E-mail

Q: What is the available email mailbox size?
    A: The standard mailbox size at Ferrum College is 10meg.

Q: Will I receive a warning before my mailbox is full?
    A: The first warnings message will start to appear when the mailbox reaches 4meg, then again at 5meg.

Q:  What are the different ways to retrieve email via Ferrum College?
    A:  Web Mail, Outlook and Eudora.

Q: How do I receive my Ferrum email through my Yahoo! email account?
    A: Follow the instructions below to setup your Ferrum mail account.

  1. Click the Mail Options link on the top right-hand side of the screen.
  2. In the Mail Management column select Mail Accounts.
  3. Click the Add Button on the Mail Accounts page.
  4. Enter an account name: Ferrum College.
  5. Enter your (POP) mail server name: main.ferrum.edu.
  6. Enter your user name and password:
    User Name: nstxxxx
    Password: xxxxxx
  7. Select an indicator color to mark messages received from this account.
  8. Click the "Add Account" button. Your account is now added.

Q: How do I delete my old messages from my Web Mail account?
    A: Messages can be deleted from email account individually or several messages at a time.

  1. To delete an individual message, click on the message, click delete on the  or press your delete key.
  2. To delete several messages at a time press and hold the SHIFT key, click on the first and last  message to be deleted consecutive, click delete on the or press your delete key.
  3. To delete non-consecutive messages, hold down the Ctrl key as you click on each message you want to delete, click delete on the or press your delete key.

Q:  How do I empty by Deleted Items folder using Web Mail?
    A:  Click on the trash icon on the tool bar or right click on the deleted items folder in the outlook bar, and selecting empty "Deleted Items" Folder from the submenu will permanently delete all items from the deleted items folder.

Q:  What are the steps to save messages and/or attachments using Web Mail only?
    A:  Messages can be saved by first copying the message, then pasting into Word.
    B:  Attachments can be saved, when prompted by  the File Download screen, and selecting Save.

Q:  What steps are taken to clean up Student mailboxes?
    A:  Auto-deletion of email for Student mailboxes.

  1. Deleted items left on the server are automatically deleted after 5 days.
  2. Inbox mail left on the server is automatically deleted after 15 days.
  3. Sent mail left on the server is automatically deleted after 30 days.

Q:    Steps to automatically empty trash and attachments from Eudora once they have been deleted.
    A:   Select Tools from the toolbar, then Options, using the scroll down arrow to the right of the options box select miscellaneous or attachment.

  1. Miscellaneous Options click the Empty Trash when exiting option box, the trash is emptied automatically when you exit Eudora.
  2. Attachment Options select the Delete attachments when emptying Trash – If this is on, Eudora automatically deletes an attachment received with a message when that message is deleted from your system, that is, when the message is emptied from the Trash.  The attachment must still be in the folder defined as the Attachments Folder.  If you save an attachment but delete the message, move the attachment to another folder or turn this option off.
  3. Permanently deletes messages from the Trash mailbox by right clicking on the trash box, select Empty Trash.

Q:    How do I log on to my Ferrum Web Mail account?
    A:   Go to the Computer Services web page at computer.ferrum.edu, and click the button on the left that reads Web Mail. Enter your user name, password, and domain:

User Name: nstxxxx
Password: xxxxxx
Domain: ferrum.edu

For Windows XP users, or for those who do not have a text box to enter the domain, enter your user name and password as follows:

User Name: ferrum.edu\nstxxxx
Password: xxxxxx

Microsoft Office 2003


Q:    Word and Excel 2003: How do I configure Word or Excel to auto-save my document?
    A:   While word is open click Tools->Options, and then click the tab marked Save. Select the checkbox marked Save AutoRecover info every and then enter the number of minutes between autosaves that you would like.


Q:    Word and Excel 2003: Where are the autosaves of my document saved on my computer?
    A:   While word is open click Tools->Options, and then click the tab marked File Locations. Look for the information on AutoRecover Files and the path to the location of the files is located to the right of the display box. If you would like to change the path and store the AutoRecover Files elsewhere, simply click the Modify button on the bottom of that tab and specify a new directory.


Q:    Word and Excel 2003: How do I recover an autosave document?
    A:   In order to recover autosave documents, you must have had the AutoRecover option configured, otherwise your work is unfortunately gone. If you did have the AutoRecover option configured the only work lost will be that which you performed since the last autosave was performed by the system. Simply Restart Word and the AutoRecover version of your work will appear.

General

Q:    Clean Access: How to make the message "Revocation information for the security certificate for this site is not available. Do you wish to proceed?" go away.
    A:   Follow the instructions below to make revocation message go away when logging into Clean Access.

  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Click Tools.
  3. Click the Internet Options menu choice.
  4. Click on Advanced tab.
  5. Scroll down to the Security section.
  6. Uncheck the box for Check for server certificate revocation.
  7. Click Ok to except changes.
  8. If a message comes up click Ok.
  9. Close Internet Explorer.
  10. Click Yes for the message on Clean Access.
   Note: Updates to Windows Vista may turn the Check for server certificate revocation back on. If so, you will have to do the above procedure again.

Q:    Different methods to creating a back up of data files.
    A:   Save to CD-Rom, or another computer that permission to access has been granted.  Contact Computer Service for  information on how to back up to a different computer or server.

Q:    How do I log on to I-Assistant?
    A:  Go to the Computer Services web page at computer.ferrum.edu, and click the button on the left that reads I-Assistant. Enter your user name, and password:

User Name: nstxxxx
Password: xxxxxx

 

Mobile Computing

Q:    What is the Ferrum College Mobile Computing Initiative?
    A.  In fall 2006, Ferrum College began an exciting new era of mobile computing.  Our campus started the process of transforming itself into a wireless learning environment using laptop computing, wireless access and innovative educational interaction inside and outside of the classroom. We are excited about the versatility that this transition will bring to student life and success on campus, and particularly the enhanced educational experiences that will follow. 

Q:    Must I buy a new laptop?
    A.  No.  However, to ensure that all students reap the greatest benefit from this plan, it is highly recommended that students either bring with them a suitable laptop (based on campus specifications) or use the campus purchase program to buy a recommended laptop model before Spring/Fall 2008 classes begin.  Please be assured that while we are strongly encouraging personal laptop use, students may request a computer for their room if they do not own a laptop.  Your options and applicable charges (if any) for Spring/Fall 2008 are:

Options

Fall 2008

College Recommended Dell & Apple Laptop

Pre-packaged, offered to student at discount.  No additional fees.

Requested Computers

$100 Connection Fee*.

Pre-Owned Desktops

No Connection Fee.

Pre-Owned Laptops

No Connection Fee.

*Connection Fee includes services and software available from Computer Services such as fully licensed copies of AVG Anti-virus software, Office XP, Windows XP, FrontPage, Publisher, Visual Studio. This fee will be accessed on incoming freshmen/transfer resident students only for academic year 2008-2009. Payment of this fee MUST be made before the requested computer can be picked up.

Q:    What are the Ferrum College recommended computers?
    A.  Ferrum College recommends either of two manufacturers and models as follows:

Dell System: Latitude with these minimum requirements

    Click HERE for pricing and purchasing options.

Click HERE for pricing and purchasing options,
Or call 1-800-MY-APPLE and request an educational purchase,
Or visit an Apple Retail Store in your area (http://www.apple.com/retail/) and bring student identification (ID, Acceptance Letter or Class Registration Information).

Q:    If I choose to use a computer other that the two recommended models, are there minimum specifications?
    A.  Yes.  Minimum Specifications are as follows:

We recommend a 3 year Next Business Day On Site Warranty such as Dell’s Complete Care (Replaces computer if accidentally destroyed) or Apple’s AppleCare.  We also recommend you consider renter’s insurance that covers computer loss.  Consult the chart below for further detail.

 

Q:    Do I still need to bring my computer to Computer Services when I arrive to be configured?
    A.  No.  The College will be moving to a new IP assignment method next year that will be automated. The new system will require that the user have an up-to-date anti-virus installed (The college will provide AVG for download and installation) and that all patches and updates for your operating system be installed before you will be permitted to access resources on the network or internet. Ferrum College will have a device on our network that will check each computer when an attempt to connect is made to verify compliance with the anti-virus and operating system patches requirements.  If your computer is not up-to-date, you will be allowed to download and apply necessary software to be brought into compliance.  At that time an automatic IP address will be assigned and you can access the internet/intranet.  Please keep in mind that if at any time, you experience difficulty in getting connected to the network, you can call us at the helpdesk at extension 4357.  We will be more than happy to assist you.

Q:    If I bring my own computer, what services/support can I expect from Computer Services?
    A.  The following services and software will be provided for students depending on the laptop computer that the student chooses:

For Your Recommended Dell Laptop:
Software provided by college:

  1. All Microsoft Windows operating systems

  2. Microsoft Office XP professional or Microsoft Office 2003

  3. Microsoft FrontPage      

  4. Microsoft Publisher

  5. Microsoft Visual Studio (version available: ver 6, .net 2003, .net 2005)

  6. AVG Anti-virus Software

Service offered:

  1. Trouble shooting of computer problems for student.

  2. A ghost image will be maintained by Computer Services to restore the recommend Dell to its original configuration if the computer software is damaged beyond repair.

Computer Services will log hardware problems with Dell to arrange for a repair tech to come to a room in John Wesley Hall and repair all the Dell recommended PCs that have on-site NBD (next business day) warranty.  After repair, the student will be contacted to pick up their computer.

For Your Recommended Macintosh Laptop:
Software provided by college:

  1. Microsoft Office Professional V.X for MAC

  2. Microsoft Frontpage for MAC    

  3. Virtual PC          

Service offered:

  1. Trouble shooting of computer problems for student.

  2. The student will be contacted and advised of the options available to fix the computer.

  3. The student will be responsible for contacting their vendor and arranging for hardware repair.

  4. The student will be responsible for installing any special software that is required for their system.

 

For All Other Windows-Based Computers:

Software available for downloading and installing from a college provided server:

  1.  All Microsoft Windows operating systems

  2. Microsoft Office XP professional or Microsoft Office 2003

  3. Microsoft FrontPage      

  4. Microsoft Publisher

  5. Microsoft Visual Studio (version available: ver 6, .net 2003, .net 2005)

  6. AVG Anti-virus Software

Service offered:

  1. Trouble shooting of computer problems for student.

  2. The student will be contacted and advised of the options available to fix the computer.

  3. The student will be responsible for contacting their vendor and arranging for hardware repair.

  4. The student will be responsible for installing any special software that is required for their system.

Question: How do I check my network IP settings?

Network Information:

Network Connection Setup

  1. Right Click on your Network Connection icon.
  2. Click on Properties.
  3. Click on the Network tab.
  4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
  5. Click on Properties.
  6. Select Obtain IP address automatically.
  7. Select Obtain DNS Server address automatically.
  8. Click Apply.
  9. Click Ok.