PC Health Checks
- Who is required to bring their computer in for a PC Health Check?
- If you plan to connect your computer to the University Network at any time, you'll need to bring your computer in to be checked.
- I’m a returning student; do I still have to come to the PC Health Check? Yes. Any computer connected to the Ozarks Network must be inspected prior to being connected.
- If I am an off-campus student, do
I have to bring in my computer to be checked? We welcome
all off-campus students to participate in the PC Health Check,
but it’s not required unless you plan to bring your computer
on campus and connect it to the University network.
- What is a PC Health Check?
- Computer
Services will check and clean your computer of any viruses and spyware/malware,
install an anti-virus program, apply any missing Microsoft patches,
enable your network ID and change your password, and also enable your
network connection in your room.
- When will the PC Health Checks take place?
- Where will the Health
Checks be conducted?
- Computer Services office, Mabee Administration Building.
- Computer Services office, Mabee Administration Building.
- Why do I even need a PC Health Check?
- Those of you who were here during the Fall 2003 semester will undoubtedly remember the impact that the Blaster worm had on our campus network and on University networks nationwide.
- After that experience, Computer Services chose to take a proactive approach to the problem of computer viruses and worms by performing the PC healthcheck to verify that all computers connecting to our network are free of viruses, worms, Trojan horses, etc., and that the operating systems and antivirus signature files are current.
- While we recognize that the PC Healthcheck
may pose an inconvenience for some, we believe the long term
benefit to the campus community makes the checks not only worthwhile,
but essential.
- How do I get my computer ready for the PC Health Check?
- If possible, print out a PC Health Check
form and
gather these items:
- If you have a desktop or tower computer, you need to bring the CPU.
- If you have a laptop computer, you need to bring the laptop, network card (if you have an external card), network card pigtail or dongle (if required), and power cables.
- Make sure you bring your computer software (Operating System, Word Processing Programs, etc.) and your software licensing information to school with you. In rare instances, removing "pests" may alter the proper function of your Operating System, making it necessary for Comptuer Services to reinstall your software. Having your software readily available can significantly decrease the time it takes to get your computer back up and running.
What is a CPU? While technically, CPU stands for "Central Processing Unit" -- the main "brain" of your computer -- the abbreviation is commonly used to refer to the main part of the computer that contains your computer's motherboard, process, expansion cards, drives, etc. This is what we mean when we say "bring your CPU." Unhook your monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse, and any other components from your computer and bring just this main piece of your system to the PC Health Check.
What is a pigtail, or dongle? Some network cards require a pigtail to change the gender or bridge the gap between the connector on the card and the network cable. The pigtail, or dongle connects to your network card providing a port for the network cable.
Disclaimer*** Computer Services cannot be held responsible for damaged Operating Systems or programs as a result of virus or spyware/malware infestation removal or reinstallation of programs without proper media or licensing.
