Computer FAQs

Miscellaneous FAQs

The following are answers to some of the Frequently Asked Questions at the Learning Resource Center regarding computer issues.

I don't like my UH Username (username for UH registration, email, etc.). Can I change it?

Answer: No. Your Username is automatically generated by the UH computer system. However, you can request a change if your username: 1) reflects a name you no longer legally use, 2) the auto generated name is offensive or awkward, or 3) there is a misspelling in your name. Please go to http://www.hawaii.edu/infotech/uhusernamepractices.html#changemyaccountname for more information on how to accomplish this.

I've heard that I can get free Internet at home. Is that true?

Answer: Yes. A free 28.8 dial-up, Internet connection is available to all current University of Hawaii system students. You will need to have a computer modem and know your UH Username and Password in order to set-up this Internet connection on your home computer. Please refer to our handouts at http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/lrc/handouts.html to get the instructions on setting this up on your computer's Operating System.

What software is supported by the University of Hawaii system?

Answer: Please go to http://www.hawaii.edu/help/software for more information. Some of the commonly used software such as WinZip, WS_FTP, and Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from that site as well.

I frequently receive SPAM (unsolicited commerical and bulk email) in my UH Email Account. Is there a SPAM guard?

Answer: Yes. Please go to http://www.hawaii.edu/infotech/spam/ to learn more about what SPAM is, how to activate the SPAM guard on your UH Account, and how it works.

I want to create a personal Web Site. Is this possible?

Answer: Yes. As long as you have a UH Account, you can create a personal Web Site. Please go to http://www.hawaii.edu/personalhp to learn more about creating a personal Web Site.

I've heard that I can get Microsoft Office and other commercial software at much cheaper prices than what is sold in Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. Is this true?

Answer: Yes. As long as you are a current University of Hawaii system student, you are eligible for academic versions of software (which is usually the same thing as the retail version but at a cheaper price). The software is only sold out of the bookstore at the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus. In order to purchase the software, you will need to show a valid University of Hawaii system identification card. Please go to http://www.uhbooks.hawaii.edu/computers/price_lists.asp and click on the "Software Price Lists" link to check the current prices of popular retail software (there are also links for prices on computer systems, memory, printing supplies, etc.). Please call the UH Manoa bookstore to check for stock of a particular software and put it on hold before heading down to the store for purchase.

I frequently get pop-up advertisements and messenger advertisements on my computer at home when browsing the Internet. Is there a way to prevent this?

Answer: Yes. There are many software applications on the market specifically designed to prevent these pop-up advertisements. Some are free but most cost some money (around the $20-$50 range). Also, some work with some Web Browsers (such as Internet Explorer) but not with others (such as AOL). A good place to start is to look at Panicware's Pop-Up Stopper. They have four versions ranging from free to professional. Go to http://www.panicware.com/popupstopper.html for more information. Be careful when using pop-up blocking software because it can prevent Web applications like WebCT and UH Webmail from functioning properly if the software is not configured correctly. *DISCLAIMER*: THIS SOFTWARE IS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM. The University of Hawaii System is not advertising that Panicware's Pop-Up Stopper is the best or only software program on the market. It is just a good place to start from.