SSCC News for March 22, 2000

Inside this issue...

Command AntiVirus (F-PROT) Problems on Windows NT
Address Change for Connecting to UNIX Disk Shares
Newer Dell Notebooks May Have Memory Problems
Problems Printing PDF Files 2up to 4411 Printers
Accessing Your SSCC Network Drives from Home

Command AntiVirus (F-PROT) Problems on Windows NT

Users of Windows NT in the SSCC and across campus have been having some serious problems caused by the NT version of Command AntiVirus (aka F-PROT), the virus protection software site-licensed by the university.

The problem is caused by bugs in the auto-update feature of Command AntiVirus on Windows NT only. Auto-update is the process of automatically downloading the latest virus definition files. It is an extremely important part of the effort to maintain the highest level of protection against computer viruses. In the latest version of Command AntiVirus for NT (version 4.58.3) the problem is less severe than in earlier versions. Nevertheless, a "blue screen" crash may occur as a result of the auto-update process. The definition files do get downloaded properly, however, and a simple reboot seems to bring the system back up normally.

This bug seems to affect systems randomly and it may or may not occur with each definition update. The Command AntiVirus people are well aware of the problem and are reportedly working hard on a solution. Auto-update occurs, when necessary, either when a user logs onto the network or in the early morning hours if a machine is left on. In either case, you can try a simple reboot yourself to get back up and running, but PLEASE report any "blue screen" crash event to Consultant even if you feel you are back to normal after a reboot.

When a less troublesome version of Command AntiVirus for NT is available, you will get it automatically by the same auto-update process. As far as anybody knows, auto-updating the software version (as opposed to virus definitions) has never caused systems to crash!

Address Change for Connecting to UNIX Disk Shares

In the January issue of SSCC News, we announced that SAMBA, the software that makes your Unix directories available to you on the PC network, had been upgraded and that there was a new address for connecting to UNIX disk shares from your PC. The old address (\\norman\sharename) will no longer work after May 31.

The new address is \\sscunix\sharename. For example, for user mcdermot to connect to her UNIX home directory, she would enter \\sscunix\mcdermot in the dialog box that appears when you choose Map Network Drive from the Tools menu of Explorer.

You should also disconnect any mapped drives to the old address. Go to Explorer and choose Disconnect Network Drive from the Tools menu. Highlight the network drive containing \\norman in the path name and then click OK.

For detailed instructions on connecting to disk shares from Windows 95/98, refer to SSCC Pub. #5-8. NT users should refer to SSCC Pub. #5-11.

Newer Dell Notebooks May Have Memory Problems

A number of Latitude and Inspiron notebooks sold by Dell in the past 12-18 months have been losing data. The only computers that might have this problem are Latitude CPiA, CPiR, CPt, CPx, CS; and Inspiron 3500, 3700, 7000, 7500. Only those shipped between 2/1/99 and 11/30/99 are at risk.

Dell feels that the problem is due to some bad RAM memory modules. They have developed a program that will test the memory in your Dell notebook, and tell you if it is from the bad batch. If your computer does not fit the description, you do not need to run this test. If it does, you should check, even if you have not had any problems.

The file can be found at Dell's web site. This file should be copied onto your hard drive, and then run. Have a blank, formatted floppy disk ready when you run the program. When you start your computer with that floppy disk in the disk drive, the testing program will automatically run, and tell you if you have potentially bad memory modules. If not, you have nothing to worry about. If the program indicates that you do have bad memory modules, there are instructions for what to do. Dell is willing to replace any bad memory modules that are found.

Problems Printing PDF Files 2up on 4411 Printers

Printing PDF files 2up on the new printers in the I/O room does not work. From NT computers, both pages print in the middle of the sheet superimposed on one another. Windows 95/98 computers simply ignore the request to print 2up. There is an incompatibility with the HP postscript drivers/printers and Adobe Acrobat Reader. HP is aware of this problem but currently has no fix.

Meanwhile, NT users can print PDF files 2up to the three HP LaserJet 5Ms in the 2470 public terminal room (queue SSCC2470). (The DEC 17/600s in the 7413 Terminal Room does not allow 2-up printing for NT users.) Windows 95/98 users will not be able to print PDF files 2up on any of SSCC's public printers until HP provides a fix.

Accessing Your SSCC Network Drives from Home

Did you know that you can log into SSCC's Microsoft networking domain (called PRIMO) from home? Following the instructions in SSCC Pub #5-13 (for Windows 95/98 users) or SSCC Pub #5-15 (for Windows NT users), you can access the same network shares/drives you access from your PC in the office.

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