COX INTRANET

Q. How do I create a VPN connection?

A.Follow this powerpoint presentation.

assets.cox.smu.edu/technology/Presentation1.ppt

For help, contact the Cox Helpdesk @ 8-4100

Q: I'm new here and I need an account, email address, etc. What do I do?

A: Make sure that your supervisor fills out this form as soon as possible.

Q: How do I configure my laptop to connect to the cox wireless network?

A: If you have an external wireless card, make sure you have loaded the software that came with the card at purchase, and insert the card into the correct PCMIA port. If you have an internal wireless card, make sure that it is enabled and on. Left click on the start button on the lower left hand side of the task bar.

Select Control Panel . From the Control Panel window, select Network Connections.

Right click on the icon Wireless Network Connection within the Network Connections window. In the pull down menu, left click on Properties .

On the General tab, in the field labeled, “Connect using:” you should see the brand name and model of your external wireless card.

Click on the tab labeled, “Wireless Networks.” You should see the COX-WLAN network listed under “Preferred networks.” If you see COX-WLAN listed, highlight that listing and click on Advanced. In the Advanced window, select, “Access point (infrastructure) networks only.” Close this Advanced window.

Highlight the COX-WLAN listing in the Preferred networks window. Click on Properties. Make sure the Network Authentication is “Open” and the Data Encryption is “Disabled.” Click “OK.”

If you do not see COX-WLAN click on the Add button. In the box “Network Name (SSID)” type COX-WLAN. Leave Network authentication as “open” and set Data Encryption to “disabled”.

On the General tab, highlight the item “Internet Protocol” and click on “Properties”.

Select, “Obtain an IP address automatically,” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically.” Click “Ok” and close the Network Connections window.

On the bottom right taskbar of your desktop, you should see the wireless card icon. Check to see if it shows a connection (to the COX-WLAN network).

To test: Open your internet browser application and type in the URL of a website that is not your browser's homepage, or that may be in your cache.

Q: How do I fix problems with my Intel 4965 wifi card in Collins.

A: Just to be clear, the problem you’re experiencing is caused by a problem with the WiFi
chipset (Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN) in your Dell laptop. Bugs can and do find their way into all
sorts of equipment. Further, the problem you’re experiencing is not limited to the Cox
network. There are broad complaints about the Intel chipset in question. Other Cox users
report problems when moving from one wireless network to another—when they’re not at
Cox.

Fortunately, the issue can be solved by (1) updating the manufacturer’s driver and (2) making
a setting change. You can download the latest driver (for Vista) from:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?
strState=LIVE&ProductID=2753&DwnldID=17227&agr=Y&lang=eng

There are instructions in the ZIP file as to how to update your system. We will be happy to
help you with it or update them for you if you would like to bring your laptop in to Cox Technology Help Desk.

I’ve included a link (below) to a Lenovo forum addressing problems with the same base Intel
chipset issue you are experiencing with your Dell. The setting changes are described in
message 8 (“potentially important additional details) of the following thread:

http://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/board/message?
board.id=X_Series_Thinkpads&message.id=5859

It should be noted that we have had good luck simply by unchecking “Allow the computer to
turn off this device to save power.” Also, the drivers (first link in my email message) are
newer than the ones listed in the Lenovo forum.

Again, sorry for the problems. I hope at some point that Intel will get its bugs worked out.
Please feel free to call me at 214-768-3186 if you have problems or if you want us to do the
driver updates for you.

Q: Should I turn my computer off at night?

A: No, we have several processes that run overnight which handle patching your machine, updating virus definitons, and scanning your machine for viruses. In order for these thing to operate properly, we prefer to do them overnight when network usage is at a minimum. This allows us to avoid disrupting normal network usage during the working day. Your computer only consumes a trickle of power. If you are concerned about power usage, turn your monitor off as it consumes far more power than than the actual computer. CRT type monitors in particular are "power hogs". In order for our overnight processes to run, your monitor does not need to be active.

Q: My computer seems to have gotten really slow lately. What should I do?

A: Check for Viruses, check for spy-ware, and then defragment the hard drive.

Go to Start -> Programs -> Network Associates -> McAfee Virus Scan Console
Right Click "Scan Fixed Disks" and select "Properties"
Click on the Schedule button
Select the "Enable" check box
Schedule this for a time when you won't be using the computer. For example, mine is set to scan at 3am.
Click "OK" until you are back at the console screen.
Right click "Auto Update" and select "Start"
This will make sure that you have all the current signatures to match against when scanning your hard drive.
Run the update until all the updates are successful and you get an error message stating that you are running the most current versions.
Right click "Scan Fixed Disks" and select "Start"
Wait for the scan to finish and follow the instructions on the screen to deal with any viruses that have been found.
Find your desktop short cut to CounterSpy
Double-click on the icon
Wait for the program to open and click on the "Spyware Scan" icon on the left side of the window.
Click on "Updates" from the top menu.
Wait for the updates to complete.
Click on the "Scan Now" button
Wait for the scan to finish & follow the instructions on the screen to deal with any spyware that has been found.
See below for instructions on how to defragment your hard drive.

Note: If your computer is still slow, try the advanced spyware removal instructions at the bottom of this page.

Q: How do I defragment the hard drive?

A: You can do it manually by:

Double click on "My Computer"
Right click on your C drive
Select "Properties"
Go to "Tools"
Select "Defragment Now"
Select "Defragment"
If your computer is slow, run the defrag even if the analyze says it's ok

Q: I've done all the things above and my computer is still slow and/or I'm also getting a lot of annoying pop ads.

A: You may have spyware or adware programs running in the background. Please contact support@mail.cox.smu.edu . Spyware is any program that records your internet usage and/or other usage of your computer and sends the data back to a marketing company which then sells the data to the highest bidder. If you suspect that you have installed spyware, try these steps to clean your computer. Keep in mind that the best way to avoid spyware is to avoid installing it in the first place. "Free" utilities, games, and other programs very seldom are. If you aren't paying with your hard earned dollars, you are very likely paying with your privacy.

Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Add & Remove Programs
Uninstall or remove any programs like "Casino", "Hotbar", "Seach", "Buddy", "Incredimail", etc.
If you don't know what it is, consider removing it. It may well be the source of your problems.
Install Spybot Search & Destroy. It can be obtained for free from http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Be sure to update it before scanning.
Allow it to scan and remove anything it finds.
If this does not solve your problem, install Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. It can be obtained for free from http://www.lavasoft.com/.
Allow it to scan and remove anything it finds.
If this does not solve your problem, install Spyware Doctor. It can be obtained for free from http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/?ref=trial_mgsd
At this point, you should reboot your PC and see if you are still having any issues.
Yes, all three tools may be necessary to fully remove all the infestations. Each tool is able to remove specific things that the other tools may not see or be able to fix..