well as remotely (Twitter, Google Docs, etc.).
After clicking the Dash icon, the desktop will be overlaid by a translucent window with a search bar on top as well as a grouping of recently accessed applications, files, and downloads.
Creating Separate User Accounts Like most operating systems, Ubuntu allows you to create separate user accounts for each person.
You should keep the Compudopt account active on the computer in case you forget any of the passwords for your user accounts. Do not change the Compudopt account or password. If you do, Comp-U-Dopt will not be able to unlock the computer. 2 To add your own account, follow the steps below:
1. Click the Dash icon at the bottom left corner of your screen.
2. Type into the search bar “add user.”
1 3. Unlock in the top right 3 corner and type your password (password).
4. Add the new user’s full 4 name and follow the prompts for the password.
Account Type Take care in determining what type of account to assign a user. An Administrator has full access to all areas of Ubuntu, whereas the Standard account type is more limited.
The Full Name field contains a friendly display name.
The Username field is for the actual username. As you enter the user’s full name, the Username field will automatically fill with a lowercase, no space version of the user’s full name. If you prefer to use a different username for this user, highlight the existing username and type in the username of your choice. Once all fields are filled in, click Add.
Under Password, choose either “allow user to set a password when they next login” or “set password now.” Click Add.
You may choose “allow user to set a password when they next login”, however, this is not advised as the account will be available to anyone.
Ubuntu provides a way to create a secure password by clicking the gears button located inside of the Password field. A random sequence of numbers, letters, and symbols will be entered into this field.
You can also simply enter a password of your choosing by entering it into the Password field. Then, re-enter this same password into the space next to Confirm.
Ubuntu enforces the password policies on this screen, so pay attention to the status information located between the New password and Confirm password fields for information about the password you’re setting. If there are problems with the password, Ubuntu will tell you what is wrong with the password and will prevent you from entering the same password into the Confirm password field until the new password meets the requirements.
Deleting a user Select a user from the list and click Remove User. Ubuntu will deactivate the user’s account, and you can choose whether to remove the user’s home folder or leave it in place. If a user is removed and the user’s files remain, the only user who can access the files are the root user—also known as the superuser—or anyone associated with the file’s group.
Log Out, Power Off, Switch Users
When you've finished using your computer, you can turn it off, suspend it (to save power), or leave it powered on and log out. Log out or switch users To let other users use your computer, you can either log out, or leave yourself logged in and just switch users. If you switch users, all of your applications will continue running, and everything will be where you left it when you log back in. To log out or switch users, click the system menu at the very right of the menu bar and select the appropriate option.
Lock the screen If you're leaving your computer for a short time, you should lock your screen to prevent other people from accessing your files or running applications. When you return, simply enter your password to log back in. If you don't lock your screen, it will lock automatically after a certain amount of time. To lock your screen, click the system menu in the menu bar and select Lock Screen. When your screen is locked, other users can log in to their own accounts by clicking Switch User on the password screen. You can switch back to your desktop when they are finished.
Power off or restart If you want to power off your computer entirely, or do a full restart, click the system menu and select Shut Down. If there are other users logged in, you may not be allowed to power off or restart the computer, because this will end their sessions. If you are an administrative user, you may be asked for your password to power off. Connect to Wireless If you have a wireless-enabled computer, you can connect to a wireless network that is within range to get access to the internet, view shared files on the network, and so on.
If you have a wireless hardware switch on your computer, make sure that it is turned on.
Click the network menu in the menu bar and click the name of the network you want to connect to. If the name of the network isn't in the list, select More Networks to see if the network is further down the list. If you still don't see the network, you may be out of range or the network might be hidden.
If the network is protected by a password (encryption key), enter the password when prompted and click Connect.
If you do not know the key, it may be written on the underside of the wireless router or base station, in its instruction manual, or you may have to ask the person who administers the wireless network.
The network icon will change appearance as the computer attempts to connect to the network.
If the connection is successful, the icon will change to a dot with several bars above it. More bars indicate a stronger connection to the network. If there aren't many bars, the connection is weak and might not be very reliable.
Connect to A Wired (Ethernet) Network
To set up most wired network connections, all you need to do is plug in a network cable. The network icon on the menu bar should pulse for a few seconds and then will change to a "socket" icon when you are connected.
If this does not happen, you should first make sure that your network cable is plugged in. One end of the cable should be plugged into the rectangular Ethernet (network) port on your computer, and the other end should be plugged into a switch, router, network wall socket or similar (depending on the network setup you have). Sometimes, a light beside the Ethernet port will indicate that it is plugged in and active.
Ubuntu Software Center
Ubuntu Software Center lets you browse and install free and paid applications. You can view available software by category, or search by name or description. You can also examine and remove the software already installed.
Access Ubuntu Software Center by clicking on the Dash (9 dots) icon located on the vertical launcher bar and searching “Discover.”
Most programs purchased at the store or downloaded from the internet will not work with this operating system. If you want to download a program you must use the Ubuntu Software Store
Before Using Libre Office Click on the OPTIONS pull-down menu
Click on the + sign box to the left of LOAD/SAVE
Click on GENERAL in the LOAD/SAVE Category.
Under ALWAYS SAVE AS use the vertical scroll bar on the right edge to select MICROSOFT WORD. Select OK. This will allow you to save and open all files as Microsoft Word files.
Follow the same steps for all LibreOffice Apps.
Included Software
Your computer is already pre-loaded with 120 games and productivity applications. Below is a sample of some of the applications that come with your computer.
KDE EDUCATION PROJECT The KDE Education suite provides a collection of great open source educational software.
KmPlot - Mathematical Function Artikulate - Pronunciation Trainer Plotter
Blinken - Memory Game KStars - Desktop Planetarium
Cantor - KDE Frontend to KTouch - Touch Typing Tutor Mathematical Software
KTurtle - Educational KAlgebra - Graph Calculator Programming Environment
Kalzium - Periodic Table of KWordQuiz - Flash Card Trainer Elements
LabPlot - Scientific Data Plotter Kanagram - Letter Order Game
Marble - Desktop Globe KBruch - Exercise Fractions
Pairs - A memory and pairs game KGeography - Geography Trainer for KDE
KHangMan - Hangman Game Parley - Vocabulary Trainer
Kig - Interactive Geometry Rocs - Rocs Graph Theory
Kiten - Japanese Study Tool Step - Interactive Physical Simulator KLettres - Learn The Alphabet
GCOMPRIS Upstream Website: http://gcompris.net/
GCompris is an educational software suite comprising numerous activities for children aged 2 to 10. It is part of the GNU project.
CELESTIA Upstream Website: http://www.shatters.net/celestia/
Celestia is a space simulation tool that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions.
TUX4KIDS EDUTAINMENT SUITE Upstream Website: http://tux4kids.alioth.debian.org
Tux4Kids develops high-quality software for kids, with the goal of combining fun and learning.
DESKTOP PUBLISHING Dia Upstream Website: http://projects.gnome.org/dia Inkscape Upstream Website: http://www.inkscape.org Gimp Upstream Website: http://www.gimp.org
LibreOffice Suite Upstream Website: http://www.libreoffice.org
LibreOffice provides a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool, a database front end and and more. It provides compatibility with many other office suites, including Microsoft Office.
Warranty and Technical Support
Each of our computers comes with a two-year limited warranty and free technical support. If any part of your computer, mouse, keyboard, cords or monitor are not functioning, we will try our best to fix the machine or replace broken parts / components.
This limited warranty does not cover damage due to external causes, including accident, abuse, misuse, problems with electrical power, servicing not authorized by Comp-U-Dopt, usage not in accordance with product instructions, failure to perform required preventive maintenance, and problems caused by use of parts and components not supplied by Comp-U-Dopt.
Answers to most technical questions can be found at the ubuntu help website:
https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/ubuntu-help/index.html
If you are still not able to use your computer, please email us at [email protected]. You can also call our technical support line at 713.426.2330 x 4.
Our office is located at 1602 Airline Drive, Houston, TX 77009 and we are open Monday – Thursday 9 am to 6 pm.
Internet Service Providers
If you do not have internet access at home there are a few programs that you may qualify for in order to receive internet in your home for $10 per month. Check out the links below:
Comcast Essentials Program for Students on Free and Reduced Lunch http://www.internetessentials.com/ Call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376)
Access program from AT&T for Students on Free and Reduced Lunch http://digitalyou.att.com/low-cost-internet/ Call 855.220.5211