Computers
Here you will find resources for buying and maintaining computer hardware and software. We supply many computers on campus if you do not have your own, and we also offer several training options for enhancing your computer skills.On this page:
Campus Computers
These are computers owned by the University and available for you to use as you need them. Departments may choose to purchase office computers for their faculty and staff.Internet Kiosks
There are over 100 Internet kiosks on campus. These are maroon-and-gold cabinets with a computer screen, keyboard and mouse on the top surface. Just walk up and sign in with your Internet ID and password for quick Web access. For example, you could check your e-mail, class schedule, or calendar. In fairness to everyone, please limit your kiosk session to five minutes. Map of Internet kiosk locationsStudent computer facilities
Our student computer facilities are available to currently registered students only. Attendants are available to help with the technology offered at each location. View hours, locations, and available software, printers, and scannersPurchase computers and accessories
When you shop online at UMart, you gain access to several reputable vendors offering new computers and accessories at educational discount prices. If you need an item immediately, you may be able to find it in the technology and electronics section of the University Bookstore in Coffman Memorial Union. (Note, the Bookstore is not affiliated with 1-HELP.)Software
Software refers to the applications ("programs") installed on your computer that allow you to perform tasks such as word processing and Web browsing.Buying a new computer?
Computer vendors often bundle software with a new computer at an additional cost, typically as a system configuration option when purchasing. Sometimes you can save a lot of money by not adding the software at purchase time, instead obtaining the software through the University at education discount prices.Available software
If you do not find what you are looking for in the software lists below, remember also to check with other vendors at UMart. The most popular UMart titles are additionally sold in person at our software showroom. Microsoft. Special discounts are available for University-owned computers and also personal computers of current students and faculty and staff. Antivirus and firewall. Symantec AntiVirus and Symantec Client Security are provided at no charge for all University-owned computers, and for one personal computer of each current student, faculty, and staff member. Courseware. Eligible faculty and staff can obtain Faculty Toolkit software, a collection of free and reduced-price multimedia software for designing course materials. Internet software. Our links to Internet software updates let you download Web browsers, e-mail applications, SSH clients, and so on. Other software. We have negotiated software license discounts with dozens of manufacturers. A partial list of these licenses are very popular with individuals. You may request new titles by contacting our Software Licensing team: software@umn.edu.Set Up Your Computer
Please take the time to properly secure your computer. This will help you save hours or days of clean-up time later should your computer become infected or compromised. We offer step-by-step guides to help you secure a University-owned (office) computer or secure your personal computer. Connect to the Internet Send and receive e-mail. E-mail is an official means of communication at the University. It is important that you check your e-mail regularly.Computer Classes and Training
We offer free seminars and orientations, instructor-led short courses and hands-on workshops, and a library of self-paced learning materials you can borrow at no charge. We also provide educational technology training for course instructors and teaching assistants.Support, Maintenance, and Repair
Helpline and Helpdesk
- Help via phone and e-mail
- In-person help: helpdesks and minute clinics
Virus and spyware removal
Get information about virus and spyware removal from our Safe Computing Guide, including information on where to download Antivirus software and spyware removal tools. Alternatively, you can hire a U-Rent-a-Guru technician to secure and repair your machine. For those who want to get serious about computer security and data privacy, we offer a 2-hour Safe Computing short course. 1-HELP provides this course at no cost to the University community.On-site service (on campus only)
Our on-site technology support services include consulting, administration, and maintenance. We provide two types of on-site computer support, depending on the time commitment you need from us. If you have a specific problem that needs to be solved, you can hire us on demand at an hourly rate. For ongoing support, you can enter a support contract for regular weekly support by one of our expert technicians. This is a cost-saving option for departments who do not want to hire their own full- or part-time tech support staff.Carry-in service
If you live off campus or would prefer to bring your computer in, this is an alternative to our on-site service described above. We offer an expedite option for guaranteed priority turnaround time, for an additional fee.Server administration
Does your department run a server of its own, perhaps for Web serving or file sharing? Our server administration service can help you ensure that your server remains safe and secure, and highly available to those who depend on it.Computer recycling and disposal
We offer a service for cleansing and disposing used hard drives, and we can arrange recycling for departmental computers. These services ensure that your data is securely removed from a used computer's hard drive and that the machine itself is properly disposed of.