Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What level of support can I expect as an at-home user?

A. ITS is not able to offer hardware maintenance on personally-owned computers. We can offer minimal basic troubleshooting over the phone, but if you purchased your computer from a local store, and/or it is a major brand, we strongly encourage you to deal directly with that dealer or vendor for hardware issues. We can and do offer troubleshooting on software site-licensed for use by UNO-related individuals, namely Lotus Notes and McAfee Anti-virus. We will also attempt to answer questions on Microsoft Office products and various Web browsers.

Q. My computer seems to have become very sluggish in operation. What should I be aware of and what can I do?

A. Your computer normally buzzes along performing thousands of tasks per day with absolutely no problem, just like the vehicle you probably drive. Over time, however, and with each program you add and/or remove, e-mail you open and Web site you visit, you run a risk of ‘contaminating’ your computer with left-behind files, viruses, spyware and pop-up advertising. Computers require a level of preventive maintanance that, while not difficult, is very important in keeping your computing safe and productive. Some of things you need to ensure are:

• You have an effective anti-virus program installed and running at all times, and that the virus definition files are kept up-to-date on a daily basis. ITS offers a McAfee Anti-virus program to you free of charge, for both the PC and the Mac. Visit the ITS Install Server at http://install.unomaha.edu to download the program.
• You have an effective anti-spyware program installed and running. There are many available. We recommend either Microsoft Defender or SpyBOT, both available from the Install Server.
• You have an effective anti-advertising program installed and running. We recommend the Personal Version of AdAware, available from the Install Server.
• We recommend you install a program such as ‘Ccleaner’, a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history.
• If Microsoft Windows is your operating system of choice, it is essential you have the program set to receive and automatically install the operating system updates sent out by Microsoft. If you need assistance in this matter, please give us a call.
• Ensure you have the Windows XP ‘firewall’ turned on.
• Place your computer where the air vents in the case are not blocked and so the cooling fan(s) can perform as it should.
• Clean the dust from the case and fans frequently to help prevent overheating, which can in and of itself cause physical damage to the internal components of the computer. If you feel comfortable doing so, remove one of the side panels every 60-90 days (more often perhaps if you have pets) and clean the interior of the computer with canned air. CAUTION: Be sure the computer is unplugged from the electical outlet before performing this activity.

Q: I can’t connect to the Internet. What should I do?

A: This could be a hardware problem, a software problem or a combination of the two. In most cases, you should first contact your service provider (Cox, Qwest, AOL, etc) for assistance. If the issue is software-related, they should be able to walk you through to a solution. If the issue turns out to be hardware related you will need to confer with technicians at a local computer repair facility, or on the telephone to your equipment vendor’s technical support people. Here is a list of phone numbers of major vendors and Internet service providers.

Q: Where can I find a local computer equipment repair facility?

A: The easiest way is to check the yellow pages of your local telephone book under the category of ‘Computers’, ‘Computer Services’ or ‘Computer Repair.’ If you do have Internet connectivity, you could also check these caterories at http://dex.unomaha.edu. Start with the store from which you bought the equipment.

Q: Do you recommend any one certain place?

A: We can’t really recommend any certain place but we would recommend you choose a well-known shop such as CompUSA, Best Buy, Computer Renaissance or D.I.T. Again, we recommend you start with the store (or vendor, in the case of on-line purchases) from which you purchased the equipment, especially if it is still covered by any sort of warranty. You also might consider checking with friends who have had computer repairs done to see who they would recommend.

Q: Where’s the best place to buy a computer or related electronics equipment?

A: A recent issue of PC World rated online and offline shopping sites. The top two offline sites are Office Depot and Staples; the bottom two are CompUSA and Wal-Mart. The top two for online shoping are NewEgg and TigerDirect; at the bottom are BestBuy, Staples, and CompUSA. For online shopping, results were based on product selection, prices, buying advice, site design, shopping cart, and willingness to recommend other items.