- Can I access my Exchange e-mail from home?
- Does UHD offer free software to faculty/staff for home use?
- How will I know when my current PC will be upgraded or replaced?

- Why am I not getting or why am I losing network connection?
- Why can't I get a display on my monitor?
- Why don't I have power for my PC?
- Why can't I print to my printer?
- Why is my PC running slowly?
- Can my PC be upgraded?
- How can I get an upgrade?
- Why don't I have sound on my PC

Can I access my Exchange e-mail from home?
Yes. Call the Help Desk line at 713-221-8031 or ext. 3000 and request a PPP (Point to Point Protocol) account. Once the account is created, you will be contacted with the details on how to configure your home PC to access your e-mail.

Does the university offer free software to faculty and staff for home use?
Yes. Information Technology can provide Microsoft Office, and McAfee VirusScan software free of charge for home use. Restrictions apply. To request more information, please contact the Help Desk line x3000 or 713-221-8031.

How will I know when my current PC will be upgraded/replaced?
Every PC on campus has a life cycle of about 3 years. Through the ongoing Desktop Computing Project initiative, each department is visited once every 3 years for possible replacement or upgrade of PCs.

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What is the TTLC?
The Technology Teaching and Learning Center is a special area reserved for faculty and staff development. The center is staffed with technology professionals that can assist UHD personnel with technology needs ranging from web development to training in popular software applications.

What is WebCT?
WebCT is an online application tool set that combines a robust set of features for online course delivery. It can also serve as a powerful supplement to traditional classroom delivery. Many UHD faculty members use WebCT to disseminate course information like syllabi and class notes. Additional WebCT features include e-mail, chat, bulletin board, online testing, and an online grade book.

How do I get a WebCT account?
Obtain the information for your course including the CRN and class times.
Fill out the online form at http://uhdonline.dt.uh.edu/uhdonline/WebCTcourseform.htm
Once your course is created, your WebCT login information will be e-mailed to you and your student roster will be automatically uploaded to your course.

How do I get a web page?
First, fill out the computer general account request form available for download at Forms/generalform.htm. While your form is being processed, contact the TTLC at 713-221-8200 to make an appointment for personalized assistance.

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I am enrolled in a distance learning course that requires me to use the UHD Academic UNIX server. How do I get an account set up?
The student should be able to go to the equivalent of our Academic Computing Lab at The University Center (TUC) or Fort Bend (FB) campus and perform the following:

telnet uhddx01.dt.uh.edu

login: sams
password: <press Enter>

the SAMS checkin interface should start. Make sure you have your fee statement with you at that time because it contains information you will need to provide during the checkin process.

How can I tell which software is installed on the academic Unix server (UHDDX01)?
Once you are logged into UHDDX01, type the command "software". You can user the spacebar to scroll down the list of software.

How can I find the policy for the computer facilities and resources at the University of Houston - Downtown?
Log into the academic Unix server (UHDDX01) and type the command "policy". You can use the spacebar to scroll down the screen.

How often do I need to change my password for the academic Unix server (UHDDX01)?
The system requires that you change your password every 30 days.

What will happen if I do not change my password or if I forget my password?
If you do not change your password when the system requires a password change; your account will be locked. If your account is locked or if you forget your password, visit the academic computing lab (800-South) and tell a lab assistant. They will be able to assist in unlocking your account.

How much disk space am I currently using on the academic Unix server? What is my maximum allowed disk space on the academic Unix server (UHDDX01)?
When you log into the academic Unix server, your disk space usage and quota are both displayed. All faculty and staff members receive 10 MB of disk space. Students receive 5 MB of disk space. The disk space quota includes e-mail. If you exceed your disk quota, all new e-mail will be returned to the sender.

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Why do network access accounts issued to part-time faculty, part-time staff, and students expire at the end of each semester?
Part-time faculty, part-time staff, and students are not required to notify Employment Services & Operations when exiting the University. Therefore, it is unknown when these individuals leave the University. As a result, we place a mandatory expiration on these accounts at the end of each semester for security purposes.

How long does it take to create new accounts for faculty, staff, and student workers once the paperwork has been returned to 700-South?
The form requires one week for processing at which time the account information will be sent directly to the applicant.

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What is the BANNER Student Record System?
BANNER is the computer database that UHD uses to handle enrollment and student records. It allows faculty and staff to access real-time information about students, classes, and enrollment and provides start-to-finish support for student registration. Beginning at the advising level, BANNER provides information about student academic history and current status. Registration then proceeds according to rules specified by advisors. Later, BANNER collects student grades and makes them available via the phone registration system or through BANNER's interactive login.

Do I need a BANNER account?
Most faculty and staff who deal with registration or advising will need a BANNER account. Faculty who fill a department advising role, department and college administrators, and staff who register students will need a BANNER account. Generally, faculty and staff do not need a BANNER account unless they need to access confidential student information for department business.

What is required for BANNER access?
In order to run BANNER you must have or have access to a networked PC capable of running the BANNER software on campus. Although it is possible to run BANNER from home, most connections are too slow to allow much functionality.

How do I apply for a BANNER account?
You may print an application from the Information Resources web page. It requires departmental approval. You will also need training before your account is permanently activated.

Is there anything else I should know about BANNER?
Yes, all information in the BANNER system is considered confidential and cannot be released to unauthorized people. If you are contacted for confidential information you should refer the request to the Dean of Student Affairs for approval.

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Why am I not getting or why am I losing network connection?
* Our in-house or UH system network could be down.
* You may be losing your IP address as a result of some network problems
* Your network card, cable, or cable connector may be having problems or may be defective.

Why can't I get a display on my monitor?
* Your display monitor may not have electrical power.
* Your display monitor video may be going bad.
* Your video cable connection may be loose.
* Your display monitor settings may have been changed.
* Your video network card in the cpu may be damaged.

Why don't I have power for my PC?
* Your system may not be plugged in to an adequate electrical outlet.
* Your system power supply may be damaged.
* There may be a circuit breaker problem.

Why can't I print to my printer?
* Your system printer settings may be wrong.
* You may not have the proper printer drivers identified or installed.
* Your printer may not be powered up.
* Your printer cable connection may be loose or damaged.
* Your print job may be going to the wrong printer.
* Your print queue may be stalled, paused or deleted.

Why is my PC running slowly?
* There may be a network problem.
* You may have too many windows open at the same time.
* You may be trying to process a job that requires too much memory.
* You may not have enough memory in your system.
* You may have a virus in your system. Delete this file, e-mail or item.

Can my PC be upgraded?
Most all our PCs can be upgraded but there are some that we would recommend not to upgrade due to the cost to upgrade vs. the cost to replace.

How can I get an upgrade?
* First, place a call in to the helpdesk (x3000) to have your system analyzed.
* Hardware Operations will then give you an analysis of the equipment and give you a recommendation on the upgrade or replacement.

Why don't I have sound on my PC?
* You may have the sound turned off or tuned too low.
* You may not have a sound card or the sound card you have may not be working properly.
* Your system settings may not be set properly.
* If you have powered speakers, they may not be connected to an electrical outlet.
* Your speakers may be damaged.

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How can I get some training on the use of my phone?
* We schedule two RolmPhone and PhoneMail Training sessions each year, one in fall and one in spring.
* This training is also available on the web, click on Telecommunications.
* This training is also available on videotape. Call our helpdesk and ask to have the set of training tapes signed out for your needs.
* You may also request individual training from our System Administrator by calling the helpdesk and making your request.

How do I forward or unforward my phone?
* To forward, pickup handset, depress the # and 9 keys. Key in the extension you want to forward your call to. Hang up and you will see your extension light blinking rapidly.
* To unforward, pickup handset and depress the # key twice and the 9 key once. Hang up the handset and you will see the blinking light turn off.

How does the do not disturb feature work?
* Do not disturb allows you to temporarily block incoming calls to your station.. The indicator lights up when you are in the do not disturb mode.
* Get dial tone, press do not disturb button (DND) or key in #5, hang up.
* To cancel this feature, get dial tone, press do not disturb feature button (DND) or the ##5, hang up.

How do I transfer calls?
Press transfer, dial extension, when extension answers, announce caller and hang up. If busy or no answer, or if caller does not wish to be connected to phonemail press connect to be reconnected with the caller to explain situation.

What is the Flash button for?
It is a system feature button. It places any call in progress on temporary hold and alerts your voice controller that you wish to access a feature or dial a second party. You do not need to use the FLASH button to activate a feature button on your RolmPhone. This feature button is mostly used when making conference calls.

How do I access phonemail from home?
You dial into phonemail at 713-221-8438. You will get the phonemail prompts. To obtain guest access to phonemail, dial 713-221-8442. You will be prompted for the extension of the person for whom you want leave a message.

Why do we not have caller ID from outside the university?
Our existing RolmPhone CBX does not have the necessary capabilities to acknowledge caller id features. The necessary enhancements to our existing CBX are very costly at this time. We continue to find means by which we can offer this feature in the short future.

Why can I not access my phonemail?
The phonemail system might be down or your phonemail box may be locked. After five (5) unsuccessful attempts, the mailbox will become locked. This measure is in place for security reasons. To unlock your mailbox, contact our helpdesk @ ext. 3000.

Who is our system administrator?
Jon Garza, with Miguel Ruiz, Rosi Martinez and Joe Longoria as backups.

How can I get a FAC for long distance?
FAC's are requested via a Telecommunications Request Form that needs to be filled out and signed by the budget manager of the department making the request. This Telecommunications Request Form is available on our web site or may be requested via our helpdesk.

How can we find out who actually made certain calls?
Our Call Accounting System usually will help in determining who, when and from where calls were made. Call our helpdesk and they will place a call to our telecommunications specialist who will contact you directly for assistance.

How can I get a phone with a display?
Make the request through our helpdesk.

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What should we wear for video conferencing?
Preferably light colors with white background such as light gray or light blue, this helps cameras adjust better to the image.

What is Scan Conversion?
The process that converts digital video into analog video. Digital video can support a higher resolution than analog, so we need to 'degrade' the computer signal in order to transmit it over an ISDN line.

How can I have continuous presence mode of transmission?
There is a document available on the Forms page that explains the procedure for this multi-point request. Please send this request for Continuous Presence to Video Network Services e-mail group DT_CONFSCHED.

What is a multi-point?
It is a Multi-Point Control Unit, which allows more than two video sites to connect in an interactive conference. The number of sites that can be connected at one time is dependent on the MCU. In our case it is four sites per conference session.

When are classes video taped and who video tapes the classes?
Only at the class or session initiating point, which is usually where the instructor is located. The purpose is to have a backup of the lecture in case things go bad at one or more of the sites. Please notify Multimedia Services if you need your session video taped for any other reason other than backup purposes.

How can I receive a PBS or Satellite conference or session?
Contact Multimedia Services for scheduling. They will need the date, time and name of the session along with a contact person and phone numbers. Multimedia will coordinate a receiving room and acquire the coordinates of the downlink. This information will then be passed on to Video Network Operations for setting up testing of the session.

What are the audio levels that I can control from the instructor podium?
* Incoming audio from the remote sites
* Out going audio to the remote sites
* The student area audio going to the remote sites.
* The computer and VCR audio levels to the remote sites.

When there is an echo in the audio, where is it more likely to come from?
From the remote sites or sites. Request that they lower their microphone audio level or incoming audio level.

After the class is over, how much more time do I have with the students before the disconnect occurs?
All classes are very tightly scheduled, so that there is no easily available additional time. Prior arrangements would have to be made.

How do I request more time?
Additional time may be available only with advanced notice and dependent on network and classroom (local and remote) availability. Please send any request for additional time to Video Network Operations e-mail group DT_CONFSCHED.

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