Tech Help
Technical questions:
Thank you for reading this information! Print this page NOW and store it in a safe place so that you'll have the information available whenever you experience computer problems.
NEVER SPEND MORE THAN AN HOUR trying to fix problems by yourself! UCF offers wonderful technical support free of charge--please save yourself some time and stress by availing yourself of the help available to you. See the list of useful phone numbers below.
So DON'T STRUGGLE ALONE! Ask the tech people for help when you encounter glitches. (NB: your professor is not trained to do tech support, though he is happy to provide sympathetic moral support.)
Technical Assistance for On-Line Courses at UCF:
- Network outages: On occasion, you may be unable to access the course due to network outages. Most of the time, the problem is caused by something like a backhoe cutting a telephone line. Such problems are usually resolved within a few hours. Please don't panic if this happens to you--just keep checking the network, and eventually you'll be able to access the course again. Depending on where the problem has occurred, the tech support at your ISP or UCF's Help Desk (see "Useful Links" below) should be able to estimate when everything will be back to normal. When you are able, post your work along with an explanation of what happened.
- AOL Problems: AOL users have historically experienced difficulties when they need to access information outside of AOL. Because of this, you are advised not to use the AOL web browser to access the WebCT portion of your course. Newer versions of the AOL software (v 7.0 and 8.0) are more reliable than earlier versions. You can dial the Internet through AOL, but you should use the software (Internet Explorer) on the Pegasus Disc to access the course. If you have problems, consider using a different ISP to establish your connection. The local yellow pages will list other companies who can connect you to the internet; UCF also provides free internet access for enrolled students. If you are still determined to use AOL, see the information for AOL members available from the Learning On-Line button on the main course page. Your instructor cannot assist you with AOL-related technical problems.
- Viruses: You won't have to worry about viruses because you use a reputable anti-virus program, like every responsible computer user. Good programs include those by McAfee or Norton. Please remember to update your virus definitions regularly (your software documentation will tell you how to do this). Every time you submit any attachments or email messages that contain viruses, your grade for the course will be reduced by one full letter. See "Useful Links" below for more information about viruses.
- Back-ups: Technical difficulties can cause serious problems, especially if you procrastinate. Back up your files regularly on floppy or Zip disks and store these in a location separate from your computer. Use a surge-protected power source (one that also protects your phone/modem connection) and avoid using your computer during thunderstorms. A lightning strike could wipe out you and your computer.
If you experience repeated technical problems, consider dropping the course. Petitions for late withdrawal may be filed in UCF's Academic Services Office. (See "Useful Links" below for contact information.)
Useful links:
