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Frequently asked questions and instructor notes
All our courses assume that each student has a personal computer to use during the class. Our hands-on approach to learning requires they do. This topic gives information on how to set up the classroom to teach this course. It includes minimum requirements for the students’ personal computers, setup information for the first time you teach the class, and setup information for each time that you teach after the first time you set up the classroom.
Hardware requirements
Each student’s personal computer should have:
· A keyboard and a mouse
· 700 MHz Intel Pentium III processor or faster
· At least 512MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
· 2 GB of available hard-disk space
· A CD-ROM drive for installation
· An XGA monitor with 1024 × 768 resolution and 32-bit color support
Software requirements
You will need the following software:
· Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack (SP) 2, or later operating system
· Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
· Microsoft Expression Web
· The latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer
· The latest version of Firefox
Network requirements
The following network components and connectivity are also required for this course:
· Internet access, for the following purposes:
· Downloading the latest critical updates and service packs from www.windowsupdate.com
· Downloading the Student Data files (if necessary)
First-time setup instructions
The first time you teach this course, you will need to perform the following steps to set up each student computer.
1 Install Windows XP on an NTFS partition according to the software manufacturer’s instructions. Then, install the latest critical updates and service packs from www.windowsupdate.com.
2 Install the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 as follows:
a Go to www.microsoft.com.
b In the Live Search field, type .NET Framework 2.0, and press Enter.
c Click the first result in the list.
d Click download.
e Run the program from your computer to install the .NET Framework.
Note: You must install the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 before you install Expression Web. Otherwise, the Microsoft ASP.NET Development Server will not be installed properly.
3 Install Microsoft Expression Web according to the software manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to install the Microsoft ASP.NET Development Server.
4 Adjust the computer’s display settings as follows:
a Right-click the desktop and choose Properties to open the Display Properties dialog box.
b On the Settings tab, change the Color quality to 16 bit or higher and the Screen resolution to 1024 by 768 pixels. (If student monitors are small, consider using a higher screen resolution, if possible.)
c On the Appearance tab, set Windows and buttons to Windows XP style.
d Click OK. If you are prompted to accept the new settings, click OK and click Yes. Then, if necessary, close the Display Properties dialog box.
5 Adjust Internet properties as follows:
a Start Internet Explorer. Choose Tools, Internet Options.
b On the General tab, click Use Blank, and click Apply.
c On the Advanced tab, under Security, check Allow active content to run in files on My Computer, and click Apply. (This option will appear only if you updated Windows XP with Service Pack 2.)
d On the Connections tab, click Setup to start the Internet Connection Wizard.
e Click Cancel. A message box appears.
f Check “Do not show the Internet Connection wizard in the future,” and click Yes.
g Close the Internet Options dialog box, and close Internet Explorer.
6 Display file extensions.
a Start Windows Explorer.
b Choose Tools, Folder Options, and select the View tab.
c Clear the check box for Hide extensions for known file types.
d Close Windows Explorer.
7 Install the latest version of Mozilla Firefox. (You can download Firefox for free at www.mozilla.com/firefox.) Accept all default settings during the installation. When prompted, import bookmarks from Internet Explorer. When asked whether to make Firefox the default browser, clear “Always perform this check when starting Firefox,” and click No. Close Firefox.
8 Download and install the QuickTime plugin from http://www.apple.com/quicktime. Accept all defaults during installation.
9 Create a folder called Student Data at the root of the hard drive (C:\).
10 If you don’t have the CD that came with this manual, download the Student Data files for the course. You can download the data directly to student machines, to a central location on your own network, or to a disk.
a Connect to www.axzopress.com.
b Under Downloads, click Instructor-Led Training.
c Browse the subject categories to locate your course. Then click the course title to display a list of available downloads. (You can also access these downloads through our Catalog listings.)
d Click the link(s) for downloading the Student Data files, and follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
11 Copy the data files to the Student Data folder.
12 Start Expression Web. Activate the software, and set it to not download updates. Close Expression Web.
Setup instructions for every class
Every time you teach this course (including the first time), you will need to perform the following steps to set up each student computer.
1 If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall Microsoft Expression Web to reset any defaults that have been changed in previous classes. If you do not wish to reset the defaults, students can still re-key the course, but some activities might not work exactly as documented.
2 Delete the contents of the Student Data folder, if necessary. (If this is the first time you are teaching the course, create a folder named Student Data at the root of the hard drive.)
3 Copy the data files to the Student Data folder. (See the download instructions in the preceding section.)
4 In Internet Explorer, set the home page address to about:blank.
CertBlaster software
CertBlaster pre- and post-assessment software is available for this course. To download and install this free software, students should complete the following steps:
1 Go to www.axzopress.com.
2 Under Downloads, click CertBlaster.
2 Click the link for Expression Web: Advanced.
3 Save the .EXE file to a folder on your hard drive. (Note: If you skip this step, the CertBlaster software will not install correctly.)
4 Click Start and choose Run.
5 Click Browse and then navigate to the folder that contains the .EXE file.
6 Select the .EXE file and click Open.
7 Click OK and follow the on-screen instructions. When prompted for the password, enter c_expweb.
Topic B: Frequently asked questions
There are no frequently asked questions for this course at this time.
Topic C: Course notes
There are no notes for this course at this time.
Topic D: Additional information
There is no additional information for this course at this time.