Biology IT
Biology IT

FAQ

Do you support older operating systems like Windows XP or 7?

To maintain a safe computing environment for everyone on campus, you must run an operating system that receives current security updates.

Windows XP was released in 2001. Support ended in 2010, and extended support ended in 2014.

Windows 7 was released in 2009. Support ended in 2015, and extended support ended in January 2020.

Windows 11 is the current supported operating system for Windows. It was released in 2021. Security updates are released periodically, which are required for continued access to the campus network.

For macOS, Apple provides security updates for the most recent releases, so supported operating systems are Sequoia  (released 2024), Sonoma (released 2023) and Ventura (released 2022).

How do I contact you for support?

Please use our support portal which will automatically create a ServiceNow request and notify our team. Or you can email biologyit@iastate.edu.

How do I install software on my computer?

If you are using a university-owned computer, you can install software yourself using Self Service on Mac or Software Center on Windows.

How do I purchase new hardware like a computer or printer?

Please visit with a member of Biology IT system support staff. We will assist you in selecting appropriate hardware, place the order using an Iowa Board of Regents approved contract, and configure the computer with licensed ISU software. All purchases must be made through this process.

Please do not purchase computing equipment at the bookstore as an ISU student would. This will cause delays, as configuration that would have happened automatically will need to be done retroactively and by hand.

Do not purchase computing equipment from ISU Surplus.

View the latest Biology IT catalog.

How do I purchase software?

First, check if the software is already available to you via Self Service.

If it is not, please contact us as we can tell you if there are already licenses available for your software, or existing agreements in place through Procurement. Your colleagues may already have paid for a site license!

How do I reserve a room in ATRB?

Use the ATRB Room Scheduling Tutorial.

How do I reserve/check out a laptop/GoPro/projector?

See details for Laptop and Equipment Checkout.

How do I share my presentation wirelessly to a screen?

Some rooms (e.g., conference rooms in ATRB and some rooms in Science II) are configured with Solstice, a technology that lets you throw your laptop screen wirelessly to a wall-mounted screen. We have instructions for doing this on Macintosh and Windows.

I need a website. Who do I contact?

Contact the CALS/LAS Web Team at websupport@iastate.edu to talk about your website needs. All faculty within Biology IT supported departments (BBMB, EEOB, ENT, GDCB, NREM, PLPM, MICRO) may have a website at no charge.

I need to store lots of research data for my lab! What should I do?

Please contact us and we will get you set up with a research storage directory that can be accessed from anywhere. Storage is provide by ISU's Large Scale Storage system. The first 2TB is 100% subsidized by the College.

Is it a good idea to store my data on an external hard drive or flash drive?

Unless it is a backup copy of your data, or a transient copy to move your data from one place to another, this is not a good idea. Never store your only copy of your data on a single external hard drive or flash drive. If the drive gets dropped, smashed, or just decides to die one day your data will be lost permanently! Store your valuable data on the internal drive of a computer that is being backed up, on ISU's Large Scale Storage system, or on a cloud system like Box.

Should I leave my computer on or turn it off?

If you have a desktop computer, please leave your computer powered on; simply log off at the end of the day. It is the times that the computer is on but you are not using it that backups and software security updates happen. Your computer uses very little energy when idling, and our default energy management settings put your monitors to sleep after a short time.

You should restart your computer about once a week.

When do I need to connect to the VPN?

The VPN is needed to make an off-campus computer appear as if it were on-campus.

Thus, when you are connecting to restricted campus resources like a Remote Desktop session, the Isilon (my.files.iastate.edu), LSS, internal (not public) websites and so on you need to be connected.

Cloud services like Zoom, WebEx, CyBox, Canvas, and so on do not require a VPN connection.

When you are finished using a campus resource that requires VPN, please disconnect from it.