Can I install a home printer on my school laptop?

Home printers may be installed on school Windows computers IF it can be done without installing the printer software package. Printer software often adds extra services (slowing down the computer) as well as changing the way the computer handles media files. You cannot install printers on Chromebooks, but here are options for home print with those.

For best results:

1) Plug the printer in with a USB cable. Windows will install most printers automatically.

OR

2) If it is a wireless printer, use "Add Printer" (in Devices & Printers) to search for the printer. Depending on the home network setup, this may or may not work correctly.

If a download is necessary, you should first check with HelpDesk or Mr. Hall to make sure you use the "Driver Only" installer and not the complete software package.

How can I adjust my Touchpad?

Touchpad features like "tap-to-click" and "pinch zoom" can cause problems for people who drag their fingers accidentally across the touchpad. Their experience might be that things open or change without warning, and they may not realize why this is happening!

Disabling these features and customizing your Touchpad can be done via the Mouse control Panel:

Why doesn't Java work for me?

The current challenges with Java are a result of increased security to prevent malicious activity through Java applets and scripts. Added to this challenge is the fact that Java installations come in two forms: a browser plugin (sufficient for most content) and an OS-based installation (required to run downloaded .jar or .jnlp files and for the system Control Panel.)

Here is information about making Java work properly for all sites.

My files open in the wrong program. What can I do?

This problem is most common with web files (.HTML) or web links. In Windows these will typically open up in Internet Explorer, but you may want them to open up automatically in a different program (like Chrome).

Your computer keeps a list of different file types (identified by their file extension, three invisible letters after the period at the end of a filename) and a list of programs that are installed. Each file is set to open with a specific program (called the file association,) but you can change those settings on your own computer:

1) Find a file that is opening in the "wrong" program

2) Right-click and choose "properties"

3) To the right of "Opens with <program name>," click "choose"

4) Select the program you want to open that type of file (the computer should list any installed programs capable of opening that type.) then click "OK"

Done!