FAQ Supported Computers

Supported Computers and Software

In an effort to provide consistent and reliable support to the users of personal computers at TUSPHTM, the Office of Academic Information Systems (AIS) has compiled a list of supported hardware configurations to assist users in deciding which personal computing system to purchase or keep.

The hardware configurations we recommend provide sufficient computing capacity to meet performance requirements for instructional and multimedia applications. Purchasing or keeping one of these systems assures you that:

•Your computer is capable of running AIS/Tulane supported software
•Your computer is capable of connecting to the SPHTM/Tulane network
•You can get assistance at the AIS Help Desk
•You can get help with upgrades, replacement parts and maintenance

Therefore, if you are planning on purchasing a new computer, please contact AIS before making the order, and we will assure that it has the proper specifications. This is a very quick process and will avoid problems of installation and support in the future. Problems that we have encountered include, but are not limited to: Windows ME operating systems that are inappropriate for the office environment and our network, non-compliant networking cards, and non-compliant peripherals. These types of problems will normally require reordering and will delay the installations.

All new machines and group printers must be installed by AIS. Also, all machines that are to be re-distributed MUST be given to AIS to have all the prior user information and files removed. The reason for this is that multiple users on machines cause many problems that can be avoided by this simple step. If you chose to ignore any of these steps, we reserve the right to refuse support of these machines.

PC Support

The Office of Academic Information Systems (AIS) provides PC hardware and software support to SPHTM faculty and staff. This support includes:

  • Setting up and configuring new PC's.

  • Installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and upgrading supported hardware and supported software.

  • Network connectivity and troubleshooting

  • E-mail related issues.

  • Virus support

The following tables illustrate, but are not limited to, equipment and software currently supported and examples of equipment that is not supported.

Current Machines that will be supported

•Intel Pentium PCs 500Mhz and above with at least 256 megs of RAM
•Laptop/Notebook computers Intel Pentium Notebooks 500 Mhz and above with at least 128 megs of RAM.

Recommendations for New Computers

•Dell, IBM or Gateway Machines Only
•Intel Pentium PC 2 Ghz and above with at least 256 Megs of RAM running Windows 2000* or Windows XP Professional* and with an Internal Zip 100 Drive or better.
•Laptop/Notebook computers Intel Pentium notebook 1 Ghz and above with at least 128 megs of RAM running Windows 2000* or Windows XP Professional*.
•Supported Printers* *
•HP Network Laserjets II series and above
•HP Laserjets and equivalents
•Dot Matrix printers
•Lexmark laser printers

* AIS will not support Windows ME (Millennium Edition) or XP Home
(These are home versions)

**Minor repairs will be done here on campus. However, major problems or parts availability may require YOU to ship the unit back to the manufacturer for service, or have AllFax come in to do the repairs. Line printers and office high speed printers are NOT covered in this policy.

For those items NOT listed as covered, we will attempt to aid you in the repair of those items.

Software Support (Please note: all software MUST be licensed)

• Windows 2000*, Windows XP Professional*
•Microsoft Office 2000 and above
•Eudora
•SAS/SPSS
•Word Perfect Suite 7.0 and above
•Adobe Products
•Macromedia Products
•Other licensed software as needed and based on the knowledge of our staff.

Unsupported Equipment

•Processors slower than 300Mhz on the Intel platform.
•Hewlett Packard printers older than the LaserJet II Series or equivalents.
•Line Printers, Fax machines, Copiers
•Monitors more than 6 years old.
•Departmental Servers.
•Non-Palm OS PDA's
•Any device not bearing a Tulane University asset tag.
•Any device that has been misused or dismantled
•Machines that contain unlicensed non-Tulane software.
•Lab equipment that connects to a PC.
•NIC's** not made by 3Com, IBM, Xircom or Intel

* We will not support Windows XP Home version on workplace machines

** Network Interface Cards