DCI Technical Support

Late breaking news regarding computers purchased through the UVa DCI Program

Back-To-School 2008 [Student Purchases] - Known Issues

General Issues

Issues pertaining to all DCI computers purchased during the 2008 "Back To School" season (May 1, 2008 - September 31, 2008)

Model Specific Issues

Apple Computers:

Dell Computers:

  1. GENERAL: Where is the Microsoft Office CD and CD key? UVa has entered into a Campus Agreement with Microsoft which allows ITC to install MS Office directly on your computer and on the restore media included with your computer. A Microsoft Office CD is not included with your bundle. The CD key is hard-coded in the image and the restore media. If you would like to purchase a copy of Microsoft Office, in addition to the copy that you have on your computer, you can do so at Cavalier Computer for $10 after Aug. 23, 2008.
  2. APPLE: Printer drivers for the HP 4480 need to be installed before you will be able to print from your DCI computer. You can do this by using the CD that is included with your printer, or by going to the HP web site.
  3. MACBOOK AIR: To use the SuperDrive included in your bundle, you need to connect it directly to the USB port on the computer. It will not work when connected to a USB Hub.
  4. MACBOOK AIR: When configuring your computer for a wired connection, you will need to activate the USB Ethernet adapter and manually enter the hardware address through UVa Network Device Registration web site.
    • Connect the USB Ethernet adapter to the USB port on your computer and to an ethernet cable and known good data port.
    • Locate the USB Ethernet hardware address by going to System Preferences > Network
    • You may receive the alert "New Interface Detected". Click OK (1) and then click on Advanced (2) in the same window
      Graphic depicting correct buttons to choose.
    • In the Advanced window, select the Ethernet tab (3) and then copy your Ethernet ID (4) (also known as your hardware address) onto a piece of paper.
    • Click OK (5), and then Apply in the following window to activate the adapter.
      Advance screen of USB Ethernet Network pref showing correct selections.
    • Navigate to the UVa Network Device Registration web site to register the hardware address.
    • Follow the on-screen instructions and enter the the Ethernet ID.

      NOTE: It is highly advisable to enter a descriptor in the Identifying Notes field. This will assist you in determining which address belongs to which device as you add devices in the future.

  5. DELL: After running Windows Update, some updates say "waiting to install" despite telling Windows to do so, and rebooting. Check for a second hard disk partition - rebuild hard disk (without second partition) from Image Restore DVD and re-run Windows Update.
  6. DELL: The computer does not seem to want to boot from the Image Restore DVD (IRDVD). You need to press a key within five seconds after you see "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD" in order to boot from the IRDVD.
  7. DELL: The Wireless adapter may report "Cannot connect to cavalier - contact your network administrator. Wait a minute while the digital certificate is validated. If you continue to receive this message, make certain to register the hardware address of your wireless adapter at the UVa Network Device Registration web page.
  8. DELL D830: System may not boot after Windows Updates. Boot in Safe Mode (F8 at boot), rollback drivers to eleminate nVidia Graphic Card update.
  9. DELL XPS: Missing earbuds. Contact Cavalier Computer.
Last update: 7/9/08

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