Frequently Asked Questions
ResNet Questions
What is ResNet?
ResNet provides ethernet connections to students living in the SUNY College at Fredonia residence halls. These dedicated ethernet connections allow students to connect to e-mail, the Internet, and to other students living in the residence halls. The residence halls are 100% wired with 2,800 connections available to students with personal computers equipped with an ethernet card and an appropriate cable. This type of connection does not tie up a phone line.
What is an RCC And what do they do?
Will I be able to access other services on campus, such as Angel and Webmail?
ResNet users are able to use all public computing services on the SUNY College at Fredonia campus from their ResNet account.
If I have two computers, will I be able to activate them both?
Yes. You may register more than one computer on the ResNet network, however only one active computer is allowed on the network at a time, unless you live in a single. Any device which allows your connection to be extended to allow for more connections (ie. switch, hub, router) is prohibited and is against the ResNet Network Policy.
What should I do before an appointment with ResNet?
Have your Original System Restore CD or Windows XP/Vista software! Have the disk that came with your ethernet card available to the technician. Plan to be in and stay in your room. Our technicians will not perform any work while the resident who owns the computer is not present. Don't leave your roommate to get your computer fixed. If we have questions, we want to ask you, not your roommate.
If there are pre existing conditions, such as CD-ROM, sound card or video problems, we reserve the right to refuse to work on your computer.
Does your computer meet our minimum requirements? If it doesn't meet the specs in our minimum requirements, we reserve the right to refuse to work on your computer.
What type of cable do I need?
You'll need a patch cable to attach your Ethernet card to the Ethernet wall socket in your room. This cable is round and has what looks like fat telephone plugs, called RJ-45 connectors, on each end. Make sure you get a twisted-pair cable that is rated for Category 5 use. Do not get a silver satin cable. Silver satin cable is not approved for use with Ethernet networks, and if you use it, it will cause network access problems.
A Category 5 cable is round, and each pair of wires inside the cable are twisted together. These cables usually have Cat 5 printed on there outside sheath. If the cable is flat, or if each pair of the wires in the cable are not twisted together, then you have a silver satin cable.
Most people want a cable that is at least 25 feet long. This should give you plenty of slack to run it from the wallplate, around furniture and other obstacles, to your computer. The maximum allowable length for this cable is 50 feet, in our particular network configuration.
Installing Symantec Antivirus
If you are looking to download and install the Symantec Anti-Virus offered free of charge from SUNY Fredonia, please follow these instructions (For Windows Computers Only):
1. Log in to "Your Connection" using your Fredonia ID number and the password you selected.
2. Next, click the first link that reads "Student Services, Financial Aid, and Residence Life."
3. Then click the link to "Software Downloads"
4. Follow the instructions on downloading and installing Symantec Anti-virus.
5. After Symantec is installed, be sure to run Live-Update to get the latest virus definitions.
If you do not wish to use Symantec Anti-Virus, here is a list of alternatives.
1. AVG Anti-Virus - FREE - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is one of the most popular solutions to provide basic security protection on home and non-commercial PCs. We invite you to join the millions of users around the world who rely on AVG's unique award-winning detection methods by downloading AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition.
2. McAfee - Stops Viruses. Automatically blocks, cleans, and removes viruses so you can surf the Web safely and download files. Blocks Spyware. Blocks spyware before it installs on your computer and removes existing spyware so you can surf the Web safely. Stops Hackers. Protects and conceals your computer from hackers so you can surf the Internet safely.
3. Trend Micro AntiVirus - Millions of people rely on Trend Micro to safeguard their computers, personal files and privacy from malicious attacks. Trend Micro's award-winning AntiVirus software is enhanced with powerful anti-spyware features. Quickly installed and automatically updated, it allows you to concentrate on the things you really want to do with your computer.
4. Kaspersky Anti-Virus - Kaspersky® Anti-Virus 6.0 is award-winning antivirus software that protects your PC from viruses, Trojans, spyware, rootkits and other malicious programs. It also keeps your email and instant messages safe from dangerous worms. Reactive detection methods are combined with the newest proactive technologies to provide balanced and effective security, while automatic updates ensure uninterrupted protection and peace of mind
Spyware
What is Spyware?
Spyware or Adware, consist of small programs that run on your computer that take up system resources, slow down your computer, and are usually responsible for large amounts of pop-up ads. Usually these programs are running on your computer without your knowledge.
How did I get Spyware on my computer?
Spyware gets on your computer usually when you install a program that is "Ad Supported" such as KaZaa or iMesh. These programs install 3rd party software onto your computer in order to make their products free to use. Unfortunately these programs won't let you install them unless you agree to install this 3rd party software as well. Spyware can also get onto your computer when you are browsing the internet. Many websites will prompt you with a dialog box when you reach their site, asking you if you would like to install some software. If you don't read the fine print and just click "Yes", then most likely you just agreed to install a Spyware program onto your computer.
How do I get rid of Spyware?
To help you remove the Spyware off of your computer, ResNet has made some programs available for download on our website.
These programs include:
We recommend downloading and installing both Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy. This way if Ad-Aware does not find something, Spybot will pick up.
In order to keep the Spyware off of your computer, make sure you know what you are installing before you click that "Yes" button. However, some programs like KaZaa will not work if you remove their "Ad Support" programs, so always check out a program before you install it.
Vista Information
As of January 2007, most PC's will be shipped with Windows Vista. Windows Vista is fully supported at SUNY Fredonia's ResNet Office. Considering Upgrading To Windows Vista?Before upgrading to Windows Vista, keep the basics in mind:
Minimum Requirements
- 800 MHz processor
- 512MB of RAM
- CD-ROM
- 20 GB Hard Drive
- SVGA Graphics
Recommended System Requirements
- 2 GHz CPU
- 1 GB RAM
- DVD-ROM
- 60 GB Hard Drive
- Graphics Card with 128 MB RAM, WDDM Driver, Direct X 9 capable
Are your current applications certified to work on a Vista environment? If not, you may have to wait until a newer version of your application is released. Not sure if you should upgrade? Windows XP will be around for quite some time. XP Service Pack 3 is scheduled to be released during the Fall of 2007. Microsoft is said to continue XP support until 2009.
To learn more about the different versions of Vista click here.