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Personal Computers
All personally-owned computing equipment regularly connecting to the Northwest network must be configured according to the instructions on this page.
All computers connected to the Northwest network are required to have current Anti-Virus software installed and enabled if they are connected to the Northwest network. Microsoft Forefront or Symantec (Norton AntiVirus) is recommended. All computers are also required to have their operating systems (OS) latest security and service pack updates
Information Systems does provide assistance with the software configuration of personally-owned, non-university provided computers to the Northwest network. A nominal fee will be assessed for such service and billed to the appropriate account.
Hardware support [repair] is strictly limited to the residence hall port for personally-owned computers. On-site configuration and installation times for personal computers or printers will be scheduled as time permits with computing service personnel.
For those living in the residence halls on-site configuration and installation will be typically conducted by a Peer Educator in Residence for Technology (PERT) if one is available in your building. The PERTs are the Client Computing-Information Systems student computing service personnel.
To obtain assistance with configuring your personally-owned computing equipment, either contact your assigned PERT directly or contact the Client Computing-Information Systems Help Desk at 660-562-1634 to schedule an appointment.
Note: Some configuration documents may refer to registering residence hall computers with pete.nwmissouri.edu before you can access the internet. Residence Hall computers DO NOT have to register with pete.nwmissouri.edu any longer. Disregard instructions regarding pete.nwmissouri.edu.
Need Help?
If you need help configuring your personal computer to the Northwest network, please contact your residence hall PERT or fill out the PERT Request form to make an appointment: www.nwmissouri.edu/reslife/PERT_Requests/PERTform.htm. You can also call the Information Systems - Client Computing Help Desk at 660.562.1634 if you have questions.
Guides
Getting Connected (Windows OS Configuration)
To work successfully on the Northwest network and not be in violation of Northwest Computing Policies, you must configure your personal computer to certain specifications.
Please click on the link for your computer's operating system (OS) and follow the configuration instructions.
Getting Connected (MAC OS Configuration)
Information Systems does not provide detailed instructions for configuring MAC OS computers to the Northwest network for two reason: 1.) Northwest's official operating system is Windows and 2.) MAC computers typically do not have difficulty successfully connecting to the Northwest network.
Basic Steps to Connecting to the Northwest Network with a MAC OS:
- Make sure your MAC is set to DHCP
- Make sure to connect to NW_Secure wireless
- Enter your Northwest network account username and password where appropriate.
- Username Example: s000000
- Password Example: Belltower*1
- Uncheck the "Save password" option.
Note: If you cannot get on the Northwest network after doing the above, leave the MAC connected to the NW_Secure wireless network and it will typically, eventually connect successfully. The process may take up to an hour, so make sure you are using your computer's electrical cable and not just the battery.
Older MAC OS Printed Instructions
AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security
Anti-Virus software is provided on University Notebook Computers. However, you will need to provide, install and update Anti-Virus software on all personally-owned computers connecting to the Northwest Network. Not having updated Anti-Virus software (when using the Northwest Network) is a violation of campus computing policies.
AVG is one anti-virus software available for puchase. While Northwest does not endorse AVG, here is the link to AVG for your convenience.
All Microsoft images/icons/text used in the following documentation are owned and copyrighted to Microsoft Corporation www.Microsoft.com and used by Northwest Missouri State University with Microsoft's permission for educational purposes.
How-to Map the N: Drive (Student Storage folder) to your Personally-Owned Computer
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Right-click My Computer.
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Select Map Network Drive...
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Select the letter you would like to use in the Drive: dropbox (N:).
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Enter the path you would like to map to in the Folder: dropbox. (\\Catbert.nwmissouri.edu\Student\Last 2 digits of username\username).
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Click on the Connect using a different user name.
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Enter NWMSU\s# in the User name: box.
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Enter Password for s# in the Password: box.
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Click OK.
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Click Finish.
Note: On October 28, 2011, Catbert (N:drive) storage for students will be deleted. Students now have 25 gig of storage in their SkyDrive (Personal File Storage) within their Outlook Live account. Make sure to backup all important files within your student storage folder on Catbert (N:drive) to another storage device such as a USB Drive or to your Outlook Live SkyDrive.
Need Help?
If you have questions about the new student Outlook Live accounts, please view the Outlook Live Frequently Asked Questions web page. You can also call the Information Systems - Client Computing Help Desk at 660.562.1634.
