Student Diagnostic Center

Located on the third floor of the library, the Student Diagnostic Center, or the DC for short, is a team of highly qualified Hampshire student techies that will work tirelessly(read in 3 hour shifts) FOR FREE to diagnose and fix many computer problems you might have, as well as offer informed advice about many technical inqueries you might have (cookies are greatly appreciated.)

Occasionally, they can make magic happen with the hard drive from the computer you just dropped from the Airport Lounge balcony into the Gallery, but its suggested to treat your laptop as you would a baby.

Virus?

 * Diagnose the presence of a virus and/or spyware that may be slowing down your computer, disinfecting said computer. (This may occasionally require a backup of your work if the virus is a nasty one - usually easy, painless - and a fresh reinstall. Don't worry, your stuff'll be all back in place.)
 * Consult about virus protection and safe internet practice (Using the internet is to your computer what having vast amounts of sexual partners is to us. You would use a condom, right? So should your computer.)

Provide general computing consultation.

 * Network problems? We can take a look and try to figure out the culprit, but call the help desk first at 413 559 5418.
 * Console you about any of your hardware woes.

Hardware Diagnostics

 * Tell you why your computer won't turn on and then guide you through the next steps - i.e. how we can fix it, how to deal with customer support if it's still under warranty, and if not, what can be done about your new expensive paperweight.
 * Occasionally (if your computer isn't under warranty) the DC techs can operate, 99% successfully, to fix your computer. This includes replacing laptop screens, hard drive replacement, diagnosing bad ram, replacing that.

File Rescue

 * Attempt to rescue important files from a dying hard drive. (This is usually quite successful if the hard drive isn't totally dead, and invaluable around finals, when you spill your all-nighter fuel all up in your laptop keyboard)

Re-install your operating system
(Linux, Mac OSX, XP, Vista, Unix, Dos,) or install a new one on your hard drive. (Bring the necessary disks if it's proprietary software!)

What the DC can't do for you:

 * Help you pirate software.
 * Endorse the pirating of software.
 * Provide you with pirated software.
 * Provide you with proprietary software you do not have the rights to.
 * Provide you with a storage medium for the pick-up of backed up data.

What to bring with you to the DC:

 * A detailed account of what happened when and before your computer started having its problems, including what they were.
 * Your computer or device to be diagnosed.
 * The power cord for your computer.
 * Your install disks.
 * Cookies(optional)
 * An external hard drive or cd-rs (if you need backed up data immediately.)

Location &amp; Times
The DC is located on the third floor of the library, to the right, then around the corner to the left when you exit the elevators, and on your way to the library computer lab. There's a sign next to the DC door, and one or two cool-nerdy people fiddling with technological stuff inside.

Previously we were located in the office directly to the left of the elevators but that was too small by several degrees of magnitude. During the new improvements to the third floor we were given a brand new room in which it is actually possible to fit two people at once.

Service is offered Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 9:00pm, and from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Friday (Techies gotta get some boogie-woogie on too).

= THIS IS ALL OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE =