FAQs
Contacting IT Support Services
What's the best way of contacting IT Support Services?
Our contact details are on our support pages. If at all possible, email is best as we check our mail wherever we are in the building.
Using the Computing Facilities
I've forgotten my PWF password. How can I get it reset?
We can reset your password for you, or you can go to Computing Services Reception. If your college is part of the PWF you should be able to get it reset there too. If you're not already known to us you need to bring your University Card with you as proof of ID.
How do I buy print credit for the CALL Facility, Graduate Centre or the Library IT Rooms?
To make an online payment with a debit or credit card, launch the "PWF eCredit" application from the Windows Start Menu (Start -> PWF Programs -> Utilities -> PWFeCredit). Further information is available from the Computing Service PWF website.
Can't I pay you in cash?
Sadly not. We're not insured to keep cash in our offices. If you find yourself in the centre of town when you want to buy print credit you can pay by cash at Computing Service Reception. If your college is part of the PWF and the Common Print Balance you may also be able to pay by cash there.
Where will my print job come out?
Unless you've manually changed the settings your print job will come out on the nearest available printer. The CALL Facility, Graduate Centre and Library IT Rooms all have their own black and white laser printers.
There's no paper left, where can I get some?
If all the supplies have disappeared you can ask the Faculty Office for a box of paper - but make sure you let them know which computer facility it's for.
I've got a problem using one of the machines in the computing facilities. How do I get help?
Each of the computers has a clearly displayed number (e.g. MMLGCPC01 - MML, Graduate Centre, PC number 01). If you can quote this number in any fault report to the Help Desk it will make it much easier to diagnose. If at all possible you should follow the format of "I'm logged in as [your userid] to [machine no] and I'm experiencing the following [brief description of problem]" we'll be able to help you much more swiftly. You should also try to log into a different computer to make sure it's the machine and not a problem with your profile; if it turns out to be the latter you should contact the Computing Service Help Desk and they should be able to reset your profile for you.
Setting up a Website
I'd really like to setup my own website, what's the best place to start?
The easiest way to setup a Cambridge personal website is on the Personal Workstation Facility (PWF). The Computing Service have instructions on how to do this online.
I'm a member of staff or graduate student in MML and I'd like to setup a personal blog, or group website or wiki, what should I do?
Come and talk to us about our in-house hosted services. More information is also available in the Website Hosting section of our Web and Media Services pages.
Training
I'd like to learn more about creating my own content, or computing in general, where should I start?
Opportunities open to every member of the Faculty
- The Computing Service's taught and self-taught courses
- Certificate in Humanities Computing for Languages (CHUCOL). CHUCOL provides a unique opportunity for for arts and humanities scholars to gain a recognised University Certificate in computing. If you'd like to learn how to generate your own online content to enhance your career prospects, make your teaching life easier, or just for fun consider taking CHUCOL. The only members of the Faculty who can't register for CHUCOL are the MPhil students.
Opportunties open to MML staff and graduate students
In addition to CHUCOL, we run in-house staff and graduate student training programmes. Topics include website creation, working with images, getting to grips with Camtools, creating Powerpoint presentations, getting the most out of the World Wide Web. Consult our Training pages for more information.
Opportunities open to MML undergraduates
In addition to CHUCOL, undergraduates have access to a variety of IT training programmes in college, so check locally for details.
I want to look after my data properly, but I'm not sure how to go about it, what should I do?
With the ease and convenience provided by USB memory sticks these days there really isn't an excuse for not keeping regular backups of your data. High capacity (greater than a Gigabyte of memory - that's around 1,000 old-fashioned floppy disks, if you understand that unit of currency) drives can be obtained for under ten pounds, either at a retailer in town, or online. Just drag your files over onto your USB drive as often as you feel you need to.
Two notes of caution: Don't keep your USB memory stick with your computer. There have been cases where students have kept regular backups, but their computers have been stolen from their rooms, together with their backup devices that were kept nearby.
Some memory sticks are very small and easy to lose. Make sure you keep an eye on them and don't forget to take them out of pockets - we know of some that have survived going round a washing machine, but you can't assume it'll be OK. These are real life examples of things that have gone wrong here in Cambridge. We don't have to invent these things to scare you into taking care of your data, they really happen.
Problems with the Network
I've got a problem connecting to the network, what should I do?
Problems with the wired and wireless networks in the Raised Faculty Building should be reported to the Help Desk. Issues with wireless devices not supplied by the Faculty are handled on a best effort basis, resources permitting, but we'll help if we can.
