CSS Survival Guide: New Account FAQs

So you have your new account and are logged in, and suddenly you have some questions regarding what you see. Here is a list of common questions that new account holders ask the consultants. If your question is not answered here, come and see the CSS consultant in 1253 SC, call the consultant at 319-335-5055, or email consultant@engineering.uiowa.edu for further assistance and information.

Frequently Asked Questions

I can't remember my password, or don't like it, and want to change it. How?
How do I check my email, or configure my email client?
I have multiple email addresses, and I want them to all point to the same place. How do I do this?
Why do I have three passwords/accounts from the University of Iowa? I have an Engineering account ID and a Hawk ID. What do they do?
What printers do I have access to?
What computers are in the labs?

I can't remember my password, or don't like it, and want to change it. How?

If you don't remember your password and you have not enrolled on the password tools page, come to the CSS office, 1256 SC, or the consulting office, 1253 SC, with current ID. CSS staff can reset your password.

If you don't like your current password, you can change it after logging in to any of the computers. Go to the CSS password tools page. While you are there, enroll so that you can reset your password or unlock you account. Enrolling entails selecting questions and entering answers that you'll be presented with again when you return to the page to reset your password.

To change your password from a Windows computer, press Ctrl Alt Delete at the same time after logging in. Next, choose "Change Password" from the menu that appears, and follow the instructions you are given. To change it from a Linux workstation, go to K/Start | Preferences | Password and follow the instructions you are given; or type passwd from a shell prompt.

Passwords 1) must be at least 9 characters long; 2) must contain at least 2 letters and 2 non-letters; 3) cannot include any 4 consecutive characters of the user name, Hawk ID, or current password; 4) cannot match any of the 10 previous passwords. For security we encourage not using words in the English dictionary and using at least one non-alphanumeric character in your password. All punctuation characters are valid for this except / ! @ # \ and space.

How do I check my email, or configure my email client?

After logging in to your a computer in the labs, you can view your email in several ways. Currently, CSS supports several mail clients. For information on email clients, as well as how to set up and manage your account, read the email information.

I have multiple email addresses, and I want them to all point to the same place. How do I do this?

You can have all email sent to a University email address delivered to your @engineering.uiowa.edu account. Most mail clients let you read mail from multiple accounts; read the information about each client. See the consultant, 335-5055, 1253 SC, for help getting mail directed to the place you want to read it.

Why do I have multiple accounts at the University of Iowa? I have an Engineering account ID and a Hawk ID. What do they do?

Having multiple accounts can be confusing. Though the account names may be the same (bgreene, for example), the accounts are separate and accomplish different things.

Your Engineering account lets you login to the Engineering Computer Network and use the facilities provided therein. You cannot log in to computers elsewhere on campus, including the ITCs, with your Engineering account.

Your Hawk ID is used to log in to computers in the ITCs, not including the labs in the Seamans Center, to use the ITS remote access service, and to use ISIS for registering for classes, viewing your U-Bill, or all other ISIS functions. You cannot log into engineering computers and services using your Hawk ID. Read about the Hawk ID.

What printers do I have access to?

All engineering account holders have access to the four lab LaserJet printers (ptrcss00, ptrcss01, ptrcss02, ptrcss03) and the color LaserJet, ptrcss10, in the CSS consulting office, 1253 SC. See Printers, Print Quota and Printing from Windows for information on adding these printers from a Windows lab machine. To use other printers in the Engineering College you must be given access to them by the department that owns the printer.

What computers are in the labs?

Find information about the computers, scanners, and printers in the labs, along with a description of each, on the lab hardware pages.

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updated: 27 May 2006