ITG Laptop & Multimedia Equipment Checkout Questions
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Q: Where can I check-out a laptop or other Multimedia Equipment?
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A: We currently have three locations which provide laptop & multimedia equipment checkout services:
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- East Union Lab, 3rd floor East Union (laptop checkout) 472-8014
- Henzlik Lab in the Instructional Design Center, Henzlik Hall (laptop and multimedia equipment checkout) 472-5971
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Q: How do I checkout a laptop or multimedia equipment?
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A: Currently enrolled UNL students only...Proceed to the laptop or multimedia checkout station, then:
- Provide two forms of Govt picture ID (one MUST be a valid NCard)
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Sign and initial all paperwork
- Return all equipment by the due date and time to avoid significant late fees
- That's it!
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Q: How much does it cost? |
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A: $0.00. This is a free service provided to currently enrolled UNL students who pay the student technology fee. However, if the laptop is turned in late, late fees will apply. They are a strict $21 for every 24-hours that the laptop or multimedia equipment is late.
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Q: What are the rules? |
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A: There are a variety of rules which apply when checking out a laptop computer.
- Make sure you read the sign-out agreement form carefully before signing and initialing it!
- You are responsible for the full replacement value of any equipment that is stolen, damaged or lost while it is checked out to you.
- You must return the
laptop by the due date and time stated on the receipt that you sign and initial. A strict $21 per day late fee applies for all equipment.
- Laptops or multimedia equipment not returned in a timely manner
as described in the sign-out agreement form will result in hefty late fees, a hold on your registration, notification of law enforcement authorities, etc.
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Q: What are the late fees?
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A: $21 for every 24-hours past the due date/time that the laptop or other multimedia equipment is not turned in.
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Q: What if I have a technical problem?
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A: Ask the on-duty lab consultant or:
- Call the checkout station at:
- Union = 472-1040
- East Union = 472-8014
- Henzlik = 472-5971
- Call the Labs Manager at 472-5268
- Call the Asst. Labs Manager at 472-5879
- Fill out and send in a Labs Problem Report
- Call the Help Desk at 472-3970
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Q: Where can I use the wireless networking capabilities on City Campus and East Campus?
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A: Networking provides maps to all of the accessible wireless access points on both City Campus and East Campus.
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Q: What if I want to use the laptop in a location without wireless networking?
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A: You will only need wireless networking if you plan on doing e-mail, Internet browsing or any other network related activity. Most UNL buildings now have wireless networking in them. Normal word processing does not require network
connectivity. But let's say you are too far away to receive signals from a wireless hub. You can still plug an Ethernet cord into the laptop and a live dataport on the wall for "wired networking". Here are the steps:
- You
will first turn off the laptop computer
- Connect the network cable between the network port on the computer and a live dataport on the wall
- Restart the computer.
If you have any problems with this procedure, see the question above for phone numbers to call to get help.
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Software Questions
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Q: What is a personal firewall and do I need one?
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A: A personal firewall is software that protects your computer from attacks or hacking attempts over a network. Many
operating systems (such as Windows XP, Windows 98, etc.) have security holes that can be exploited over a network. A firewall
can close those holes and make your computer invisible to most outside intruders. You definitely need this. One of the most
popular personal firewall is called ZoneAlarm. A free version of this software is available at www.zonelabs.com.
There are others, available too. Keep in mind that any firewall is better than nothing!
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Q: Why is auto-updating so important?
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A: There are at least two things that you should set to auto-update (on a weekly or daily basis) on your computer. Your Antivirus software and
your operating system (Windows XP, Windows 2000, etc). By setting these two things to auto-update, you are protecting yourself against 95% of the
viruses, worms and hacking problems that occur on a daily basis. The bottom line, if you don't have these two things set to
auto-update, you will get hacked or get a virus. It's just a matter of time.
Don't forget to regularly update other software. Programs like Microsoft Office are quite vulnerable to the same problems above. But you can protect
yourself by frequently updating this type of software.
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Q: Why does your security software require me to restart Windows computers periodically?
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A: We are using a security software program on labs PCs called DeepFreeze. Essentially, with this program you can modify any part of the computer's software that you want,
but once the computer is restarted it reverts back to our default settings. We suggest a restart before each use of a labs computer so that you know that you are
getting a "fresh" machine that has not been affected by previous user changes.
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Q: How do I edit PDF documents?
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A: All of our lab computers can read PDF documents with Adobe Acrobat Reader. However, to edit or make changes to a PDF document, you need to go to a lab that
has the full version of Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Illustrator. Click HERE to search for the nearest location with the software mentioned above.
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Q: What is a computer virus and how can I protect myself?
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A: A computer virus is a self-replicating program containing code that explicitly copies itself and that can "infect" other programs by modifying them or their environment
such that a call to an infected program implies a call to a possibly evolved copy of the virus. This can occur over the network or with floppy, Zip or compact disks. To
protect yourself, invest in a good anti-virus (AV) program for your personal computer, and keep the virus definitions updated regularly. Never execute (open) e-mail
attachments unless you have an AV program capable of scanning it first. Be careful about what you download from the Internet. Always scan with an AV program before
executing! Be careful about using other people's disks in your computer. All lab computers have current AV programs running on them. If you need help running this
program to see if you have a virus, just ask an on-duty consultant for help or call the Help Desk at 472-3970. You can also visit antivirus.unl.edu.
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Q: What do I do if I have a computer virus?
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A: We want to know if you have a computer virus so that we can prevent future infections. If you have a virus, please call the Help Desk at
472-3970. They will give you further instructions on how to disinfect. You may be requested to bring your disk to the Help Desk for further
identification and classification. All lab computers have an anti-virus program on them which is capable of disinfecting most types of viruses.
In certain rare instances, a virus may destroy your work. Talk with a lab consultant or the Help Desk (472-3970) for help during these instances.
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Hardware Questions
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Q: What do I do if I discover a hardware problem in an ITG computer lab?
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Q: What do I do if my disk gets stuck in a computer?
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A: During normal hours (8am - 5pm, M-F), you can call the Labs Storeroom (472-5220), and we will dispatch a technician to remove your disk for you. If it is after hours, please fill out and send in a Labs Problem Report. As soon as the next technician is on duty, they will proceed to the machine and remove your disk and hold it for you until you can retrieve it.
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Q: What do I do if the labs printer I am using doesn't work properly?
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A: Sometimes a labs printer may need paper or toner replacement or a software adjustment. If there is no consultant on duty, simply call Labs Storeroom (472-5220) to request this service.
Also, you can send in a Labs Problem Report page or call the Help Desk at 472-3970 for additional help.
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General Questions
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Q: What do I do if I have a problem with my campus e-mail account (bigred, unlserve, Notes, etc)?
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A: If there is a consultant on duty, please take your problem to them first. Otherwise, you can call the Help Desk at 472-3970. Lastly, you can send in a Labs Problem Report to make us aware of your difficulty.
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Q: How do I get a job in the labs?
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A: You can proceed to our Labs Employment web Page.
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Q: How can I recommend improvements in the labs?
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Q: Why won't the computer labs replace my CD or DVD when a computer lab machine damages the media?
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A: Because there is no way to prove that it was the lab computer's fault. DVD-R, CD-R and CD-RW media are frequently shipped with minor flaws that render them useless.
Also, there is a certain level of technical skill involved in burning CD-Rs and CD-RWs that, if not done correctly, will also render the media useless. For this reason,
using lab computers with your external media is done entirely at your own risk. ITG will not replace any external media used in any lab machine.
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Q: Who can I call to find out if my application has been received?
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A: We will review all applications and call those individuals who meet our requirements and can work the hours we have available. Please do not
call regarding your application status. If you do not get a call from us, that means that your available hours to work do not match our current vacancies.
We will keep your application on file for future reference.
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