|
Frequently Asked Questions
About Student Computer Ownership
Do I have to own a computer?
The College does not require students to own a computer. There
are computers available to students in some residence halls, in
Carnegie, in Osterle Library, in the Stadium, and in several departmental
labs. About 83 percent of the students living in residence halls
own a computer.
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 system 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.
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 computers need 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).
Do I need to have a printer?
Printing is available in those residence halls that have computer
labs and at several other 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.
What computing facilities are available
to students living in residence halls?
North Central College has computer labs in several residence halls.
These labs have Windows computers and are open 24-hours-a-day.
Many of the commonly used software applications are available on
these computers and there is a laser printer in each lab. In addition,
there are computers available in Carnegie, Osterle Library and
the Stadium.
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. To achieve the highest speed
connection, students in residence halls should purchase and Ethernet
card.
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 service center is located in
Carnegie. Call x5440 or send email to helpdesk@noctrl.edu
If you PC problem is of a more serious nature then ResNet Consultants
can be called to fix minor problems with connecting to the network.
Major problems may be resolved by using Premium
ResNet, a fee will
be assessed for this service.
Is my computer safe from viruses?
Your computer is safe from viruses only if you're careful. All
students must install and use a virus program, such as McAfee or
Norton Anti Virus, and frequently download updates. North Central
offers free anti-virus
software that can be automatically updated.
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?
ITS will sell used PC's to students, Faculty and Staff. In addition
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.
|| Back to Top
|
