SUNY Administration User Services

User Services - Frequently Asked Questions - Laptops

1. How do you use a ThinkPad as a standalone computer?

2. How do you use a ThinkPad as a desktop computer?

3. How do you setup the fingerprint reader for IBM Finger Print Security?

4. How do you use Virtual Private Networking (VPN) with Cisco VPN Client?

5. How do you use a Dell Laptop as a Standalone computer?

6. How do you use a Dell Laptop as a Destop computer?

7. How do you use Wireless, Air Card, and VPN on an HP Laptop?

1. How do you use a ThinkPad as a standalone computer?

The following is a quick orientation for using your new ThinkPad computer. Be sure to review the black IBM ThinkPad booklet for descriptions of the features included and how to take care of your new ThinkPad.

While Connected to the SUNY LAN:

You can use the ThinkPad in the office by connecting your monitor, mouse, power cable, and LAN cable to the ThinkPad and logon as you do on your desktop computer.

While in the office the ThinkPad will work just like any other desktop computer. Hit Ctrl Alt Delete to get to the Windows Logon screen. Type in your username and password and be sure the Log on to: box is set to SYSADMIN. Once you logon you will see the black DOS window which logs you on to the various network drives that you will have access to.

While Home or On the Road:

Connect the telephone cable from the modem jack on the back of the ThinkPad to the telephone wall jack. Then turn on the ThinkPad.

If you need to use a file that is stored on a network drive at the office, for example the Y drive:

At the Windows Logon screen type in your User name, Password and SYSADMIN and then check the "Log on using dial-up connection" option. Then select the appropriate phone number. This will map your network drives automatically so you can access your files on the Y: drive. Copy your file from the Y: drive to the C: drive (the ThinkPad's hard drive) to work on it. This will eliminate the possibility of corrupting your work file should you loose connection. Once it's copied, close your connection by right clicking the connection icon in the bottom right hand corner of your desktop and click disconnect.

If you only want to browse or check for e-mail:

In addition to the standard icons on the desktop you will have a Dial-Up Connection icon called SUNY Local. When at home or travelling connect to the telephone line and double click this icon. Select the appropriate phone number, the modem will dial in and make the connection. Using this icon will bypass the program that maps your network drives on the SUNY LAN. Browse the web or check for e-mail as normal.

Virtual Private Network (VPN):

If you have broadband internet service, such as RoadRunner or DSL, this is a good option for accessing your shared drives and e-mail. If you have been approved for a Cisco VPN account and your Laptop has been setup for VPN here is how to use it:

1. Log into Windows. Be sure your LAN cable is connected or you are connected wirelessly.
2. Once you are connected to the LAN double click on the SUNY VPN.cmd icon.
3. Log into Cisco VPN using your LAN user id and password. Click the Continue button.
4. Hit Enter to continue to map your shared drives and network printers.

Once successfully connected via Cisco VPN you can access your shared drives and use Outlook just as you do at your desktop PC.

Think Pad Standalone *

2. How do you use a ThinkPad as a desktop computer?

The following is a quick orientation for using your new ThinkPad computer. Be sure to review the black IBM ThinkPad booklet for descriptions of the features included and how to take care of your new ThinkPad.

While Connected to the SUNY LAN:

If you will be using the ThinkPad as your desktop computer your monitor, mouse, power cable, and LAN cable will be connected directly to your Port Replicator. Shut done, hit the power button, and hit the release button on the Port Replicator to remove the ThinkPad.

While in the office the ThinkPad will work just like any other desktop computer. Hit Ctrl Alt Delete to get to the Windows Logon screen. Type in your username and password and be sure the Log on to: box is set to SYSADMIN. Once you logon you will see the black DOS window which logs you on to the various network drives that you will have access to.

Synchronizing Outlook:

When you are in the office and close Outlook at the end of the day it will automatically synchronize all your Outlook folders to the Offline Store file. When you work offline you will see all the Outlook folders and messages just as when you last closed Outlook. Create e-mail messages, calendar entries, appointments, etc. and when you're done hit the F9 key. Outlook will start the dial-up process, send any unsent e-mail, and re-synchronize so that all the changes made offline will be updated.

While Home or On the Road:

Connect the telephone cable from the modem jack on the back of the ThinkPad to the telephone wall jack. Then turn on the ThinkPad.

If you need to use a file that is stored on a network drive at the office, for example the Y drive:

At the Windows Logon screen type in your User name, Password and SYSADMIN and then check the "Log on using dial-up connection" option. Then select the appropriate phone number. This will map your network drives automatically so you can access your files on the Y: drive. Copy your file from the Y: drive to the C: drive (the ThinkPad's hard drive) to work on it. This will eliminate the possibility of corrupting your work file should you loose connection. Once it's copied, close your connection by right clicking the connection icon in the bottom right hand corner of your desktop and click disconnect.

If you only want to browse or check for e-mail:

In addition to the standard icons on the desktop you will have a Dial-Up Connection icon called SUNY Local. When at home or travelling connect to the telephone line and double click this icon. Select the appropriate phone number, the modem will dial in and make the connection. Using this icon will bypass the program that maps your network drives on the SUNY LAN. Browse the web or check for e-mail as normal.

Virtual Private Network (VPN):

If you have broadband internet service, such as RoadRunner or DSL, this is a good option for accessing your shared drives and e-mail. If you have been approved for a Cisco VPN account and your Laptop has been setup for VPN here is how to use it:

1. Log into Windows. Be sure your LAN cable is connected or you are connected wirelessly.
2. Once you are connected to the LAN double click on the SUNY VPN.cmd icon.
3. Log into Cisco VPN using your LAN user id and password. Click the Continue button.
4. Hit Enter to continue to map your shared drives and network printers.

Once successfully connected via Cisco VPN you can access your shared drives and use Outlook just as you do at your desktop PC.

ThinkPad Desktop *

3. How do you setup the fingerprint reader for IBM Finger Print Security?

Start the Fingerprint Reader application and complete the following:

1. Click Fingerprints.
2. Click Create new passport and enroll fingerprints.
3. Type in your user name and click Next.
4. Choose the finger you wish to scan and click Next.
5. Scan your finger 3 times and follow the prompts to Add your fingerprint profile. Once done, the next time you start Windows you can swipe your finger and it will automatically log you in.

Setup Finger Print Security *

4. How do you use Virtual Private Networking (VPN) using Cisco VPN Client?

Occasionally you will want to connect to your LAN drives and Outlook from a remote location using your SUNY laptop computer. This can be done using Cisco VPN once you have been approved for a VPN account.

Using VPN to Access Shared Drives (N:, P:, O:, and Y: drives):

1. Connect the laptop to your Roadrunner/DSL using a wired or wireless connection.
2. Hit Ctrl Alt Del at the Welcome to Windows screen.
3. Once you have your internet connection click the SUNY VPN icon on the desktop.
4. The VPN Client logon window will appear. Key in your SUNY LAN user name and password and hit Enter and then Enter again to Continue.
5. Hit Enter in the black command prompt window, called SUNY VPN, to map your shared drives.
6. Open Outlook and/or access your shared drives just as you do on your desktop PC in your office.

If you have no need to access your work files or you just want to browse the web or check email via Outlook Web Access (OWA) close the Cisco Systems VPN Client window and the black command prompt window.

Important: Prior to leaving town on a business trip be sure to connect your laptop to our network and log into Windows.

VPN Instruction-Cisco VPN*

5. How do you use a Dell Laptop as a Standalone Computer?

Dell Laptop Standalone *
Dell Laptop Standalone

6. How do you use a Dell Laptop as a Desktop Computer?

Dell Laptop Desktop *
Dell Laptop Desktop

7. How do you use Wireless, Air Card, and VPN on an HP Laptop?

Laptop Connection for HP *
Laptop Connection for HP