Student Computing Guide

Do I have to own a computer?

The College does not require students to own a computer. There are computers available to students in all residence halls, Carnegie, Osterle Library, the Stadium, and in several departmental labs. Several of the labs are open 24 hours a day. The computers have the most commonly used software applications installed on them.

Do I need to buy a new computer?

No, students can purchase a used computer, or can bring a computer from home. Basic systems will allow a student to access his or her email account and will likely already have word processing capability. If your computer already meets your needs for word processing, spreadsheets, email and World Wide Web access, including graphics, it should work fine for you on campus. These computers may require some upgrades in future years to run newer software and applications. If you would like more information on the requirments please see the Hardware Guidelines page.

What should I buy if I am going to get a new computer?

The College does not recommend any specific brand of Windows machines. However, when students buy new computers, they should keep in mind that their computer needs to last four years. Shop carefully and buy computers with sufficient capability to handle software that may come out in 2-3 years. Check to make sure that the computer comes with a Network Interface Card (NIC). If you would like more information on the requirments please see the Hardware Guidelines page.

Do I need to have a printer?

Printing is available in all residence hall computer labs on campus.

What about laptop computers?

Laptop computers offer the advantage of portability but this should be weighed against the higher cost. The choice is up to the student.

If I own a computer, how do I connect to the College network if I live in the residence halls?

All college Residence Hall rooms are connected to the campus network backbone at speeds up to 100Mb/sec. Each room has a port that allows you to connect your computer to the network.

Will my computer be secure in the residence hall?

In the past, students who have followed common sense safety rules, such as keeping their doors locked at all times, have experienced few security problems. You may want to check with your homeowner's insurance policy (or your parent's policy) as it may provide coverage for your computer.

What happens if my PC breaks down?

North Central College operates a Help Desk with walk-in, email and telephone service to assist students, faculty, and staff with their computer questions. The ITS Help Desk is located in Carnegie Hall. Call 630-637-5440 or send email to helpdesk@noctrl.edu

If your PC problem is of a more serious nature, then ResNet Consultants can be called to fix  problems with connecting to the network. Major problems may be resolved by using Premium ResNet. A fee of $50.00 will be assessed for Premium ResNet service. Examples of Premium ResNet services include virus removal and installing a new hard drive.

Is my computer safe from viruses?

While no computer is completely safe from viruses, you can minimize the risk of your pc being infected. All students must install and use a virus program. North Central offers free anti-virus software called Sophos that is updated automatically, when connected to the network. Computers that send virus laden files are disconnected from the network and not granted network access until the problem is resolved.

Is there a place where I can buy computer software/hardware?

North Central is part of a technology collaborative that offers discounts on Dell, Gateway, IBM and Xerox hardware. For computer software and peripherals North Central is a member of the Associated Colleges of Illinois that offers discounts to Faculty, Staff and Students.  More information about personal computing can be found here.