E-mail FAQ's

• How do I change my email address if I have a name change?
• How do I read my BCPS E-mail from home?
• I forgot my BCPS E-mail password. How do I get a new one?
• How do I set up a new profile in Outlook?

Dell Computer FAQ's

• Where can I get a device to view my computer on a TV in my room?
• Can I purchase a Dell Computer at a discounted price?
• Who will image my brand-new Dell computer?

Domain Controller FAQ's

• Who will help me set up my Domain Controller (Dell Server)?
• How often should I swap the backup tapes on the Domain Controller?
• How often should I use the cleaning tape on the Domain Controller?
• My students use Domain logins (K1, 1a. . .) and now my icons are missing from their desktops.

General Computer/Peripheral FAQ's

• Where do I go to find out what kind of equipment is available?
• What kind of computer equipment should I buy for my school?
• Where do I purchase mounting brackets for TV Monitors in classrooms?
• Who services computer equipment at my school?
• Can I purchase computer equipment that is not on the approved list?
• What type of Palm device (PDA) should I buy?
• What software and parts are available and how much do they cost?

Internet/Web Related FAQ's

• I'm trying to log into Advantage Financial and it says my account is "locked".
• Who should I send webpage related requests to?
• My students somehow changed the default homepage from www.bcps.org to something else. How do I restore the default page?
• How do I request that a website be blocked or unblocked by the County's web filter?
• Who should I send webpage related requests to?

Software Related FAQ's

• I don't have spell check on my FileMaker Pro program.
• I'm having trouble with the One System (IEP) software.
• What software and parts are available and how much do they cost?

How do I change my email address if I have a name change?

If you have changed your name and you would like to have your new named displayed in the Global Address List you must fill out a new ERF form. This form can be found on http://www.bcps.org/apps/erf. When you choose Change and then fill out the form and send it in it will change your name ONLY in the Global Address List. If you want your user id to reflect your name change you must write on the form "Please change my user id to reflect my name change."

How Do I read my BCPS E-mail from home?

Connect to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and open up your web browser (Internet Explorer/Netscape Navigator). Type the following URL in the address bar: http//email.bcps.org. Notice that there is no www. Enter your user name and password to gain access to your account.

I forgot my password. How do I get a new one?

Your BCPS user ID and password are the keys to many sources of information in the County. Because of this, the Customer Support Center no longer resets passwords to the word "password". Instead, if you have forgotten your password you must call the Call Center at x-4672 during the hours of 8:00 to 4:00. A call Facilitator will come on the line and ask you for some information like your user ID, last six digits of your Social Security number, home zip code, or others. This information will be entered and a new password will be generated for you. You can then change the password to something you will easily remember. (Click here for directions.) You should NEVER give anyone your user name and password!

I don't have spell check on my FileMaker Pro program.

To install the dictionary open up the new template and go to the Edit menu and select Spelling then Select Dictionaries. Next double click on Program Files, then Claris Corp, then Claris. On the left-hand side of the window you will see a file listed called usenglsh.msp. Double click on this file and the dictionary is now installed.

I'm having trouble with the One System (IEP) software.

This software package is for Macintosh machines only. If you have questions about this software you can check this web site: https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/ose/system_manual/ or e-mail Pat Colohan or Tom Barrow.

Can I purchase a Dell Computer at a discounted price?

Yes you can! Click here for details on the Dell BCPS Personal Purchase Premier Page.

What kind of computer equipment should I buy for my school?

Please see the Approved Hardware List by clicking here.

Who services computer equipment at my school?

All Dell, HP, and Apple products are serviced in the Customer Support Center Repair Shop. All other equipment should be sent to the manufacturer.

Where do I go to find out what kind of equipment is available?

Please see our Vendors page for this information or call the Customer Support Center at x- 4672.

Can I purchase computer equipment that is not on the approved list?

Although you can purchase hardware that is not on the approved list, the Customer Support Center will not support and/or repair this equipment.

What type of Palm device (PDA) should I buy?

The Department of Technology does NOT support ANY handheld device. Please see the Superintendent's Bulletin from November 18, 2005 section 172. (This link will require intranet login.)

Who will image my brand-new Dell computer?

New Dell computers that were purchased under an install agreement with DataNetworks. Many of these machines are arriving in the schools without an image on them. Please call Dawn Sasso at 1-800-283-6387 or dsasso@datanetworks.com to schedule a site visit to image your machines. Please note that most machines purchased after December 2002 do NOT have the purchase agreement with DataNetworks. These machines can be imaged by the disk sent to each school's computer liaison or a call to the Customer Support Center can be made to request that the image be done.

How do I set up a new profile in Outlook?

Please see our Email Support Page by clicking here.

Who should I send webpage related requests to?

All webpage requests including updates should be sent to one e-mail address: webteam@bcps.org. This will reach several people who will work to make the requested changes to your site.

What software and parts are available and how much do they cost?

We maintain a list of prices for our available software and parts on the following pages:
Software Prices
Service (Parts) Prices

My students somehow changed the default homepage from www.bcps.org to something else. How do I restore the default page?

We have a file that can be downloaded and run inside the student setup that will change the default homepage back to www.bcps.org. Click here to view this page.

How do I request that a website be blocked or unblocked by the County's web filter?

The Department of Technology has put in place a web filter to keep adult web content from being displayed on County computers. From time to time a site will not be blocked, or a site may be blocked that is appropriate for student use. To make a request for a site to be blocked, or unblocked, send an e-mail message containing the complete site URL to webfilter@bcps.org.

I'm trying to log into Advantage Financial and it says my account is "locked".

When users get a message that states their Advantage Financial account is locked it indicates that the Advantage Financial system is down. the Department of Technology will work to fix these problem when they arise. Please try to login later in the day.

Where do I purchase mounting brackets for TV Monitors in classrooms?

To purchase and have installed wall mounting brackets for TV monitors please call Mark Hess with Kipp Visual & Security Systems. The phone number is 410-235-9900.

Who will help me set up my Domain Controller (Dell Server)?

If you would like to start using your Domain Controller, sometimes called the Dell Server, please contact either the Customer Support Center at 4672, or e-mail your Area Team Leader. If you don't know who your Area Team Leader is please call 4672.

How often should I swap the backup tapes on the Domain Controller?

Each school should have two backup tapes. These tapes should be swapped each Friday morning. To change the tapes, pull the front panel open and press the eject button that is next to the tape drive. It will takes several seconds for the tape to eject. The Domain Controller does and incremental backup each day and a full backup on Friday.

How often should I use the cleaning tape on the Domain Controller?

The Domain Controller will display an indicator light when the cleaning tape needs to be run. There is a card that comes with the cleaning tape that has check boxes to mark for each cleaning cycle. When all of the boxes are full, the cleaning tape needs to be replaced. Contact CSC if you need a new tape. The use the cleaning tape, pull the front cover open on the Domain Controller and press the eject button next to the tape drive. The tape will take several seconds to eject. Insert the cleaning tape and wait for the light on the drive to stop cycling. Eject the cleaning tape and replace the backup tape.

My students use Domain logins (K1, 1a. . .) and now my icons are missing from their desktops.

The Domain logins get there desktop icons from the local student desktop. Therefore if you want a shortcut available on the Domain Accounts you must add it to the local student desktop folder under Documents and Settings. This is a change that was made in the first weeks of May 2003.

Where can I get a device to view my computer on a TV in my room?

A new device has been tested that will allow the computer to be displayed on a classroom television. See this link for more information.