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Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

Can my computer burn a CD?

If you have a Mac or a Dell GX270/GX280, you can burn a CD.  However, if you have a Compaq iPaq or a Dell GX50, you are not able to burn a CD.  (You can tell what kind of Dell computer you have by looking at the writing around the power button. Also, if it came with a Dell flat panel (LCD) monitor, it’s a GX270 or GX280.)

If you have a laptop and are unsure if it has CD burning capabilities, please contact us.

How do I know if I have received a virus?

The email server has automatic virus protection which removes viruses and suspicious files that are included in email attachments.  In addition, each computer owned by the Eastman School of Music is equipped with antivirus software that is updated on a regular basis.  If you suspect that you have received an email that includes a virus, please delete the email.

Why are we asked to log off and leave the machine on?

Software and virus updates are often scheduled to occur late at night.  Many of these updates require restarting the computer.  If someone is logged on when the computer needs to restart, any unsaved work will be lost.

In addition, logging off prevents anyone else from using your account. Obviously, if the machine is turned off, the scheduled maintenance cannot run. It is, however, safe to turn off the monitor.

Use of public network jacks

For security reasons, our network does not allow any unregistered computer to connect to the Internet. If you have wireless capabilities on your laptop you may register it for use on the wireless network (see below).

Wireless Internet access

If your computer has an Airport or other wireless network card, you can connect to the wireless network from the Internet Café, the Theory Lab (ESM 70), Sibley Library, the Composition Lab, and the Student Computing Lab (ELC 103). You will need to register your laptop's wireless card in order to access the wireless network. To do so, first ensure that it has wireless capabilities, and then bring it to ESM 35 during business hours.

Whom do I call with problems on my home computer?

If you are a student living in the dorm, you can consult the ResNet website or call them at 273-5154. For outside help, we recommend the Jessi Group for Macs and CompUSA or your computer's manufacturer for PCs.

What do you recommend I get for a laptop/desktop at home?

It really depends on what you need. We have been very happy with our Dell purchases for the past three years, and have found their support to be fast and responsible. For basic word processing and email, the packages on Dell’s website or Apple’s homepage work very well. If you are planning to do extensive video/audio editing, more RAM and a bigger hard drive often become necessary. The University’s Computer Sales department often sells products at discounted academic prices.

Laptops and desktops each have their advantages and disadvantages. While laptops are more portable, they are more expensive, and more prone to theft and damage. That said, many students at ESM have found laptops to be invaluable when travelling to auditions or festivals, but the labs at the school are also well equipped.

How much access does your department have to my private files?

The nature of our department requires that we have access to the files and folders stored on the servers under our care. Our staff only access these folders when necessary, and only with permission; their access is used to solve problems and maintain the security of our systems. We do not have access to any passwords or any email within Outlook or Entourage. We can reset a password, but are not able to tell you what it is.

How do I change my Registrar Pin?

We cannot change your Registrar Pin for you. To change it, visit the Registrar’s office in Student Services.

How do I activate my email account?

New students should visit http://www.rochester.edu/its/incoming/ to activate their email account.

Faculty should contact our office during business hours at 274-1160 to make an appointment to set a new password and configure your computer.

Why didn’t my attachment go/come through?

The Exchange server has a list of "dangerous" filename extensions which it will not allow to pass through, such as .exe and .zip. If the sender renames it to something else, like “.exq” or ".zi_" it will go through. The recipient will need to save the attachment to a folder and change the filename back to the original before they can open the file. This will work for both outgoing and incoming messages.

How do I use Outlook Web access?

Please refer to "Using Outlook Web Access 2003" in the Tutorials section of this site.

What is a NetID and how do I use it?

A NetID is the ID used to access the PeopleSoft system, the payroll/HRMS system in use at the University as of 6 July 2004. For students, the password is linked to their @mail account. For more information, see http://www.rochester.edu/its/netid/.

Where can I print?

Public printers are available free of charge in the student lab in the Eastman Living Centre (ELC 103) as well as at the reference desk at the library. Note: The public terminals in the library are not equipped with any word processing software. Printing in the library is therefore limited to web pages and email.

Does the University Support Dial-up Service?

No. At this point, the University has ceased to support a dial-up network.

What happens if I delete a file I need?

If you have deleted an important file that you need restored, call Computing Services at 274-1160 and they will attempt to recover the file for you. Please call as soon as you realize a file may be lost. Backups are only available for the previous four weeks.