This document attempts to answer questions that are likely to arise for students using the public computer labs (West Hall Room 102 or East Hall Room E2220) or other computers within the College of Engineering. If you are unable to find an answer to your question here, contact Anil Chatterji at 828-1261, Michael Winston at 828-3600, or Travis Greene at 827-4016.

How Do I Log On?

Access to the computers in this lab is restricted to students and faculty in the School of Engineering. Engineering students must have an Active Directory (AD) username on the Engineering file servers to use these computers. These usernames are identical to the University eID (electronic IDentification), and is of the form smithja (last name followed by first and middle initials, truncated to a maximum of twelve characters). Your Engineering AD password is the same as your eID password.

When you see the "Microsoft Login" dialog box, click on the "Username" field and enter your username. Click on the "Password" field (you can use the tab key to move to the next field), enter your password, and then click "OK" (or press the Enter key).

How Do I Log Off?

Before you attempt to log off, make sure you have saved any documents you want to keep. Then click on the desktop icon named "Log Off". This will terminate your connection to the Engineering file server, and reboot the computer. You can perform the same function by clicking on the Windows Start button and selecting "Restart".

It is important that you log off in order to preserve the integrity of your computer account. YOU MUST REMEMBER TO LOGOFF. You are responsible for any use or misuse of resources incurred by your computer account.

How Can I Print in the Lab?

When you click on the print option from any application, the data from that print job will usually go to the printer which is closest to you. There is a print quota system for all students. Do read the help item on "Print Quotas".

You should remember to claim your print job as soon after you printed it as possible or it will probably be thrown out. There is no way to tell the difference between a print job which has yet to be claimed and one that has been abandoned completely.

How Do I Access My Home Directory?

You will often hear this referred to as the "H: drive", because that's the letter it is assigned to for most people. Each user has his or her own "H: drive" that gets assigned when you log in. If you double-click the "This PC" desktop icon, you should see one or more icons for "Network Location". Note the symbol for a network disk drive which shows a disk drive attached to a thick horizontal cable. So now, in addition to your standard "C: drive", you will see drives listed such as `smithja' on 'Home (H:)'.

What Do I Use My "H: Drive" For?

This is a good place to store files related to projects you may be working on for class or any other school related files. The advantage to having this storage space is that it follows you no matter what computer you log in to. So, you can use it to keep data long term or simply "transfer" data from one computer to another. All you need to do is log in to the second computer and you'll have access to it immediately. You can create and delete folders on this volume just like you would on the "C: drive".

How Can I Change My VCU eID Password?

Set your browser to https://eid.vcu.edu. Click on the "Login" link and follow the instructions.

Why Can't I Log On Again Right After My Computer Has Crashed?

In the event of a system crash, the local computer knows you are not logged in, but the network does not. It may take a few minutes for the network to realize this and release your account. If you still have issues logging in after an extended time, please contact one of the Engineering IT staff listed above.

What Will Happen If I Don't Follow the Rules of The Lab?

Your account may be suspended and the Dean will be informed of your inappropriate behavior. Please read the rules to make sure that you are not in any danger of violating them.

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