General FAQ
If you are looking for information about new account questions or email, try those specific FAQs.
How do I get to files in my home directory from home?
Use the Connect2 VPN to get to files in your home directory. Connect2 is available on any computer platform that runs a web browser. If you want only to transfer files from your personal or home computer to or from your Engineering account home directory, you can use FileZilla to make a secure connection; there are Windows and Linux versions of FileZilla. Faculty and staff can also run Remote Desktop from home to connect to your campus computer.
What's the best way to transfer a large file?
To transfer a file between your own computer and your engineering account, use an SFTP (Secure file transfer) program. FileZilla is file transfer software that includes SFTP; it is available without charge from FileZilla Project. Or use the Connect2 VPN.
Many people use email to transfer files by attaching the files to a message and sending the message to one's self. This method uses mail quota because the attachments are saved until you delete the message. An emailed file exists on the originating machine or account, on the mail server, and, when retrieved, on the receiving machine or account. Use SFTP to move files; it is quicker and results in less space being used by the same file(s).
How can I print to a specific printer?
Yes. Here's how.
Within the Windows or Linux application from which you want to print, go to File | Print. In the selection box under Printer Name, choose the printer you want to print to: e.g., ptrcss00-03. You can also print to the color laser printer, ptrcss10; go to the consulting office, 1253 SC, for help and to pick up output from that printer.
What is the best program to read email? How can I read my mail?
The best program is the one you are most familiar with or get the must supp0rt for. CSS supports Thunderbird (Linux and Windows XP) and Webmail (from any browser; run Webmail).
How do I change my password? Can I do it from Windows? Linux? the web?
You can change your password from the web using the CSS password tool page. That page also allows you to enroll so that you can change your password.
On Windows press Ctrl + Alt + Delete. A menu will appear. Click Change Password and follow the instructions. On Linux, go to the password tool page.
Your account password is also your email password.
Can I install my own software?
You can try to install software. However, if the installation requires that files be physically written to any drive other than the local directory or H drive, the installation will likely fail.
Dot files are files that begin with "." or period. They are configuration files in your account that make programs run the way they are supposed to. Do not edit dot files unless you know what you are doing, and then, make a backup of the file first. The consultant in 1253 SC can help you with editing dot files.
I deleted a file that I need. What can I do?
If the file is on your home directory, you can recover it yourself. Every 4 hours a copy is made of files that have been modified. You can view, copy, or restore these previous versions by selecting the file (or directory), right click and select Properties, then click the Previous Versions tab to select the version to restore.
If you have accidentally deleted or overwritten a file, use the Previous Version capability described in the paragraph above. If the file is on a file share, it may be recoverable from the CSS backup tapes. Fill out a File Restore Request form on the forms page. On that form you list the complete pathname of the file that you deleted and want restored. If you create a file in the morning and delete it before 5:00 pm, there is no backup of the file. CSS backs up files nightly starting at 5:00 pm. We keep backups for about three months. CSS also backs up the local D: drive on college-administered faculty and staff computers.
What is my quota and how can I get it increased?
Engineering computer accounts have three different quotas: print quota, disk quota, and email quota.
The print quota is an amount that determines how much you can print from your engineering account.
Disk quota is regularly increased. Disk quota can be increased in special cases on a student-by-student basis. Apply for more disk quota by visiting the CSS main office, 1256 SC.
Each user's mail account has a quota. The quota applies to the inbox and all folders in your mail account. This is separate storage on the mail server and is not associated with your home directory space (disk quota). What is stored in your mail account effects your home directory quota if you store local copies of files or have local folders. Use the CSS account management tools page to check your mail quota and usage, or login to Webmail to check your quota and usage.
I'm over quota but I need the files still on my account. How can I keep them and get under quota?
Read the e-tude about Reducing Disk Usage. You can save files you need occasionally but not daily to some removable storage device like a CD, DVD, or flash drive.
I keep getting messages about being over my mail quota. But I am under my disk space quota.
Your mail quota and your home directory disk quota are two separate entities. You are given an amount of space on the mail server for email only, and this is separate from your home directory or H:\ drive space. The most common reason for going over your mail quota is because of file attachments. Check for messages that have file attachments and move the attachment (to your home directory, for example) and delete the message. Webmail keeps copies of the attachments you send in the Sent folder if you have set Webmail to do so. Delete those messages. Webmail and Thunderbird have a setting to remove attachments with messages. In Webmail, go to Options (for mail) | Message Viewing, check "Show an icon to allow stripping of attachments from messages?" When you view a message with an attachment, you can download the attachment, then click the Trash can icon to strip the attachment from the message. Thunderbird allows removing an attachment and saving it separately by right clicking on the attachment.
If you need more help getting under quota, visit the CSS consultants, 1253 SC, 319-335-5055.
CSS | College of Engineering | © The University of Iowa 2009.
All rights reserved. |