Computer Support
Frequently Asked Questions
- My USB flash drive is not appearing in “My Computer.” What should I do?
This problem comes from the Novell drive mapping overriding the USB drive.
- Right clink “My Computer“ and select “Manage”
- In the “Computer Management” sidebar, click “Disk Management“
- Right click on the drive letter you want to change. Scroll down If you can’t see the drive letter you want to change.
- Drag down to “Change Drive Letter and Paths...” click “Change Drive Letter and Paths”
- In the “Change Drive Letter or Path” window, click the drop down selection box with the drive letter in it and click the letter you want the drive to be. Do not choose a letter already in use. Check “My Computer” to be sure.
- A warning will pop-up reminding you that changing the drive leter can cause your programs to fail. If you are confident that you want to change the letter, click “Yes.”
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- What do you recommend for new computer systems and hardware?
In general, we recommend Dell computers and Hewlett Packard printers. For more information on recommended products, visit our Computer purchasing recommendations page.
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- What should I do when I receive a new computer?
Please submit an online service request or call 828-2227 so that Technology Services can set up your new computer. This ensures compliance with the School of Medicine’s computer security standards.
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- Where can I find VCU’s official computer and network use policies?
Visit the policies and guidelines page.
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- What virus protection software does VCU provide?
Sophos. You can download Sophos from the VCU Technology Services download page. You will need your eID and password to conduct the download.
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- How do I protect my computer from security threats?
You can protect your computer from security threats if you:
- install Sophos Anti-Virus with all the current virus definitions.
- use a strong password. Strong passwords have at least one capital letter, one number and should be at least eight characters in length.
- make sure that no user account has a blank password.
- disable the Guest account.
- enable your Windows Firewall.
- enable Windows Updates and specify a time when your computer will be on to receive the updates.
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- What function does Novell and the Active Directory serve?
Novell and Active Directory help users by providing a secure connection to data storage.
- Users that are setup on Novell or Active Directory can share data over the network without issues associated with peer to peer networking
- Generally, users have two or more drives mapped on these network clients. They have a home directory, which only they can access for personal data storage. They also have at least one other drive that is shared among members of their department.
- If users store data on their shared drives, then data recovery is a non-issue when their computers are inaccessible.
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- How do I access e-mail through my iPod Touch/iPhone?
- Identify your e-mail server using the VCU E-mail Server Finder
- Make sure you have a strong wireless signal. A strong signal will help alleviate a number of potential issues.*
- On the Home Page, select the “Settings” icon
- Select “Add Accounts”
- Select “Other”
- Enter your information:
- Name
- Address
- Password
- Description
- You then see where you need to enter the server information
- Incoming Mail Server
- Enter the hostname for your mailserver: (e.g. oak.vcu.edu)
- Username (your eID): (vcuguest)
- Password (your eID password): (guest123)
- Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP)
- Hostname: Enter this as the hostname cedar.vcu.edu
- Username (your eID): (vcuguest)
- Password (your eID password): (guest123)
- Your account should be created
- Click on the “Mail” icon
- You should see the status below where it is checking for mail
- *Potential issues
- Weak Wireless Signal can cause problems with IMAP connections. However, you may have to check the settings for the servers as both should be using SSL.
- From the home page, select the “Settings” icon
- Select “Mail” > “Contacts and Calendars”
- Select the account that you just created (most likely named after your e-mail address).
- Scroll down and select “Advanced”
- Scroll down
- SSL should be on
- Authentication should be set to Password
- The Server Port should be 993
- Select your name in the top left corner to go back to the account page
- Select “SMTP” with the outgoing server name in it
- Select the Primary Server which should be: cedar.vcu.edu
- Check
- Make sure SSL is on
- Authentication should be set to Password
- The Server Port should be 465
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- How do I access VCU Wi-Fi through my iPod Touch/iPhone?
- Tap on the “Settings” icon
- Tap on “Wi-Fi”
- The device will scan for networks in the area
- Tap on the “VCU network”
- Tap on the “Home” Button
- Tap on the “Safari” icon
- You should be taken to the VCU Wireless authentication page
- Tap on the login box to zoom in
- Enter your information
- Username (VCU EID)
- Password (VCU Password)
- Tap on “Continue”
- If authentication is successful, you will see a page with a link to your home page or Web site you are trying to access
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- How do I request a Novell or Active Directory account for someone in my department?
Only your Department Administrator can request a Novell or Active Directory account for a user within their department. An account request must be submitted via the online service request or call 828-2227.
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- I need to place an IP Request for a new printer or new computer, what should I do?
Please submit an online service request or call 828-2227. A technician will come to your location and note the pertinent data and submit an IP service request to VCUNet on your behalf. When the IP Address is assigned, the technician will make the necessary configuration changes to the devices.
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- How do I get an extra network connection added to my office.
First, you need to contact your Fiscal Technician/Administrator for approval. Then you will have to fill out VCUNet’s online service request form.
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- Where can I learn about licensing software?
You can obtain site licenses for Microsoft Office products via VCU’s Purchasing Web page. To license other products, contact the software vendor.
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- My SPSS, JMP and SAS licenses will expire soon. How do I renew my software licenses?
Visit VCU Technology Services’ Software Registration and Authorization page. Make sure the “Software” drop down box shows the correct software package renewal and select the number of licenses you need. You will then receive an e-mail with the serial number and authorization code. Follow the instructions in the e-mail to renew your license. Please submit an online service request if you need help.
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- When I open an Internet shortcut on my desktop, the page loads in my current open Internet Explorer window. Can I fix this?
Yes, you can! Complete the following steps:
- Open Internet Explorer, click “Tools” > “Internet Options”
- Click the “Advanced tab”
- Look under “Browsing” and remove the check mark next to “Reuse Windows for Launching Shortcuts.”
- Click “Apply”
- Click “OK”
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