Computer policy and specifications for NGCSU Residence Halls

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Computer policy and specifications for NGCSU Residence Halls


I.		Resident Hall Computer Usage Policy
II.		Recommended Hardware & Software Specifications
III.		Configuring Your Windows 2000 PC for Internet Access
IV.		Configuring Your Windows XP PC for Internet Access
V.		Troubleshooting Windows Installations
VI.		Configuring Your Macintosh for Internet Access



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I. Resident Hall Computer Usage Policy

	Every room in the NGCSU residence halls has been wired for Internet access. Students who bring their personal computers to school have the capability to connect to the Internet from their residence hall room. Students wishing to utilize NGCSU residence hall data ports must abide by the following policy. Any breech of the conditions below will be sufficient grounds for the suspension and/or termination of service.

	1.	Information & Instructional Technology will provide and maintain one "live" connection to the Internet via a RJ45 LAN port for every student in each dorm room.
	2.	Students are responsible for providing computers that meet Information & Instructional Technology's required specifications (see section II).
	3.	Students are responsible for installing and configuring their computers. Students can receive assistance from the Computer Hub located in Newton Oakes Center, room 108 by calling 706-867-2828.
	4.	Information & Instructional Technology will provide each student with a handbook, upon request, that contains the information students will need to configure their computers for the Ethernet network. This handbook contains a detailed set of instructions for configuring the network adapter settings in Windows 2000/XP and Macintosh OS, and adding the TCP/IP protocol.
	5.	Information & Instructional Technology only provides support for the campus supported NIMS e-mail system.
	6.	Information & Instructional Technology will provide phone support first, but hands-on support is also available at no charge at the Computer Hub. If the hardware and/or software on the computer are determined to be the problem, the replacement of thesese parts are still the responsibiltiy of the student.

	Students will be responsible for abiding to the North Georgia College & State University Computer and Network Usage Policy www.ngcsu.edu/adminsrv/infotech/contents.htm

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II. Recomended Hardware & Software Specifications

Students who wish to connect to the Internet from their residence hall should bring computers that meet certain specifications. The Department of Information & Instructional Technology will ensure that the computer port in the student's room is functional. It is essential that the computer be configured according to the specifications shown below. Computers that do not meet the required specifications or that are not appropriately configured may not function properly when connected. Should a computer not function properly, students may contact the Computer Hub at 867-2828.

Although students are not required to bring computers to the campus, the following chart shows what you will need if you decide to bring one. Deviation from these specifications in terms of larger hard drives and monitors and/or newer versions of operating systems, etc. are allowed and encouraged. Any computer store can configure your computer so that it meets these specifications. For information about computer purchases and educational discounts, go to: http://www.ngcsu.edu/thehub/comprec.shtml.

Required for PCs	Required for Macintosh
Windows 2000/XP operating system with CDs 10/100 PCI Ethernet card (or Ethernet 10/100 PC card for laptops) with RJ45 port 10' RJ45 to RJ45 Ethernet cable	Operating system 9.2/10.3/10.4 with CDs Built-in 10/100 Ethernet card with RJ45 port 10' RJ45 to RJ45 Ethernet cable
Recomended for PCs (minimum)	Recommended for Macintosh
1.2 GHz Intel or AMD chipset 512 MB RAM 10 GB Hard Drive USB drive Video card Mozilla Firefox Internet browser (www.mozilla.com) CD-ROM drive Sound card with speakers	Power PC G4 processor (minimum) 512 MB RAM 10 GB hard drive Internet browser of your choice

III. Configuring Your Windows 2000 PC for Internet Access

	Step 1: Install Ethernet Card

	To allow your computer to talk to the campus network via ethernet, you need to purchase and install an ethernet card. The card can be purchased at many computer vendors in the area and from our campus bookstore. The ethernet card must support 10baseT ethernet, also known as Twisted Pair ethernet, using a RJ-45 connector. If you do not feel comfortable installing the card, you may take the computer to the Computer Hub in NOC 108 and have it installed. If you have installed the card and are having problems with it, you should contact the Computer Hub. Also, you will need a 10baseT ethernet cable with a RJ-45 connector to connect your card to the wall jack. A phone cable will not work; the cable must be an ethernet cable. The end of the cable looks very similar to a phone jack, but slightly wider (ethernet cable has 8 pins, phone cable has four). The cable can be purchased at many locations, including the campus bookstore. It is recommended that you purchase at least 10 feet of cable to allow yourself some flexibility in computer placement. The successful completion of Step 2 requires that the ethernet card be installed and configured properly as described in Step 1. The step-by-step procedures and graphics in Step 2 assume that Step 1 has been done correctly.

	Step 2: Configure Network Conrol Panel

		1.	Turn on the computer.
		2.	After your computer boots up, click on the Start button.
		3.	Point to Settings.
		4.	Click on Control Panel.
		5.	In the Control Panel, double click on the Network and Dialup Connections icon inside the Control Panel window. Then double click Local Area Connection. This should bring up the screen to the left. (Note: You may or may not receive the following message: "Your network is not complete. Do you want to continue? Yes/No". If you do receive this message, click Yes). Click Properties.
		6.	Your ethernet card should be shown under Connect Using. If not, select your ethernet card under the pull down menu.
		7.	In the large white box, you'll need to uncheck all the boxes, except for Client for Microsoft Networks [and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), if available]. Note: If you already have Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) installed, then skip steps 8 and 9. If TCP/IP is NOT installed, proceed with step 8.
		8.	Click on Install, then choose Protocol, and click on Add. Choose Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
		9.	Click on OK. This will install the TCP/IP drivers. If you receive a message to insert a Windows 2000 disk or CD, you must do this in order for the TCP/IP drivers to be installed.
		10.	Now, click on OK and follow Steps 2 - 5 to take you back to the Network Properties. Double-click on the Internet Protocol TCP/IP option (in the white box). This will display the window shown to the left.
		11.	The circle (radio button) next to Obtain an IP address automatically should already be selected. Click OK.
		12.	Click OK to close Local Area Connection Properties. Also, close Local Area Connection Status and Network Properties. If asked to reboot the computer, click Yes.
		Now you should be able to acess the Internet from your browser.

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IV. Configuring Your Windows XP PC for Internet Access

	Step 1: Install Ethernet Card

	To allow your computer to talk to the campus network via ethernet, you need to purchase and install an ethernet card. The card can be purchased at many computer vendors in the area and from our campus bookstore. The ethernet card must support 10baseT ethernet, also known as Twisted Pair ethernet, using a RJ-45 connector. If you do not feel comfortable installing the card, you may take the computer to the Computer Hub in NOC 108 and have it installed. If you have installed the card and are having problems with it, you should contact the Computer Hub. Also, you will need a 10baseT ethernet cable with a RJ-45 connector to connect your card to the wall jack. A phone cable will not work; the cable must be an ethernet cable. The end of the cable looks very similar to a phone jack, but slightly wider (ethernet cable has 8 pins, phone cable has four). The cable can be purchased at many locations, including the campus bookstore. It is recommended that you purchase at least 10 feet of cable to allow yourself some flexibility in computer placement. The successful completion of Step 2 requires that the ethernet card be installed and configured properly as described in Step 1. The step-by-step procedures and graphics in Step 2 assume that Step 1 has been done correctly.

	Step 2: Configure Network Control Panel

	Fig. 2.1	1.	Turn on the computer.
		2.	After your computer boots up, click on the Start button.
		3.	Choose Settings, then Network Connections and Local Area Connection.
		4.	Click the Properties button shown in Figure 2.1.
	Fig. 2.2	5.	If your were successful with step 1 your NIC (Network Interface Card) should be displayed in the Connect Using field in Figure 2.2.
		6.	Your computer may have items installed that aren't necessary to operate on the campus network. In Figure 2.2 under "This connection uses the following items" section, uncheck all boxes except for Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
		7.	If the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is not visible, you will have to add the protocol to your configuration. If you already have TCP/IP installed, go to step 12. If you need to install TCP/IP continue with step 8.
		8.	Click on the Install button in Figure 2.2
	Fig. 2.3	9.	You should see a screen similar to Figure 2.39. You should see a screen similar to Figure 2.3
		10.	Choose Protocol and click Add.
		11.	From the list choose Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click OK.
	Fig. 2.4	12.	You should see a screen similar to that in Figure 2.4. Choose TCP/IP then click Properties.
	Fig. 2.5	13.	After clicking on Properties, you are presented with a screen like that in Figure 2.5 on the following page. Make sure that both options shown are set to obtain automatically and click OK.
		14.	From the list choose Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click OK.
		15.	Click OK to close Local area connection properties. If asked to reboot the computer, click Yes.
		16.	Close Local Area Connection Status box as shown in Figure 2.1.
		Now you should be able to access the Internet from your browser.


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V. Troubleshooting Windows Installation

If you are still not able to get to the network and you are a Windows user, do the following:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.	Click on the START menu. Go to SETTINGS. Click on CONTROL PANEL. Double-click on the SYSTEM icon. Click on the HARDWARE tab. Click on the DEVICE MANAGER button. Double-click on NETWORK ADAPTERS. You should see your ethernet card listed. If your card has one of the following items to the left of it, you need to fix it by doing the following: a). RED X to the left of your ethernet card: Double-click on your ethernet card and then click once on the box next to "Disable in the hardware profile" to remove the check mark. Click on OK. Then click on OK to close the System Properties box. You will be asked to restart your computer and you need to at this time. b). YELLOW EXCLAMATION MARK to the left of your ethernet card: Double-click with on your ethernet card and then click on the DRIVER tab. Click on the UPDATE DRIVER button at the bottom right of the window. Just follow the instructions to get the right driver loaded for your ethernet card. If you cannot get the correct driver loaded for your ethernet card and a YELLOW EXCLAMATION MARK keeps appearing, then you need to take your computer to the Computer Hub.

NOTE: If you do not have the drivers for your ethernet card, you can usually download these from the ethernet card vendor's site. (i.e.: A 3Com card driver can be located at http://www.3com.com).

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VI. Configuring Your Macintosh for Internet Access

Step 1: Install Ethernet Card

To allow your computer to talk to the NGCSU campus network, it must talk ethernet. If you have a Macintosh that has a built-in 10Base-T ethernet port with a (RJ-45) connector, all you will need is a 10Base-T ethernet cable with two RJ-45 connectors. If your Macintosh has a built-in ethernet port with an AAUI connector, then you will need to purchase an ethernet twisted-pair transceiver and 10Base-T ethernet cable with two RJ-45 connectors. If your Macintosh does not have any type of built-in ethernet port, then you will need to purchase an ethernet card and 10Base-T ethernet cable with two RJ-45 connectors. If you are unsure as to which type of ethernet port or connector your Macintosh has, you should contact the Computer Hub at 867-2828 to help you determine what hardware you'll need. The type of card you purchase will depend on the type of Macintosh you have and you will need to refer to your computer documentation. Do not assume that the necessary ethernet cable will come with the transceiver or card. Be sure that the cable is at least 10 feet long and that the connectors are RJ-45. A regular phone cord will not work. If you do not feel comfortable installing the card, you may take the computer to the Computer Hub in NOC 108 and have it installed. If you have installed the card and are having problems with it, you should contact the Computer Hub.



Step 2A: Configure Your Macintosh (System 9.2)

1.	Click the Apple Menu. Select Control Panels, then Appletalk.
2.	Select the Ethernet option from the Connect via pop-up menu.
3.	Your current zone should be NGC.
4.	Close the window. Save the settings when prompted.
6.	Click the Apple Menu. Select Control Panels, then TCP/IP.
7.	Select the Edit menu.
8.	Select the User Mode.
9.	Select the Basic and click OK.
10.	Select Ethernet from the Connect via pop-up menu.
11.	Select Using DHCP Server from the Configure pop-up menu.
12.	Close the window. Save the settings when prompted.



Step 2B: Configure your Macintosh (System 10.2 or higher)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.	Click on the Apple Menu. Select System Preferences. Double-click on Network. From the drop-down menu beside "Show," select Built-in Ethernet. Click on the TCP/IP tab. From the drop-down menu beside "Configure," select Using DHCP. Click on Apply Now. Close the window.

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This page last updated on: June 9, 2006 by Carol Huczek