Before you call the Help Desk
Logging On:
If you are experiencing problems with logging on to a computer, email account, banner, or other system, if possible, log into your BOSS account. Select the Personal Information section and then View Usernames or Change Passwords on UALR Computing Systems. Here you will see a list of each of your accounts. Mark the check box next to any account for which you want to change your password. Remember: Passwords must have at least 8 characters consisting of at least one alphabetic character and at least one numeric or punctuation character.
Software or Hardware Malfunctions:
First, check all cables for secure attachment to both the wall and the computer. Sometimes power cables or keyboard and mouse cables come loose or are knocked loose. Reseating the cable into the port is a great first step to check.
Next, restart the application and/or log off and then back on. Many software issues are resolved this way. However, if the problem reoccurs, please call the Help Desk at 916-3011.
Browser Issues:
If you are experiencing problems while using UALR web-based email, Blackboard, Banner, or any other web-application, you may want to check your browser settings. This is usually found in the web browser toolbar under Options or Tools.
If the application you’re using uses pop-up windows (e.g. email, Blackboard), you may want to disable your browser’s pop-up blocker. You also have an option to temporarily bypass the blocker by holding down the Control key.
BOSS PIN:
If you are having trouble with your PIN, please call Records & Registration (for students) at 569-3110 or Human Resources at 569-3180 (for faculty and staff).
Slow Computer:
There are many reasons for your computer to slow down. Listed here are some reasons and quick fixes to this common problem.
Your computer is infected with a virus.
For computers owned by the university, Computing Services can install McAfee Antivirus on your computer. By keeping the program up to date and actively running you can lessen your exposure to viruses and malware. If you are unsure if you have it installed on your computer call the Computing Services Help Desk at 916-3011 and a Help Desk technician will assist you.
You have too many programs running simultaneously.
Try closing some applications and see if you can free up some memory. Often we have programs that will automatically start when our computer starts. This can quickly drain the amount of memory your computer has to function resulting in your computer freezing up and becoming unresponsive.
Not enough hard disk drive space.
If you have a hard disk drive that is 20GB or smaller, ensure that there is at least 1GB of hard disk drive space free. This available space allows the computer to have room for the swap file to increase in size as well as room for temporary files. You can check your free space on your hard drive by opening up My Computer and right clicking your C drive and checking the Properties.
Hardware issues.
If your computer continues to be slow after going over each of the above recommendations it’s possible that your computer is experiencing a more serious hardware related issue such as a failing component in the computer. This could be a failing or bad motherboard, memory, or hard drive or other component. Call the Computing Services Help Desk at 569-8727 for a diagnosis by a trained technician.