WHERE TO GO FOR HELP WITH
COMPUTER OR TELEPHONE PROBLEMS
Alice Lloyd College's Information Technology (I.T.) Department is staffed by one full-time technology person and several student computer technicians. The following information will guide you in finding help when needed:
Computer Center Location: McGaw Library and Learning Center, 1st Floor (Baum Technology Center)
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (or by appointment)
Support Desk: Ext. 6497 or (606) 368-6497 (Student Computer Technicians)
Manager: Ext. 6087 or (606) 368-6087
COMPUTER FAQs
Why am I not able to connect to the Internet? Network Settings Guide
Why is the Internet so slow at times? ALC has a limited amount of bandwidth which must be shared by all students, faculty, and staff. In order to guarantee bandwidth for administrative offices, computer labs and classrooms, a network device is in place to manage bandwidth. Http, ftp, and most commonly used port are guaranteed a certain amount of bandwidth. Ports known to be bandwidth "hogs" are monitored and rated.
My Internet was working fine, then suddenly stopped working, yet other people in my dorm can still connect. Occasionally, a student port will be turned off if it is discovered to be using excessive amounts of bandwidth. If your Internet suddenly quits working, this could be the case, so you need to call the Computer Center or stop by to find out what you need to do to get back online.
Does my computer have a virus? There are hundreds of known viruses floating around on the Internet. If your computer suddenly begins to act strange, the first thing to do is run a virus scan. If your computer does not have active, up-to-date virus detection software, it is at risk for any number of viruses. If you do not have active software, ALC provides students with a free copy of McAfee Virus Scan software. The disks are available on loan from the Computer Center.
Does ALC's network harbor viruses? No, absolutely not. However, when users take computers, especially laptops, home and connect them to modems via local phone lines, viruses are sometimes brought back to campus where they spread quickly from one computer to another. Keeping your Windows Updates and Virus Scan Software DAT files current on your computer will protect you from most viruses.
Why do I need Windows Updates? Many of the newer viruses are targeted toward security holes left in Microsoft's Windows XP and 2000 operating systems. The Windows Updates are patches that Microsoft releases as soon as a new security hole is discovered. Keeping Windows Updates current will protect you from those types of viruses better than virus detection software. Windows Updates can be set to automatically download and notify you when they are ready to install. Just be sure to let them install as soon as possible
What is Spyware? Most Internet sites you visit will place cookies on your computer in order to make the connection to that website faster in the future. However, some websites install spyware on your computer, usually accompanying a free download of one type or another. Spyware can cripple a computer by running tracking software in the background, changing your Internet settings, etc. ALC recommends Ad-aware spyware detection software to find and delete spyware. It is a free downloadable software. You may download it yourself, or borrow a disk from the Computer Center.
Can I do my class work on my computer in my room and bring it to the lab to print? Yes, but you need to be using compatible software on your personal computer. ALC supports Microsoft Office products only. Office includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher. Microsoft Works and Corel Office (Word Perfect) are not installed on lab or classroom computers. If you use either of the latter software, try to save your documents as Word documents before bringing them to the lab to print. However, we cannot guarantee that our computers will open documents created with any software except Microsoft Office products.
TELEPHONE FAQs
How can I retrieve my voice mail? Voice Mail Setup Guide
Can I check my voice mail from another phone? Yes, you may check it from any phone on campus, and you may check it from off campus by dialing 368-6499 (use area code 606 if the campus is a long-distance call) to connect to the campus voice mail server.
My phone only rings once, then goes to voice mail. Cancel the Cover Code by lifting the handset and entering #3.
My phone calls are being transferred to another extension. Cancel the Call Forwarding by lifting the handset and entering #2.
My voice mail tells me to contact administrator. You voice mailbox is probably locked. This occurs when a password expires, or when you attempt to open the voice mail with an invalid password. Call or stop by the Computer Center. We will need to unlock your mailbox. In order to do this, we need your mailbox extension and your name. Once we unlock it, we will reset the password to 8 which is the default password. You will then need to enter a new password the first time you check your voice mail after it has been unlocked.