Making changes to Gateway M250 Mobile Labs
The mobile lab laptops have DeepFreeze installed. Deepfreeze is a program that prevents permanent changes to computers, while allowing normal and full use.
Benefits
While it is possible to misuse programs like DeepFreeze so that it restricts your ability to use the computer as an instructional tool, our intention is to keep the computers functioning so they are dependable instructional tools. DeepFreeze allows this to happen by providing the following benefits:
- Each computer looks the same every time so you can find programs and files
- Each computer looks like every other computer in the lab, so if you tell someone where to find a program or file on one computer, it's in the same place on another
- Malicious and accidental changes, like deleting programs and installing viruses, are gone when the computer is rebooted
- Computers are scheduled to install and keep updates on a nightly basis, so they always have the latest virus protection and software updates available in the district
Making Changes
While it's great to have every computer dependably the same, sometimes you need to make changes for a class. There are three options:
- Thawspace: Add files to the Thawspace, called Class_Documents. These files will still be on the computer after rebooting. Note: You will need to create a folder first in the Thawspace and save the files inside the folder.
- LANDesk: If you need software installed on all the computers, call the HelpDesk to see if LANDesk can be used to make the needed changes. Please try to allow at least 1 week.
- Thaw and Refreeze: If you thought of it too late to ask LANDesk, you can thaw the computer, make your changes, and refreeze using the directions below.
Thawing and Refreezing
If you need to make a change to the computers that cannot be done via LANDesk or the Thawspace (see above), plan a minimum of 2 hours to make a change on all 15 mobile lab computers.
Use the following directions to thaw the computer, make your changes and refreeze:
- Hold down the SHIFT key and double-click the Deep Freeze icon (the polar bear) in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- When the logon dialog opens, enter the password and click OK.
- On the Boot Control tab, select Boot Thawed and click OK.
- When the message opens confirming that it will boot thawed, click OK.
- Reboot the computer. The DeepFreeze icon will now show that the computer is thawed by a blinking red circle with a line through it.
- Make the changes you need to. Tips:
- Be sure to check the Start menu for extra icons and the Recent Documents menu for anything you should delete.
- Empty the Recycle Bin when you are done.
- Make sure you have rebooted twice after installing new software, and opened the new software once.
- Refreeze the computer by repeating steps 1-4. In Step 3, though, choose Boot Frozen.
- Reboot the computer. The flashing circle and line should now be gone from the DeepFreeze icon.
NOTE: If you do not know the password, ask the mobile lab coordinator at your school. Call the Help Desk at 7333 if you do not know who to ask.
NOTE: You could also choose to Boot Thawed for a certain number of times, but I recommend just choosing Boot Thawed so you can reboot as many times as needed after installing new software.
