FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I'm having a problem with my computer. How can I get help?
What are normal office hours for the IT department?
When I run Windows Update Services, I get a message stating that the product key used to install Windows is invalid. Why?
NETWORK CONNECTIVITY
How do I locate my network information?
I've just brought a privately owned computer to the residence hall. How do I connect to the MGC local area network?
I have a network connection in the residence hall, and I'm being asked to register my computer. Why is this necessary?
I've registered my PC previously, but I'm being asked to do it again. What now?
I can't get my Xbox (or other non-PC device) to connect. What do I need to do?
I would like to connect wirelessly to the campus network and the internet. What can I expect?
I've just lost my internet/network connection in the residence hall. How can I troubleshoot the problem?
PASSWORDS
How can I create a strong password?
How can I check the strength of my password?
ONLINE SAFETY
How can I find out what a particular computer security term means?
I need anti-virus software. What should I do?
I have malware on my PC. How can I fix this?
What is "phishing"?
How can I protect myself from phishing scams?
What do I do if I've given out my personal information?
RESPONSES
I'm having a problem with my computer. How can I get help?
While we cannot work on privately owned devices (PCs, wireless routers/access points, etc.), the IT Helpdesk may be able to suggest things you might try to resolve your specific problem. If you believe that the problem you are experiencing may be due to a network infrastructure issue, please don't hesitate to call the Helpdesk voice line, stop by the IT department during normal office hours, or complete an IT Helpdesk request. To fill out an IT Helpdesk request, please click here:IT Helpdesk Request or on the link at the bottom of this page.
What are normal office hours for the IT department?
Normal office hours for the MGC IT Department are 8:00 am through 6:00 pm Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:00 am through noon on Fridays.
When I run Windows Update Services, I get a message stating that the product key used to install windows is invalid. Why?
Windows Update will fail if your Windows Operating System is not properly licensed. You must have a legal copy of the operating system to connect to the campus network. Please contact Microsoft or your PC manufacturer with questions.
NETWORK CONNECTIVITY RESPONSES
How do I locate my network information?
Please go to: Locate Network Information
I've just brought a privately owned computer to the residence hall. How do I connect to the MGC local area network?
Please go to: Residence Hall Computing
I have a network connection in the residence hall, and I'm being asked to register my computer. Why is this necessary?
The registration is part of MGC's effort to help you keep your computers as free as possible from viruses, spyware, and operating system security holes. Machines protected in this way generally perform much better and require much less downtime due to damage caused by malicious software. Also, the registration process can help to ensure that the average user has the fastest possible browsing experience while connected to the School's network. It does this by:
- ensuring that communication from malicious software does not flood MGC's Internet connection, resulting in much slower connections for other users.
- restricting certain applications that would otherwise consume an unfairly large share of MGC's bandwidth, again resulting in a slower connection for the majority of users.
I've registered my PC previously, but I'm being asked to do it again. What now??
Please clear your browser's cache .
I can't get my Xbox (or other non-PC device) to connect. What do I need to do?
Please send an IT Helpdesk Request containing your device's Mac Address
I would like to connect wirelessly to the campus network and the internet. What can I expect?
Please go to: Wired & Wireless Access.
I've just lost my internet/network connection in the residence hall. How can I troubleshoot the problem?
Please go to: Use Wired When Available
PASSWORD RESPONSES
How can I create a strong password?
Please go to: Create a strong password
How can I check the strength of my password?
Please go to: Password Strength
ONLINE SAFETY RESPONSES
How can I find out what a particular computer security term means?
Please go to: Computer Security Terms
I need anti-virus software. What should I do?
There are a number of well known vendors of anti-virus software (e.g., Symantec, McAfee, etc.). While we can't recommend a specific vendor to you, if you have a Windows PC, you may wish to consider Microsoft Window Security Essentials. For additional information about this product (free for valid Windows installations), please go to: Microsoft Windows Security Essentials
I have malware on my PC. How can I fix this?
If you suspect that your Windows PC may have spyware or other malicious software on it, please go to: Spyware and other malicious software
What is "phishing"?
Please go to: What is phishing
How can I protect myself from phishing scams?
Please go to: Phishing Scams
IT Helpdesk:
Click here to enter a helpdesk request: Helpdesk
or telephone us at (478) 934-3319