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Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College
Columbia University
Computing & Technology
Computing & Technology
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University

 

 

Support and Training * Support for Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Helpdesk maintains a list of the most frequently asked questions and their answers, which may help you resolve some of your computing and network problems. Check here before contacting the Helpdesk. There may be a quick solution to the problem you are facing. If you have a question whose answer is not posted on the site, please e-mail with your question, or call at x3300.

 

Last updated: February 2009

 


 

Exchange/Outlook

If you are off campus, you should use Outlook Web Access, a fully-featured web-based interface for Exchange mail. It requires no software to be installed, and can be used on any computer running any operating system.

If you are using any other programs, the instructions below are provided only as a service, and are unsupported. Use at your own discretion.

Program Platform Instructions

Outlook Web Access

Win/Mac

N/A
Outlook Windows IMAP POP
Outlook Express Windows IMAP POP
Netscape Windows IMAP POP
Thunderbird Windows IMAP POP
Eudora Windows IMAP POP
Entourage Macintosh IMAP POP

 

Outlook web access is a quick method to connect to your TC email from any PC.  If you prefer using the Outlook client from you home PC you can follow the directions in the link below that will explain the necessary configuration settings.  Unlike OWA, these changes will need to be made on every PC you want Outlook client configured.   For detailed instructions please click here.

Teachers College supports all PDAs running Windows Mobile OS (also known as PocketPC). Users of PocketPCs have the ability to synchronize their calendar/contacts/mail between their office computer and their device, as well as retrieve mail wirelessly, even when off-campus! Click here for detailed instructions.

How do I request a delivery/read receipt for a message I am sending?

While composing your message, go to the View menu, and select Options.... In the Message Options window that appears, check the box next to either Request a delivery receipt for this message or Request a read receipt for this message, as desired. Click Close.  (Please note: if you are using Microsoft Word as your email editor, then you need to find the Options... button in the toolbar instead of the View menu.  Click here for a screenshot.)

What can I do to reduce the amount of junk e-mail I receive?

You can turn on the junk mail filter, which can reduce (but not eliminate) the amount of junk mail you receive.

  • Log in to your e-mail account through the TC Exchange Mail web client (On the main TC web site, select TC Exchange Mail on the MyTC & Email menu.)
  • Click Options on the left-hand toolbar of the web mail client.
  • Under Privacy and Junk Email Prevention, click the Filter Junk Email checkbox so it is selected.  You will have to scroll down to find this option in the Options window.
  • Click on Save and Close.

For more information, click here.

What can I do when my attachments won't open?

Occasionally, files will lose their association with their applications. The workaround for this is to manually open the application, and open the file from within the application.

  • In Outlook, right-click the icon of the attachment and choose Copy
  • Right-click somewhere on your desktop and choose Paste
  • Open the corresponding application, ie. Word, Excel
  • From the File menu choose Open
  • From Look in: select the Desktop and point to the file.

Why am I unable to send or receive e-mail?

You may be over your storage limit.

  • Each mailbox has a storage limit. You will be notified by the System Administrator when you are close to that limit.
  • Items may need to be deleted or saved to a Personal Folder. Learn more.
  • Each folder listed under the heading Mailbox-[username] resides on the server and counts against your storage allocation. For instructions on how to view the size of each folder in your mailbox click here.
  • When the 200MB of storage threshold is reached the server will send you a warning notification.
  • When the 225MB of storage threshold is reached the privelege of sending email is suspended.
  • When the 250MB of storage threshold is reached the privelege of receiving email is suspended.
  • For instructions and tips on how to manage your mailbox, click here.

How can I access another user's e-mail folders such as the calendar?

First, the user has to grant you permission to open their Outlook folders. Second, you must add the user's mailbox to your Outlook account, which will be visible through your folder list. Detailed instructions are provided in the Outlook Documentation.

How do I get an e-mail back that I accidentally deleted?

From within "Deleted Items" folder, click on Tools menu and select Recover Deleted Items.  If that option is grayed out, then please contact the Helpdesk at x3300.

I forgot my password...what should I do?

You must call the Helpdesk at x3300 and have your password reset. If you are on campus then you will be asked to present a valid ID to the technician responding to your call. If you are not on campus then you will need to provide your DOB and last 4 digits of your Social Security # that we will verify with Human Resources. These security measures have been implemented to protect your account from imposters.

How can I access my Exchange mail from home?

From the TC home page, hover your cursor on the "My TC & E-mail" link and select "TC Exchange Email" from the drop-down menu. You will be prompted to enter your username and password, which are the same credentials you would use to logon to your computer while at Teachers College.

How do I setup a personal folder?

Click here for detailed instructions.

How do I create a personal distribution list?

Click here for detailed instructions.

How do I turn on out-of-office assistant?

Click here for detailed instructions. 

How do I create an auto-signature?

Click here for detailed instructions. 

 


 

Macintosh FAQ

How do I connect to a network printer?

Please contact the Helpdesk at x3300 for the IP address of the printer you are trying to connect to. Once you have the IP download the directions for the appropriate operating system.

How do I check my email quota? (Entourage)

If you are unable to send or receive mail, or you have received a System Administrator message that you are over your limit you may need to check your email quota. Each user is allotted 200,000KB (200MB) for email storage.

Using Entourage it is possible to check how much of this space you are currently using.

How do I create a Personal Folder? (Entourage)

Personal Folders allow a user to save messages off-line.

How do I change my Exchange password on a Mac?

To change an Exchange password on a Mac users must sign into Outlook Web Access and follow the directions available here.

How do I set up my TC email on my iPhone?

Download directions for setting up TC email on an iPhone

How do I connect to a Departmental Share (WebDav)?

Download directions for connecting to WebDav


CUNIX

How do I forward my CUNIX mail?

You can forward your CUNIX mail to your TC Exchange account or any other e-mail address by visiting Columbia's website.  Click here for more detailed instructions.

How do I create/activate my CUNIX account?

You can do all of the above in one convenient location on Columbia's website.

What do I do if I forget my CUNIX password?

You will have to stop by Academic Computing in 234 Horace Mann 212-678-3302. They will flag your account to allow you to reset the password online.

How do I change my CUNIX password?

Go to Columbia's website here then click on the "Login to Manage Your UNI Account" link. 

How do I view my space quota for my CUNIX account?

Click here for detailed instructions.

 


 

General

How do I remove personally identifying information from Microsoft Office documents?

In Microsoft Word and other Office applications, your name and other personally indentifying info is automatically saved in your document.  You can turn this off on a document-by-document basis by going to the Tools menu, clicking on Options, and clicking the Security tab.  Check the box entitled "Remove personal information from file properties on save" then click OK.

How do I access my network folders from off-campus (WebDAV)?

You can login to the File Server you use on campus from your web browser.  From Internet Explorer type: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/webshare into the Address Bar. There will be a prompt for a user name and password.  Use your TC Account (generally your last name) and your password.  If when logged on, you do not see your Department's Network Folders, please contact the Helpdesk at helpdesk@tc.columbia.edu.  (Note: This feature does not work well with non Internet Explorer Web Browsers, such as FireFox.)

How do I backup my files on my PC/Laptop/Mac Computer?

It is recommended that files that you work on for your department be stored in your departmental file share. There are a number of ways to backup your other files.


  •        CD/DVD: All machines purchased by the College will write CD's & DVD.

  •        USB
    (also called thumb or flash) drives: Every system has the ability to connect a flash drive to a local USB port. Keep in mind, USB's can break or get lost easily, so don't rely on this medium as your only backup solution.

  •        External Hard Drive
    : For larger backup needs, you can purchase an external hard drive. (recommended for MAC's)

  •        Teachers College has partnered with Columbia to provide a fee based backup solution for your PC System only.  The solution is called Connected DataProtect, and is currently available for an annual fee of $50 charged to your department.  Columbia maintains the service at their site, providing secure encrypted automated backup and recovery services for your system. If you would like to sign up for this service, please email the Help Desk at helpdesk@tc.columbia.edu.  Additional information can be found at the following Columbia web site: http://www.columbia.edu/acis/software/connected/

    How do I map a network drive?

    First you need to make sure that you have the required security privileges to access the drive in question. You can find this out by asking your department supervisor. Second, most common department drives are mapped automatically, and do not need to be mapped. If you are supposed to have access to your department drive, but do not see it in your My Computer, please contact the Helpdesk at helpdesk@tc.columbia.edu or by calling x3300.

    If you are certain that a network folder is not a standard mapped drive and that it needs to be added manually, then follow the directions below.

    1. Right click on My Computer
    2. Select Map Network Drive...
    3. Select a drive letter (it does not matter what letter you choose)
    4. Type in the full path of your network folder (i.e. servernameoldername)
    5. Check or uncheck Reconnect at logon, depending on if you want this drive be permanent
    6. Click Finish

    When installing new software, I get the following error message: "You do not have sufficient privileges to perform this operation."

    This Windows system error is generated when the current user is not an administrator on the local machine. E-mail the helpdesk (helpdesk@tc.columbia.edu) with your computer name.

    To get your computer name, right click on My Computer icon and select Properties. On Windows 2000 machines, click on the "Network Identification" tab and you will see the "Full Computer Name". (On Windows XP machines, click the tab that says "Computer Name.") Type the computer name in the e-mail and request to be an administrator on your machine.

    How can I connect to a network printer?

    All network printers are set up on one print server: tcprint. The naming convention is "roomnumber_modelnumber". (For example, a Hewlett Packard Laserjet 4100 in 134 Thompson Hall would be named 134TH_HP4100).

    Access a server by doing the following:

    1. Click Start.
    2. Click Run.
    3. Type \\tcprint in the Open box and hit Enter or click OK.
    4. Find the printer name, double-click on it, and wait for a few seconds, and then the printer will be installed on your machine.

    How do I change my TC network password?

    From an on-campus Windows 2000 or Windows XP computer, you can change your TC network account password by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete, which shows the current logon information and has a Change Password option.
     
    From off-campus use Outlook Web Access.  Click here for more information.

    What should I do when I get a pop-up message from McAfee alerting me to a virus?

    If the message states that a file or e-mail was quarantined, then click on OK. The file was quarantined and no further action is required.

    If the message states that the file could not be deleted by McAfee, then contact the Helpdesk and give the specific message.

    What should I do if I lose my internet connection?

    Cables often come loose or get plugged into the voice jack by mistake.  Make sure the network cable is plugged into a jack labeled "D1 or D2", which is for Data connections.  Please check the network cable between your computer and the wall jack.  It should be securely fastened in place. Restart your computer if the cables are connected properly.

    What do I do if my local printer is not printing?

    Most printer problems are caused by a lapse of communication between the printer and the computer. Before contacting the Helpdesk, please try the following steps to resolve your problem:

    • Make sure printer cables are securely attached to the printer and computer.
    • Power the printer off and back on.
    • If printer does still not respond, restart your computer.

    Can I connect my personal laptop to the TC network?

    You can use the ethernet cable your office computer uses to get an internet connection on your personal laptop. However, you cannot logon to the TC network on a personal computer due to potential security risks.

    I can logon to the computer but I am unable to access the Internet, e-mail, or network drives.

    • If you are unable to access these three components, make sure your ethernet cable is plugged into the back of your computer, as well as the wall jack.
    • Restart your machine.
    • If all cables appear to be properly connected, please contact the Helpdesk at x3300.
    • Please note that Windows 95, 98, and ME are not officially supported at TC. You will have connectivity problems if you use one of these operating systems.

    What do I do if I forget my password?

    You will have to call the Helpdesk at x3300.  Due to security issues you will need to validate who you are.  If you are on campus they may ask you to visit the office and present a valid photo ID.  If you aren't on campus then you will need to provide your Date of Birth and last four digits of your Social Security Number.

    What do I do if my computer will not power on?

    • Check to see that CPU and monitor are both plugged in
    • Is the surge protector on? Try resetting the surge protector
    • Check to see that all the cables are secure
    • Try plugging the power cables directly into the wall
    • Always turn on the monitor first and then the CPU.