device

Computer Tips, Tricks, and Recommendations

Resources for:
icon Close

As technology evolves and new features are offered, there may be times when unwanted or unexpected things happen. This page is dedicated to providing some tips, tricks, and recommendations to circumvent these undesired circumstances.

Normalize Sound Levels – Windows

Microsoft Windows 10 automatically adjusts audio levels between different applications. This can affect the level of sounds from various applications depending on what program is currently being used. This feature can be turned off using the instructions below.

Instructions
  1. From the Sound Icon in your task bar, single right-click
  1. Click “Sounds
  1. Click “Communications” tab.
  1. Select the “Do nothing” radial button
  1. Click “Apply
  2. Click “OK
close

Adjust Microphone Settings – Windows

To ensure clear and audible audio in virtual meeting applications, such as Zoom, please follow the instructions below.

Instructions
  1. Right-click the Audio icon in the system tray portion of the task bar
  1. Click “Sounds
  1. Click “Recording

Note

Not all options may be visible.

  1. Right Click on “Microphone Array” and select “Properties
  1. Click the “Advanced” and un-check “Enable Audio Enhancements
  1. Click “Apply
  1. Click “OK
close

Adjust Power Options – Lenovo Laptops

Default power profiles in Windows 10 are configured to balance performance and battery life. To change these settings, please follow the steps below.

Instructions
  1. Click on Start, and then click “Settings
  1. Click on “System
  1. Select “Power & Sleep
  1. To modify power settings while the laptop is plugged in or on battery power, modify the below options

Note:

Selecting higher times may result in shorter battery life

  1. For additional power settings, such as the laptop lid and power button settings, click Additional power settings

Note

Depending on window size, this option may be located towards the bottom or on the right side of the screen.

  1. Select either “Choose what the power buttons door “Choose what closing the lid does
  1. The options below will allow modifying the effects of pressing the power button and closing the lid

Note

Setting DO NOTHING when closing the lid can lead to drastically less battery life as well as overheating when the laptop is placed inside a bag or briefcase.

close

Restarting A Computer

Rebooting a device is highly encouraged as it will help keep the system running at peak performance. The benefits of a weekly reboot include:

  • Mitigate vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks by applying critical updates
  • Prevent performance degradation
  • Prevent application memory faults
  • Effectively apply system policies

To restart a device, follow the instruction below.

Tip

Make sure any open application is saved and closed before a restart is performed. This includes applications like Outlook, Word, Excel and any other applications that may be opend.

Instructions for Windows
  1. Click the Start bottom on the bottom left hand side of the task bar
  1. Click the “Powerbutton
  1. Click “Restart

Note

Clicking “Shutdown” will not always properly apply updates or produce the desired effect. Clicking “restart” is the recomended option.

close
Instructions for macOS
  1. Click the “Apple” at the top left-hand side of your screen
  1. Click “Restart
close
Last Modified:

CrashPlan Backup Email Alert

Resources for:
icon Close

Backup Alert Email Notifications

CrashPlan Backup will send users an email alert notifying them of any incomplete backups of their devices.

  • The CrashPlan Backup email alert will be sent from “CrashPlan <noreply@crashplan.com>
  • The Subject line of the email will be labeled with: “[External]Critical: [Name of Device] not backed up

Backup Alert

You will receive an alert when your computer hasn’t backed up to CrashPlan for 5 calendar days. The email will look like the example below:

CrashPlan Backup Alert Email Notification

What to do if you get a backup alert

After receiving a CrashPlan Backup alert email, you should locate the device the email specifies in need of backup. The CrashPlan Backup device name will be listed in the Subject: line and Computer Name: line of the CrashPlan backup alert email.

For Windows Devices

To locate the name of a CrashPlan Backup device:

  1. Click the CrashPlan Backup icon in the Windows System Tray, also referred to as the notification area.

CrashPlan Backup icon

  1. Click “Run Backup now

Tip

The Windows System Tray or notification area is usually located on the bottom right of the Windows taskbar, next to the displayed digital clock.

Ensure the CrashPlan backup application displays the same name as the CrashPlan Backup alert email you received.

close
For macOS Devices

After locating the correct specified device stated in the CrashPlan backup alert email, force a backup of the device by performing the following:

  1. Click the “CrashPlan Backup” System Tray or macOS menu bar Icon

CrashPlan Backup Icon

  1. Click “Run Backup now

Note

The backup may take some time to complete. This depends on the length of time since CrashPlan Backup’s last completed backup and the amount of new data that needs to be backed up.

close
Last Modified:

DUO Remember Me

Resources for:
icon Close

The “remember me” option is displayed by Duo when you sign in with FDU NetID on the web. After providing your second factor for authentication, Duo will present you with a prompt asking if you would like to have this device remembered for future logins. Selecting “Yes, this is my device” sets the “remember me” status for Duo.

Use the “remember me” option to reduce how often you have to sign in with two-factor authentication (2FA) on the same web browser. It’s safe to use on trusted computers and lasts for 30 days.

Refer to our Duo Quick Start Guide below for instructions on using the “remember me” option within the context of the overall sign-in experience.

Use “remember me” on trusted computers

The “remember me” option is safe to use on computers and devices that you can trust to protect your browser. Examples include managed workstations at work, lab computers that require you to sign in, and personal computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices that protect your browser from use by others.

Do not use “remember me” on public or shared computers Do not use “remember me” on public or shared computers

The “remember me” option shouldn’t be used on computers and devices that don’t protect your browser, such as public or shared computers, and computers you don’t sign in to and cannot lock to protect your browser.

FAQ

What is the “remember me” option?

The “remember me” option is a feature of Duo that tells your browser to remember that you have confirmed your identity using your 2FA device. If you confirm that “Yes, this is my device” when authenticating with Duo, you won’t have to use your 2FA device as often on that browser. For example, if you use it on your computer at work, it reduces how often you have to sign in with 2FA at work; but your laptop at home will still ask you to sign in with 2FA.

Why would I want to use it?

The “remember me” option saves you time and reduces distraction by reducing how often you have to use your 2FA device. If you routinely use the Duo callback method, it also saves the FDU money in telephony costs.

Is “Remember Me” safe? Doesn’t it defeat the purpose of 2FA?

The “remember me” option is safe to use on computers and devices that you can trust to protect your browser. It doesn’t defeat the purpose of 2FA because the convenience it provides is limited to each computer and browser that you choose to use it on. If you or anyone else tries to sign in with your FDU NetID on a different computer or browser, 2FA will be required.

How long does it last?

The “remember me” option lasts 30 days. It saves a secure cookie on your browser to track the time until you need to use your 2FA device again. If your browser clears cookies this will remove “remember me” until you re-select it.

Why is the “remember me” duration 30 days?

30 days is the current “remember me” duration because it is often enough to remind you that 2FA is turned on, but not so often to be annoying. While some institutions use shorter or longer durations, 30 days is a common duration at peer institutions.

How do I clear it on my current browser?

If the “remember me” option is enabled on the browser you’re using right now, clear your cookies for duosecurity.com. To clear it on other browsers, repeat this process on each of them.

How do I reset it on a browser I no longer control?

If you enabled the “remember me” option on a browser you no longer control, Please open a support ticket by clicking Support at the top of the page, or visiting samisupport.fdu.edu.

Note

When FDU IT resets your “remember me”, it will clear it on all your browsers, including those you no longer control. Once it has been reset, you can enable it again on your current browser(s).

close
Troubleshooting

I’m using the “remember me” option, and I still have to use my 2FA device more often than every 30 days. Why is that?

Some system owners require you to reauthenticate with 2FA every time you access their systems for security, regardless of using the “remember me” option (workday for example). This can increase how often you have to sign in with 2FA. If you find you are regularly asked for 2FA on some sites despite the “remember me” option, but not other websites this is likely the cause. Other contributing factors include how many different computers you use, how many different browsers you use on these computers, whether or not you use the “remember me” option on all of them, how your browsers are configured to use cookies, and how often you clear your browser cookies.

Why do some system owners override the “remember me” option and reauthenticate me every time I sign in?

System owners decide to reauthenticate you based on what institutional and personal data they need to protect, and what threats and risks they need to guard against. Some of them reauthenticate you because they are concerned about unauthorized access from unattended browser sessions, and forcing you to reauthenticate is one way to re-establish that it’s you.

Why isn’t the “remember me” option working for me? Are there things that prevent it from working correctly?

The “remember me” option requires the use of browser cookies, so it may not work as expected in these circumstances:

  • You are accessing a site that overrides the “remember me” option
  • You cleared your browser cookies
  • You started using a different browser
  • You started using a different computer or device
  • You are using a private browsing mode
  • You disabled the use of browser cookies
  • Your browser doesn’t allow cookies to be saved
  • You use a browser extension that blocks cookies
close
Last Modified:

On-Campus Printing

Resources for:
icon Close

The following tutorial will guide you through the process of connecting a printer while on-campus. Faculty and Staff members should review the purchasing process before engaging with the process for connecting a printer.

Note

Wireless printing is not permitted on campus. The information below is for wired connections only.

Connecting a Printer for Students in the Residence Halls

Most new printers are plug and play compatible with Windows 10. When you receive your new printer, you can unbox it and remove any orange tape you see. After plugging in the power and turning the printer on, allow the printer to initialize (most new printers will have a display to show you it’s progress). When the printer finishes initializing, just connect the usb printer cable from the printer to your computer. Windows 10 should automatically install the printer for you.

close
Printer Purchasing Process for Faculty and Staff

All printer purchases for faculty and staff on-campus use must appear on OIRT’s list of approved printer models. For the most up to date list of approved printer models, please contact the Purchasing Department. The purchase of any printer not on the list must be pre-approved by the CIO.

Determining if a Printer will be Directly Connected or On-Network

Faculty and Staff Members have the option of either making a direct or network connection to the printer. A direct connection is when a printer is connected to a single computer and an on-network printer means that multiple parties can print to it. Generally speaking, unless a printer is shared by three or more employees, users should request a direct connect printer.

If you are planning to use a direct connection, simply purchase any printer contained on the Purchasing Department’s list of approved models and follow the instructions for “Installing a Local Printer” in the “Connecting a Printer for Faculty and Staff Members” section below.

If your new printer will be on-network, please ask your department to contact the Fairleigh Dickinson University Technical Assistance Center (UTAC) for USAN to investigate the viability of any data jacks in the vicinity of where the printer will be located. The full workflow for this process is shown in the following diagram.

close
Connecting a Printer for Faculty and Staff

Installing a Local Printer

Most new printers are plug and play compatible with Windows 10. When you receive your new printer, you can Most new printers are plug and play compatible with Windows 10. When you receive your new printer, you can unbox it and remove any orange tape you see. After plugging in the power and turning the printer on, allow the printer to initialize (most new printers will have a display to show you it’s progress). When the printer finishes initializing, you can just connect the usb printer cable from the printer to your computer. Windows 10 should automatically install the printer for you.

Connecting to a Network Printer

Employees are able to add network printers to their own machines.

  1. Do a search for printers, and click on “Printers & Scanners

  2. Click on “Add a printer or scanner

  3. The list will start to populate and if you find your printer you can click on it and then click on “Add device”, otherwise scroll down to the bottom of the list and select “The printer I wanted wasn’t listed

  4. In the new dialog box, select “Find a printer in the directory” and click “Next

  5. Search for your printer and double click on it when you find it

  6. A box will let you know that the printer was successfully installed. Click “Next

  7. You can click on “Print a Test Page” to verify you are connected to the right printer otherwise click on “Finish

close
Last Modified:

Printing in The Computer Labs

Resources for:
icon Close

Cost and Billing

To prevent excessive printing, the Department of Computing Services charges students a small fee for printing in the FDU Computer Labs. Black and white printing costs $0.05 per page and color printing is $0.25 per page.

Each student pays a technology fee which includes $10.00 of lab printing for each of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Printing charges above the $10.00 per semester will appear as a Printing Fee on the next tuition bill.  

The $10 per semester printing credit is a standard allotment that expires each semester and has no cash value. No refunds will be given for pages not printed and unused prints for each semester’s allotment do not carry forward.

FDU staff and faculty members can use lab printers on a limited basis without charge for the purpose on conducting FDU business. Please use your department’s printer(s) as your primary printing resource. Faculty and staff members are limited to 200 pages per semester. Any attempt to print past this quota will result in an error message stating that the account does not have enough credit.

Note: You are responsible for all activity on your account. If you share your password with others or forget to log out, you will be held responsible for any activity done via your account, including printing charges. Computing Services strongly recommends that you use non-trivial passwords and log out completely before leaving a workstation.

View and Manage your Lab Printing

PaperCut Icon
  1. Hovering your cursor on the Papercut tray icon shows the Balance
  1. When you click on the Papercut tray icon, it opens a new window as seen below:
  1. Clicking on the “Details…” button on the lower right of the Balance within the Papercut window opens a web browser that will let the user log in and see their job history

Receiving Credit for Printing Errors

Credit will be given for errors caused by the printer (paper jams, toner problems, etc.) In such situations, please take the bad printouts to a Lab Assistant in Dreyfuss, Dickinson Hall, or University Hall. Your information will be taken, and reimbursement will be made in the form of a credit applied to your total charge for the semester. Situations which could have been prevented before printing, such as extra blank pages at the end of a document, will not be reimbursed.

Can I Use My Own Paper in These Printers?

No. Jobs are printed as they are received. There is the possibility that after loading the printer with your paper someone will print a job that will then be printed out on your paper. Transparencies and mailing labels are not allowed in the lab printers due to the high heat that laser printers use and the potential for damage to the equipment.

Last Modified: