Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a Mac in this class?
2. Where do I find assignment due dates?
3. Where do I find the quiz due dates?
4. Can I submit and assignment after the due date?
5. What happens if I miss a test?
6. Trying to upload a file to the drop box I get an error message
7. How do I find out why my assignment did not get full credit?
8. When does my quiz get graded?
9. My answer to the question on the Quiz is correct but it is marked as incorrect.
10. Why is my answer marked incorrect?
11. I can't log in.
12. How do I know if an assignment got to the drop box?
13. When I try to connect to the server I get an error saying the page cannot be displayed.
14. Where do I get the data files for the lab assignments?
15. Read-only error loading MS Access or other data files.
16. Can I submit an assignment via e-mail if I have problems with the drop box?
17. My file too large to upload.
18. When I view the web page on the class web site the page shows old information.
19. How to review your test results.

1. Yes, read the details on this page. Using a Mac
    
2. Where do I find the assignment due dates?
   The assignment due dates are listed on the Schedule Page
    
3. Where do I find the Test due dates?
   The information about quiz due dates is located on the Schedule Page.
   Note:You must complete all tests by 11:55 on the last day of the test. If you start a test after 11:00 on the due date you may not have enough time to complete the test.
    
4. Can I submit and assignment after the due date?
   Yes assignments can be submitted after the due date but they may not receive full credit. If you know in advance then contact me. Depending on the reason I may grant an extension. Extensions are only granted if requested before the due date and the reason is due to unusual circumstances. 
    
5. What happens if I miss a Test?
   You will lose the points for the test. If you are having problems you must notify me in advance of the test closing date. Do not wait to the last day to take the test!
    
6. Trying to upload a file to the drop box I get an error message 
   You may get an error message if the file your are trying to upload is either too large, has the incorrect file name. 
   Solution: If the file is too large you may need to remove the graphics and reinsert them in the document. If the file name is not the same as the instructions in the lab manual you will have to rename the file.
    
7. How do I find out why my assignment did not get full credit?
   Go to the My Grades page and then click on the score. This will open a window with details on how your assignment was scored. You can also see if you are able to resubmit the assignment to improve your score. This is only available for uploaded assignments.
     
8. When does my test/quiz get graded?
   Tests/Quizzes are graded within a few days after the closing date. If a test/quiz is open from July 2 to July 12 then you could expect to see it graded by July 15.
    
9. My answer to the question on the Quiz is correct but it is marked as incorrect.
   Computer grading isn't perfect. I review all quizzes to make corrections. Check the question to see if there is an instructor override below the score. The override mark replaces the computer generated score. If there is no override and your are sure your answer is correct send an e-mail to me stating the quiz and question number. I will review the question and take appropriate action.
    
10. Why is my answer marked incorrect? 
    The current version of the program is unforgiving. Here are the 3 most common reasons you answer may be marked as incorrect when it is actually correct. 
    1. An extra space or a dash in an answer 
    2. Misspelled words (this includes spelling a word as singular when plural is expected)
    3. Listing more than one answer in an answer box.
        
11. I can't log in. What am I doing wrong?
    1. Passwords are case sensitive. Be sure to enter you user id and password exactly as you did during the orientation. 
    2. Be careful that you don't add any spaces in the user id or password.
    3. If you haven't access the class web site for over 10 days and you are behind in submitting assignments then you account may become inactive. Send an email to me to reactivate your account.
        
12. How do I know if an assignment got to the drop box?
    If your file is listed in the drop box then you successfully uploaded it and it can be graded.
     
13. When I try to connect to the server I get an error saying the page cannot be displayed.
    There are several reasons for this message including:
    a. Your Internet connection may not be working.
    b. The college district Internet connection may not be working.
    c. The Cuyamaca Internet connection may not be working.
    d. The CIS department Internet connection may not be working.
    • The first thing to try is to access the class web site by using the IP address for the class web site - http://160.227.129.30/draney/ 
    • If that doesn't work then try the Cuyamaca web site at http://160.227.129.48/ 
    • If the two above fail then try the District web site at http://160.227.20.50/ 
    • or all of the above fail then send e-mail to me. If the e-mail service is working then I will reply as soon as I receive your message. 
      My servers which contain instructional materials are almost always up and have only been down during campus power failures which I cannot control. If you can view the college web site and cannot connect to my server it is because of a failure of the network connection to my servers.
       
14. Where do I get the data files for the lab assignments?
    If an assignment requires a file to be downloaded you will be able to get it from the class Download Page.
     
15. Read-only error loading MS Access or other data files.
    The Access files loaded from the CD-ROM will all give the error message "the file is marked as read-only you will not be able to save any changes to this file". The reason is that all files on any CD-ROM are read only because you cannot change the CD-ROM.
    Solution: 1
    1. Start Windows Explorer
    2. Locate the file you need on the CD-ROM
    3. Copy the file to a folder on your hard drive (C:) where you can change the file.
    4. Right click on the file
    5. Click on Properties
    6. Click to uncheck the Read-only check box
    7. Click OK
    8. Double Click to open the file
    Solution 2
    1. Go to the class Download Page and download the file.
        
       
16. Can I submit an assignment via e-mail if I have problems with the drop box?
    No! Assignments will only be accepted via e-mail if specifically requested. Notify me if you are having a problem with the drop box. If an assignment is not in the drop box you will not receive points for it.
    
    
17. My file too large to upload.
    The upload limit prevents users from uploading files which were not created properly.
    
    Below are methods to fix Access files which are too large to upload.
    
Access 2007 Files
Problem: Access does not release all the space used in the tables when editing or deleting tables or queries so files become larger than needed.
Solution: Compact the database.
How to do it:
1. Open the database
2. Click - The Office Button
3. Click - Access Options
4. Click - Currernt Database tab
5. Click - Compact on Close
6. Close the database and upload the file

This can reduce your Access Database by as much as 50%.

18. When I view the web page on the class web site the page shows old information.
    Internet Explorer has several settings which control the way web pages are displayed. If your web browser isn't set correctly then you may be viewing old versions of a web page. To see the current version of all web pages you need to change the settings.
    How to do it:
    1. Start Internet Explorer
    2. Click - Tools
    3. Click - Internet Options
    4. Click - Click the General tab
    5. Click - Click Settings in the Temporary Internet Files section
    6. Click - Click "Every visit to the page" option
    or
    View the Video
     
19. How to review your test results.
    Tests can be reviewed on this site via the link in the Test Center