If you do not have a wireless card on your laptop and would like to work on the Bank Street Network, you can request an ethernet cable from the reference Librarian and work in one of the two Library Carrels to connect to the network.
Before connecting to the network, however, there are minimum requirements for registering your computer. Please review the information below before to be sure your computer meets our minimum requirements:
To register your laptop computer to use the Bank Street Network contact the Help Desk at X4642. Our hours are Monday through Friday:
Room 703: 9AM - 5PM
Room 701: 5PM - 7PM
What is a network card and why do I need one?
A network card is a piece of hardware that will allow your computer to communicate with our wired network. There are many types of cards that you can buy for your computer. Most cards will work on the wired network at Bank Street. You can purchase a network card at any computer store. It is important that you confirm with the salesperson that the card you buy is compatible with your computer.
How do I make sure my PC has the latest Windows Updates (operating system updates)?
Simply go to the website: http://updates.microsoft.com while already connected to the Internet. Microsoft will search your computer for the latest updates, security patches, and fixes and list the components they recommend to install. Be sure to download and install these items by following their directions.
How do I make sure my MAC has the latest operating system Updates?
If you are running MAC OS9:
Software Update is a feature of Mac OS 9 that checks for updates to the operating system. It does not check for updates for non-Apple software.
Using this feature of Mac OS 9 you can quickly check for, download, and install updates to the system software without having to open a web browser.
To use Software Update:
1. Connect to the Internet.
2. Open the Software Update control panel. (under the Apple MenuÓControl PanelÓSoftware Update)
3. Click Update Now.
The computer will check to see if there are any updates available. If there are updates you will be prompted to install them.
You can also set Software Update to check for updates automatically. If you are not connected to the Internet when the software update is scheduled, it will check the next time you connect.
If a particular update requires that the computer be restarted, you will be prompted to do that, too.
The Software Update control panel does not check for software that is not installed on your computer. It cannot check for updates for another computer, either.
If you are running MAC OSX
Apple frequently releases updates to your computer's software. The Software Update feature in Mac OS X makes it very easy to determine and get exactly what you need.
Update now
To get updates immediately:
1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
Tip: If you have Mac OS X 10.3 or later, there's a shortcut. Choose Software Update from the Apple menu instead, then skip to step 4.
2. From the View menu, choose Software Update.
3. Click the Check Now button (or Update Now in earlier Mac OS X versions).
4. In the Software Update window, select the items you want to install, then click Install.
5. Enter an administrator account name and password.
6. After the update is complete, restart the computer if required.
7. Repeat these steps to see if more updates are now available. Because some software updates are prerequisites for others, you may need to repeat these steps several times to complete the software update sequence.
Scheduling an update
The Software Update preference pane lets you schedule automatic checks for updates. In fact, it's set to automatically check by default. You can change the check interval from weekly to daily or monthly, or you could turn off scheduled checks if you want.
Hide updates you don't need
Sometimes you're going to see an update in the Software Update list that you don't need. Rather than having to see that unnecessary update every time you check, you have the option to hide it by making it inactive.
How do I get virus protection for my computer?
There are many virus programs available for your computer. The following is a list of virus programs you can use. Do not limit yourselves to these programs, it is just important to have virus protection software installed and maintained with current updates on your computer.