Computer Help

Welcome to OSCR's Tech Help site!   Here, you will find links to information about configuring your computer for UA network access, security precautions to prevent virus infections and spyware, and other info regarding technological services available on campus.

OSCR Underground Help Desk Services:

The OSCR Underground is home to many of OSCR's help desk services. At the OSCR Underground Helpdesk you can get assistance with your technology needs. We'll show you how to fix the problem and keep it from happening again!

Client Policies for Help Desk

• You must remain with your computer for the duration of your visit.
• When you sign in please be prepared with your NetID and CatCard.
• You may not send anyone else in with your computer.
• We will not install software without original CDs and license information.
• You may be required to provide proof of ownership.
• Laptop owners must have the laptop power supply with them at the time of service.
• If you are more than 10 minutes late for a scheduled appointment you will be considered a "no-show" and will be prohibited from making a scheduled appointment for 30 days.
• OSCR staff reserves the right to reschedule your service if resolution will take longer than originally allocated.
• Workbench computers are for OSCR staff only.
• Please refrain from using your cell phone while working with an OSCR consultant.
• No animals are allowed except assistive service animals.
• Campus regulations prohibit bringing bicycles into any building.
• Please be courteous to others in the OSCR Underground.
• If your behavior is disruptive you will be asked to leave.

OSCR Underground in the ILC:

Assistance is available through walk-ins and appointments. The OSCR Underground is located in ILC 136. Call 626-TECH (8324) for more information!

It is important to understand that OSCR employees will NOT do your work for you.   We will gladly show you what needs to be done and provide assistance if you have any trouble following the steps, but you must be prepared to do the work yourself.

Mobile Help Desk

OSCR's Mobile Help Desk comes to you! Mobile Help Desk services will now come to your residence hall room and will soon be visiting a department near you! For more information see the Mobile Help Desk page.

Emergency CD

Has your computer started to run extremely slow or display a lot of pop-ups? Do you think you have problems with viruses, spyware or adware? Have you been blocked from the network? Is your computer refusing to start up?

OSCR has developed an Emergency CD that you can use to boot up a Windows machine and run anti-virus and anti-spyware cleanup. Make an appointment or wait for walk-in service in OSCR Underground to have an OSCR tech clean your machine, or ask for an Emergency CD at the Help Desk or any OSCR lab to do it yourself.

Emergency CD instructions Step-by-step instruction for using the Emergency CD. (Adobe PDF: 3.7 Mb)

Current Emergency CD version: version 1.1; do not use after January 16, 2008

Do It Yourself:

Feel like you could take care of the problems on your own with a little instruction?  
Check out our self-help information.

SecOps

The Security Operations Team (SecOps) is responsible for the safety of UAs network. They are constantly looking for the network bad guys. Also, they will be the people who block your computer if it becomes infected with a virus or gets compromised in some way.