General FAQ
If you are looking for information about new account questions or email, try those specific FAQs.
How do I get to files in my home directory from home?
Since the summer 2003 attacks on Windows computers in the college and on campus, mounting your home directory from a remote location (e.g., not on campus) has been blocked. To work on files from a remote location, use WS_FTP Pro to make a secure connection with which to transfer files to and from your home directory from a remote location. Faculty and staff can also run Remote Desktop from home to connect to your campus computer.
If you are using Linux and want to transfer files, read this.
What's the best way to transfer a large file?
To transfer a file between your own computer and your engineering account, use an SFTP (Secure file transfer) program. WS_FTP is file transfer software that include SFTP; it is available without charge to the University of Iowa community form the ITS download site.
Many people use email to transfer files by attaching the files to a message and sending the message to one's self. This method uses mail quota because the attachments are saved until you delete the message. An emailed file exists on the originating machine or account, on the mail server, and, when retrieved, on the receiving machine or account. Use SFTP to move files; it is quicker and results in less space being used by the same file(s).
How can I print to a specific printer?
Yes. Here's how.
Within the Windows or Linux application from which you want to print, go to File | Print. In the selection box under Printer Name, choose the printer you want to print to: e.g., ptrcss00-03. You can also print to the color laser printer, ptrcss10; go to the user consultants office, 1253 SC, for help and to pick up output from that printer.
What is the best program to read email? How can I read my mail?
The best program is the one you are most familiar with or getthe must supp0rt for. CSS supports Thunderbird (Linux and Windows XP) and Webmail (from any browser; run Webmail) for people who prefer a graphical view.
How do I change my password? Can I do it from Windows? Linux? the web?
You can change your password from the web using the CSS password tools page. That page also allows you to enroll so that you can change and reset your password or unlock your account.
On Windows press Ctrl + Alt + Delete. A menu will appear. Click Change Password and follow the instructions. On Linux, go to K/Start | Preferences | Password and follow the instructions or type passwd from a shell prompt, which invokes a program that will guide you through the change process.
Your account password is also your email password.
Can I install my own software?
You can try to install software. However, if the installation requires that files be physically written to any drive other than the local directory or H drive, the installation will fail.
Dot files are files that begin with "." or period. They are configuration files in your account that make programs run the way they are supposed to. Do not edit dot files unless you know what you are doing, and then, make a backup of the file first. The user consultants in 1253 SC can help you with editing dot files.
I deleted a file that I need. What can I do?
Fill out a File Restore Request form on the forms page. On that form you list the complete pathname of the file that you deleted and want restored. If you create a file in the morning and delete it before 5:00 pm, there is no backup of the file. CSS backs up files that are saved on your H:\ drive nightly starting at 5:00 pm. We keep backups for about three months. CSS also backs up the local D: drive on college-administered faculty and staff computers.
What is my quota and how can I get it increased?
Engineering computer accounts have three different quotas: print quota, disk quota, and email quota.
The print quota is an amount that determines how much you can print from your engineering account.
Disk quota is regularly increased. Disk quota can be increased in special cases on a student-by-student basis. Apply for more disk quota by visiting the CSS main office at 1256 SC.
Each user's mail account has a quota. The quota applies to the inbox and all folders in your mail account. This is separate storage on the mail server and is not associated with your home directory space (disk quota). What is stored in your mail account effects your home directory quota if you store local copies of files or have local folders. Use the CSS account management tools page to check your mail quota and usage, or login to Webmail to check your quota and usage.
I'm over quota but I need the files still on my account. How can I keep them and get under quota?
Read the e-tude about Reducing Disk Usage. You can save files you need occasionally but not daily to some removable storage device like a CD, DVD, or flash drive.
I keep getting messages about being over my mail quota. But I am under my disk space quota.
Your mail quota and your home directory disk quota are two separate entities. You are given an amount of space on the mail server for email only, and this is separate from your home directory or H:\ drive space. The most common reason for going over your mail quota is because of file attachments. Check for messages that have file attachments and move the attachment (to your home directory, for example) and delete the message. Webmail keeps copies of the attachments you send in the Sent folder. Delete those messages. Webmail also has a setting to remove attachments with messages. In Options (for mail) | Message Viewing, check "Show an icon to allow stripping of attachments from messages?" When you view a message with an attachment, ySou can download the attachment, then click the Trash can icon to strip the attachment from the message.
If you need more help getting under quota, visit the CSS consultants, 1253 SC, 335-5055.
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