Computer Requirements
Networking
The only hardware requirement is a network/Ethernet interface (RJ45 port) to connect to the campus network. CAT5 Ethernet cables are provided by the IT Department to connect your PC or laptop to a data port in your room.
Operating System
As of Fall 2011, IT will support Windows 7. Macintosh OS 10.4 + is supported on a very limited basis.
Anti-virus software
All student owned computers are subject to successfully completing automatic remediation. This ensures anti-virus software is up-to-date, Windows critical patches are up-to-date and an anti-spyware application is installed and up-to-date. This is done before each computer is connected to the ResNet network. The university does not provide antivirus software for student PC's.
Restore/Resource CD/DVDs
When buying a computer, be sure to get whatever "restore" or "resource" CD/DVD's that is available. These disks contain all of the information necessary to restore your computer to the condition it was in when you got it and restore functionality in the event of a major system problem. When setting up your computer for the first time, if you are given the opportunity to create restore CD/DVD, do so.
When you bring your computer to campus, be sure to bring along all of the CD/DVD's and manuals that came with it: the "restore" CD/DVD, operating system CD/DVD with drivers for your hardware, and software that came with the computer.