Computing Information for New Students
Table of Contents
Your Computer
Buy or Bring?
Cavalier Computers, located in the University Bookstore, sells computers that meet or exceed University minimum standards, have essential software, and are ready to connect to the UVa network.
You can also buy a computer elsewhere or bring one from home, but it must meet the minimum standards outlined below, or—even better—match the specifications of the models sold at Cavalier Computers, listed under “DCI” (Desktop Computing Initiative).
Minimum University Standards
Computers bought elsewhere or brought to UVa from home should have:
- Operating System:
- Windows XP (Professional preferred) at a minimum, but Vista is recommended (Ultimate edition preferred)
Note: If you bring a computer with XP, you should expect to upgrade to Vista before graduation. - Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) at a minimum, but 10.5 (Leopard) is recommended
Note: If you bring a computer with Tiger, you should expect to upgrade to Leopard before graduation.
- Windows XP (Professional preferred) at a minimum, but Vista is recommended (Ultimate edition preferred)
- Processor Speed: Equivalent to an Intel Core Duo (1.5 GHz)
- RAM: 2 GB (Gigabytes)
- Free Hard Disk Space: 40 GB (Gigabytes) of free hard disk space (after all programs are loaded)
- Networking Capability:
- Wireless networking card (for laptops)
- Ethernet card with 10BaseT capability (for laptops and desktops)
- DVD-RW or CD-RW Capability: A combination drive or multiple drives for performing backups
- Accessories: Both of these included with computers purchased at Cavalier Computers and available for purchase on Move-In Day if needed:
- A power surge protector
- An Ethernet cable (40 feet in length, 10BaseT category 5)
Public Computing Labs
You can also take advantage of ITC's public computing labs, which house hundreds of Windows and Macintosh computers, and UNIX workstations.
- Printing in the Labs: You can print in the labs using your own laptop or the lab computers for just 8 cents per page, using a pre-paid deposit through your Cavalier Advantage account.
- Hours and Locations: Some computer labs are open 24 hours a day, and all are conveniently located around Grounds.
Free & Low-Cost Software
Microsoft Office
Whether or not you decide to take advantage of the many benefits of the DCI program, you can still enjoy a price reduction for the Microsoft Office Suite (both Windows and Mac versions) through UVa’s new Campus Agreement with Microsoft:
- If you purchase a DCI computer through the University's program with Cavalier Computers, Microsoft Office will come pre-installed on your machine at no charge, and you can opt to pick up your computer at Summer Orientation, have it shipped home during the summer, or have it waiting in your dorm room on Move-In Saturday (Aug. 23, 2008).
- If you don't purchase a DCI computer, you may still take advantage of the Campus Agreement by getting a computer without Microsoft Office pre-installed. Then, once you arrive on Grounds in the fall, you may purchase Microsoft Office from Cavalier Computers in the UVa Bookstore. (Under this agreement, you may also opt to upgrade your computer’s operating system from Windows XP to Vista.) The Microsoft software, available after Move-In Saturday (Aug. 23, 2008), will cost just $10—so you'll enjoy a significant savings from the full-priced software, or even the educational discount pricing. A valid UVa student ID is required at purchase.
Other Software Titles
- Low-Cost: For other software titles, Cavalier Computers offers deep educational discounts for students.
- Free: ITC provides some free software—such as an antivirus subscription—to students, downloadable from Software Central.
Internet Access
- On-Grounds Wired: Every student residence hall room has a network outlet for a wired connection to the Internet.
- On-Grounds Wireless: Wireless access to the Web is available in all McCormick and Alderman Road first-year residence halls, in the libraries, on the Lawn, and in many classrooms. But as with cell phones, there may be a few dead spots.
- Off-Grounds Access: While you'll be primarily accessing UVa services from on Grounds, occasionally you may need to access some restricted UVa services from off-Grounds.
Free Tech Support
ITC Help Desk
You can contact the ITC Help Desk:
- By Phone: Call 434-924-3731 from 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday; or
- Online: Complete an online Help Request Form and someone will get back with you shortly; or
- In Person: After calling ahead for an appointment, drop by in person with your laptop, at 2015 Ivy Road.
Walk-In Clinics
You can also take your laptop to one of our free Walk-In Clinics on weekday afternoons from 1 – 4 PM for tech support with no appointment necessary:
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: Clemons Library
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: Brown Science & Engineering Library in Clark Hall
Other Tech Support: Peer-to-Peer Assistance & Self-Help
- Peer-to-Peer Assistance: Ask your Student Consultant (SC), a fellow student in your residence hall trained to offer help with computing questions.
- Consider applying to be a Student Consultant! You get paid for an on-Grounds job, offering tech support to fellow students and receiving ongoing paid technical training.
- Self-Help: Try searching ITC's website for instructions or assistance with your issue.
ITC Services & Accounts
Your UVa Email Account
Your University email account will be provided by UVa's Central Mail Service (CMS) initially, but once you arrive on Grounds this fall, you'll be able to switch to one of the University’s 2 new student email service providers—either Google (for Gmail) or Microsoft (for Live@edu)—for your official University email account.
Online File Storage
ITC provides you access to 2 free, secure online services to back up important files in case your computer crashes, reducing the need for CDs and thumb drives, since files stored on these services are accessible from anywhere:
- Home Directory Service enables you to create your files in one place and later print them in another, and even to publish your own page on the Internet, using Home Directory's easy access to personal Web space.
- UVaCollab is an online collaboration and learning environment used by professors for course management and used by many members of the UVa community for online file storage and collaboration among student clubs, organizations, committees, and project groups.
Telephones & Cable Television
Long-Distance PINs
You may have a mobile phone, but signing up for a long-distance PIN is a good insurance policy for when cell phones get lost, can't get service, or have a dead battery. With a PIN, you can use the landline phone in your residence hall room to make long-distance calls, and you pay only for minutes used. There's no fee to subscribe.
- Sign Up Starting July 26, 2008: Sign up for a Long-Distance PIN.
- More Information: View long-distance rates and how to use your dorm room telephone.
Cable TV
You'll have to coordinate sign-up and payment for cable TV with your roommate, as each residence hall room contains only one hookup.
- Sign Up Starting July 26, 2008: Sign up for cable TV in your dorm room.
- More Information: View pricing and channel information and how to connect your TV to UVa's cable system.