Monitor installs, configs - via audio & video methods, etc?

[davegmail]

Monitor installs, configs - via audio & video methods, etc?

So far, I think these concepts would help.

Best methods to capture PC sessions possibly with keystrokes - to provide a basis for training & documentation. These include installation, configuration, general program operation, system maintenance - some of the needs.

I can think of several methods but they involve some drawbacks when recording.

Key Topics include:

1. Audio & Video - screen capture programs such as CamStudio, SnagIt, Camtasia, etc. These can slow installing PC performance which may be very slow to begin with ( *.tmp files, non-defragged hard drives, too many processes, etc) Lengthy sessions can consume huge file sizes and not be easily recorded resulting in multi MB or GB files. No keystrokes are actually captured, just their images.

Also, recording rebooting sequence & reconfiguring BIOS settings are hard to record without a video camera.

2. Keystroke & mouse cursor capture - this would need simultaneous capture with audio & video to provide context of what commands correspond to video images & audio commentary.

3. If remote support is involved - voice recording of remote support person with keystroke & mouse capture.

A printed record of images, keystrokes, narration for a training manual is necessary.

4. Hardware interfaces - perhaps dual screen use - won't work on many system because only one monitor output available except many notebook PC's.

5. Ideally something very portable - such as several notebook PC's acting as recorders of each of the PC's on a network for capturing video, audio & keystrokes. Or camcorders with hard drives or many hours of storage capacity, not tapes which can get lost.

Fast immediate random playback on a portable PC that can also burn DVD's with minimal editing time is excellent.

6. Other gear: perhaps microphones, video splitters, a quick setup LANDesk type product, preferably hardware - for remote access in the local network.

7. A specific shopping list of these items with cost estimates would help, with training materials, setup - training - maintenance costs. Also, web sites - URL's.

8. These will enable grants & proposals for business plans possible.

9. Should I post this elsewhere?

Any comments greatly appreciated. Dave Y.

 

[Nelviticus]

As far as I can see, apart from "Should I post this elsewhere?" you haven't actually asked a question. What is it that you need help with?

Nelviticus

 

[Wadoki]

Nelviticus, hit it on the head, Confusing subject and post, what do you want, a way to spy on your users, or just on person?

 

[davegmail]

MY QUESTION IS: What do you folks think of the best ways to do this. I already explained this to 3 other people verbally & they got it immediately. Dave

 

[LawnBoy]

AND MY ANSWER IS: What's this got to do with PC Hardware?


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[davegmail]

So you can save info when you diagnose problems, installs, configurations - I just got through with 3 computers on a peer-to-peer network that had extensive problems with the TCP/IP stack, BIOS settings changes, ping problems, etc. Also the vertical market software had very peculiar settings. I wanted the easiest way to capture & save this info.

All this happened on a PC!! So I wanted to capture it from the PC!!

 

[LawnBoy]

I think you're kidding yourself if you think that video archiving your troubleshooting process is going to be much of a useable resource. You're much better off grabbing screenshots and meticulously documenting your work. I've had decent results just taking a digital picture with my camera for BIOS screenshots (KVM over IP is the ultimate for this).

PrintScreen will grab your entire video display and stuff it onto the clipboard, where it can be pasted into your favorite word processor. ALT-PrintScreen will grab only the active window.



"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[davegmail]

Lawnboy - thanks, I've used all those techniques. Maybe this is impossible. I still think a moderately straightforward, direct connections to audio (audio output) and video (RGB) output via adapters then connected to a recording laptop could be very helpful, especially for training new staff who might have basic A+ & Networking skill sets but need more diagnostic and troubleshooting skills:

Example - small peer-to-peer network with slow performance on PC's, limited connectivity - Internet only, problem wireless router, some PC's can't print anymore, PC's can't ping each other.

Problems resolved included cleaning up *.tmp files, doing Windows Updates, defragging hard drives, upgrading RAM to 1GB, checking BIOS settings, monitoring network traffic and checking error logs, rebuilding the TCP/IP stack, testing if some NIC's were bad, by-passing the Wireless Router using a Switch, replacing the Router, reconfiguring the Router, re-programming the Printer's TCP/IP settings.

Also, explained answers to non-technical physician & office staff, then providing interim connectivity to Host PC via Remote Desktop, later the Host PC ("server") will be upgraded to new version of vertical office management medical software providing final fix for connectivity to database. Some of this was directed by Microsoft Tech Support, some by Router mfr, some by vertical software mfr.

Since 3 PC's were involved, it would be great if an automated recording method with good screen resolution and extended recording time be possible as well as recording voice comments from support people.

Thanks everybody. Dave