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Introduction

The College Information Technology has state of Art Laboratory and


Computing facilities for students and staff. The College has well equipped
computers with latest configuration. In order to provide students/ staff with
equitable access to campus computing resources and to ensure that the areas
provided maintain an atmosphere that is suitable for academic work the
following policies and procedures have been adopted and implemented.

The Laboratory Policies


The Lab Assistant is primarily responsible for enforcing the College’s
Computer Lab Policies and Procedures. The Lab personnel are in charge of the 9. Place the wired plug into the crimping tool. Give the handle a firm squeeze.
computer lab and their instructions must be followed. Noncompliance with You should hear a ratcheting noise as you continue. Once you have completed
the policies and procedures will be grounds for revoking lab privileges and the crimp, the handle will reset to the open position. To ensure all pins are set,
may result in referral for disciplinary action. some prefer to double-crimp by repeating this step

A. Details of Policy:
 The computers are maintained under Annual Maintenance Contract.
 There is Software license compliance policy.
 All the computers are connected with Centralized Data Center.
 In case of hardware or software issues there is a Complaint Register
maintained.
 Annual stock verification is done by the laboratory attended.
 All the students are given laboratory facility as per the practical
subjects allotted to them.
 The student attendance is maintained by respective subject in-charge.
 The students are facilitated with Internet service both WIFI based and
broadband with 50mbps speed. 10. Repeat all of the above steps with the other end of the cable. The way you
 The security policies are strictly applied in the entire campus. There is wire the other end (568A or 568B) will depend on whether you're making a
straight-through, rollover, or cross-over cable.
no access given to students for pen drive or external disc. In case
Test the cable to ensure that it will function in the field. Mis-wired and
required, then it has to be done under the supervision of subject in
incomplete network cables could lead to headaches down the road. In addition,
charge or Lab attendant. with power-over-Ethernet (PoE) making its way into the marketplace, crossed
wire pairs could lead to physical damage of computers or phone system
equipment, making it even more crucial that the pairs are in the correct order.
A simple cable tester can quickly verify that information for you. Should you
not have a network cable tester on hand, simply test connectivity pin to p
B. Computer Lab Rules
Participating in behavior or activities that disturb other users or disrupt the
operations of the lab is not permitted. Violations of the Computer laboratory
rules will result in loss of computer privileges or other disciplinary action
 Computer lab should be kept clean
 Operate the equipment properly
 Make sure you listen to directions or instructions
 Touch the monitor, keyboard and mouse gently.
 Eat and drink outside the computer lab
 Touch the monitor, keyboard and mouse gently.
 Do not bring any food or drinks near the
machine. Turn off the machine once you are
done using it.
 Do not plug in external devices without scanning them
for computer viruses.
 Ensure that the temperature in the room stays cool, since there are
a lot of machines inside a lab as these can overheat easily. This is
one of the many ways of ensuring computer safety.
 Try not to touch any of the circuit boards and power sockets when
a device is connected to them and switched on.
8. Keep the wires flat and in order as you push them into the RJ-45 plug
with the flat surface of the plug on top. The white/orange wire should be on  Always maintain an extra copy of all your important data files.
the left if you're looking down at the jack. You can tell if all the wires made
it into the jack and maintain their positions by looking head-on at the plug.
You should be able to see a wire located in each hole, as seen at the bottom Computer Lab DO’s and DON’T
right. You may have to use a little effort to push the pairs firmly into the Do’s
plug. The cabling jacket should also enter the rear of the jack about 1/4" (6
mm) to help secure the cable once the plug is crimped. You may need to 1. Know the location of the fire extinguisher and the first aid box
stretch the sleeve to the proper length. Verify that the sequence is still correct and how to use them in case of an emergency.
before crimping.
2. Read and understand how to carry out an activity thoroughly
before coming to the laboratory.
3. Report fires or accidents to your lecturer/laboratory technician
immediately.
4. Report any broken plugs or exposed electrical wires to your
lecturer/laboratory technician immediately.
Don’ts

1. Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.


2. Avoid stepping on electrical wires or any other computer cables.
3. Do not open the system unit casing or monitor casing particularly
when the power is turned on. Some internal components hold
electric voltages of up to 30000 volts, which can be fatal.
4. Do not insert metal objects such as clips, pins and needles into
the computer casings. They may cause fire.
5. Do not remove anything from the computer laboratory without
permission.
6. Do not touch, connect or disconnect any plug or cable without
your lecturer/laboratory technician’s permission.
7. Do not misbehave in the computer laboratory.

General Safety Guidelines to be followed at all times

 All users of the laboratory are to follow the directions of


Academic/Laboratory Technician staff member.
 Food or drink is not permitted at any time in the laboratory.
 Students should not attempt to repair, open, tamper or interfere with any of
the computer, printing, cabling, air conditioning or other equipment in the
laboratory.
 Students should be aware of office ergonomic guidelines for correct posture
when using computer equipment.
 Please treat fellow users of the laboratory, and all equipment within the 7. Press all the wires flat and parallel between your thumb and
laboratory, with the appropriate level of care and respect. forefinger. Verify the colors have remained in the correct order. Cut the top
of the wires even with one another so that they are 1/2" (12.5 mm) long
In case of an emergency or incident in the laboratory: from the base of the jacket, as the jacket needs to go into the 8P8C
Keep calm. connector by about 1/8", meaning that you only have a 1/2" of room for the
Tell someone about it: the nearest staff member, a fellow student, the Floor individual cables. Leaving more than 1/2" untwisted can jeopardize
Wardens, fellow Workers, your supervisor, others in the area. connectivity and quality. Ensure that the cut leaves the wires even and clean;
Leave the building if the type of emergency warrants it, or if directed by failure to do so may cause the wire not to make contact inside the jack and
Wardens/Security. Do so by the nearest safe exit. Do not use lifts in case of fire. could lead to wrongly guided cores inside the plug.
Follow the directions of Marshals, Wardens and Security.
How to troubleshoot a Computer Problems:

6. You can also use the mnemonic 1-2-3-6/3-6-1-2 to remember which wires
are switched.
568B - Put the wires in the following order, from left to right:
a. white orange
b. orange
c. white green
d. blue
e. white blue
f. green
g. white brown
h. brown
568A - from left to right:
i. white/green
j. green
k. white/orange
l. blue
m. white/blue
n. orange
o. white/brown
p. brown
1. Check that the cables and components are properly connected. This is
especially important if you recently upgraded your computer. Open
your computer and make sure that all the cables, RAM chips, the video
card, sound card, network card, and other components are all securely
attached to the motherboard
5. Arrange the wires based on the wiring specifications you are
following. There are two methods set by the TIA, 568A and 568B. Which one
2. Check the POST. POST stands for "Power On Self Test". This is part of a you use will depend on what is being connected. A straight-through cable is
computer's startup program that is used to diagnose the keyboard, used to connect two different-layer devices (e.g. a hub and a PC).
random access memory (RAM), disk drives and other hardware to make Two like devices normally require a cross-over cable. The difference between
sure they are working properly. If the POST detects any errors in the the two is that a straight-through cable has both ends wired identically with
hardware, it will either display a text error message on the screen or a 568B, while a cross-over cable has one end wired 568A and the other end
series of short and long beeps.If an error message appears as you boot wired 568B. For our demonstration in the following steps, we will use 568B,
your computer, type the exact error message into a Google search to but the instructions can easily be adapted to 568A.
find more information about the error. Use your mobile phone or
another computer, if needed. If you hear a series of beeps as your
computer starts up, make a note of the pattern and visit
https://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm to see what error the
pattern indicates.
3. Inspect the newly revealed wires for any cuts or scrapes that expose the
copper wire inside. If you have breached the protective sheath of any wire,
you will need to cut the entire segment of wires off and start over at step
one. Exposed copper wire will lead to cross-talk, poor performance or no
connectivity at all. It is important that the jacket for all network cables
remains intact.

4. Untwist the pairs so they will lay flat between your fingers. The white
piece of thread can be cut off even with the jacket and disposed (see
Warnings). For easier handling, cut the wires so that they are 3/4" (19 mm)
long from the base of the jacket and even in length.
3. Check the load time of the operating system. The time it takes for an
operating system to load when a computer boots up greatly depends on the
hardware of the computer is running. If you notice your operating system
takes significantly longer to load than it used to, this may indicate a problem
with your hard drive that is preventing your computer from retrieving
information from your hard drive.
2. Carefully remove the outer jacket of the cable. Be careful when stripping
the jacket as to not nick or cut the internal wiring. One good way to do this
is to cut lengthwise with snips or a knife along the side of the cable, away
from yourself, about an inch toward the open end. This reduces the risk of
4. Check for any graphics problems. If your computer is able to boot nicking the wires' insulation. Locate the string inside with the wires, or if
properly, but you notice graphics problems, this may indicate driver no string is found, use the wires themselves to unzip the sheath of the cable
failures or hardware failures with graphics cards. If you suspect there by holding the sheath in one hand and pulling sideways with the string or
might be a problem with your graphics card, you should first update wire. Cut away the unzipped sheath and cut the twisted pairs about 1 1/4"
your graphics card drivers. If the problem still persists, you can (30 mm). You will notice 8 wires twisted in 4 pairs. Each pair will have
download software to test your graphics card. one wire of a certain color and another wire that is white with a colored
stripe matching its partner (this wire is called a tracer).
C. How to make a LAN cable
Step by step

5. Check for hardware problems. Many computer problems are caused by


hardware failures or problems with hardware drivers. Windows will
usually notify you about devices that have a problem. You can also use
Device Manager to check the status of different hardware devices.
Double-click a category in the Device Manager to display all devices in that
category. Then double-click a specific device. Any errors with the device
will be displayed in the "Device Status" box under the "General" tab.
Check all devices. Use the following steps to open the Device Manager:
A. Click the Windows Start menu in the lower-left corner.
1. Unroll the required length of network cable and add a little extra wire, just in
B. Type Control Panel.
case. If a boot is to be fitted, do so before stripping away the sleeve and ensure
Double-click the Control Panel in the Windows Start menu.
the boot faces the correct way. Please note that the cable length should not be
more that 100 meters to prevent attenuation (degradation of signal strength due Click Hardware and Sound.
to losses as signal travel down the length of the cable). Keeping the length within Click Device Manager below "Devices and Printers".
100 meters from the access point (face plate) to the patch panel or network
switch will ensure good signal strength/quality.
Dell beep codes

Beep Code Description


1 beep BIOS ROM corruption or
failure.
2 beeps Memory (RAM) not
detected.
3 beeps Motherboard failure.
4 beeps Memory (RAM) failure.
5 beeps CMOS battery failure.
6 beeps Video card failure.
7 beeps Bad processor (CPU).

IBM BIOS beep codes

Beep Code Description


No beeps Why won't my computer turn on?
6. Check any newly installed software. Some software may require more 1 short beep Normal POST, computer is ok.
resources than the system can provide. Chances are that if a problem 2 short beep POST error, review screen for
begins after software starts, the software is causing it. If the problem error code.
appears directly upon startup, it may be caused by software that starts Continuous beep No power, loose card, or short.
automatically on boot. Uninstall any recently installed programs and Repeating short beep No power, loose card, or short.
see if the problem continues. You may also want to limit the number 1 long, 1 short beep Motherboard issue.
of startup programs. 1 long, 2 short beeps Video (Mono/CGA display
circuitry) issue.
1 long, 3 short beeps. Video (EGA) display circuitry.
3 long beeps Keyboard or keyboard card error.
1 beep, blank or incorrect display. Video display circuitry.
Computer POST and beep codes
The computer POST (power-on self-test) checks a computer's internal
hardware for compatibility and connection before starting the remainder
of the boot process. If the computer passes the POST, the computer may
give a single beep (some computers may beep twice) as it starts and
continues to boot. However, if the computer fails the POST, the computer
may generate a beep code telling the user the source of the problem.

The most common causes of POST failures are problems with the following
components.

BIOS ROM RAM (memory)


CPU (processor) Video card
Motherboard

If your computer has an irregular POST or a beep code not mentioned below, 7. Check the RAM and CPU consumption. If your computer is choppy or
follow the POST troubleshooting steps to determine the failing hardware running slow, it is good practice to see if a program is consuming more
component. resources than the computer can provide. An easy way to check this is to
use the Task Manager, right-click on the taskbar at the bottom of the
AMI BIOS beep codes screen and click Task Manager. Click the Processes tab. Click CPU to
display a graph of the current CPU usage. Click Memory to see a graph of
Beep Code Descriptions the RAM consumption.
1 short beep DRAM refresh failure. If your computer CPU graph is running at 80%-100% most of the time,
2 short beep Parity circuit failure. you may be able to upgrade your computer processor.
3 short beep Base 64 K RAM failure. If your computer is using too much memory, close all unneeded programs
4 short beep System timer failure. and browser tabs and see if your computer's performance improves.
5 short beep Process failure. Limit the amount of multi-tasking you do on your computer. If your
6 short beep Keyboard controller Gate A20 error. computer doesn't have enough memory to do basic operations, some
7 short beep Virtual mode exception error.
computers allow you to purchase and install more RAM.
8 short beep Display memory Read/Write test failure.
9 short beep ROM BIOS checksum failure.
10 short beep How to replace the CMOS battery.
11 short beep Cache memory error.
1 long, 2 short beeps. Video card memory issue.
1 long, 3 short beeps. Conventional/Extended memory failure.
1 long, 8 short beeps. Display/Retrace test failed.
Two-tone siren Low CPU fan speed, voltage level issue.
9. Run a virus and malware scan. Performance problems can be caused by
malware on the computer. Running a virus scan can unearth any
problems. Use a trusted antivirus program that is frequently updated,
such as Norton, McAfee, or Malwarebytes.
8. Listen to the computer. If the hard drive is scratching or making loud
noises, shut off the computer and have a professional diagnose the 10.
hard drive. Also, listen to the CPU fan. If the fan is blowing hard, this
could mean that your CPU is getting too hot because it is working too
hard. If you suspect you have a damaged hard drive, be sure to backup
all important data from the drive immediately and shutdown your
computer. Each time you boot up a computer with a damaged hard
drive, it will damage the hard drive further. If you are unable to backup
your data, remove your hard drive and take it to a professional for
data recovery.

Check for the problem in safe mode. As a last-ditch effort, check the problem
in safe mode. If the problem persists in safe mode, it is a fair bet that the
operating system itself is to blame. You may need to Reinstall Windows.
OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE OF COMPUTER
LABORATORY

Tools used in Computer lab


7. Are lab personnel aware of emergency procedures in their area?
Using tools properly helps prevent accidents and damage to
equipment and people. Protocols for proper use of a variety of 8. Are lab personnel aware of chemical/biological spill procedures?
hardware, software, and organizational tools specific to working with
computers and peripherals are listed here. Also Software tools used to 9. Are there spill cleanup kits or supplies available in the lab area?
maintain data are also listed.
Hardware Tools 10. Do personnel know the location of emergency equipment in the
Hardware tools are grouped into four categories: area?

• Hand tools 11. Are all fire alarm pull stations unobstructed?
• Cleaning tools
• Diagnostic tools 12. Do all lab personnel question all visitors or
suspicious persons when they enter the lab?
Hand Tools

Some common hand tools and their uses are:


• Flat-head screwdriver: Used to tighten or loosen slotted screws. Electrical Safety
• Phillips-head screwdriver: Used to tighten or loosen cross-
headed screws.
• Hex driver: Used to tighten or loosen nuts in the same way that a 1. Are extension cords or “Daisy Chains” being used
screwdriver tightens or loosens screws (sometimes called a nut driver). as permanent wiring for appliances in the lab
• Needle-nose pliers: Used to hold small parts.
• Wire cutters: Used to strip and cut wires. area?
• Tweezers: Used to manipulate small parts. 2. Is the wiring on laboratory equipment in good
• Part retriever: Used to retrieve parts from locations that are too
small for your hand to fit. condition (no frayed or exposed wires) and secure
• Flashlight: Used to light up areas that you cannot see well. along the wall or benches?
• Wire stripper: A wire stripper is used to remove the insulation
from wire so that it can be twisted to other wires or crimped to 3. Are electrical cords and appliances away from
connectors to make a cable. flammables and water (sinks)?
• Crimper: Used to attach connectors to wires.
• Punch-down tool: Used to terminate wire into termination blocks. 4. Are outlets near sinks GFCI?
Some cable connectors must be connected to cables using a punch 5. Are all electrical outlet and switch plates in place?
down tool.
6. Are red outlets being used for critical equipment
that requires continuous power?
6. Are emergency switches clearly identified for
power and gas supply and easily accessible?
Laboratory General Inspection Checklist
General Safety & Environmental Conditions Cleaning tools include the following:
1. Are the lab rules posted on the outside of the door? • Soft cloth: Used to clean different computer components without
scratching or leaving debris
2. Is the lighting in the laboratory adequate and in good condition?
• Compressed air: Used to blow away dust and debris from
3. Is the temperature in the laboratory well controlled? different computer parts without touching the components
4. Are items such as lab equipment and glass tubing stored in a • Cable ties: Used to bundle cables neatly inside and outside of a
manner so that they do not project beyond the edge of the counter or computer
shelf? • Parts organizer: Used to hold screws, jumpers, fasteners, and
5. Are the food and beverage rules observed? (Such as food and other small parts and prevents them from getting mixed together.
drinks are not stored in the lab area).
6. Are the ceiling tiles in place and free of any water leaks, or
stains, etc.?
8. Are doors closed, not propped, and free from obstruction? Sofware Tools
9. Are bench tops and storage areas uncluttered and orderly?
10. Are aisles and exits free from obstruction? Disk Management Tools

Personal Protective Equipment The following are some disk management tools used in the lab:

1. Are the personnel and students wearing appropriate • FDISK: A command-line tool that creates and deletes partitions
footwear? (no open toe shoes) on a hard drive. The FDISK tool is not available in Windows XP, Vista,
2. Are long pants and lab coats being worn? or 7. It has been replaced with the Disk Management tool.
• Disk Management Tool: Initializes disks, creates partitions, and
Safety Equipment and Emergency Response formats partitions.
• Format: Prepares a hard drive to store information.
3. Are first aid kits in designated areas? Are they • Scan Disk or CHKDSK: Checks the integrity of files and folders
properly stocked with the supply list inside, without on a hard drive by scanning the file system. These tools might also
expired products? check the disk surface for physical errors.
• Defrag: Optimizes space on a hard drive to allow faster access to
4. Are fire extinguishers clearly identified, accessible and free from programs and data.
obstruction? • Disk Cleanup: Clears space on a hard drive by searching for files
that can be safely deleted.
5. Are extinguishers fully charged and inspected annually? • System File Checker (SFC): A command-line tool that scans the
operating system critical files and replaces files that are corrupted.

Cleaning Tools
Protection Software Tools 11. Change passwords.
12. Check system security.
Various types of software protect hardware and data:
• Windows 7-10 Action Center: Checks the status of essential UPS MAINTENANCE
security settings. The Action Center continuously checks to make sure
that the software firewall and antivirus programs are running. It also Our UPS preventative maintenance covers a wide variety of tests and
ensures that automatic updates download and install automatically. inspections including:
• Antivirus program: Protects against virus attacks.  Logs: check operational history and alarm logs.
• Antispyware program: Protects against software that sends  UPS room is well away from computer lab for safety reason and
information about web surfing habits to an attacker. Spyware can be monitored over CCTV
installed without the knowledge or consent of the user.  General: inspect and clean the UPS system, batteries and
• Window 7-10 Firewall: Runs continuously to protect against accessories on regular basis.
unauthorized communications to and from your computer.  Cooling: check fans for operation and ageing.
 Connections: check and adjust all electrical connections (AC and
Computer Cleaning Materials
DC).
Computer case and outside of monitor  Functional: check all functions operate correctly.
Mild cleaning solution and lint-free cloth  Meters: check all voltages and currents are correct and in
LCD screen LCD cleaning solution or distilled water and lint-free specification
cloth  Firmware: check firmware version and upgrade if required.
CRT screen Distilled water and lint-free cloth  Operation: check the transfer from inverter to static bypass and
Heat sink Compressed air back.
RAM Isopropyl alcohol and lint-free swab  Mains failure: simulate operation with or without load bank.
Keyboard Handheld vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment  If there is any electrical short circuit we have installed fire
Mouse Glass cleaner and a soft cloth extinguishers.
 If there is any other problem occurs with the UPS System. The
authorized personnel will rectify the issue.
Server Maintenance guidelines used in computer lab

1. Verify your backups are working. Power supply precautions


2. Check disk usage.
3. Monitor RAID Alarms. 1. Meter board is kept outside of lab
4. Update Your OS. 2. Easily accessible
5. Update your Control Panel. 3. Meter board covered with wooden to avoid water pilferage
6. Check application updates. 4. Necessary precaution sign boards
7. Check remote management tools. 5. Three phase power supply
8. Check for hardware errors. 6. Well mounted on a wooden board
9. Check server utilization. 7. Necessary fire extinguisher placed nearby
10. Review user accounts. 8. Electrical circuits be checked by licensed person

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