Archive for the ‘College computers’ Category

You may experience issues logging into ICIS after the recent upgrade.

If you do get an error such as “The webpage cannot be found – HTTP 404″, this could be related to your browser caching an old link. To resolve this, please clear your browser cache (instructions here). Please close your browser and restart a new browser session. If you still can’t log in, please go via the ICIS Web Pages and click on the Login to ICIS Icon (example attached)

If the core form (using the Java Plugin) hangs when loading, this could be caused by some issue with your local Java Cache. To resolve this, please delete your local java files (instructions here)

If you get a message such as the one in this caption, please look to uninstall the Java Plugin JRE 1.7. As JRE 1.7 is not installed on College Machine’s standard build, you should be able to remove it with your current permissions. If not, please raise this with the Service desk to have it assigned to your desktop support team

If after attempting these, you still experience problems, please raise this with the ICT Service Desk

Why is my laptop being encrypted ?

A recent mandate has been introduced requiring all new Laptops bought through the College to be encrypted.

BitLocker encryption will be used and ensures that if you have your laptop stolen, the data on your laptop remains private and unreadable by third parties.   Encryption keeps your data safe and prevents private information relating to you, your Colleagues or customers, or the important work you do at Imperial College, being stolen and placed into the public domain.

The decision to encrypt all laptops has been made because it is impossible to make a judgement about what information will be stored on a laptop throughout its lifetime.  Encryption is a fairly non-evasive product and so it is prudent to encrypt all laptops.

What OS’s will be encrypted ?

New laptops or recently reinstalled laptops running Windows 7 will be encrypted.

We will also be investigating encryption on other operating systems (OSX, RHEL)

How do I know if my laptop is encrypted ?

If your laptop prompts you for a Start-up Pin, then you C: drive is encrypted.

If you go to My Computer and see the symbol below on your drives, it shows that the drive is encrypted.

Are you encrypting USB keys ?

Not at the present time.

If I copy data to a USB key will I be able to read it at home ?

Yes you can, the laptop hard drive itself is encrypted not the files – if you move the data onto a portable device – it will no longer be encrypted\protected.

Why I am being asked for a Start-up Pin ?

A start-up pin\password is required as part of the encryption process.  The Pin by default will be your CID.  You can change it to another pin if you prefer.  It has to be a numeric number between 8and 20 characters in length.

What do I do if I forget my Start-up Pin?

Please contact the Service Desk or visit one of your visit one your local support teams.

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/ict/servicedesk/locationsandopeningtimes

How do I change the Start-up Pin ?

Right Click C:
Manage BitLocker
Reset Pin

If you have any problems, please contact the Service Desk.

What’s a Recovery Password ?

If you forget your Start-up Pin or change the way your machine starts, you will be prompted for a 48 digit recovery password.

You can obtain this by contacting the Service Desk.

On my brand new laptop why do I only have 5.99 GB free?

The laptop is still being encrypted.  When the encryption process is complete, you will be able to use the rest of the space.

Why can’t I write files to my D drive ?

Your D drive is likely to be in an unencrypted state so will have been marked as read-only.  The drive will need to be encrypted before you write files to it.  Please contact the Service Desk to arrange this.

The asset tag, or asset number is a unique number which the majority of computers and many printers have Imperial College which is stored in a database with details about the device.

If you have any problems with a computer, it is recommended that you include the asset tag number to allow the ICT Support team to aid with your query faster.

To find it, it is the 8 digit number, usually starting with 000 on the blue and silver sticker on the main base unit of the computer (which will say Property of Imperial College London, have a bar-code, and the Service Desk phone number on), or if you click Start->My Info, it is in the list of information that appears along with your IP address and computer name.

If you need to register Red Hat systems for updates please follow this link for instructions http://bit.ly/fGP0Jl

ICIS, an application running on Oracle’s proprietary code, uses a piece of software called ‘Java Runtime Environment’ (known as JRE) and in order to ensure we are protected from the latest security vulnerability against this plugin, all computers in College need to be running a recent version of JRE, which is known as 1.6 u31 (or 1.6.0_31) on College Build, or higher versions of JRE 1.6

The plugin should be automatically installed on all computers that are used for ICIS , so if you do have any errors or problems accessing ICIS, we suggest you have a quick look through this guide, complete with many FAQs.

Java Runtime Environment Upgrade FAQ

What version do I have?

You can also check the version of JRE installed on your computer by going to http://javatester.org/version.html – if it is less that 1.6.0_31 then your JRE will need to be upgraded by your local ICT support team.  

Why is one of the ICIS window saying I should install 1.6.0_27?

We cannot set the version on the ICIS server to be higher until we have our college desktops/laptops upgraded first, or you will not be able to run ICIS Professional Forms at all. Once this is done, we will be able to push a higher version from the ICIS server side too.

Problems?

If you have any problems with your JRE install, you can report them directly to the service desk

Using your own laptop:

We have a vast network across all of our campuses, the wireless network covers all of the South Kensington campus and most of those at the medical sites.  Connecting to the wireless network is a quick and easy way to use your own laptop.

Using College computers:

If you want to use a College desktop computer, there are plenty available across the campus.  The Central Library at South Kensington has plenty of ‘Public Cluster PCs’ where anyone with an Imperial College username can logon and make use of.  All of these computers have the standard, commonly used software and printing facilities already installed.

You will also find many Public PCs in your department where you’ll find software and applications installed that are tailored to your department.  The exact services available vary from department to department – for more details you should contact your tutor.