“File name is too long” error

We’ve had a couple of recent calls where people haven’t been able to open, delete or rename a file because of the above error.

In fact, this one pretty much does what it says on the tin. It’s not the file name on its own, but the path it’s attached to which causes the problem.

Basically, Windows can only resolve path/file names which are less than 256 characters, and any time you refer to a file, Windows checks the full path – so if you’re working on a share at \\campus\pss\directorate\TeamSecure\Admin\Holidays\Rota.xls, this is how Windows sees it. If the total number of characters in this path exceeds 256, it will return an error.

There is a way around it – you can map a drive a long way down the path. So, in the example above, you could map drive T: to \\campus\pss\directorate\TeamSecure\Admin\Holidays and it will then open the file without a problem. However, on the new desktop you won’t be using mapped drives (network locations are the way forward!) so that’s not really the answer.

Frankly, the only real solution to this is to shorten your file and folder names. Windows isn’t really designed to cope with lengthy sentences as folders, so try and keep them descriptive but brief. If you rename your folders in this way, this problem should disappear!

How to setup Pull Printing in King’s Gate

As most will be away from work for a long weekend, just a timely reminder on how to setup the pull printing service in King’s Gate, this will need to be setup for all new starters or if you find yourself having problems printing or in possession of new smartcard.

Browse to the following website (or click the link)

http://kgbprint.ncl.ac.uk/safecom/webuser.dll/login

Here you will need to click setup, then the Generate New PUK button.
(if you already have 3 cards listed then you need to click the cross under delete to delete them)
Once you have your PUK code, you need to make a note of this.
Find your nearest Black and White printer (it must be the B&W one) swipe your card on the attached black box and it will then ask you to enter your PUK code.
Enter your code, if successful, it will ask you to enter a Pin Code. This will not be needed again so for easiness just use 1234 and then it will ask you to confirm, at this point re-enter 1234. Job Done.

The printers you should be using in King’s Gate are;

\\pssprint01\PSS_Colour_Printing – for colour
\\pssprint01\PSS_Mono_Printing   – for black and white

*NOTE – the colour printer defaults to black and white, so you need to change the settings in the properties of the printer for it to print in colour.

For letterhead issues add the following black and white printer \\pssprint03\xerox_mono_test_q1

 

Feliz Páscoa

Happy Easter from the Desktop Support Team, make sure you enjoy the long weekend and relax in this beautiful weather, whether it be football or farms hope you have a good one! I certainly will as I’ll be off to Portugal doing my duty supporting Newcastle United! Howay The Lads!

IMPORTANT: Before you leave on Thursday afternoon, turn your PC off properly by clicking on the start button, then the small little arrow and select the shutdown option. Not only will this write your profile back to the server correctly but will also allow your PC to install the latest updates and rest over the Easter break. Switch your monitor off too!

A few of the ELITE members of the team will be in the Crows Nest from 5pm, feel free to pop in and say hello! (Rumor has it flash your staff card and you get 10% off the round!)

Enjoy the break.

We have no Kanov in ISS

Its been snowing for months, Newcastle Utd have been to both Russia & the Ukraine recently but still, we have no one in ISS with the name of Kanov.

 We will NEVER ask you to click a link to verify your details, enter a password or submit any personal details ANYWHERE via an email.

We also have no servers in Romania & don’t use any hosting sites such as UCOZ.org. A FAKE email will often ask you to click a link, if you hover your mouse over the link it will tell you the destination address.
Below is an example of an address and the page it would link you too;

That look legit to you!?

Just a reminder to be aware of spam emails, asking you anything from your outlook mailbox being full, bank details or even a rich deceased doctor wanting to give you his millions! (Ask him to send a blank cheque, don’t give him your bank details)

Be careful though they are becoming very creative and alot harder to spot, feel free to reply to this post with the most creative spam mail you’ve recieved! (copy & paste the content into the comments box, dont send us it!)

Have a great day!

Desktop Support HQ

Welcome To Desktop Support Head Quarters

A rare behind the scenes shot of where we call home. Your PC’s don’t come direct from the back of a lorry, they come here first, with lines of monitors just sitting, waiting, to be hooked up to a new machine that will be configured with the PSS managed desktop.   Here we also install any extra requested licensed software & configurations until it is ready to grace your desk with its presence. They do prefer a clean desk to sit on – so this is a great opportunity to give your desks a good clean*, not only that but under your desk too, is it not time you took your shoe collection home!?**

* Hankies not provided
** Not everyone keeps all their shoes under the desk, but the ones who do, you know who you are 😉

Careers Upgrade

We have completed the upgrade of the IT systems within the Univeristy Careers Department, Located on the First Floor of the Kings Gate Building.

This was a 2 stage process carried out in December 2012 and March 2013, and consisted of replacing 42 machines within the Careers Department. This allowed us to make sure that all Careers staff were running similar Spec machines.

 

Accommodation Rollout

We have recently completed the upgrade of the IT systems within the University Accommodation Services.
70 machines were upgraded across the 12 sites listed below.

Windsor Terrace
Bowsden Court
Castle Leazes
Grand Hotel
Leazes Parade
Leazes Terrace
Richardson Road
St Mary’s College
Easton Flats
Kings Road Centre
Henderson Hall
Courtyard

The accommodation team based in Kings Gate were completed early this year along with the BCM project.