Support | Print Drivers | Purchase Guide | Software | Security | Laptop Exams | Wireless
The Student Computing staff supports the use of the University of Iowa wireless network and selected University of Iowa licensed software on personal laptops. The Student Computing staff also offers a Laptop Best Practices workshop for incoming law students during orientation to help law students ensure their laptops are in good operating condition and comply with the University's Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy.
The Student Computing staff does not troubleshoot nor repair hardware. The staff recommends that students purchase a three-year complete manufacturer's warranty, which covers accidental damage as well as manufacturer's defects. If your personal computer requires service for a hardware problem, and is not covered by a manufacturer's warranty, the University's Campus ITS office maintains a list of Local Hardware Repair Centers students may contact for repairs.
The College of Law is a PC environment. The College does not support Mac computers. If you use a Mac for law school work, you will not have the same level of access and support as you will with a PC laptop.
If purchasing a new laptop for law school, the following minimum standards are recommended:
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) |
| Hard Drive | 320 GB or larger |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Processor | Intel Core i-series or equivalent |
| Drives & Ports | Any available DVD/CD-RW drive and/or a USB port. |
| Network Adapter | Built-in Ethernet and/or an 802.11n wireless card capable of WPA2 authentication or higher. |
| Warranty | 3 year complete manufacturer's warranty that covers accidental damage as well as manufacturer's defect |
University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students can elect to purchase computer hardware through the negotiated University of Iowa vendor plans.
To keep laptops in top operating condition, and to control access and maintain security, law students using a laptop on the University network should:
- Automatically configure your Windows 7 computer to connect to the UI Wireless eduroam network or configure your wireless card for another operating system using the ITS Help Desk wireless instructions.
- Ensure that the Windows Operating System updates are configured to automatically download and install;
- Install a licensed antivirus software program and maintain up-to-date virus definition files. Anti-virus protection for home use.
For assistance in completing these steps, attend a Laptop Best Practices workshop as part of first year orientation or contact the Student Computing staff.
McAfee Security Center, Zone Alarm, SpySweeper, and other firewall and anti-spyware programs are known to conflict with SofTest's ExamSoft software used to take final exams on your laptop. We recommend removing such programs if installed. If you feel you need more protection than our recommendations checklist provides, please consult with the Student Computing staff.
Wireless is available throughout the campus and may be used by anyone in the University of Iowa community who has the following:
- a valid HawkID; and
- a laptop properly configured to connect to Eduroam Security enabled wireless network
To configure wireless, follow the ITS Helpdesk Wireless instructions for the appropriate operating system.
When you change your Hawk ID password, you also need to reset your wireless password. If you need help connecting or have any questions, please contact the Student Computing staff.
Wireless connections are strong throughout the Law Library. Students can also connect to the University network through the wired access points in the carrels.
Law students can install the Law Library network printers on their personal laptops for the convenience of printing directly to the law school printers. The print drivers can only be installed on laptops running Windows XP, Vista, or 7. To install and configure the network print drivers, select the appropriate operating system from the list below and follow the instructions.
Currently, the Law Library printing account software is not available for Mac users. Mac owners wishing to print to the Law Library network printers should use the workstations in the Computer Lab (Room 174) or ground floor carrels.
When students print from a personal laptop to the Law Library's networked printers, their print account will be debited at $.10 per side.
Downloading
Some University site-licensed software is available for downloading from the ITS Software Download site. Other software require purchasing a license and entering a serial number before downloading. To view a complete list of the software available, sign-in to the ITS Software Download Site with a valid Hawk ID username and password.
Purchasing
The University of Iowa has partnered with Microsoft and other vendors to offer discounted educational software to students. To learn more, visit the Campus Software Program.
WordPerfect
Law students may borrow a WordPerfect installation disk from the Law Library's Circulation Desk and use it to install WordPerfect software on their laptops free of charge.
Many professors give law students the option of taking law school exams using a personal laptop. Law students choosing to participate in laptop exams must purchase and install exam software. See the College of Law Laptop Exam web page for more information.
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