- Overview
- Changing Your CGIS Account Password
- Accessing Files and More
- Protecting Against Viruses
- Printing
- Foreign Language Support
Changing Your CGIS Account Password
- Open a web browser and navigate to https://myfiles.hmdc.harvard.edu/vo/servlet/portal?render=on.
The login window for the Change HMDC Password function is displayed. - Enter the following:
- In the Username field type your CGIS account username.
- In the Password field type your current CGIS account password.
- Click the Login button to log in to the Change Password function. (You can click Reset to clear the values you typed in this window and start again.)
The Change HMDC Password window is displayed. - Enter the following:
- In the Old password field type your current CGIS account password.
- In the New password field type a new CGIS account password.
- In the Retype password field type the same new CGIS account password.
- Click the Submit button to change your network account password.
If you did not type your current password correctly or did not enter a new password that meets the minimum requirements specified on this window, an error message is displayed and you must enter new values on this window.
Foreign Language Support
We offer limited support for foreign language operating systems and applications. We provide full support for the configuration and managment of foreign language settings within the English version of Microsoft Windows and Macintosh OS X operating systems. In essence, we can help configure your English based operating system to read and write in foreign languages.
If we set up your system for you, we'll make sure to include languages such as Japenese, Chinese (Simplified and Mandarin), German, French, and Spanish (International and Tradional Sort) keyboard and input. To use any of these settings, either click the local selector in the System Tray (the lower-right corner of the screen) or click the Start button, select the Settings menu, and choose the Control Panel's menu Regional Settings option.
Information about specific keyboard layouts can be found at the following URL:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/goglobal/bb964651.aspx
We provide assitance with only the English language versions of our supported software.
Desktop Services - Overview
We support all CGIS accounts, as described in our [[link:kb-1018]] pages.
Account creation is subject to the approval of the appropriate program coordinator. If you are a new affiliate, see your Program Coordinator or IT contact to obtain your CGIS account. If you are a Program Coordinator or an IT contact, please [[contact]] for account creation.
Desktop services that we provide for all CGIS accounts include:
- File access
- Virus protection
- Printing support
For more information or for troubleshooting instructions about these services, read the topics in this section. If there are any questions or troubles that are not answered on this site, feel free to [[contact]].
Accessing Files and More - Overview
We provide network space for personal and shared file storage to all affiliates. To access your network space, you must have a CGIS account. If you do not have an account yet, contact us. If you already have an account, but are unable to remember the password, please contact us to request a password reset.
When logging in to our computers, your shared file space usually appears automatically by running a script (a small computer program) when you log in on your computer. The script creates two additional drives on your computer, usually the G: drive and the N: drive. The G: drive is space to be shared by your department, while the N: drive is for your personal files, and can be seen only by you.
Your files also are accessible from off-campus locations. For more information, see Accessing Remotely, Accessing Remotely Using SFTP, and Accessing Remotely Using VPN.
Connecting to Our Network
All computers must be registered for use before they are able to connect to the Harvard network. The registration process differs based on the type of connection you are trying to access.
Registering a Computer for Wired Network Access
We recommend our users to use wired network connection if its possible in the office or locations your working, you will have a faster and stable connection with in CGIS. Wired networking connections must be registered manually for network access, unless you are connecting from a building that has Roaming Ethernet, which behaves the same as wireless connections. If you are a staff or faculty member with permission to register network devices, use the autoreg.fas.harvard.edu page to register your computer manually.
If you do not have access to manually register devices in autoreg, please contact us and we will register your computer for you.
Registering a Computer for Wireless Network Access
To connect your computer to Harvard's wireless network:
- For MacOS, select the wireless network icon in the top-right corner of your desktop.
For Windows, right-click the wireless network icon in the lower-right coner of your screen, and then click View Available Wireless Networks.
Select Harvard University, and then click Connect./li> - Launch a web browser.
The browser opens to the Welcome to the FASTAccess Client Management System page. - Read the license agreement, check the I have read and understand the terms box, and then click Next.
The Computer Registration page appears. - Enter your Harvard ID and PIN in the available fields, and then click Submit.
The Personal Information page appears. - Enter your personal information in the fields provided, and then click Next.
The Firewall Check page appears. - Click the Check Firewall button.
You are prompted to select the operating system of your computer. - Select the appropriate operation system, and then click Finish.
You receive a message that your computer is registered. - Restart all your browsers to begin using the Harvard wireless network.
Finding and Mapping Shared Drives
Guide Overview
We provide access to your network drives directly from your Windows or Mac systems. You can access CGIS account drives or RCE account drives without logging in to those services. For example, you do not have to log in to your RCE account to access web publishing volumes or other files stored in the RCE.
Follow the connection instructions described in this guide to connect to the shared drives.
CGIS Account Connection Parameters
Use the following parameters to connect to your CGIS account drives:
- Server name - oes.hmdc.harvard.edu
- Account - CGIS account username and password
RCE Account Connection Parameters
Use the following parameters to connect to your RCE account drives:
- Connection - See Accessing Remotely Using SFTP to connect to the RCE
- Server name - publish.hmdc.harvard.edu
- Account - RCE username and password
Accessing Remotely
Those users with existing group volumes can access their shares from any computer connected to the internet.
- Point your web browser to https://oes.hmdc.harvard.edu/NetStorage/.
- Login by using your CGIS account username and password.
- Browse your files and use the menu options to download and upload files to your network shares.
Note: During Fall semester, 2009, HMDC Support will transition all users from Novell users accounts to Linux-based CGIS accounts and file servers. As a result of that transition, NetStorage support will be deprecated and all users will be able to access their group volumes by using SFTP tools. HMDC Support will notify you when your accounts are migrated to Linux-based services. Please see Accessing Remotely Using SFTP for detailed information about how to use SFTP to access your group volumes after you are notified that your account was migrated.
Accessing Remotely Using SFTP
We provide access to various network drives through use of secure file transfer protocol (SFTP) tools, which provides a mechanism through which you can access network drives securely from any Internet-connected machine.
SFTP access is available from a wide variety of computer platforms. Read About File Access for a good introduction and links to step-by-step instructions.
For additional assistance, please contact us.
Accessing Remotely Using VPN
To access your network space while off campus:
- Install Harvard's VPN Client.
You can obtain this software from http://www.fas-it.fas.harvard.edu/ - Download the VPN installer from the FAS downloads website, then run the installer file.
- Click through the VPN installer, accepting all defaults. After the installer completes, it will prompt you to restart your computer, click Yes to restart.
- After your computer restarts, click the Start button, then click All Programs, then click Cisco Systems VPN Client, and then select VPN Client. The VPN Client interface window will appear.
- Click the Connect button, and then enter your FAS username (being sure to leave "@fas" after your username) and password.
- You will see a small locked padlock icon in the lower right by your clock. This means you’re connected to the VPN, and are ready to connect to your network drives.
- Refer to Mapping a Network Drive in Windows for instructions on connecting to your network shares.
- If you have trouble connecting to your network shares using the instructions linked in the previous step, use the HMDC drive mapping script to connect. Please contact us to request the drive mapping script.
Remotely Accessing Your Network Space Using the Web Interface
CGIS affiliates can access their Novell files from any computer connected to the internet via our NetStorage system.
Navigate your web browser to https://myfiles.hmdc.harvard.edu. After you log in, NetStorage provides you with tools to to download and upload files to your Novell drives. N: and G: are the most commonly used drives.
Protecting Against Viruses - Overview
We provide virus protection software and services, as well as virus removal assistance in cases of infection. There are many avenues that viruses and other malicious software (malware) can use to infect your computer. No computer attached to a network is ever completely secure, but there are steps you can take to make your computer's security much stronger. Some of things you can do are:
- Use good antivirus software
- Update your operating system software regularly
- Practice safe computing
Using Good Antivirus Software
One of the most important steps you can take is to install, and update regularly, good antivirus software. We recommend and support McAfee Antivirus, which is provided to affiliates free of charges through FAS IT. For instructions on installing McAfee Antivirus, please refer to the McAfee Download and Installation Instructions page.
Running Your Operating System Software Updates
Running the updates for your operating system is one of the most important preventative measures you can take to protect against virus infection. To do this in Windows:
- Launch Internet Explorer.
- On the Tools menu, select Windows Update.
- Follow the prompts to run your Windows updates.
On the Mac, click the Apple Menu and select Software Update. The Software Update application walks you through the rest of the process.
Practicing Safe Computing
One form of attack that is growing rapidly is the use of social engineering to infect your computer, or to gather sensitive information from you. These attacks can take the form of fake websites that prompt you to input sensitive data, or even emails from people posing as your IT support that ask for your password. To avoid being taken advantage of by these attacks, be sure not to give personal information to any websites with which you are unfamiliar. Also never give out your password, under any circumstances. We will never send you email asking for your password. If you receive such an email, it is not legitimate.
Installing Virus Protection
We provide McAfee VirusScan to CGIS affiliates free of charge. Follow the instructions below to download VirusScan, and install it on your computer.
Installing McAfee VirusScan in Windows
- Launch a web browser and navigate to http://www.fas-it.fas.harvard.edu Log in with your Harvard ID and PIN.
- Scroll to the bottom of the software list and select VirusScan and Anti-Spyware. Click I accept on license agreement.
- You will be prompted to download a file. Download it, and save it to a familiar location. When the download finishes, run the file. The installer will start.
- Click through the installer, accepting all the defaults. When the installer finishes, it will prompt you to restart your computer. Click Yes. When your computer restarts, VirusScan will be installed and running.
Installing McAfee VirusScan in Mac OS X
- Launch a web browser and navigate to http://www.fas-it.fas.harvard.edu Log in with your Harvard ID and PIN.
- In the column at right, click MacOS X. This will bring up the listing of available software downloads for macs.
- Scroll to the bottom of the list and click VirusScan. Select I accept at the license agreement, then click Continue.
- You will be prompted to download a file. Select Open with Stuffit Expander.
- Double-click to open the resulting folder, and then double-click on the VirusScanxxx.dmg file (where xxx is the version number).
- Double-click VirusScan.pkg. This will start the VirusScan installer. Click through the installer accepting all defaults.
- After the installer finishes and closes, restart your computer. Once your computer restarts, VirusScan will be installed and running.
Virus Protection FAQ
Below are answers to some of the most common questions users have about virus protection. If you have a question about virus protection that is not answered below, feel free to contact us.
Why are my VirusScan updates failing?
One of the easiest ways to repair common issues with VirusScan updates is to reinstall the program. For instructions on installing McAfee VirusScan, please contact us.
What should I do if I suspect my computer is infected?
If you suspect your computer ia infected, first (if possible) take your computer off the network by unplugging the network connection. This prevents viruses from further infecting your machine, as well as prevent the infection on your computer from spreading to other computers. Next, run a scan of whatever Antivirus software you use (we recommend McAfee VirusScan). If after the scan your computer still appears to be infected, call our support number to contact us.
How can I delete infected files?
If you run McAfee VirusScan and it finds infected files, it puts these files into the Quarantine folder at the root of your system drive (usually C:\QUARANTINE). If you wish to delete your quarantined files, just delete all the files in your quarantine folder, then empty your recycle bin.
Can I run two virus scan software apps?
We do not recommend running two different virus scan software applications concurrently. Often two different applications will each install their own automatic file scan utility, which can cause the applications to fight for the same resources, or even flag each other as malware. On the other hand, running anti spyware/adware applications at the same time as virus scanning applications usually works well. For example, having Spybot S&D or Ad-Aware installed at the same time as McAfee VirusScan is fine.
Printing - Overview
We install, troubleshoot, maintain, and recycle printers for all affiliates. We support many brands and models of printers and are happy to assist with your printing needs.
Finding the solution to common printing troubles is often just a matter of knowing the correct steps to install or configure your printers. Please refer to the following how-to articles for help with every-day printing problems:
- Installing a Network Printer
- Installing a Local Printer
- Printing From Home
- Configuring Duplexing
- Checking Your Print Balance
- Troubleshooting Network Printing
If you have any printers or printing trouble that you cannot resolve, please contact us.
Installing a Network Printer
The instructions below will guide you through installing a network printer in Windows and on a Mac.
Installing a Network Printer in Windows
- To install a network printer in Windows, first install the iPrint client:
- In Internet Explorer 6 navigate to http://oes-2.hmdc.harvard.edu/ipp.
- Click the Install iPrint Client link in the upper-right corner of the page.
- Select Run the file, and the iPrint client will install.
- After the iPrint client installs, restart Internet Explorer and go back to http://oes-2.hmdc.harvard.edu/ipp.
- Once the page loads, just click on the name of the printer you’d like to install, and click Yes when asked if you’d like to install the printer. Your printer will automatically be installed to your computer.
Installing a Network Printer in Mac OS X
- Click the System Preferences icon on the dock. System Preferences will open.
- Double-click on the Print & Fax icon, and then click the "+" button in the lower left of the Print & Fax window.
- Click the IP icon at top, and then enter the following information:
- In the Protocol field, select HP Jetdirect Socket.
- In the Address field, enter the IP address of the printer. Please contact us if you do not have this information.
- Enter any name you would like to give the printer in the Name field.
- If the printer utility does not automatically appear, enter the model of your printer in the Print Using field, choose select a driver to use, and then pick the make and model of the printer you’re connecting to
- Click Add. Your printer will now be an option when you print documents.
Installing a Local Printer
The following instructions guide you through setting up printers that are connected directly to you computer.
Installing a Local Printer in Windows
- Turn your printer on, and attach the data cable (usually a USB cable) to both your computer, and to your printer.
- Click the Start button in the lower left, and then select Control Panel. The Control Panel will appear.
- Double-click the Printers icon.
- Click Add a Printer. The Add Printer wizard will open.
- Accept the defaults, and then click Next. The wizard will attempt to find and install the appropriate software for your printer.
- If the wizard is unable to find an appropriate driver for your printer, download the appropriate driver for your printer from the manufacturers web site, and save it to a known location.
- The Add Printer wizard will ask you if you want to manually install the printer. Click Next.
- Choose the port that is appropriate for your printer (usually this is USB). Click Next to continue.
- Click Have Disk, and navigate to the location that you saved your printer driver. Double click on the driver, then click OK.
- Click Next, accepting the defaults, through the next series of windows. Your printer will print a test page confirming that it is installed correctly.
Installing a Local Printer in Mac OS X
- Open a document you would like to print, and then click the File menu and select Print.
- Choose the printer from the Printer pop-up menu. The Printer pop-up menu contains all USB, FireWire, Bluetooth, and Bonjour printers that are available to your computer, as well as all printers that you have added to the Printer pop-up menu. Be sure to check the Shared Printers, Bluetooth Printers, and Bonjour Printers submenus. If you just set up a printer, it may take a short while before it appears in this list.
- If you don't find your printer, choose Add Printer from the Printer pop-up menu, select the printer in the dialog that appears, and click Add. The dialog lists additional printers that are available to your computer, including AppleTalk and Open Directory printers. You may need to wait a short while before your printer appears. If you press Add, the printer you just added is the default printer.
- If you don't see your printer, click More Printers, choose your printer's type from the pop-up menu in the dialog that appears, select the printer, and then click Add. If the specific type of printer you're using is listed, choose that type. For example, if you're using an Epson USB printer, you may be able to choose Epson USB. If you choose AppleTalk, another pop-up menu appears that lets you choose the AppleTalk zone for the printer.
- If your computer cannot determine the options that are installed on your printer, a dialog appears that lets you choose those options. Make sure the settings in that dialog accurately reflect your printer's installed options so you can take full advantage of them. Then click Continue.
Configuring Duplexing
Printing on both sides of a sheet of paper is commonly referred to as duplex printing. If the printer is equipped with a duplexer (currently our public printers and some program printers are equipped with a duplexer), follow the steps below to configure your computer for duplexing.
Duplexing From a Windows Computer
- From the Windows Desktop, click Start button, then click Settings, and choose Printer.

- Right-click the printer that you choose to use, and choose the Properties option.

- On the Configure tab, check the duplexing check box.

- Click OK to close the Properties window.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 for other printers if necessary.
Duplexing From a Mac
- Click on System Preferences on the Mac dock, then click Print & Fax.
- Select the print queue you want to duplex with, then click the Option & Supplies button.
- Click Driver, then check the box next to "Duplex Unit".
The above steps allow your computer to "see" the duplexing option installed on the printer. In most applications like Microsoft Word or Netscape, you should be able to select double-sided printing via the Page Setup or Print options on the File menu.
Printing From Home
In addition to using Harvard printers on campus, you should be able to print to any networked printers from your home machine. This works by using the FAS VPN (virtual private network), which makes your home computer think it is on a Harvard network, bypassing any security measures that would normally prevent you from seeing your networked printers.
To set up a networked printer at home, first use the steps described below to install the FAS VPN. Then, while connected to the VPN, install your network printers as you normally would on campus. For instructions on installing networked printers, please refer to our Installing Networked Printers page.
Installing the FAS VPN Client
- Use a web browser to navigate to http://www.fas-it.fas.harvard.edu When prompted, enter your user ID and Pin. The FAS downloads site will appear.
- In the right-hand column of the FAS downloads site, select the platform that is appropriate for your home computer. Then scroll through the listing of available software and select VPN Client.
- Accept the license agreement, and then click Continue. You will be prompted to download a file. Download this file, and then run it. The VPN Client installer will start.
- Click Next through the installer, selecting all the default options. Then restart your computer when prompted by the installer. Once your computer restarts, the VPN Client will be installed.
Checking Your Print Balance
You can check the balance remaining in your network print account when you are logged in to the Novell network.
To check the balance of you print account:
- Open a web browser and navigate to http://myfiles.hmdc.harvard.edu:8008/balance.
- Log in with your Novell username and password.
- You printing account balance will be displayed.
Troubleshooting Network Printing
HMDC supports network printing through the Novell IPrint service. By design, once the IPrint is installed on a desktop computer, it should install the any appropriate network printers for the department that you are a member of. If you would like to install additional printers that were not automatically installed by the IPrint client, please refer to Installing Network Printers.
If you are trying to print to a novell printer and you are not receiving any response from the printer, try the following steps:
- Delete the printer from your list of available printers.
- Click on Start, and then select Control Panel.
- Double-click Printers.
- Choose the printer in question and press the Delete key.
- Turn your computer off and then on again.
- Login normally. During the login process, novell should recreate your printer object. This process could take up to several minutes. If after 5 minutes, your printer has not reappeared, contact the HMDC Help Desk at contact us.
Printing Supplies & Resources
We recommend HP printers for both desktop and network printing.
We do not supply printer toners for CGIS affiliates. To order printer supplies please contact your local purchasing agent or administrator for help. We are happy to offer advice on which supplies best fit your particular printer. Please contact us at contact us if you have questions about supplies for your printer.
Helpful Links
These resources provide useful information about printers and supplies: