Proper Care and Feeding of Laptops

Based on past experience, we’ve listed a number of things you can do before, during, and after the upcoming winter break to make sure your laptop is working well when you return to campus.  Please carefully read and consider these recommendations.

Before you leave for the break:

• Remove and/or backup any important files you may have on the public directory. The public directory is cleaned up during breaks.
• Extract all important data from any project servers you may have checked out.  These servers are wiped during the break unless prior arrangements have been made.

 During the break:

• Be extra careful with your laptop when traveling.  Laptops are frequently stolen in airports.  Keep it with you at all times.
• If you have IT-related questions, visit our FAQ at http://it.neumont.edu
• Store your laptop in a safe place during the break.  Never leave it in a car unattended.
• Do not change the local administrator password or disable the local admin account.
• Do not change your laptop’s domain membership.  It should be a member of the NUSTUDENT domain.
• Do not delete or modify the nustudent or neumont wireless SSID from your wireless connections.
• Do not change/reinstall the OS on your laptop.
• Do not install file sharing (torrent) or other programs that violate the AUP.
• Do not remove the TrendMicro Antivirus software from your machine.
• Check your Neumont email daily for information on registration, class changes, etc.  Your email can be accessed by going to https://mail.student.neumont.edu and entering your network username and password.  If you would like to use the “Outlook Anywhere” feature rather than Outlook Web Access, see the instructions on the IT FAQ site.

 After the break:

• If convenient, come to campus a day or so before class begins to make sure you can connect to the network and access any systems you will need.
• During the first few days of class we are typically very busy with support issues.  During this time, we need to make sure our efforts are focused on students with critical support issues (can’t connect to network, laptop not functioning, etc.).  If you have an “optional” support issue (cleaning laptop, convenience re-imaging, odd desire to hang out with the IT team, etc.), please wait until the second week of class.
• There are wired network connections along the wall near the 2^nd floor kitchen area if necessary for internet access or if you need to reset your password.