If you haven’t already done so, enroll in Augustana’s password management system (https://myaccount.augustana.edu) in order to recover lost or forgotten passwords and to easily reset your password when required. Remember, your Augustana network password is synchronized with your Augustana Gmail account and your Office 365 accounts. Passwords should be a minimum of 14 characters long with three of the four following criteria met: uppercase letter, lowercase letter, number, symbol . Note: Most symbols are permitted by the Augustana network but may cause issues in other software. For example, the space has been known to cause issues with some Colleague software. Slashes and Backslashes have been known to cause issues with some web applications.
Don’t wait until the last minute, plan ahead for unexpected loss of internet connection or if the computer malfunctions. What can you download or print so you can continue to work offline if necessary? Do you have your instructors' contact information written down or saved somewhere in case you cannot get online?
Save your work often! Every 10 to 15 minutes. Keep backups or a copy of work submitted online. Get in the habit of making a copy or backup of your work before making changes. Save your work to a portable device or the Cloud in case your computer malfunctions. Keep your work in a safe place!
Does your computer/laptop have enough power to stay running for a period of time (i.e. low battery) If so, do you have a place to plug in?
Are you using the latest version of software available or required? Do you have more than one browser installed (i.e. Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer) so if one is having trouble you can try another. Are pop-up blockers disabled in the browser you are currently using?
Are several people using one WIFI connection at the same time? Are you on a private home network or a public network? Have you reached your data limit? Some public networks are heavily used and can be very slow regardless of whether everything is working fine with your computer.
When is the last time you actually shut down and restarted your computer? This is not just logging or signing out but actually powering down the computer. If the computer is plugged into an electrical outlet, try unplugging it for a few minutes and plugging it back in. If it is running on battery, try plugging your computer into an electrical outlet to see if that helps.
Have you tried powering off your modem and/or router and powering it back on? Have you tried another internet connection at an alternate location? Have you checked the network cables to ensure they are firmly attached?
Are you using a wireless connection? Ensure Wi-Fi or Cellular connection is enabled. Ensure that Airplane mode is NOT on. Ensure that Do Not Disturb is NOT enabled.
Do you have too many programs installed or in use at one time? Try shutting down applications not in use.
Do you have more than one computer available? Are both computers experiencing the same problem? Are you relying solely on a tablet, iPad, smartphone for all your computer needs? This may cause some challenges as not all software features work on tablets and smartphones.
