Frequently asked questions

What can Computer Services do for me?

Computer Services will try to provide answers or advice to any enquiry you may have regarding the use of computing facilities at Brookes.

Computer Services (not to be confused with the School of Technology) is a division of the Learning Resources group. Its role is to manage the University's computer facilities to meet the needs of courses, University administration, research, and staff and students generally. (Note: a number of schools employ their own support staff to manage their teaching rooms and computer resources.)

Computer Services is made up of several different teams responsible for such areas as network management, hardware maintenance, information and training, retail sales and academic support. Staff thus provide expertise in a wide variety of disciplines.The Who does What in Computer Services document gives an A-Z listing of the inhouse 'experts' in dozens of different computing fields. An extensive collection of free documentation is also maintained to help you on your way, and Help Desk staff will try to find a solution to your queries.

In addition, Computer Services offers training for postgraduates and staff.

Details of all that Computer Services has to offer can be found throughout the Computer Services web pages.

Where should I go for help?

In the first instance the Help Desks are your best bet. The staff there will provide you with assistance if they can, or they'll refer you to someone with expertise in the field you are working in.

In addition to Computer Services staff, a number of schools employ their own support staff to manage their teaching rooms and computer resources. You may be referred to these school-specific support staff by the Service Desks.

Computer Services also produce an extensive collection of Documentation to help you on your way, much of which is free and available from the Service Desks.

Finally, there is a training programme for postgraduates and staff, details of which are available from Computer Services Reception, Wheatley and Harcourt Hill Library, or on the training webpages (intranet-only).

What is my Username and Password for?

Each time you wish to use the pooled room PCs, you must log on. You tell the computer your eight-digit user id (student or staff number) and enter your password. The computer then checks that you are a registered user at Brookes and that your computer account is fully enabled.
If you've entered the information correctly and the checks are OK you will be logged on and able to use the computing facilities.

Your password protects your account against illegal use by others. You are required to keep your password safe and not let anyone else use it (Guidelines for the use of IT facilities).

What is my email address at Brookes?

For students your email address is based upon your user id thus: 04012345@brookes.ac.uk

For staff your email address is initially based upon your payroll number thus: p0012345@brookes.ac.uk

In addition, all staff can choose an email alias by Computer Services so you can apply your name to your email address thus: n.ahmed@brookes.ac.uk

Staff can go to the Settings section of their PIP page to change their email alias.

All staff and enrolled students are automatically registered to use the University email service. Your email address can be used to contact you from anywhere on the Internet. (Internally you don't need to use it, just select addresses from the Brookes list).

What is my 'home directory'?

All students are allocated their own folder (called their Home Directory - located on drive H:) on the Brookes central file store. The initial allocation of storage space - the "quota" - is set at 50Mb (100Mb for staff).
All students are advised to use this facility to store their work and to make copies on to a USB memory stick for backup purposes, using My Computer or Windows Explorer only. (Never make an extra copy of your file in Windows applications by selecting File/Save As and then changing the drive letter.)

If you use up all the space in your home directory, you will not be able do anything on the network until you have removed some files. Only delete files that you recognise. If in doubt ask at the Help Desks. If you need a larger home directory for your work, you will need authorisation from your course tutor. Application forms are available at the Computer Services Centre.

We continue to make this point to the University's senior management. Please make sure you make your views known by channelling comments via your school and student meetings.

List of Questions

Why does the Message of the Day stay on the screen for so long?

There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes whilst the Message of the Day is on screen. The system is being built and the application, network and printer connections are being set up. As the choice was between a screen saying "please wait while the PC is being made ready" or a screen displaying messages, we thought the latter was more useful and user-friendly.

Can we have laptop docking stations?

Yes. See details of the WanderNet service.

Can we use wireless at Brookes?

Yes. See details of the Wireless service.