Hardware | Software | Printing Tips | Using Laptops at the BGC

Having trouble with one of the library computers, printers or scanners? Problems accessing a database? Comments or suggestions?
Email our Student Tech Support helpdesk at StudentTechSupport@bgc.bard.edu

Please Note: Some equipment and facilities may be for student use only.

Internet access

• Lower level - 3 computers **
• 2nd floor - 4 computers + 2 computers in the PhD Reading Room **
• 3rd floor - 1 computer in library alcove ** + 2 VMR computers (One in the VMR area and one in the alcove. Sign Up Required.)
• 4th floor - 2 computers in the 4th floor classroom **
  
• 6th floor - 2 computers **
  
  ** These computers are locked down, which means that any work you save on them will be deleted when the computers are turned off. For more information read About Locked Down PCs below.
  
  

Jacks for laptop Internet connections (active jacks are indicated by a round yellow sticker)

• Lower Level - jacks B-001 and B-008
• 2nd floor Main Reading Room - jacks 2-011 & 2-012 (2 jacks on each block for 4 in total)
• 2nd floor PhD Reading Room - jacks 2-001 & 2-002
• 3rd floor library area - jack 3-006
• 5th floor classroom - jack 5-012 (back of the room)
  Having trouble connecting to the Internet? Read the Directions below.

Please Note: Students MUST only use the specified and marked jacks, as the others may be reserved for phone service or other use. Plugging into the wrong jack could damage the laptop's network card, the laptop itself, or the BGC phone system.

Scanners (for BGC student use only)

• 3rd floor - 2 VMR computers (One in the VMR area and one in the alcove. Sign Up Required.)
  Having trouble with Scanning? Read the Scanning Instructions.

Printers (for general use)

• Lower Level - 1 in the library area
• 2nd floor - 1 printer in the reference area (duplex printing feature available)
• 3rd floor - 1 in the library area (duplex printing feature available)
  Having trouble printing? Read the Printing Tips below.

Printers (for BGC student use only)

• 2nd floor - 1 in the PhD Reading Room (duplex printing feature available)
• 3rd floor - 1 in the VMR area (duplex printing feature available)
• 4th floor - 1 in the 4th floor classroom
• 6th floor - 1 in the student lounge Having trouble printing? Read the Printing Tips below.

LCD Projectors

• Students wishing to test a PowerPoint presentation outside of regular class time should also send an email to StudentTechSupport@bgc.bard.edu. The email should include the date, time, and any equipment needed and should be sent 48 hours before the room and equipment are needed. A room will be assigned by the Director of Facilities based on availability.
• Students with Apple laptops will need an Apple VGA Display Adapter to be able to use the LCD projector with their equipment.
• Should problems arise with the LCD projector, students should first try to contact the Visual Media Resources department. If there is no one available, students should contact the Security Desk (x3020 or x3002) and have them contact the IT Department.

Please Note: Some equipment and facilities may be for student use only.

MS Office software (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access)
(for BGC student use only)

• Lower Level - 1 computer (on the desk)
• 2nd floor - all computers
• 3rd floor - 1 library computer in the library alcove + 2 VMR computers (One in the VMR area and one in the alcove. Sign Up Required.)
• 4th floor - 2 computers in the 4th floor classroom Having trouble with Powerpoint? Read the Powerpoint Instructions.

Adobe Photoshop Software (for BGC student use only)

• 2 VMR computers (One in the VMR area and one in the alcove. Sign Up Required.) Having trouble with Photoshop? Read the Photoshop Instructions.

Printing from webpages with frames
Printing from webpages with frames often produces blank pages or information from only one frame. Make sure you click within the frame with the information you want to print before issuing the print command.

Duplex Printing
Many of the printers at the BGC can do doublesided printing. When you are ready to print click on the Properties option beside the area where you select a printer. Select the Finishing tab and under Document Options make sure there is a check mark beside the Print on Both Sides option. Click on OK to save this setting and then on OK to print.

These computers can be used to browse the Internet, check web mail and do some basic word processing or spreadsheeting. A full copy of Microsoft Office, as well as Internet Explorer and Adobe Acrobat Reader are available at many these workstations, while some just have Internet browsing capabilities.

However, these machines are tightly locked down for security, anti-virus and support reasons. Any changes made to the PC will be lost the next time the computer restarts. This means that any documents saved to the C: drive (for example in the "My Documents" folder) will be lost at the next restart. Please save all documents to a floppy disk, Zip disk or CD-R. Also note that any Internet "favorites" or bookmarks will also be lost, along with any downloads, newly installed software or any other configuration changes.

Students may use their own laptop computers to access the Internet from designated locations at the BGC.

The following criteria must be met:

• The computer must have a standard 10 or 100-megabit ethernet port (either built-in or as a separate adapter), or a wireless adapter.
• The operating system of the laptop (e.g. Windows XP or MacOS) must be capable of automatically obtaining an IP address through DHCP.
• Students must provide their own Category 5 RJ-45 Network patch cable (available from Radio Shack and other places).
• The laptop must be capable of obtaining an IP address through DHCP. If you need help configuring your DHCP, click here to download the instructions in pdf format.

Please Note: Students MUST only use the specified and marked jacks, as the others may be reserved for phone service or other use. Plugging into the wrong jack could damage the laptop's network card, the laptop itself, or the BGC phone system.

back to top