Your computer is a valuable learning tool. To keep it operating effectively requires routine maintenance and attention. Please review the Maintain Your Computer page for ongoing maintenance tasks. A small effort now can often prevent problems and frustrations in the future.
Practice safe computing! When navigating the Internet, downloading software, or logging into remote services, always be on the lookout for possible spyware and malicious programs. A significant number of personal computer problems (slowness, network connection issues, etc.) originate from spyware and malicious programs downloaded by the user – often unintentionally.
Computer Support
The CIS HelpDesk Knowledge Base is packed with information, documentation, and tools to help students with their computer, software, and connecting to the campus network and online services. These web pages should be the first place you look for assistance.
The CIS HelpDesk staff are dedicated to assisting students, faculty, and staff with computer related problems. The CIS HelpDesk is also staffed by an energetic team of student employees that support the broad range of technologies in place at SPU. CIS staff can be reached via email, phone, or walk-in at the CIS HelpDesk.
Hardware Repairs
CIS does not provide hardware repairs or replacements for student owned desktop or laptop computers. We often assist in diagnosing a specific problem or hardware failure, but the actual repairs must be performed by the original manufacturer (check your computer warranty to see if the system is still covered) or by a local repair shop. Some recommended local repair shops are listed on the Repair Vendors page.
Software Help
We provide limited "how to" information on specific software applications, but will research your questions as time allows. You may want to review the documentation or technical support web sites for the software vendor for more in-depth assistance in the use of individual applications.
Connecting to the Campus Network
Connecting to the wired or wireless network on campus is critical for your success as a student. Getting your computer on the network can at times be a challenging and frustrating experience, but the CIS HelpDesk views this as one of our primary objectives. If you can't get your computer connected, there are many Computer Labs available for your access.
Student Computer Consultations
While many troubleshooting tasks and configuration issues can be resolved via phone or email, there may come a time when your computer needs a more hands-on review. In these situations, the CIS HelpDesk can schedule an appointment for you to drop off your laptop computer in CIS for troubleshooting.
Please be aware that we have limited times for appointments and especially at the beginning of the school year, there could be a significant delay in when an appointment can be scheduled. Some of the steps performed during these consultations include hard drive defragmentation, installing and configuring anti-virus software, installing spyware prevention tools, scanning your system, and reviewing operating system and application configuration settings.
CIS does not install or re-install operating systems for personally owned computers. For assistance with installing or re-installing a computer operating system, see PC Referral.
Common Problems
Slow or Sluggish Computer
Modern operating systems will rarely allow one failing application to stop all software functions. However, improperly working applications can slow down the system if they demand exclusive access to a system device that other applications would like to access (for example, the computer's hard disk). If a software application becomes unresponsive, use the Task Manager to review running applications. Press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys at the same time. Click the Task Manager button and look at the Application tab. Select any applications that are "Not Responding" and click the End Task button. Windows will halt that application as soon as it is able and the computer will become responsive again.
Monitor will not Display Image
Most monitors connected to a desktop computer have a light that indicates current functionality. It is usually located on the frame of the monitor itself, near the on/off and adjustment buttons. If the light is yellow, this usually indicates the monitor is in standby mode. If the monitor light is green, it is ready to receive video images from the computer. Double-check all connections and make sure the power is on to both the desktop and monitor. Monitors that do not wake up when the computer keyboard is typed on or the mouse is moved (light stays yellow) may be malfunctioning. Monitors that do wake up (light turns green) are functioning properly but not receiving video from the desktop computer.
Internal laptop displays that do not display images when the laptop computer is powered on may be malfunctioning as the result of a hardware problem. The CIS HelpDesk is able to provide limited troubleshooting and diagnostic services for problems such as this. Any repairs must be done through the PC Referral service or through a repair vendor.
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