Departmental Computers

Welcome to your Departmental Computer!

All tenure-track faculty and staff at the School of Information receive departmental computers.  The following is an overview of departmental computers, user guides, policies, and procedures related to the acquisition, use, and lifecycle of these computers.  Please review the departmental computer policy for more information on the terms and conditions of departmental computers.

Who supports my departmental computer?

The Information Commons team is your local IT support.  Any issues you have related to your departmental computer should be routed to the Information Commons. 

What is Endpoint Management?

The Information Commons partners with Liberal Arts Information Technology Services (LAITS) to provide UT's required Endpoint Management support via their desktop engineering team. LAITS' desktop engineers use Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) for Windows computers and JAMF for Apple computers.  Endpoint management ensures that your computer's OS is configured in compliance with the University's information security standards set by the Information Security Office. 

Onboarding/Obsolescence Process

Departmental computers are disseminated via an onboarding process with LAITS.  This process can be remote or in-person and is processed via a ticketing system that will provide you with step-by-step instructions via email.  If you are receiving a new computer to replace an existing departmental computer, you must return your old computer and power supply when the migration is completed. Please return your old departmental computer to the Information Commons (UTA 1.210) within two weeks of receiving your new computer from LAITS.  Retired by departmental computers are wiped completely and re-imaged as checkout computers for the iSchool community.

LAITS Customer Support Documentation

LAITS provides customer support documentation that you should refer to if you have questions about using your departmental computer and Endpoint Management.  Your departmental laptop is imaged with access to software resources, print drivers and other utilities, and certain administrative controls.  Here are some suggested resources to familiarize you with important aspects of working with a departmental computer:

• Software Center for Windows - guide to Windows software resources

• macOS LAITS Self Service - LAITS self-service tools software installer for macOS.  INFO Printers are print drivers for the iSchool.

• Privileges for macOS - by default you are a standard OS user, but you escalate to an administrative user with Privileges.

• Make Me Admin for Windows - by default you are a standard OS user, but you can escalate to an administrative user with Make Me Admin.

Departmental Computer Warranties

Your departmental computer is covered under warranty.  If your departmental computer is broken or physically damaged for some reason, please contact the helpdesk immediately.

FAQ

• I need to install software and only have standard user credentials?

  You need to first run Make Me Admin (Windows) or Privileges (macOS) to escalate your user account to an administrative user and then run the installer.

• How do I print to the iSchool copiers?

  Print drivers are either automatically installed (Windows) or can be installed using the LAITS Self Service Tool (macOS)–the package is called INFO Printers.

• I need software that was not installed on my computer?

  First check the Software Center for Windows (Windows) or LAITS Self Service Tool (macOS).  If the software you need is not there, please contact help@ischool.utexas.edu.

• I have to sign PDF's where can I get Adobe Acrobat Pro?

  You do not need Adobe Acrobat Pro to electronically or digitally sign PDF's, Acrobat Reader and/or many other tools can do that.  If you create/edit PDF forms or need other Adobe tools request access to Adobe Acrobat and Creative Cloud Suite.

• I (spilled water/coffee on my) (dropped my) laptop and it's broken, what do I do now?

  Contact the helpdesk immediately.

• My trackpad is cracked and it feels like there's a bump in it?
  

  Contact the helpdesk immediately.