It’s the first day of classes for the Spring 2008 semester and we have a line of students in Client Support with a variety of computer registration issues. Last fall, we put together a list of the typical problems our technicians were seeing when they were helping Stony Brook students register their computers and gain Internet access.
Here is the list again of common registration problems and some possible solutions.
Problem: CAT tells you that you need to install the latest Microsoft Updates, but you can’t get to the Microsoft site to access them.
Solution: Make sure you have “Automatic detect settings” selected in Internet Explorer. Here’s how you do it:
- In Internet Explorer, go to the top and click on Tools
- Select Internet Options
- Click on the connections tab
- Click on LAN Settings (in the bottom right)
- Make sure the “Automatically detect settings” box is checked off
- Click OK
You should now be able to go to Microsoft for updates (http://www.microsoft.com)
Problem: "Can’t Write to Log" ErrorSolution: Close out of Internet Explorer and run the Client Assessment Tool (CAT) again. You may have to restart your machine.
Problem: You forgot your NetID password and can’t get into SOLAR to find out what it is because you’re working on an unregistered machine.Solution: If you need to get on SOLAR from an unregistered machine to find out your NetID password, you must do the following:
- In Internet Explorer, go to the top and click on Tools
- Select Internet Options
- Click on the connections tab
- Click on LAN Settings (in the bottom right)
- Make sure the "Automatically detect settings" box is checked off
- Also be sure to check off "Use automatic configuration script." In the address box, type in: http://resnet.stonybrook.edu/wpad.dat
- Click OK
You should now be able to go to SOLAR (http://www.stonybrook.edu/solarsystem) to find out or change your NetID password
IMPORTANT - After you have registered your computer at https://register.resnet.stonybrook.edu, remember to go back into Internet Explorer and uncheck "Use automatic configuration script."
Common Vista Error Messages
Problem: "Access Denied" ErrorSolution: In order to successfully run the Client Assessment Tool in Microsoft Vista, a user must right click on the Internet Explorer icon and run the program as an administrator. Failure to do so will lead to an "Access Denied" error dialog box after the installation of the CAT active script.
Problem: "Elevation Required" ErrorSolution: Go to https://register.resnet.stonybrook.edu/vista.html. You will see a dialog box that says "Opening catexe.exe." Hit Save File. You can save it to your desktop. Go to your desktop and double click "catexe." At the next screen, hit Accept. This will open up the Client Assessment Tool. Click Scan to begin the process.
Problem: CAT says you need to update Windows defender dat file on Windows Vista.Solution: Turn Windows defender on from your Control Panel. Once Windows defender is turned on, click "Check for Updates," then run the CAT scan again.
Problem: OneCare Dat file was not found … Unable to Update OneCare … Problem with OneCare AntiVirusSolution: If you have Windows Live Messenger (MSN Messenger) and have installed the Windows Live Toolbar with the OneCare Advisor, the Client Assessment Tool (CAT) thinks that you have Microsoft OneCare as your AntiVirus program. In order to pass CAT, you must locate the Windows Live Toolbar Options (on the toolbar in Microsoft Internet Explorer) and remove the OneCare check box. If this does not work, you may have to remove Windows Live altogether and reinstall later.
If you have additional problems, please call (631) 632-9800 or send an e-mail to: DoIT_sscsupport@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Keep in mind that this is our busiest time of year and you may have to wait in line or leave your computer with us for a period of time. We will do our best to get you up and running as soon as possible.
tres bon sujet merci
Thanks for putting together the list. The vista trouble shooting really helped.
Thanks for this informations.
thanks for the information… cheers!!!!
Big thanks!
Thanks for the list!
I’d add that if you have a router, that can complicate things. If you can’t connect to the internet but your nic card shows an ip address assigned to it, you may be missing your default gateway ip to route the traffic. The router should auto assign everything, so you can try rebooting it or click start, then RUN. Type cmd and ipconfig. This will tell you if you have an ip addresss assigned. To renew, type ipconfig release then type ipconfig renew. It *should* give you a new ip on the network and internet access.
Vista causes a lot of problems with dat files. I hope the service pack 2 release of vista rectifies a bunch of these issues.
I agree, this is a very helpful list.
Pretty helpful list
i found the information pretty helpful specially because I faced a similar kind of “Access Denied” problem yesterday. Happy that I got the solution. Will keep check your blog
Thanks for the info.
That list has helped me heaps. well done
cheers
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Thanks for putting the list together, very resourceful!
The Vista errors section was very helpful
Client support…coming through in the clutch again.
Great post. thanks a lot.
Great informative article!
Thank you for the tip about Windows Live Toolbar with Live Onecare installed and the DAT file issue. It was very helpful to me.
I find Vista cropped with problems..thanks for the suggestions anyway.
Hey, that’s a handy list!
Thanks a ton.
thx for sharing.
Sigh…we need to rid the world of PCs.
I had the problem with OneCare AntiVirus too. Thanks for the solution!
Windos Vista troubleshooting was actually very helpful for me…..Thanks….
This list is very informative.. Thanks for sharing..
Great solutions!
Why did people even upgrade to vista.. we were better off with the less buggy windoze xp
atleast it dint have network issues !
Nice post, Very helpful indeed.. thanks for sharing…
WOW!! I have been everywhere and found how
to update Windows Defender dat file on Vista
here. I don’t know who is responsible for this but thanks.
Phil
Thanks for the info now I know how to fix vista!
Great list. I have had trouble ever since I bought a new computer, which had vista already on it. I would have never upgraded by choice!
I find by using Firefox, it limits the issues with Vista. Google Chrome helps, too, to a lesser extent. Good list though!
Thanks, i have been everywhere and found howto update Windows Defender dat file on Vista
here.
my new computer is really bad. i wish i could have gotten xp. the laptop i bought did not allow it. this has helped me very much with the windows defender update.
thanks
I continue to hear about issues with Vista, but don’t share these thoughts. I have had Vista OS since it was released, and have NO problems with this OS.
Windows Vista has taken a lot of abuse. My thoughts are it’s users. Today’s users just don’t seem to understand computing OR spyware & viruses that they are constantly downloading through music, video and freeware.
Reading this makes me glad I went straight from xp to linux.