To make the open access computers easier to manage you are not permitted to store files on the hard disk (often called a ‘drive’) of the computer. This prevents the disk from getting too full. In fact you can save files to the hard disk but if the computer is restarted (perhaps accidentally) then your files will be erased. So, you should always work from a floppy disk.

This limitation applies to staff, so that we are not able to store files on these computers that we might wish you use in your coursework. The solution to this problem is the use of so-called ‘network drives’. These are, in effect, computers located elsewhere in the building, whose hard disks can be used to store files and to which you can be given access in order to obtain files that you require (and deposit your work for assessment). When you have connected to such a ‘network drive’, which is called ‘mapping the drive’ you can select it from the ‘save as’ command in any Microsoft application.

1. At the top left of the desktop screen (the screen you see when you first logon) you will see an icon labelled ‘my computer’, using the right-hand mouse button, click on this icon.
2. You will see a list appear with ‘explore’ being one of them, move the mouse pointer to explore and click.
3. Windows Explorer will now appear.

NOTE: Windows Explorer replaces the ‘File Manager’ program that you may have used in Windows 3.1. You should use Explorer to manage your files; renaming, moving, copying and deleting.

4. Click on the ‘Tools’ button on the top row and then select ‘Map Network Drive’.
5. A new box will now appear. At the top of the window are 3 white boxes labelled, Drive, Path & Connect As. You need to type one of the following lines of text into the Path box (both contain the same information):

\\NTS0.pys.BRIS.AC.UK\itclass

6. Leave the ‘Connect As’ box blank.

The box labelled ‘Drive’ has a letter displayed, try to remember it, it may be useful later on. An additional window may appear with boxes for ‘Connect as’ and ‘password’. Type your username into ‘Connect as’ but leave password blank.

7. This box should now disappear leaving ‘Explorer’ still open. In a second or two a new drive should appear on the left hand side of the Explorer window. It should read something like:

itclass on ‘nts0.pys.bris.ac.uk’ (X) [where X is the letter that was displayed in the ‘Drive’ box that you saw a moment ago]

J Congratulations, you have just successfully connected to a network drive!!!

Now you can access the directories (sometimes called folders) and files on this drive. So, still using Explorer:

8. The line ‘itclass on ‘nts0.pys.bris.ac.uk’ (X)’ should have a little ‘+’ icon to the left. Click on the ‘+’

[The ‘+’ tells you that there are folders or directories within this network drive]

9. This will display the first layer of directories: Sci_2 and Sci_3, each of which will have a ‘+’ icon. Click on the ‘+’ icon next to your year. It will show you the next layer of directories, for example there are two directories, ‘ExcelS2’ and ‘WordS2’, within the Sci_2 directory.
10. Click on the directory that you need to open, any files it contains will displayed on the left hand window.
11. Double-click on the file you need. The appropriate application (Word or Excel or Powerpoint) will start and open the file.

? You should now use the File Save command to save the file to your floppy disk, remembering to use a filename the means something to you; I suggest your email username or your surname.

 

 

 The next hurdle is to save your work for assessment.

Because it is currently difficult to print your assignments in rooms E29 & A5, I want you to save the file containing your assignment to a different network drive. Its address is:

\\NTS0.pys.BRIS.AC.UK\assignments

? [Note: you cannot save files to the network drive ‘ITCLASS’ that you have already made, this will allow you only to read files and you now need to be able to write (save) files]

1. Use the same procedure as you used above to connect to this new network drive, choose the right directory for your year and the relevant IT practical.
2. You will then be able to choose this directory from the Save_as command in the File menu in the application that you’re using or alternatively use Explorer to copy the file from your floppy disk to the assignment network drive.

This you can do using Explorer - (just as you did above)

1. At the top left of the desktop screen (the screen you see when you first logon) you will see an icon labelled ‘my computer’, using the right-hand mouse button, click on this icon.
2. You will see a list appear with ‘explore’ being one of them, move the mouse pointer to explore and click.

4. Windows Explorer will now appear.
5. Click on the ‘Tools’ button on the top row and then select ‘Disconnect Network Drive’
6. A box of currently mapped drives will appear. Click on any that you’ve created (\\nts0.pys.bris.ac.uk\itclass and or \\nts0.pys.bris.ac.uk\assignments) and then click on OK.

When you’ve finished with the computer you should log off. Click on Ctrl-Alt & Delete and hit the Enter key and the system will restart.

 NOTE: A copy of this document (network drives.doc) can be found on the network drive:

http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Physiology/ugteach/ugindex/file/netdrive.html