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.

1. From the Sound Icon in your task bar, single right-click

2. Click “Sounds“

3. Click “Communications” tab.

4. Select the “Do nothing” radial button

5. Click “Apply”
6. Click “OK”

Adjust Microphone Settings – Windows

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

1. Right-click the Audio icon in the system tray portion of the task bar

2. Click “Sounds”

3. Click “Recording”

4. Right Click on “Microphone Array” and select “Properties”

5. Click the “Advanced” and un-check “Enable Audio Enhancements”

6. Click “Apply”

7. Click “OK”

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.

1. Click on Start, and then click “Settings“

2. Click on “System“

3. Select “Power & Sleep“

4. To modify power settings while the laptop is plugged in or on battery power, modify the below options

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

6. Select either “Choose what the power buttons do” or “Choose what closing the lid does“

7. The options below will allow modifying the effects of pressing the power button and closing the lid

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.

1. Click the Start bottom on the bottom left hand side of the task bar

2. Click the “Power” button

3. Click “Restart”

1. Click the “Apple” at the top left-hand side of your screen

1. Click “Restart“

To help protect the University’s computers and networks from cyber threats, FDU OIRT is implementing Application Control with privilege management. This feature provides all users with privileged rights to install applications as needed while continuing to protect resources from unknown and malicious risks.

All software is typically installed from a setup file. Any setup file for an application should only be downloaded from the developer’s official site. For example, to install Google Chrome, the setup file should only be downloaded from Google’s official site.

Any setup file on a USB drive, CD drive, or other removable media should only be installed if provided directly by the developer or other credible source.

By default, the setup file will be located within the Downloads folder:

C:\users\yourusername\downloads\

To install software on a university laptop with Windows, follow the process defined below:

1. Right-click the setup file for the application to be installed
2. Click “Run with Administrative Privileges (Audited)” on the setup file

3. Provide a valid reason for installation and use of the application in the space provided and press “Continue”

The application will now be installed with administrative privileges.

1. Click on “Jamf Connect” located on the top right menu bar app (where you log in to sync your password) and click “Request Admin Privileges“

2. Select the reason from the dialog box: Install App, Change Setting, or Other for the elevation, and click “Continue“

3. You will be notified when you are elevated and can begin installing a new application or making changes to your settings

4. A countdown will appear in your menu bar, showing how much time remains for your administrator access. Complete the installation before the countdown ends

5. You will return to your normal permissions when the countdown reaches zero

Special-use elevations will still be handled through the existing workflow.

This document outlines how the help desk should handle issues regarding supporting personal hardware.

All support tickets for personal hardware will need to be created and supported by the help desk. Limited support will be provided by completing basic troubleshooting and diagnostics.

This includes:

• Laptops and Desktops
• iMacs and MacBooks
• Docking Stations, Monitors, and Peripherals
• Mobile phones and Tablets

The following basic troubleshooting steps can and should be performed when any of the above hardware is having issues:

• The device should be power cycled and/or rebooted to ensure all device resources have been refreshed.
• If the machine or device is frozen locate and hold the power button for a minimum of 60 seconds until the device has powered down and then have the user power on the device and attempt to use the equipment.
• The help desk can check and confirm if any updates have recently been loaded on the workstation that may be pending a machine reboot to complete the installation.

The following should not be performed on any personal machines:

Regarding the troubleshooting of issues related to personal docking stations, monitors, peripherals, mobile phones and tablets. The basic functions of unplugging the power cable and/or power cycling the equipment will be the acceptable troubleshooting necessary.

We do not want to perform any updates for devices operating systems such as mobile phones or tablets. The steps involved in completing these kinds of updates require a more extensive timeframe to be available to successfully be completed.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the FDU Director of Computing Services Peter Mannarino via email p.mannarino@fdu.edu

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Vendor Support Contact Links

Apple

Dell

HP

Microsoft

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Acceptable Use Policy for Computer Usage states, “All computers and mobile devices accessing any FDU resource must run an operating system and configuration that is supported by its vendor with regard to security patches and updates.”

This guide defines the lifecycle of our support for different operating systems.

Support Status Descriptions

Active (Default)	This platform is supported by FDU Computer Services & University Systems and Networking and new machines will be built with this platform unless otherwise requested.
Active	This platform is supported by FDU Computer Services & University Systems and Networking and will be installed on request.
Containment	This platform is currently supported by FDU Computer Services & University Systems and Networking but no new machines will be built with this platform. Platforms in containment will receive security updates and patches for the FDU supported software components. FDU Computer Services & University Systems and Networking Facilities will not provide new software or major revisions to existing software for these platforms.
Phasing Out	FDU Computer Services & University Systems and Networking is actively working to migrate assets away from this platform. Platforms go in to this status automatically 6 months before the FDU End of Support Date. Platforms may be placed in this status before that time.
EOL	This platform is no longer supported by FDU Computer Services & University Systems and Networking. Software support will be dropped from any asset running this platform. Other levels of support may be dropped as circumstances warrant. A valid reason is required to maintain an asset running this platform past the End of FDU Support date. All exceptions must be logged and periodically reviewed.

Supported Operating Systems

Desktop

OS Family	Operating System	Latest Release	FDU Support Status	Vendor Release Date	Start of FDU Support	End of FDU Support	Latest Vendor EOL Date
macOS	Tahoe	26	Active (Default)	Sep-2025	Nov-2025	Jun-2028	~2028
	Sequoia	15	Active (Default)	Sep-2024	Nov-2024	Jun-2027	~2027
	Sonoma	14	Phasing Out	Sep-2023	Nov-2023	Jun-2026	~2026
Windows	Windows 11	25H2	Active (Default)	Sep-2025	Nov-2025	Sep-2028	Oct-2028
		24H2	Phasing Out	Oct-2024	Jun-2025	Sep-2027	Oct-2027
		23H2	Phasing Out	Oct-2023	Jul-2024	Oct-2026	Nov-2026
	Windows 10	22H2	EOL	Oct-2022	Dec-2022	Oct-2025	Oct-2025

Mobile

OS Family	Operating System	Latest Release	FDU Support Status	Vendor Release Date	Start of FDU Support	End of FDU Support	Latest Vendor EOL Date
Apple	iOS	26	Active (Default)	Sep-2025	Nov-2025	Oct-2028	~2028
		18	Phasing Out	Sep-2024	Nov-2024	Oct-2027	~2027
		17	Containment	Sep-2023	Nov-2023	Oct-2026	~2026
Android	Baklava	16	Active (Default)	Jun-2025	Dec-2025	~2028	~2028
	Vanilla Ice Cream	15	Active	Sep-2024	Dec-2024	~2027	~2027
	Upside Down Cake	14	Active	Oct-2023	Dec-2023	~2027	~2027
	Tiramisu	13	Phasing Out	Aug-2022	Oct-2022	~2026	~2026
	Snow Cone V2	12.1	Phasing Out	Mar-2022	Jul-2022	~2026	~2026

The following PC laptop accessories for university-owned Apple MacBook Pro and Dell laptops may be purchased from our approved vendors. Please use the following PC laptop accessories list and vendor contact information below to help guide you when obtaining optional laptop accessories.

Dell Pro 14 Plus PC Laptop Accessories

Only one A/C adapter will be provided with the new Dell laptops. If a user needs a second A/C adaptor, they will need to order the part below.

Accessory	Description	Manufacturer Part Number	CDW Part Number	Cost
Dell 65W USB-C Adapter	Dell AC Power adaptor (USB-C)	492-BDQM	7796926	$34.00

*Prices are noted as of July 2025

Accessory	Description	Manufacturer Part Number	CDW Part Number	Inputs	Cost
Multi-Monitor Docking Station	Dell Pro Smart Dock SD25 – docking station – USB-C – HDMI, 2 x DP, USB-C – 1GbE, 2.5GbE	DELL-SD25	8362105	1 HDMI 2 DisplayPort 1 USB-C	$250.00
Multi-Monitor Docking Station	Dell Pro Thunderbolt 4 Smart Dock SD25TB4 – docking station – Thunderbolt 4 – HDMI, 2 x DP, 2 x Thunderbolt 4, USB-C	DELL-SD25TB4	8362108	1 HDMI 2 DisplayPort 2 Thunderbolt 4 1 USB-C	$355.00

*Prices are noted as of July 2025

Keyboards will not need to be replaced for users that already have them. Users that are new to the PC laptop docking station setup may want to buy a wired USB keyboard. There are no IT requirements for purchasing keyboards; however, if users want to go with a basic model, they can order the below part number.

Accessory	Description	Manufacturer Part Number	CDW Part Number	Cost
Wired USB Keyboard	Dell KB216 – keyboard	KB216-BK-US	4306011	$22.93

*Prices are noted as of July 2025

There are no IT requirements for purchasing external wired USB mice; however, if a user wants to go with a basic model, they can order the below part number.

Accessory	Description	Manufacturer Part Number	CDW Part Number	Cost
Wired USB Mouse	Dell Optical Wired Mouse – MS116	MS116-BK	3938481	$22.93

*Prices are noted as of July 2025

For users who already have a monitor and wish to use it with one of the new docking stations, your existing monitor must have either an HDMI or DisplayPort (DP) input connection. If your monitor only has a DisplayPort (DP) connection, you will need an HDMI to DisplayPort (DP) adapter. Users should check their current monitor connections for compatibility; if new monitors are required or desired, please choose from the list below.

Accessory	Description	Manufacturer Part Number	CDW Part Number	Inputs	Features	Cost
24″ External Monitor	Dell P2425H 24-inch Full HD LED Monitor	DELL-P2425H	7878797	1 HDMI 1 DisplayPort 1 VGA	Built-in Camera: No Built-in USB Hub: Yes	$182.00
27″ External Monitor	Dell P2725H – LED monitor – Full HD (1080p) – 27″	DELL-P2725H	7878801	1 HDMI 1 DisplayPort 1 VGA	Built-in Camera: No Built-in USB Hub: Yes	$234.99
34″ External Monitor	Dell Pro 34 Plus USB-C Hub Monitor P3425WE – LED monitor – curved – 34.1″	DELL-P2725H	8297643	1 HDMI 1 DisplayPort 1 VGA	Built-in Camera: No Built-in USB Hub: Yes	$715.99

*Prices are noted as of July 2025

Accessory	Description	Manufacturer Part Number	CDW Part Number	Cost
Ethernet Network Adapter	Dell SA224 – network adapter – USB-C – 10M/100M/1G/2.5 Gigabit Ethernet x 1	DELL-SA224-BK	7891267	$29.99

*Prices are noted as of July 2025

There are no IT requirements for purchasing an external wireless keyboard and mouse combo set; however, if a user would like to go with a basic model, they can order the below part number.

Accessory	Description	Manufacturer Part Number	CDW Part Number	Cost
Wireless Keyboard & Wireless Mouse	Logitech MK850 Performance Keyboard and Mouse (wireless)	920-008219	4540578	$67.07 from CDW-G

*Prices are noted as of July 2025

Lenovo Desktop PC Accessories

Keyboards will not need to be replaced for users that already have them. Users that are new to the PC laptop docking station setup may want to buy a wired USB keyboard. There are no IT requirements for purchasing keyboards; however, if users want to go with a basic model, they can order the below part number.

Accessory	Description	Part Number	Cost
Wired USB Keyboard	Lenovo Preferred Pro II USB Keyboard – US English	4X30M86879	$26.17 from CDW-G

There are no IT requirements for purchasing external wired USB mice; however, if a user wants to go with a basic model, they can order the below part number.

Accessory	Description	Part Number	Cost
USB Mouse	Lenovo Essential USB Mouse	4Y50R20863	$18.80 from CDW-G

Accessory	Description	Part Number	Inputs	Features	Cost
24″ External Monitor	Lenovo ThinkVision T24v-30 – LED monitor – Full HD (1080p) – 23.8″	63D8MAR3US	HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA	Built-in Camera: Yes Built-in USB Hub: Yes	$324.38 from CDW-G. This monitor is the preferred 24″ model to purchase if the the user requires a built-in web camera.
27″ External Monitor	Lenovo ThinkVision T27hv-30 – LED monitor – QHD – 27″	63D6UAR3US	HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C	Built-in Camera: Yes Built-in USB Hub: Yes	$628.58 from CDW-G. This monitor is the preferred 27″ model to purchase if the the user requires a built-in web camera.

There are no IT requirements for purchasing an external wireless keyboard and mouse combo set; however, if a user would like to go with a basic model, they can order the below part number.

Accessory	Description	Part Number	Cost
Wireless Keyboard	Logitech MK850 Performance Keyboard and Mouse (wireless)	920-008219	$67.07 from CDW-G

Apple MacBook Pro Laptop Accessories

Accessory	Description	Part Number	Cost
A/C Power Adapter	Apple USB-C – Power Adapter – 96 Watt	MX0J2AM/A	$63.19 from CDW-G
A/C Power Adapter	Apple Power Cable – 24 pin USB-C to MagSafe 3 – 6.6 ft	MLYV3AM/A	$41.65 from CDW-G

Accessory	Description	Part Number	Inputs	Cost
Single Monitor Docking Station or Hub	HyperDrive Ultimate USB-C Hub – This model supports a single external monitor setup. One HDMI port supports video resolutions up to 4K at 30 Hz. Featuring three USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1 USB Type-C Power Delivery port, one ethernet port, and one 3.5mm audio jack, plus SD and microSD card readers.	HD30FGRAY	1 HDMI, 1 Mini DisplayPort, 1 VGA	$89.99 from B&H.com. This model is the preferred single monitor hub to purchase
Dual-Monitor Docking Station or Hub	HYPER HyperDrive Viper 10-in-2 USB Type-C Hub (Space Gray) – This model is essential for connecting up to two external monitors. This hub provides two HDMI and three USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, as well as ports for Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, and USB Type-C with 60W of power delivery. UHS-1 SD and microSD card readers are also present.	HD392-GRAY	2 HDMI	$129.99 from CDW-G. $129.99 from B&H.com. This model is the preferred dual-monitor hub to purchase
Single Monitor Docking Station or Hub	HYPER Hyperdrive 4-In-1 USB Type-C Hub – This model supports a single external monitor setup. Supports a single 4K display at 60 Hz via the one HDMI port. Featuring two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port to deliver up to 100W of pass-through power to your laptop or tablet.	HD41	1 HDMI	$59.99 from B&H.com. This model does not contain an ethernet port
Single Monitor Docking Station or Hub	HyperDrive 5-Port USB Type-C Hub – This model supports a single external monitor setup. Supports a single 4K monitor at 60 Hz via the one HDMI port. Features two USB Type-A ports, one ethernet port, and one USB Type-C port to deliver up to 86W of power to your laptop or tablet.	HDMB2	1 HDMI	$84.59 from CDW-G
Single Monitor Travel Hub or Docking Station	Lenovo Powered USB-C Travel Hub – This model supports a single external monitor setup. Features one ethernet port, one USB Type-A port, one USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, and one USB-C power port.	4X90S92381	1 HDMI, 1 VGA	$82.28 from CDW-G

Accessory	Description	Part Number	Inputs	Features	Cost
24″ External Monitor	ASUS ProArt PA247CV – LED monitor – Full HD (1080p) – 23.8″	PA247CV	HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C	Built-in Camera: No Built-in USB Hub: Yes	$201.69 from CDW-G

You may also refer to the Lenovo Desktop PC Accessories – Monitors section above to select an external monitor for the Apple MacBook Pro.

Accessories

There are no IT requirements for purchasing USB flash drives. USB 3.0 is recommended. Users are reminded about adhering to the Written Information Security Program (WISP). No WISP-protected data may be placed on external devices without specific authorization, as indicated in the policy.

There are no IT requirements for purchasing external hard drives. USB 3.0 is recommended. Users are reminded about the Written Information Security Program (WISP). No WISP-protected data may be placed on external devices without specific authorization as indicated in the policy.

For a current list of approved printers and scanners, please reach out to the Purchasing Department. Please remember that most printers don’t have USB printer cables included upon purchase.

Purchasing

To purchase any of the laptop accessories listed above, please submit a PO to the Purchasing Department. Users need to get a quote from either vendor through the contact information below. Please reference the item numbers from the attached quotes. Unless stated otherwise, the products listed are currently available. Prices may vary. Other University approved vendor reseller information and common products that departments may be interested in purchasing can be found by visiting:

FDU Purchasing

Departments should consolidate orders as much as possible. There is no additional discount for quantity. Departments should designate the ‘ship to’ to their respective department. Vendors’ contact information is listed below.