Flash drives in the computer lab

Here's some updated information on using flash drives in the lab. Today we installed lighted green USB extension cables on all the lab computers. (The coolness factor is very high.) Patrons may use flash drives on the lab computers only. The security settings on the public Internet computers prevent the drives from being used with them.

Do not use patrons’ flash drives on the computers at the Information Desks as that would be a security risk to the library’s computer network.

Flash drives should be plugged into the lighted green USB extension cable.
The drive only goes in one way. Don’t force it. If it doesn’t go in easily, it may be upside down.

Flash drives must be scanned for viruses before using!

On the Dells, go to the Start menu and select My Computer. The drive icon will appear there, labeled Removable Disk F. Right-click on the icon and select Scan for Viruses.

On the Macs, go to the Items for Mac _ window and open Norton Antivirus. Click once on the disk icon, the click the Scan/Repair button.

After scanning for viruses:
To access the drive, go to the Start menu and select My Computer. The drive icon will appear there, labeled Removable Disk F. Double-click on it to open it.

On the Macs, the drive icon will appear on the desktop. Double-click on it to open it.

To eject the flash drive:
On the Dells, return to the My Computer window. Right-click on the drive’s icon and select Eject from the menu. After the icon disappears, disconnect the drive.

On the Macs, click once on the drive’s icon on the desktop. Go to the Special menu and select Eject. A message will appear that tells you it’s safe to disconnect the drive.