Computer Support

The instructions provided on this page are intended for students of Summit Christian Academy and their parents.  All software licenses are the property of Summit Christian Academy and my not be used without permission.

Congrats on getting a new laptop.  The information on this page will help you get it set up and ready for use at Summit Christian Academy.  As a reminder, SCA students may use any laptop that has the Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac operating system.  For more information about school laptop requirements, visit our tech page on this website. https://summit.school/technology/

Windows:

1. When you first open your new Windows laptop, the operating system will ask you a series of questions. It's generally a good idea to accept all defaults.
2. You will be asked to first log in with your Microsoft Account. THIS IS NOT YOUR SCHOOL MICROSOFT ACCOUNT.  Similar to an Apple ID on the iPhone, Microsoft wants to register your device so you can get apps from their App Store.  We recommend parents use their hotmail, live, or outlook.com account for this initial login.  You can create a user account for your student in another step.

PRO TIP: Getting Around the Microsoft Account Requirement

1. Once you have your device up and running, take a moment to remove the "free" software that came preloaded on your computer.  This includes free antivirus software, games, and trial software (including Microsoft Office - we will install the school's office software in another step.)  Don't skip this step.  Get rid of the junk and your computer will run faster.
2. Run all updates. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type "windows updates". Open the link that will "check for updates". Run all possible updates for your device. Once updates have installed, it's a good idea to reboot your Windows computer and repeat step four until there are no more updates available. Your machine will be happier if it has the latest operating system updates.

Windows recently released a version of their operating system called "Microsoft Windows S".  This software does not allow software installations from any source other than the Microsoft App Store.

This "S" designation can and should be removed for Summit student devices.

How to Get Out of S Mode

Apple:

1. When you first open your new Apple MacBook or MacBook Pro laptop, the operating system will ask you a series of questions. It's generally a good idea to accept all defaults.
2. You will be asked to first log in with your Apple account. This is generally the same email and password you use to purchase software from the Apple App store.
3. Parents may opt to create two user accounts on this laptop.  (1) For the parent to use as a system administrator and (2) for the student to use.  This will be helpful if the student changes and forgets his/her password in the future.
4. Run all updates.  Click on the apple logo in the upper left side of your screen and open the App Store... Go to updates, and run all possible updates for your device. Your machine will be happier if it has the latest operating system updates.

Computers allow for multiple user accounts.  It's a good idea for parents to consider having a master account (parent account) and a second user account (student account). This will allow parents to have access to the device if a student forgets a password or needs access to a locked device.

To set up a user account in Windows:

1. Press the Windows start button.
2. In the search tab type "add user"
3. Choose the "Add, edit, or remove other users" option. This will open the system settings window.
4. Under "Other users" choose the plus sign to add someone else to this PC.
5. Windows will prompt you for another Microsoft account login.  SKIP THIS.  Instead choose "I don't have this person's sign-in information".  This will allow us to create a local user account.
6. When asked to create an account, SKIP THIS. Instead choose, "Add user without a Microsoft account."
7. Create a User Name (please use student's first and last name - no nicknames) and password.
8. Complete the security question section.
9. On the same screen "Family & other users" you should see your student's name.  Click on the name and then choose "Change account type"
10. Choose administrator and click okay.

Note:  We ask that your student have administrator access for the first three weeks of school. Parents can change this later if they want to set limits on installation and device use.

Why?  During the first three weeks of school we will do software installation and troubleshooting.  We need admin access to complete these steps.

Computers allow for multiple user accounts.  It's a good idea for parents to consider having a master account (parent account) and a second user account (student account). This will allow parents to have access to the device if a student forgets a password or needs access to a locked device.

To set up a user account in Apple OS:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Choose Users & Groups
3. Unlock the device by clicking on the padlock located at the bottom left of the Users & Groups window. To unlock, enter your device user name and password.
4. Add a user using the "+" plus sign just above the padlock.
5. Under New Account choose Administrator.
6. Enter the student's first and last name (no nicknames)
7. Account name can be first name.
8. Enter password and a good password hint.
9. Click "create user"

In order for SCA Tech support to troubleshoot issues on our network, we require that all student devices have a name that we can quickly identify.

By default, Windows may name your device: LAPTOP-K874L09D (or something random)

Here's how to rename your Windows laptop:

1. Press the Windows key and type "device name"
2. Choose the option that says "View your PC name"
3. Under Device specifications you can see your device name and a button that says "Rename this PC". Click the button.
4. IMPORTANT -- rename your student's device with their FIRSTNAME-LASTNAME (JOHN-BAPTIST, or JANE-SMITH, for example).  Notice the hyphen between the first and last name.
5. You will be prompted to reboot your computer.

In order for SCA Tech support to troubleshoot issues on our network, we require that all student devices have a name that we can quickly identify.

By default, Apple will name your device, however, please follow these steps to give it a proper name.

Here's how to rename your Apple laptop:

1. Open System preferences by clicking on the Apple icon (top left) and choosing system preferences.
2. Locate the blue folder icon called "Sharing".
3. IMPORTANT -- rename your student's device with their FIRSTNAME-LASTNAME (JOHN-BAPTIST, or JANE-SMITH, for example).  Notice the hyphen between the first and last name.
4. Close that screen.
5. Reboot your Apple laptop.

LanSchool is a software used on campus to allow teachers to view student activity, push links, or share screens inside the classroom.

THIS INSTALLATION MUST BE DONE ON CAMPUS.  Students will have the chance to do this with their teacher in class.

Lanschool installation files are now available here: https://summit.school/lanschool/ 

Students may request help from a teacher or school technology assistant for installing this software.

Summit provides enterprise level antivirus software for all students and staff.  Our current service provider is MalwareBytes. WE REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS TO USE OUR AV in order to connect to our network.

Summit's tech team is notified if any student or staff device becomes infected. This allows us to reach out immediately for a quick resolution.

Download the software below and accept all prompts for installation.

Download: MalwareBytes Windows Installer

Download: MalwareBytes Apple Installer

NOTE: If you experience any issues with MalwareBytes email support@summit.school.

Summit Christian Academy is proud to be a Microsoft learning environment. We provide access to the entire suite of Microsoft Office products to our students K-12. Students may use their account to install Office on up to five different devices (laptop, iPhone, iPad, home desktop, etc.).  This provides the ability to work from almost anywhere.

Stuff you should know about Office.

1. Microsoft Office is available online (through a web browser); as a downloadable software (full featured installation); and as mobile apps.  Each of these formats provide various features, but we prefer intermediate and high school students use the FULL DOWNLOAD for maximum performance and features.
2. Tip -- Microsoft Windows also has a set of apps that they provide on their laptops and desktops. We recommend uninstalling these BEFORE running the full installation to avoid confusion. Look specifically for OneNote App and delete it from your laptop. Kill it. Destroy it. It should never exist. We really dislike the app version of OneNote.

To install Microsoft Office on your laptop:

1. Open a web browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and go to portal.office.com.
2. Log into your school Microsoft account using your Summit email address -- firstlast@sca-student.com.  Returning students should know their password. New students will receive their password at school or in an email sent to parents (pending). A common password is an animal name followed by -2022 or the student's specific year of graduation.
3. Once logged in, look for the "install office" button in the upper right side of the screen.
4. Choose the download "office 365 apps" option.
5. Follow the instructions to install the full Office suite.
6. When prompted, log in with your Summit student/staff account email address and password.

Summit has a support team available to assist students and families via email. We can also schedule remote support sessions by request. A remote support session can be a simple phone call or we can share computer screens for basic troubleshooting and instruction.

Reach out to us -- support@summit.school

Summit does not provide hardware support. If you have a problem with your device, please visit the store that you purchased it from, contact the manufacturer, or locate a local computer repair store. Loaner devices are available if you need a temporary solution.

Summit does not provide operating system support beyond basic troubleshooting. If a student device becomes infected due to a virus or malware, we will recommend that you take the device to a computer repair shop for diagnostics and support.  Please encourage your student to use their device for school, and avoid download sites and random software installations.