Frequently Asked Questions - For The School of Architecture and Construction Management
How do I setup an account with the School of Architecture and Construction Management?
Can I share my account (user name and password) with ANYONE?
What does it mean when the computer tells me that it cannot load my profile?
Why does it take me so long to log into a lab or studio computer?
What memory card types do the 6 in 1 memory card readers read?
Do I have access to a digital projector for PowerPoint presentations?
Can I bring my personal computer and/or laptop from home to use in studio?
Can I bring my Macintosh computer from home to use in studio?
Is there a shared folder on the network where we can place files for others to access?
What do I do if someone is misusing the computer labs and it is obstruction my usage?
As an architecture student can I use the CM lab, room 220, or CM plotter?
As a construction management student can I use the 412 and 225 labs?
What do I do if I have lost files that I have been working on from my Z: drive and/or zip disk?
Can I increase the amount of money that I have available for printing?
Does my remaining balance for printing transfer over to other semesters?
How can I avoid someone plotting on my personal paper that I have loaded into the plotter?
What do I do if a printer/plotter is out of paper and/or ink/toner?
Can I take ink out of another plotter if the plotter that I am using is out?
How do I setup an account with the School of Architecture and Construction Management?
You must come in and READ the policy statment and FILL-OUT and SIGN the back sheet with the appropriate information to create the account. This only takes a few minutes of your time.
Is there a charge for obtaining a user account?
There is no charge for setting up and using an SOACM user account. However, you must either be an architecture student, construction management student or you must be enrolled in an architecture or construction management course.
Do I get to choose our user name and password?
During account setup you will be given your user name which will be your first initial of your first name and your last name. For example, if your name is John A. Doe your user name will be jdoe. Notice that your user name is ALL lowercase letters.
Your password is set up by you as a user. See How do I go about choosing a password? for more details on setting your user password.
When will my account be active?
Generally your account will be active within 24 hours after the request has been submitted.
How long will my account last?
Once your user account has been set up and activated you will have that account until the end of that academic year. If you are taking summer courses then your account will be available to you until the end of that summer session.
Your account may be terminated, however, if you have violated the school policy for computer use three or more times.
How do I go about choosing a password?
After your account has been activated a member of the Systems Staff will give you a temporary password and remind you of your user name. You will then login using this information and Windows will prompt you to change your password.
The guidelines for setting your password are as follows: your password must first be a minimum of 8 characters long. It must contain 3 of the following 4 categories, upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and/or punctuation. The password cannot contain a word that can be found in the dictionary, it cannot be your first or last name, or any derivation of that. The password cannot contain ascending or descending numbers or letters (i.e. 1234, ABCD), and finally your password cannot be one of your last 23 passwords.
Why does it tell me that my account is locked?
For security purposes your account gets locked after the user password has been incorrectly entered 3 times. Either you or someone trying to access your account has incorrectly entered your password 3 or more times. To fix this, contact the Systems Staff.
Why does it tell me that my account has been disabled?
You have received this message because you have violated one or more of the SOACM policies regarding computer usage. See the Systems Staff for verification and to have your account re-enabled.
Can I share my account (user name and password) with ANYONE?
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES may you share your account with anyone. This includes, significant others, spouses, friends, parents, siblings, or anyone else. The equipment of the SOACM is meant solely for students, faculty, and staff of the SOACM.
You also put yourself at risk for being in violation of WSU computer use policies which state that you could be dropped from the program and dis-enrolled from WSU. Is it worth losing everything?
Make sure that you have set up an account with the SOACM. This account is separate from any other account you may have on campus and must be set up every year.
Make sure your user name is correct with no capital letters.
Make sure that Caps Lock is not on.
Make sure that you are typing the correct password.
Make sure that when you are logging on that you are logging on to the SOACM domain and NOT the local computer Carp077XXX.
Check your network connection in the back of the machine.
Look around and see if anyone else is having a problem, the server may temporarily be down. If this is the case notify the Systems Staff in room 524.
What does it mean when the computer tells me that it cannot load my profile?
All students have a roaming profile. This is for your ease and convenience. It gives you the ability to have the same look and feel at whatever machine you log into on the network. The down-side to this is that your profile gets 'pushed' and 'pulled' across the network each time you use the computers. Unfortunately this takes time (more for a larger profile) and can become corrupt after a period of time. When your file gets corrupted it has a tendency to respond in this way. It is unable to be written to the hard drive that you are sitting at.
This can be related to logging in to more than one machine at a time or stopping your network session abruptly.
It is fixable though. Please see the systems staff and they will assist you in getting this problem resolved.
Why does it take me so long to log into a lab or studio computer?
There are 2 reasons why your login is taking so long on a lab or studio computer. The first may have to do with the network being temporarily down. If this is the case then other users around you should be having the same problem.
If users around you are not having problems it most likely has to do with the size of your personal profile. Every user has a roaming profilewhich means that all your settings, internet cookies, preferences, and files in documents or on your desktop have to be moved on to the local machine that you are trying to log onto each time you log on. Once you log off all these files have to again be moved back to the server so that when you log onto another machine, these files can be transferred again.
The idea is to keep your profile as small as possible. This means deleting all cookies in the Internet Options of Internet Explorer. Also in the Internet options you would want to delete temporary internet files and clear your history. In addition, keeping files/folders off of the desktop and out of the Recycle Bin will help. Empty the Recycle Bin before ending your session.
The next step is to make sure that you take all the files that you have saved on your desktop and/or My Documents folder and move them to your user Z: drive. Your Z: drive is stationary and is not part of your profile. If you have a customized desktop (i.e. background, colors, icons) this will also slow down the login time.
Can I burn CDs on the lab computers?
There is one CD Burner in each of the following places: 3rd year studio, 4th year studio, 5th year studio, 412 lab, and 225 lab. All of the computers on the tiered section in the CM lab, room 220, also contain CD Burners but are only to be used by CM students.
For instruction on how to burn a CD read on.
Does a 250 megabyte zip disk work in the lab computers?
As of Summer 2003 there are NO computers in either lab or studio that will recognize a 250 megabyte Zip disk. For now stick to the 100 megabyte Zip disks.
How do I burn a CD Using NTI CD-Maker 2000 Standard?
Open the NTI CD-Maker program by double-clicking on the icon. Select Data CD from the opening screen. If you are making a Music CD select Audio CD from the opening screen.
At this point you will drag and drop the files you want to be on the CD from the upper portion of the window called Windows Explorer to the lower portion of the window called Data Track Layout. After dragging and dropping the files you want to burn to the CD click on the large button called Step 2 which is located on the left side of the window.
This will take you through the actual burning process. You will be given the option to leave the disk Open or Closed. If you leave the disk Open you can go back at a later time and add files but it may not be readable on other computers. If you Close the disk then you will not be able to add files later but it will be readable on other computers.
How do I burn a CD Using Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 Basic?
You can access Easy CD Creator by either inserting a Writable CD or by clicking on the Project Selector icon. A window will pop up with the words Select a Project on the top. For a Data CD click on the blue button which says make a data CD. At this point you will be given 3 options, click on dataCD project and Easy CD Creator will open.
Select the files that you wish to burn to the CD in the upper window and click the add button which is located between the upper and lower windows. When you have added all of the files you wish to burn, click the red record button which is also located between the upper and lower windows.
A menu will pop up before the actual burning process begins. Make sure that the options button has been clicked. In this window you will want to indicate if you want to Finalize CD or not. If you finalize the CD you will not be able to go back and add more files to the CD later, but you will be able to use the CD on other computers. If you do not finalize the CD you can add files to it later, but the CD may not be recognizable by other computers.
Click on Start Recording.
Do students have access to a slide scanner?
Slide scanners can be checked out through the Systems Staff. This check out requires a drivers license number, address, phone number, and name. The checkout is good until 12pm noon the following day. If the slide scanner is checked out on a Friday it will be due back by 12pm noon the following Monday. Checkout is free of charge.
Do students have access to a digital camera?
The digital cameras can be checked out through the Systems Staff. This check out requires a drivers license number, address, phone number, and name. The checkout is good until 12pm noon the following day. If the digital camera is checked out on a Friday it will be due back by 12pm noon the following Monday. The digital camera comes with a 6 in 1 memory card reader and battery charger. Checkout is free of charge. If you have questions please ask one of the Systems Staff.
How do I use the digital camera?
See a Systems Staff member for instruction on the use of the Digital Camera.
How do I use the 6 in 1 memory card reader?
The 6 in 1 memory card reader is given to you with the checkout of a digital camera. This reader can also be checked out separately. Simply plug the unit into the USB port in the back of the computer that you wish to use. After the reader has been recognized by Windows just click on My Computer or go to Windows Explorer and 6 new drives will appear. Each drive corresponds to the type of memory card bay that the card reader recognizes.
What memory card type does the 6 in 1 memory card readers read?
The card readers recognize Smart Media, Compact Flash type 1 and 2, Memory Stick, SSD, and MMC. These can be checked out with the digital camera or separately through the Systems Staff.
Do I have access to a digital projector for PowerPoint presentations?
The projector can be checked out through the Systems Staff. This check out requires a drivers license number, address, phone number, and name and will last until 5pm that day. The projector is NOT to leave the Carpenter Hall.
Do students have access to a slide scanner?
Slide scanners can be checked out through the Systems Staff. This check out requires a drivers license number, address, phone number, and name. The checkout is good until 12pm noon the following day. If the slide scanner is checked out on a Friday it will be due back by 12pm noon the following Monday. Checkout is free of charge.
How do I use the slide scanner?
To use the slide scanner open Adobe Photoshop. Go to the File menu, click on Import and then click on CyberView-32U.
This will open the slide scanner window which is very similar to a typical flatbed scanner interface. Insert your slide into the scanner face up, close the lid, and click on Preview. Select the area of the preview that you would like to scan and click on Scan, this will scan the image into Photoshop.
Do students have access to a flatbed scanner?
One flatbed scanner is located in both the 412 and 225 labs. If the computer connected to the scanner is in use but the user is not using the scanner, you have priority. Please ask nicely for the use of this computer. If this becomes a problem please ask a member of the Systems Staff for assistance.
How do I use the flatbed scanner?
To use the HP Scanjet 3500, open Adobe Photoshop. Under the File menu click on Import and then click on HP Scanjet 3500.
This will open the HP Scanjet 3500 interface which will guide you through the process. Click on advance to adjust the dpi and other such options. The scanner will automatically scan a preview.
Can I bring peripherals from home to use on the lab computers (i.e. card reader, mouse, scanner, printer, digital camera)?
The SOACM does not support any outside peripherals on computers in the labs or studios. Students are allowed, however, to bring their own personal computer and set it up in their studio.
Can I bring my personal computer and/or laptop from home to use in studio?
Students are welcome to bring their own computers and/or laptops to use in the studio environment. Notify the Systems Staff of your interest in doing so and you will be given a form to complete and return. Once this form has been processed a member of the Systems Staff will configure your machine for internet use. You WILL NOT have access from your personal computer to the SOACM printers or your user Z: drive.
Can I bring my Macintosh computer from home to use in studio?
Students are welcome to bring their own Macintosh computers and/or laptops to use in the studio environment. Notify the Systems Staff of your interest in doing so and you will be given a form to complete and return. Once this form has been processed a member of the Systems Staff will configure your machine for internet use. You WILL NOT have access from your personal computer to the SOACM printers or your user Z: drive.
Do I have access to a Macintosh?
The SOACM does NOT currently have a Macintosh in any of the labs or studios.
Where should my files be saved?
You should save ALL files in your Z: drive. Do not save files to your desktop or my documents folder. By saving files to your Z: drive you can decrease your login time and decrease the chance of lost work. Because your desktop and my documents folder are transferred back and forth across the network every time you login and logoff there is a higher chance that these files may be lost or corrupted in the process.
Can I customize my desktop and program settings?
Because you have a personal profile you can personalize your desktop and program settings. Keep in mind that the more you customize the longer it may take to login and logout of the lab and studio computers.
If I use a computer and then I use a different computer the next time will I lose everything I had done previously?
All users are given a roaming profile. This means that you can use any computer in any of the labs or studios and you will keep your files and settings. This includes backgrounds, appearance, and the my documents folder.
Is there a shared folder on the network where we can place files for others to access?
There will be one available in Fall 2003 called _PUBLIC_ where you will be able to save files/folders for general use. Copyright laws still apply.
Can I download MP3s on the computers in the labs?
Campus resources (i.e. computers) cannot be used for activity that may violate copyright laws. The lab and studio computers are only to be used for school related work.
What do I do if someone is misusing the computer labs and it is obstructing my usage?
This may include loud music (which should be listened to on head phones), locking a workstation, or leaving a workstation logged on for a long period of time. If the problem is occurring during regular business hours then consult a member of the Systems Staff. If the problem is occurring after hours please email us at support@mail.arch.wsu.edu and/or try confronting the problem user.
As an architecture student can I use the CM lab, room 220, or CM plotter?
Only CM students are allowed to use the computers, printers, and plotter in the CM lab. The equipment in this lab was paid for by donations specifically for CM use. As an architecture student you have access to all studio computers, the 412 and 225 labs.
As a construction management student can I use the 412 and 225 labs?
Yes, the studio computers, 412 and 225 labs where purchased with general funds for the SOACM to use. CM students have access to all of these computers.
What do I do if I have lost files that I have been working on from my Z: drive and/or zip disk?
Go to your backup disks (you did have backups... right?) that you have kept of your files. If you have not kept backups of your files then you most likely have lost your work for good. Keep files on your Z: drive as well as a Zip disk and at home if you can. The more copies you have of the file the less likely it will be that you lose everything. Depending on the program you are using at the time, you may have disaster recovery files or backups that are created.
Can I log into more than one computer at a time?
This is NOT encouraged due to the low computer to student ratio. However, if the labs are empty and you must use two computers, it can be done. As a warning: profiles may not load and files may have problems opening in more than one place. Saving files becomes difficult and they may become corrupt – BE CAREFUL.
Why do we have to pay for printing now, aren't we paying course fees for the use of the computer labs and printers?
Your course fees ARE what is paying for your printing. The money that is put towards printing is the culmination of your course fees. In the past the course fees have essentially been pooled together and each person has been given unlimited printing. The new system is more fair and easier to track usage.
How much money are we allotted each semester for printing?
Each student will receive $150 worth of printing each semester.
What are the prices for printing?
Your account will be charged at the following rates for printing:
B/W laserjet---------- .05 per page
Color laserjet--------- .35 per page
Plotting---------------1.50 per plot
What do I do if I mess up a print job?
There should be a printer icon 
in the service tray on the far
right bottom of your screen. You simply double-click on this icon to open up the printer
dialog box. Now right click on the print job and select CANCEL from the menu.
If you sent it to the plotter you may need to do some additional foot-work.
Go to the plotter. On the right side of the plotter is an information window. Use the down arrows to find the 'Job Management Menu' (third one down from the top). If this is your job (your filename will be listed in the window at the bottom) press the cancel button on the top right of the keypad.
Can I increase the amount of money that I have available for printing?
Yes, once your allotted $150 has been depleted you can add money to your Cougar Card to continue printing.
Does the price decrease if I use my own paper?
No, most of the calculated cost of printing is for ink/toner and machine wear. The use of your own personal paper will not change the price of printing.
Does my remaining balance for printing transfer over to other semesters?
No, your printing balance is non-transferable and non-refundable.
When I print, why does it always print out on the plotter?
Before you print, ALWAYS go to the print menu and make sure that the printer you want to print to is selected. Often times the plotter is set as the default printer and all print jobs will be sent to it even if it is in 8.5x11 format. If you accidentally print to the plotter you should cancel the print job IMMEDIATELY.
Why does the color printer take so long to print?
The color printer is actually a laser jet and may take a few extra minutes to warm up. If your document is a large file and/or includes images this will also slow down the process. Please be patient and dont be tempted to send it another time…it WILL print.
Can I print on 11x17 bond paper?
Yes, the 412_HP_5SI and the 225_HP_5000GN both print on 11x17 format. Each printer has a tray that is designated for 11x17 paper.
How can I load my own paper into the plotter?
See the Systems Staff for assistance.
How can I avoid someone plotting on my personal paper that I have loaded into the plotter?
This is sometimes very frustrating and tough to do especially at peak plot times. These peak plot times include the week projects are due and at the end of the semesters. One way to avoid someone plotting on your paper is to try and plot at times other than peek plot times. Try coming in late at night, early in the morning, or during lunch hours. If these times cant be avoided then you might try following the steps below. While this is simply a suggestion and still does not completely alleviate the problem, it may be your best chance to save some expensive paper and YOUR time.
First, try to always plot to the plotter closest to your workstation. For example if you are using a lab computer in the 412 lab, then plot to the 412_DJ_500. Before you load your paper, or unload the roll of plain paper go to your workstation. Make sure that your print job is ready to be send to the plotter. On your workstation go to the Start Menu – Settings and click on Printers. This will open up a window which displays all the printers that you have access to. Double click on the plotter that you wish to plot to. In this example we will use the 412_DJ_500. This will open up a window which will show you what print jobs are getting ready to print on that plotter. If this window is empty then this is a good time to load your paper. Lift the blue lever on the plotter and return to your workstation. Send your plot to the specified plotter and make sure that your print job shows up in the specified printer/plotter window. Depending on the size of you print job this may take a few minutes to show up. If your print job does show up and no one elses is in front of it then go ahead and load your paper. The plotter will plot the print job that is at the top of the list first, so as long as yours stays at the top of the list, it will start plotting as soon as your paper is loaded. If someone elses print job jumps on there before yours then go back to the plotter, load the roll back on and start the process over.
How do I use the DJ 500 plotter?
There is a DJ 500 plotter in each of the 225, 412, and CM labs. To print to either of these simply select the one that corresponds with where you want to plot. For example if you want to plot to the plotter in the 412 lab, select the 412_DJ_500 in the print dialogue box. If you want to plot to the plotter in the CM lab and you are a CM student, select the CM_DJ_500 in the print dialogue box.
Can I customize my paper size for the DJ 500 plotter?
Yes, the DJ 500 will plot on virtually any size paper as long is it is within the width of the plotter paper size. Select the plotter in the plot menu and click on Properties if you are using AutoCAD. If you are using Photoshop, click on Setup in the print menu; select the plotter in the drop down box, click on Properties, and click on Custom Properties. This will take you to the same properties window for the plotter.
Under the Basic Setup tab click on the pull down menu for paper size. At the bottom of this list is << Edit Paper List… >>, click on this and a new window pops up. On the right side of this window you can change the numbers to your custom paper size. After making your changes click ok until you return back to the original print window. Make sure your new paper size is selected, by default it will be Custom 1 and will new show your custom paper size.
Is there any special paper for the plotter?
The SOACM does have Satin Finish Photo Paper on 3 wide roles and is sold by the linear foot. This paper costs $1.50 per linear foot and can ONLY be purchased on your Cougar Card.
What do I do if a printer/plotter is out of paper and/or ink/toner?
During business hours you can notify a member of the Systems Staff. If it is after business hours check to see the hours of the student administrator(s) or email us at support@mail.arch.wsu.edu
Can I take ink out of another plotter if the plotter that I am using is out?
DO NOT remove ink cartridges or toner cartridges from the plotters or printers. This renders the plotter/printer useless to other users that may be using them.
Can I set up my email on the lab computers?
The short answer in NO. You are welcome to use any web based application or telnet for email.
Can I send email to specific groups within the SOACM (i.e. all architecture, all CM)?
These are all addressed by using the following in your TO: line. (i.e. allschool@mail.arch.wsu.edu) Here is an up-to-date list of the groups available:
Why won't the computer allow me to install anything?
As a general user you have limited permission. This permission denies installation of software and hardware as well as systems settings and other such utilities. Contact the Systems Staff if you have a valid software or hardware need.
If there is software that I would like on a lab machine what can I do?
If the software is free of charge and is not bound by a license agreement, your request should be given to a member of the Systems Staff.
Are there any other languages available for use on the lab computers?
There are currently 6 languages installed on all computers in the SOACM. These include English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Modern). If you would like other languages installed please contact the Systems Staff. To change the language to one of the predefined languages click on the EN button which is located in the taskbar and select the language.
