The Client Support Blog

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" Error

Solution: 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" Error

Solution: 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" Error

Solution: 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 AntiVirus

Solution: 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.