HallNet
Step by Step Guide Windows Vista
Introduction
These steps will take you through configuring your computer to use the network and network services, and installing the supported software.
Essential Steps
Before you start the configuration you must have installed and configured a Network / Ethernet card in your computer. Step 1 explains this in more detail. Step 2 takes you through the initial stages of connecting your computer and configuring it to use the network. Print out the instructions and work through them carefully.
Once you have completed the first three steps you can use your browser to read Steps 3 (Patch your Operating System) and 4 (Set up Anti-Virus Software). You may still prefer to print out these steps first. You must work through these steps too. After this you must register to use the service.
Recommended Steps
Once connected to the network you can read and follow the remaining instructions for Steps 5 onwards. You may prefer to print them out and follow the instructions on paper before starting the installations. Step 5 provides you with access to an Individual file store (U: drive) which is accessible from computer labs (and the library), and is regularly backed up. This is very useful for backing up your course work.
IT Services only support services and software available from this web site.
Brief Description of Steps
Print the next three steps out before starting.
Step 1: Installing and Configuring a Network Card.
www.lboro.ac.uk/it/hallnet/vista/netcard.html
To use the network you must have installed and configured a Network / Ethernet card in your computer. The instructions take you through checking the card to ensure that it is working correctly.
Step 2: Configuring your Computer to use the Network.
www.lboro.ac.uk/it/hallnet/vista/network.html
You need to configure your computer to communicate on the network. The instructions will take you through the process of configuring your computer to use a network protocol called TCP/IP.
Step 3: Patch your Operating System.
www.lboro.ac.uk/it/hallnet/vista/patch.html
It is essential that you apply the latest patches to your Operating System. Failure to do so may still leave your computer liable to infection with viruses or unwanted software. If your computer does become infected and is a problem to other users of the Network, we will disconnect your computer until the problem is resolved.
Step 4: Anti-Virus software.
www.lboro.ac.uk/it/hallnet/vista/av.html
You must run up-to-date anti-virus software on your computer. Network Associates T.V.D. virus detection and prevention software is available from here. This will automatically update itself as new viruses are discovered. You may omit this step if you have your own anti-virus software and you keep it up to date.
You must now Register!
https://hallnet.info/register
The following steps are all optional:
Step 5: Configuring your Individual File Store (U: drive).
www.lboro.ac.uk/it/hallnet/vista/cfs.html
Your Individual File Store (U: drive) is a central area of data storage provided for students. It is accessible from Computer Laboratories on campus and from the Hall Network Service HallNet.
It is also very useful for backing up your vital course work.
Step 6: Browser Plug-Ins.
www.lboro.ac.uk/it/hallnet/plug-in.html
Plugs-ins are optional functions that you can add in to your browser installation, such as Adobe Acrobat, Quicktime, Authorware, Flash, and Shockwave.
Step 7: E-mail.
www.lboro.ac.uk/it/hallnet/email.html
The service offers two supported ways of accessing and reading your e-mail: a web-based mailer called IMP, and Microsoft Outlook Express.
Step 8: Accessing TeachDoc Data.
www.lboro.ac.uk/it/hallnet/teachdoc.html
Lecturer supplied data for training courses held in Computer Labs is stored in TeachDoc. Users of Computer Labs can then copy this data to their C: drive and use it.
TeachDoc data is only available from Halls of Residence for students using Windows XP or Windows Vista.
Step 9: Freewire TV.
www.lboro.ac.uk/it/hallnet/freewire.html
Freewire will allow you to watch television on your HallNet connected computer.
The TV channels are broadcast over the network in high quality (equivalent to a standard digital terrestrial TV broadcast) using very efficient multicast network technology.
Freewire will allow you to watch many of the TV channels that you get on the "Freeview" UK digital television system. These include: BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4, FIVE, BBC3, BBC4, BBC News 24, FiveUS, FiveLife, E4, More4 Film 4, PCNE.
There is no charge for using the basic Freewire package. However, you do need to have a valid UK TV license to use the Freewire service. There is also a charge if you decide to use the Freewire Extra service.
Note: Freewire will not be available in Forest Court due to bandwidth restrictions. We will be talking to Derwent housing in the near future to try and find a solution to this.
Note: Freewire is provided to the University by a third party supplier. As such we can only guarantee the provision of the service through the University network. We cannot guarantee the availability of the service beyond this point. if problems occur that are out of our control we may have to wait for others to act before they can be resolved. We thank you for your understanding in this.