FAQ: Frequently asked questions
IT Support
- What can I do if the computer workstation freezes?
- What can I do if I get an error message at the internet workstations?
- What can I do if I cannot access the internet with my notebook?
- Why can I send no emails from my notebook?
- How can I disable my notebook's startup and shutdown sounds?
What can I do if the computer workstation freezes?
If nothing moves on your screen, press the reset button of the workstation (with your pinkie or a pen) or ask our staff at the reference desk in the Central Library or at the Departmental Libraries.
All internet workstations and workstations for catalogue and database research are shut down automatically after an hour of inactivity. They can be restarted by pressing the power-button and waiting a little (120 seconds). Every morning at 7am, all computers are restarted automatically.
04.07.2008
What can I do if I get an error message at the internet workstations?
If you want to access an external website from one of the internet workstations at the library, you will get a login screen. As user name ("Benutzernummer"), enter the number on your library card (without the zeros at the front) and your password - information about your user ID and password.
If there is no login screen but the error message "The requested URL could not be retrieved", you are probably sitting at of one of our workstations reserved for the use of catalogues and databases (please note the "Kataloge und Datenbanken" labels on these workstations).
If you get another error message, ask our staff at the reference desk in the Central Library or in the Departmental Libraries. You can also make an appointment with our IT support.
08.08.2008
What can I do if I cannot access the internet with my notebook?
Please check if your network cable or the network socket are fully functional - you might want to check another network socket, for instance.
If you still cannot access the internet, you have probably entered a specific DNS server which cannot respond to your computer.
- Check if you have activated "Obtain DNS server automatically" in the "Local area connection properties" (select "Internet Protocol TCP/IP" and activate).
- Check if all proxy servers in your browser are deactivated!
- Activate "Obtain an IP address automatically" (or similar wording).
- Windows XP: Start / Properties / System control / Network Connections / Local area connection properties / right click: Properties / Tab: General / Select in the second box: Internet protocol (TCP/IP) / select "Properties" / Tab: General / select "Obtain IP address automatically"
- Instructions for Windows 98 / Windows 2000. The proceeding is similar with other operating systems.
If the error message persists, please ask our staff at the reference desk or make an appointment with our IT support.
15.10.2008
Why can I send no emails from my notebook?
To prevent the spread of computer viruses, the outgoing TCP port 25 has been blocked. You can send emails, however, if you set the mailserver of the ITMC (unimail.uni-dortmund.de) as an SMTP server in the settings.
04.07.2008
How can I disable my notebook's startup and shutdown sounds?
When you are working at the library with your own notebook, other library users will feel disturbed by startup and shutdown sounds. Please switch off sounds!
Windows XP operating system:
- Start -> Settings -> Control Panels -> Sounds and Audio Devices
- Choose Sound Scheme -> No sounds,
- or change program events "Windows XP Startup" and "Windows XP Shutdown" to "None".
23.06.2009
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