Helpful Hints from Ms. Cirri!

Self-help guide (Fn key only used on older models)

Trackpad problems (mouse disappeared):

•  Use Fn+F7 to disable the trackpad, then hit these keys again to re-enable it (F8 key on newer models). *OR try moving your finger rapidly acrosss the track pad to get the mouse back. This often stops a spastic trackpad. If the problem is persistent, the laptop will need to go to the Tech Team.

•  Clean trackpad with a microfiber cloth to remove greasy fingerprints.

•  Use Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Esc if mouse is there but is frozen.

Sound problems:

• Use Fn+ up and down arrow keys to increase and decrease volume (F10 or F11 on newer models).

• Use FN+F8 to mute/restore (F9 on newer models).

• You can also change the volume in the top right hand corner of the screen by clicking on the sound symbol and adjusting the sliding scale.

• A factory reset may be required if the other steps don't work (see below).

Screen brightness:

• Use FN+ left and right arrow keys to change brightness (F3 and F4 on newer models).

Wireless problems:

● RESTORE COMPUTER (see below). It should be using the LVUSD Devices network at school. 

Computer Coma (blackish glowing screen, computer appears to be off, but light on front blinking green which  means it's on):

• Push and hold power button on side until blinking green light stops flashing (and screen will go totally black).

• Tap power button once to turn back on.

The clock/date is wrong:

●   Click the Applications button in the Dock

• Type “clock” and hit Enter to view “Date & Time Settings”

• Turn “Automatic Date & Time” off by clicking on the slider to the right

• Click on the date/time shown below the sliders, and change to be the correct date and time

• Turn “Automatic Date & Time” and “Automatic Time Zone” on

Unwanted Popups:

• In student's Google Chrome account, go to Settings > Site Settings > Notifications. Turn off the unwanted notifications.

Machine not behaving properly​ (screen freezing, applications not loading, wireless won’t connect, and all of the above issues can be solved). 

• Check that the computer is updated to the latest Ubermix. *If the computer gets a popup that says "System Update required" always hit YES to lower the possibility of issues.

• If above doesn't resolve issues, restore laptop to factory settings (see below).

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How to Restore to Factory Settings:

1. If the machine is already off, TAP the power button to turn it on (do not hold down) . If computer is already on, press the power button and choose "Restart" from the menu that appears.

2. The screen will go black and you will see a 3 second countdown timer in the top left corner- press ESC during those 3 seconds to enter the boot menu. Be prepared- you will only have 3 seconds to press the ESC key.  Alternately, you can just tap the escape rapidly as it is booting to get into the correct menu.

3. When the menu pops up, arrow down to "Restore Factory Settings"

4. After a few moments, you will see two options.

5. To preserve your files, choose Option 1. Type 1 ENTER.

6. To wipe all files, choose Option 2.  Type 2 ENTER, yes ENTER to complete the restore process. (use this option if the first one still gives you issues)

Security Boot Fail:

Temporary fix (for more permanent fix on laptops dated 2019, bring into library for me to update):

• Tap power button to restart, tap quickly over and over F2 during restart

• Arrow over to Security, hit ENTER.

• Type 1 <ENTER>, 1 <ENTER>, <ENTER>

• Use Arrow keys to go to "Boot" menu <ENTER>

• Arrow to "Disable" <ENTER>

• Arrow over to "Security" <ENTER>

• Type 1 <ENTER>, <ENTER>, <ENTER>

• F10 to save, then <ENTER>

• Laptop will restart on its own.

Add a Google Shortcut:

To make accessing frequent sites easy:

• Open a page in Google Chrome

• Click the Star at the right of the site address (it will turn yellow)

• A pop up will appear where you can rename the shortcut, and choose the folder to keep it in

• ** To remove a shortcut, go to the website, click the star, then choose "remove" in the pop up.

Download Zoom app:

Some of the zoom apps on the Acers are missing or outdated:

• Open Google Chrome

• In the search window type "Zoom app download"

• Click on the first website "Download Center - Zoom"

• In the pull down menu next to Linux Type select "Ubuntu"

• Click the Big Blue "download" button

• At the bottom of your window will be a warning "This type of file can harm...".  Click "KEEP"

• Click on the icon at the bottom of the window of your download (a brown file labeled "zoom_amd64.deb".  The download will begin.

• *If you get a window that pops up saying "Could not download all repository indexes" then this MAY not work :(

• *If you wait and another window pops up after about 20-30 seconds that says "Zoom - Install" then click the "Install" button.

• Once it's installed, click on the waffle on the bottom of your computer screen and type "zoom".

• The app should appear.  Press and hold the icon while you drag it down to the bottom menu on your computer screen to create a shortcut.