Best Practices

Viewing SeamlessDocs Submission Attachments

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Jeff Feiertag

Did you receive a SeamlessDocs message, indicating you need to approve a form which may have some attachments? Would you like to view those attachments to determine if you should sign?

Receive the e-mail, requesting your signature and click the Sign Document link or button, as directed in the message.
Wait for the browser to load your form.
Click the paper clip (attachments) icon.
Note that the Upload Attachments window appears. It is nearly identical for someone who needs to attach a file as it is for someone who needs to review a file.
Click the link labeled Click Here to View (as opposed to Click Here to Upload). The file will either open in a new tab or download to your default download folder (typically the Downloads folder).

Running the ePCR/Elite Cache Clear

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Jeff Feiertag

EMIHS has made a change to speed up the load time for eMEDS/Elite. (It will also clear out the dashboard. The down-side to that is that, when it runs at 0300 hours each day, it will also clear out the unit and crew. If you run any calls between 0300 and shift change, please re-input your information as needed.)

If your system seems to be running slowly throughout the day and you would like to run this process on your own:

Log out of Elite.
Find and double-click the BrowserClear shortcut on the Windows desktop.
Note the window that appears and click the Clear Cache button.
Click the Yes button if you would like to proceed. (If not, click the No button and close the Clear Cache box you saw before.) You will know the process is complete when the window disappears.

Getting Rid of the News and Entertainment Posts in a New Edge Tab

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Jeff Feiertag

Are you using Edge and finding that, when you start a new tab, you see all kinds of news and entertainment posts? Do you just want a basic search page, instead?

Open Edge.
Click the three dot button at the far right and choose Settings.
Click Start, Home and New Tabs on the left side of the screen.
Find the New Tab section at the bottom of the page.
Find the first item in that section, Customize your new tab page layout and content, and click the corresponding Customize button.
Note that your tab loads with all of the news and such.
Find and click the gear icon at the top-right corner of the page.
Click Focused.

Updating Software Center to Show Most Recent App Availability

Posted on March 21, 2022 by Jeff Feiertag

Are you trying to find something in the Windows Software Center, which you know should be there but is not? Here are directions to update Software Center to show the most current list of available apps.

Close Software Center, if you have it open.
Click the Windows start button (at the bottom-left of your taskbar) and type Control, but do not press the Enter key.
Find Control Panel in the resulting list and click it, in order to open it.
Wait for the Control Panel window to open, and then find the search box at the top-right corner of the window. Click in the search box.
Type Config and you’ll see Configuration Manager appear as an option. Click the Configuration manager link
Wait for the Configuration Manager Dialog box to appear and then switch to the Actions tab.
Find and click Application Deployment Evaluation Cycle in the list and then click the Run Now button, located at the bottom-right of the dialog box. Wait for that process to finish.
Find and click Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle in the list and then click the Run Now button.
Click the OK button and then close the Control Panel.
Re-launch Software Center as desired.

Changing Your Tech Training Password

Posted on February 2, 2022February 2, 2022 by Jeff Feiertag

Can’t remember your tech training password and/or just want to change it? Here are the steps:

Go to the tech training website.
Find and click the Reset Password link, located near the top-right of the screen.
Note the box that appears:
Input your username and click the E-Mail Reset Link button. A message will be sent to the e-mail address on file with your tech training website account. (If that e-mail address is no longer valid, please contact Jeff Feiertag (jeff.feiertag@montgomerycountymd.gov) to update the address.
Find the message in your e-mail account. (If you do not see it, please check your junk/spam folder).
Click the link provided in the e-mail message. This will take you back to the website to show the following box:
Input your username again, followed by the new password of your choice. Please use at least eight characters and the following:
- At least one upper-case letter
- At least one lower-case letter
- At least one number
- At least one special character
Click the Change Password button and verification will be sent to the same e-mail address on file.

Troubleshooting MCtime’s “Failed to Validate Certificate” Error Message

Posted on November 18, 2021November 18, 2021 by Jeff Feiertag

Are you an officer on a county computer and seeing a failed to validate certificate error message like the one below?

Try this fix:

Close your web browser (Internet Explorer or Edge).
Find the Windows flag at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Type Java and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
Click Configure Java from the search results and the Java Control Panel options box will appear.
Change to the Advanced tab at the top of the window.

Scroll down until you see Perform signed code certificate revocation checks on in the list. It is halfway down the list, perhaps more.
Click to select Do not check (not recommended) and click the OK button at the bottom of the screen.
Open a folder on your Windows desktop (File Explorer or other folder) and click the View tab.
Ensure that the Hidden Items checkbox is checked. If it is not, check it.
Navigate to the following location:
C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\LocalLow\Sun\Java\Deployment
Find the file called deployment.properties.
Right-click it and choose Open (or Open With, if that is the option) from the list. You will likely be prompted as to which program should open the file. Choose Notepad and click the OK button. (If you do not see Notepad listed, click the MoreApps link to find Notepad.)
Find the line that reads deployment.security.mixcode=HIDE_RUN and place your cursor after the word RUN.
Press the Enter key to create a blank line.
type the following into the blank line:
deployment.security.revocation.check=NO_CHECK
Do not make any other changes to the file!
Access the File menu and choose Save.
Close the deployment.properties file.
Start your browser and try to access MCtime.

If you are still stuck at that point, please fill out a Technology Service Request and FRS Technology will help you as quickly as we can.

Installing the MFA App on a New iPhone

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Jeff Feiertag

Did you use the county’s app for multi-factor authentication (MFA) and then found it didn’t work when you migrated to a new phone? Here are the directions to get it working again for you.

Note: County Apple redeem codes are tied to your Apple ID, so please do not attempt to install the AccessMCG MFA app on a device with a different Apple ID.

Launch the App Store on your new phone.

Tap the account profile, either a silhouette or your picture in a small circle at the top-right corner of the screen.

Tap Purchased to access a list of apps you have purchased/downloaded.

Scroll to the AccessMCG MFA app in the list and tap the download button to the right of the app name.

Wait for the device to finish downloading and installing the app.

Launch the AccessMCG MFA app on your device.

Going to ePortal (via Quicklinks) and click the My Account button. Log in thereafter and complete the activation.

Choosing Where (and Where Not) to Send Your MFA Code for Office and ePortal

Posted on October 8, 2021October 8, 2021 by Jeff Feiertag

When you go to log into ePortal or Office, are you getting a code for multi-factor authentication (MFA) in too many places? Do you prefer to change where it’s going now?

Go to ePortal (either by direct link or via Quicklinks).

Click the My Account button and log in as directed. (Key in the MFA code you receive.)

Find and click Select Multi-Factor Authentication Options link in the list.

Key in the MFA code that the system sends you.

Check or uncheck boxes to set your preferences as to where you would like to receive MFA codes from the county and click the Save MFA Options button.

Log out of ePortal when you are finished.

Using a Token or Fob for Multi-Factor Authentication

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Jeff Feiertag

Have you opted to use a token or fob for multi-factor authentication? Assuming you already have filled out the tech service request (TSR) and have been notified by your battalion chief that it is ready for you, here are the instructions for use.

Background: A key fob is a small device that is about two inches in length and an inch wide. The device generates a password, which you will use in place of a text to your cell phone or message to your e-mail account for multi-factor authentication in Montgomery County systems. Remember, this key fob is assigned to you and will not work for anyone else’s account. Likewise, secure it and do not lose it, which would defeat the purpose of needing a second login code to keep others out of your accounts.

Use:

Log into ePortal or Office 365. You will be promoted for a code.
Press the white button on the left side of the key fob and note the six-digit code that appears.
Enter the code into your MFA screen to be granted access.
(Note: The code will be good for about 30 seconds before a new code is generated and displayed on the screen.)

Setting up your MCGOV E-Mail Account on Your iPhone

Posted on July 21, 2021July 26, 2021 by Jeff Feiertag

iPhone

Go to Settings and choose Mail.
Click Accounts.
Click Add Account.
Choose Microsoft Exchange and input your e-mail address where indicated.
Add MCGOV as the description and click the Next link (at the top-right corner).
Note that a pop-up will appear, asking if you want to configure manually or sign in directly. Choose Sign In.
Wait for the screen to verify your account and then you will see the MCG login screen.
Change the top line to your username from your email address. Your MCGOV username is your Windows username followed by @montgomerycountymd.gov. (For example, Michael Johnson’s username might be johnsm2@montgomerycountymd.gov.)
Input the MFA security code where prompted, which would have just been sent to you and ensure that the box is checked.
Click the Verify Code button.
Select which facets of Outlook you would like to include (Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders and/or Notes).
Click the Save link at the top-right corner.

MCFRS Tech Training Blog

Tech Training Reference and TechTips