Refresh Program

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    Quick Links

    Current Refresh Guidelines
    Hardware Configuration & Standard Software
    Upgrading Hardware from standard Refresh Configuration
    Preparing your PC for Refresh
    Preparing your MAC for Refresh
    Refresh Registration Form
    Refresh Committee Members
    Home Directory (H: Drive) Q&A
     

    Current Refresh Guidelines

    • Refresh guidelines are determined by the District Refresh Committee
    • Cycles listed below are for MAC and PC hardware
    • Lab Computers, Desktops and laptops are refreshed on a 3-year cycle.
    • Staff Desktop computers desktops are refreshed on a 4-year cycle.
    • Staff laptops are refreshed on a 3 -year cycle.
    • Printers are refreshed during consolidation or on an as needed basis.

    Hardware Configuration & Standard Software

    Upgrading Hardware from standard Refresh Configuration

    • The cost to upgrade the standard refresh hardware for staff is a departmental expense. All upgrades must be funded with capital funds.
    • Staff upgrade costs and procedures

    Preparing your PC for Refresh

    • Technology Services strongly recommends you to copy all documents stored on your PC or laptop’s hard drive (Drive C:) to your Home Directory (Drive H:) prior to refresh.
    • Copy music files and picture files to temporary storage device such as a CD or USB drive. Due to copyright concerns and Technology Services will not be backing up or restoring music or picture files unless course related as part of the Refresh process
    • Delete unnecessary files in order to speed up the Refresh backup and restore process

    Preparing your MAC for Refresh

    • Copy music files and picture files to temporary storage device such as a CD or USB drive. Due to copyright concerns and Technology Services will not be backing up or restoring music or picture files unless course related as part of the Refresh process
    • Delete unnecessary files in order to speed up the Refresh backup and restore process

    Desktop Configuration Information:

    • PC desktops do NOT have a floppy disk drive. Technology Services strongly suggests that you transfer your data files to your home directory, CD Rom or to a flash drive.
    • External accessories can be purchased with departmental capital funds.
    • Windows XP is the default operating system for staff computers.

     

    Home Directory (H: Drive) Q&A

    What is the home directory?

    • A home directory is a folder or storage area that is located on a network server.

    Why should I use the home directory?

    • Storage on the network provides access to your data
      • On campus from any Madison Area Technical College computer
      • Off campus via an Internet connection

    What can I store on my home directory?

    • Documents and files directly related to Madison Area Technical College
    • Documents and other files you use repeatedly
    • Documents or files you need to access from another location on campus or from home)

    What should I not store on my home directory?

    • Audio & video files such as MP3s, AVIs, and MPEGs.
    • Personal digital images (photos)
    • Large number of Madison Area Technical College related digital (photos) images
    • Extremely large files (Storage space is limited)
    • Program files
    • Backups of local hard drives

    How do I store my documents on my home directory?

    • Call or email the Help Desk to request assistance.
    • You will need to be at your workstation and logged in.
    • The Help Desk will remote to your workstation to run a program that will copy your current documents on your local computer to your home directory.
    • After this is done, the default location for your files will be your home directory.

    Staff Upgrade costs and procedures

    • All costs to upgrade standard refresh hardware configuration are a Division/Departmental expense
    • All upgrades must be funded with capital funds even if the cost is under $500
    • If you chose to upgrade to a laptop from a desktop, the Refresh Program will not fund the cost difference.
      • A completed Chartfield Transfer Request Form (XLS, 23KB) needs to be sent to Technology Services. The cost to the Division/Department is:
      • $TBD to upgrade from a PC desktop to a laptop
      • $TBD to upgrade from an IMac to MacBook
      • $TBD to upgrade from an IMAC to a MacPro

    Refresh Committee Members

    • Marty Crabbs
    • Douglas Gerbitz
    • David Woolpert
    • Judy Glaza
    • Jim Grenzow
    • Kenneth McCullough
    • Lynn Konkel
    • Nancy Herzog
    • Garilyn Truttschel
    • Terrie Thorstad
    • Timothy Twohill
    If you have questions please call the Help Desk at 246-6666.

     

    Last Modified: January 9, 2012