Indiana University


The UITS Knowledge Base (KB) is an excellent resource for finding solutions to many different questions and problems. It is frequently updated and is a great place to start when you're having problems. Searching is as easy as using keywords similar to Google or Yahoo. You can find the KB at the following address: http://kb.iu.edu/

Listed below are a small sample of commonly asked questions and their corresponding KB articles. Summaries are given on a couple as well.


In order to use the wired (Ethernet) and wireless networks here on campus, you must first register the MAC address(es) of your computer. This must be done twice if you want to use both the wired (Ethernet) and the wireless connections. That is, one time for each connection type.


KnowledgeBase Link: http://kb.iu.edu/data/ahnq.html

Follow the directions for On-campus offices and meeting rooms.

  • Ensure your Ethernet cable is plugged into one of the green (or occasionally orange) jacks.
  • Open your favorite web browser (such as Internet Explorer or Firefox or Safari) and type in the following address: http://dhcp.iupui.edu
  • Click the Continue link in the middle of the second paragraph
  • Log in with your campus username and password (the same used for email, oncourse, onestart, etc.)
  • Read through the agreement that will come up and click the I Agree button at the bottom of that page
  • On the next page, you can leave everything blank and then click the Register Now button

Once you have registered the wire (Ethernet), wait about 5 - 10 minutes and reboot your computer (with the cable plugged in). At that time the registration will have gone through and you're now online. Surf, chat, research, shop, etc.


KnowledgeBase Link: http://kb.iu.edu/data/aoty.html

  • Ensure you are connected to "IU Wireless" with your wireless card.
  • Open your favorite web browser (such as Internet Explorer or Firefox or Safari) and type in the following address: https://dhcp.iupui.edu
  • Click on the "Click Here" link under the IU Users in the farthest left column
  • Click the Continue link in the middle of the second paragraph
  • Log in with your campus username and password (the same used for email, oncourse, onestart, etc.)
  • Read through the agreement that will come up and click the I Agree button at the bottom of that page
  • On the next page, you can leave everything blank and then click the Register Now button

Once you have registered for the wireless, you can wait about 5 - 10 minutes and reboot your computer. At that time the registration will have gone through and then you must connect to the VPN.


KnowledgeBase Link: http://kb.iu.edu/data/akko.html

Includes the following topics:
    * Creating a VPN connection
    * Configuring your VPN connection
    * Establishing a VPN connection

It's not as daunting as it looks. You can either download the VPN installer from IUware (available here: http://iuware.indiana.edu/title.aspx?id=513), or install it manually if you do not have access to the Internet and/or the IUware CD.  Both instructions are on the KB link above.


KnowledgeBase Link: http://kb.iu.edu/data/algk.html

It's not as daunting as it looks. Follow the numbered steps for your OS version.



KnowledgeBase Link: http://kb.iu.edu/data/auji.html




IU negotiates special deals with computer hardware vendors. Companies such as Apple, CDW-G, and Dell all have special pages set up for students to order computers (and accessories) for discounted rates.

You can see a list of these and get much more information at the following address: http://uits.iu.edu/scripts/ose.cgi?amdt.ose.help

For specific recommendations and answers to common questions including:
    * Operating systems supported at IU
    * New computer hardware recommendations
    * Minimum requirements for existing hardware (i.e., a computer you already own)
    * What type of computer should I buy: Windows or Macintosh?
    * Should I get a desktop or laptop computer?
    * Do I need an Ethernet card or a modem?
    * Can I get special computer deals as a student?
    * What software do I need to buy?
    * What about email accounts?
    * When can I get connected to the network?

Please go to the following web page: http://uits.iu.edu/scripts/ose.cgi?antk.def.help

KnowledgeBase Link: http://kb.iu.edu/data/aqgp.html

Includes the following topics:

    * Download SAV from IUware Online
    * Download the latest virus definitions
    * Disable your network connection
    * Uninstall any antivirus software (including previous versions of SAV)
    * Install the new version of SAV and the latest virus definitions
    * Re-enable your network connection
    * Run LiveUpdate and restart your computer


All registered Indiana University students are entitled to activate a university e-mail account.
University email will be used by faculty, staff, and administrators for official communications with students. You are responsible for any information sent via the university email system.
As a graduate student you have the option to choose either a Cyrus e-mail account or an Exchange account.
With a Cyrus account you will use the Webmail interface to read and send mail.
With an Exchange account, you will be able to use either the Microsoft Outlook client or the Web version of Outlook to access your email account.
You can access Webmail and the Web version of Outlook using a Web browser anywhere you have access to the Internet. For both, you will need to log in using your university username and password.

Note: Enter only your network ID in the Username field (e.g., jdoe), not your full e-mail address (e.g., jdoe@iupui.edu).

E-mail computer stations located near the student lounge by the student folders in Inlow Hall are configured to use Webmail as well as Exchange mail.

You can also use Webmail or the Web version of Outlook on any of the computers in the school's three computer labs located in IH235E, IH235G, & IH235D.


Oncourse is Indiana University's Web-based environment for online collaboration and learning. There you will find course materials and discussion forums. You should log in to Oncourse before the start of classes to see any announcements, assignments, or other information posted by faculty teaching your courses. Go to http://oncourse.iu.edu, and log in using your university network ID and password.
Your courses should become available in Oncourse approximately two weeks before the start of the semester.


The IU School of Law at Indianapolis utilizes the Securexam software package.
There are versions available for both the Windows-based PCs as well as Macintosh running OS X 10.3 or higher.
For exact information regarding using computers for exams, please visit the following address:


Inlow Hall has three computer labs with a total of 76 desktop computers for student use.

  • Room IH235E (40 computers) can be entered from the classroom wing on the second floor.
  • Rooms IH235D (20 computers) and IH235G (16 computers) can be entered from the second floor of the library. Lab 235G is a non-reservable room and is always open when the library is open

(NOTE: there may be occasion when 235G will be closed due to overflow during final exam times).
All of the computers are running Windows XP and require that you log in with your university computer network ID and password.


A full-range of adaptive services are available to persons with disabilities from Adaptive Educational Services (AES). For more information, please visit the following address: http://life.iupui.edu/aes/


The university offers a variety of free and low-cost computer training classes for students. For class descriptions and schedules, go to http://ittraining.iu.edu/iupui.

IT Training & Education also offers a wide range of self-study courses, tutorials, and training materials through IT Training Online. More than 1,000 self-study computing courses at levels from beginning to advanced are available to students, faculty, and staff on all Indiana University campuses.
You can access these self-study computer courses at the following address: http://ittraining.iu.edu/online/


Microsoft Office 2007 is available free of charge to students, staff, and faculty. You can easily obtain it from IUware (http://iuware.iu.edu) or purchase it for a nominal fee from the campus bookstore. Office 2007 is 0different from previous versions of Office. You can read about the new interface changes at the KB article entitled: For Office 2007, what are some new interface features?
However, if you choose to install and use the new version, it is also important to note the following changes in Office.

  • Files saved in the default Office 2007 format are not compatible with previous versions of Office including Office 2003, XP, and 2000.
  • There is a compatibility mode where you can save the files in the older format by choosing Save As instead of Save
  • If you are electronically submitting files to your professors, you will need to use the Office 97 - 2003 Document Save As mode
  • In its current version, Securexam software is not compatible with Office 2007.
  • If you wish to use your own laptop for finals and Securexam is required, it will not function properly if you have Office 2007 installed.
  • According to Software Secure, the new version of Securexam Student, due for release midsummer, will be compatible with systems running Office 2007 and/or Microsoft Windows Vista.

Office 2003 is still available for download from IUware via the following address: http://iuware.iu.edu/title.aspx?id=476


Last modified on: 31 January 2007


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