Computer & Technology Services
The Technology side of the Library and Information Services Department consists of professionals who provide all the computing, network, printing, media services, classroom technology, and database support for the Carthage community.
The Hedberg Library Information Desk will help with the following computer-related issues:
- Connecting to the Internet.
- Troubleshooting printing to, or from devices.
- Virus and malware issues.
- Assist you with your Carthage-owned computing devices.
We can recommend local repair providers for hardware-related issues, but we do not diagnose hardware issues or perform hardware repairs. Contact the Hedberg Library Information Desk at help@carthage.edu or 262-551-5950.
For Faculty & Staff
Software available to Faculty & Staff
Full-time Carthage faculty and staff will be issued one computing device upon request, paid for by Library and Information Services. Each employee (or each employee’s supervisor) will complete the request form below to initiate the purchase. LIS will communicate to the individual (and supervisor) via email through Request Tracker regarding the purchase.
When the computer arrives and is ready for the employee to pick up, the employee will have to set up a time to pick up their device, and sign a form indicating that they have picked up the device and understand security expectations.
All devices must be returned to Library and Information Services when an employee leaves Carthage. Please email help@carthage.edu if you have further questions.
Library and Information Services provides full-time Carthage faculty and staff one computer to complete College work. Requested equipment beyond that is paid for by the employee’s department. Please fill out the form below to request computing devices for new employees or current employees.
Occasionally, members of the Carthage Community need an alternate email account created for a group, event, search committee, department, etc. Many times a Google Group will work better than an email account.
Please use this form to request access to Carthage systems for current Carthage employees only. Requests for the following are available via this form:
- Cognos
- CX/JX
- Enterprise Information Systems
- Onbase
- Shared network files/drives
- VPN
Only request access that is needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Please allow one week for request fulfillment.
The project intake form is used to request new or enhanced software, reports, or web pages. Examples of current or past projects include: researching popular student housing management software, enhancing and updating online student check-in, implementing a new learning management system, and assisting the financial aid department with pulling a report to comply with state mandates. If you’re not quite sure if your request qualifies as a project you can reach out to help@carthage.edu and IT staff will direct you.
For Students
Software available to students
Carthage recommends that every student have their own laptop computer. This will allow you to access your course resources, do research online, take notes in class, write papers, create and give presentations, communicate electronically with classmates, family and friends, and much more. It is up to you whether you select a Mac or Windows computer. You may want to contact some of the faculty in the department in which you intend to major to find out if there will be a preference in your courses.
A college campus is different from a home environment when it comes to technology. There are a lot more people with a lot more devices in close proximity. In order to make technology work for as many people and as many devices as possible, Carthage has established some rules and guidelines that help everyone have a better experience using the network.
EQUIPMENT YOU SHOULD NOT BRING TO CAMPUS
- Wireless routers and personal smartphone Hotspots are expressly prohibited and violate the Carthage Community Code as they can significantly impact the reliability of Carthage’s Wireless Network.
- Hubs and switches will also not work in residence halls and should not be brought to campus. These devices will be removed if identified.
- Printers with wifi capabilities interfere with our campus network, so do not bring a wireless printer unless the wifi signal can be disabled and you can connect to it with a cord. They WILL NOT WORK WITH WIFI.
EQUIPMENT THAT IS WELCOME AND OFTEN BROUGHT TO CAMPUS BY STUDENTS INCLUDES:
- Laptop and desktop computers with wired or wireless connection.
- Tablets and hybrids such as iPad, Nexus, Kindle Fire, Surface, Chromebook.
- Smartphones.
- Gaming consoles or devices.
- TV-related devices such as Roku, Chromecast, Fire TV, Apple TV, etc.
CHROMEBOOKS, IPADS, & SURFACE TABLETS
Library and Information Services strongly recommend that students come to campus with a laptop that runs either a Mac or Windows operating system. Chromebooks, Surface tablets, or iPads that run Android or iOS are typically unable to install programs or software required by the professor’s choice of textbook or other course-related software. If you want to utilize one of the above machines, a Surface PRO or Surface BOOK will run a full-featured operating system, therefore allowing software downloads of programs we frequently see on campus.
Residence hall wireless best practices - be a good wifi neighbor!
Personal electronic devices that broadcast wireless signals cause major interference to Carthage’s wireless network. When the broadcast wifi setting is enabled on these devices it clutters the airspace causing performance and connection issues for those devices trying to communicate with Carthage’s wireless access points. These devices include wireless printers, gaming systems, media players, cellular hotspots, streaming devices, smart outlets, and various other IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
What Can You Do?
Determine whether you have any personal devices listed below. Perform the steps necessary, as shown below, to disable the wireless broadcast, referred to as “Ad-hoc wireless.”
What Devices Interrupt Carthage Wifi?
Common devices that broadcast an “Ad-hoc” wireless signal that will interfere with Carthage’s wifi:
- Wireless printers
- Wireless access points/routers (Netgear, Asus, Cisco, Linksys, etc.)
- Cell phone hotspots
- Wireless switches and hubs
- Smart home devices
- Apple Time Capsules
- Gaming systems (e.g. PS4)
- Streaming devices (e.g. Roku, Chromecast)
How Do I Disable Wifi Broadcasting On My Devices?
Wireless Printers
Turn off the wireless broadcast on your printer. Often personal wireless printers offer an “Ad-hoc” wireless service that interferes with Carthage’s wireless system and can prevent you or others from connecting to the Carthage-Open and Carthage-Secure networks. If you do not see your model in the list below Google “disable wifi on my wireless [enter printer-type] printer.”
Most HP Models
- Use the menu to navigate to Setup > Network > Wireless Radio (on some models this is towards the bottom of the scrollable menu).
- Turn the Wireless Radio to “OFF.”
HP Photosmart d110
- Some models may allow you to press the blue “wireless” button on the bottom front of the printer to turn the light out and service off. (You may need to hold the button for five seconds to turn the light out.)
- If the above is not successful, use the menu to navigate to Settings > Wireless > Wireless Settings > Disable Wireless > OK.
HP Laserjet p1102w
- Press and hold the “wireless” image button on the left-hand button panel for five seconds to turn the light out and service off.
HP Photosmart c4780
- From the front panel, choose “Scan.” Scroll up or down to find Networking.
- Select Networking, then turn off Wireless.
-
If the wireless indicator persists:
- Shut the printer down.
- Hold the “wireless” and “cancel” buttons together while powering the printer on.
- Wait for all the lights to flash together and then let the buttons go.
Epson Models
- Press the Setup button.
- Select Wi-Fi/Network Settings.
- Select Wi-Fi Setup.
- Select Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
- Select Disable Wi-Fi.
Most Canon Models
- Press and hold the Resume/Cancel button, then release when the Power lamp flashes twelve times.
- Note that when you enable the wireless LAN, press and hold the Resume/Cancel button, then release the button when the Power lamp flashes ten times.
Wireless Access Points/Routers
Turn off any personal routers and the experience for Carthage’s wireless will improve for everyone around you. Use of personal wireless access points or routers is prohibited in residence halls. These devices cause interference and prevent others from having clean access to the Carthage wifi.
Cell Phone Hotspots
Save your data plan and turn off your personal cell phone hotspot. These devices cause interference and prevent other users from getting, and staying connected, to the Carthage wifi.
Apple Time Capsule
Please turn off wireless on these devices and connect them to the wired network to back up your devices (you will need to register the Ethernet MAC address as you would on wireless). Apple Time Capsules consume a great deal of wireless bandwidth and make other use of Carthage’s wifi unstable.
Gaming Systems
The PS4/PS5 sets itself up as an “Ad-hoc” wireless access point with its own network if you have Remote Play turned on and the option to connect directly to a PS Vita or motion controllers. If both the PS4 and Vita are on the same wifi network you can turn off the direct-connect option and the “Ad-hoc” wireless broadcast disappears. This will greatly help those around you trying to use the Carthage wifi.
Streaming Devices (Roku/Chromecast)
Chromecast: The Chromecast only broadcasts its wireless network for initial setup. Should the Chromecast fail to connect to the Carthage-Open network it will automatically go back into its setup state and you will see the “Ad-hoc” wireless network become available. A blinking white light means the Chromecast is not connected to a wireless network. A solid white light means the device is connected to a wireless network and ready to accept “casts.” A blinking Chromecast should either be set up or disconnected from your TV or display device as it is broadcasting itself as an available wireless access point and interfering with Carthage wifi.
Roku: Some models of Roku streaming devices are known to set up an “Ad-hoc” wireless network to allow their remote control to communicate with the device. This wireless remote network causes interference with other wireless networks that may be running on the same channel and can degrade performance on Carthage wifi.
HARDWARE
While we do not recommend specific brands or models for students to purchase, If you are planning on purchasing a computer, it is a good idea to check with the academic program you are intending to study to see if they have special computing requirements. While the Library and Information Services Department does not recommend specific brands or models for students to purchase, we suggest a laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor, at least 8GB of RAM, with a 256GB SSD (solid-state drive). A solid-state drive is much faster and can handle many applications. There is no reason to have a hard drive of 1 or 2 TB unless you are going to store tons of songs or photos on the machine; 256GB should be more than enough for school.
A lot of newer laptops don’t come with a disc drive, and it really isn’t necessary so much anymore. Keep in mind that the library has external disc drives to borrow if you want to watch a movie or download software from a disc. The library also has mice, keyboards, and VGA adapters for projecting one’s computer to a screen.
Carthage doesn’t endorse certain vendors, but discounts may be available through the following:
SOFTWARE
Library and Information Services offers free Microsoft Office 365 software to students on a yearly basis, and free SPSS software (a statistical package that is required by some statistics classes). At Carthage, we rely heavily on Google Drive to work on, and share documents, so much of one’s work can be done and stored in the cloud. Other hardware and software may be useful for the courses you take. We provide some software at no cost, and there are sometimes educational discounts on software and hardware.