Computer Recommendations – Support

Welcome to the TransIT Software Service Center. Our goal is to assist you with your software needs to help you have a successful TransIT experience.

For service, please select from the following options.

  • If you are having hardware problems and wish to have your computer serviced locally, one of these organizations may be able to assist you.
    NOTE: The Vanderbilt University School of Engineering does not officially endorse any of these options.
  • If you are having general problems with your operating system, application software, or access to Vanderbilt online services, please go to Jacobs/Featheringill room 236 for assistance.
  • Follow these instructions to install your primary TransIT software packages.
  • Access Microsoft Azure for Education to install a variety of Microsoft software packages.
  • Visit our Helpful Hints section for answers to the most common problems.
  • Follow our general advice on maintaining your computer.

Support Organizations

If your computer's hardware is malfunctioning, you may be best served to call your computer vendor for assistance. If you prefer to take your computer to a local repair shop, here are several options on or near campus.

NOTE: The Vanderbilt University School of Engineering does not officially endorse any of these vendors.

  • On Campus
    • Vanderbilt University Information Technology (VUIT) Phone: 615-491-7241

      Tech Shop:
      Medical Center North
      Suite AAA 0313
      1161 21st Avenue South
      Nashville, TN 37232

      Entrance:       21st Avenue South directly across from the end of Edgehill Avenue, beneath pedestrian bridge. After entering through double wooden doors, Suite AAA 0313 is second door on left.
  • Off Campus Companies That Make House Calls
  • Off Campus Companies

Helpful Hints

If you have questions that are not addressed here, please submit your question or concern via e-mail.

  • Problem: I am having trouble connecting to the Vanderbilt wireless network.

    VUNet is the campus-wide wireless network; you must authenticate to VUNet using your Vanderbilt credentials (VUnetID and ePassword).

    Solution: Follow these instructions to connect your computer or other wireless devices to VUnet.

  • Problem: I am having difficulty installing MATLAB on my computer.

    Here are several common problems and solutions people experience when installing and activating MATLAB.

    Problem: When I attempt to launch SETUP.EXE in the mswindows folder, I see the following errors in pop up windows.

    Pop Up Window #1:
    Setup has stopped working.
    Windows is collecting more information about the problem.
    This might take several minutes.

    Pop Up Window #2:
    Do you want to send more information about the problem?
    Additional details about what went wrong can help Microsoft create a solution

    Solution: Click OK, then open the win32 folder and launch the SETUP.EXE program found there.

    Problem: I see an Unknown Exception error that reads There was an unexpected exception: External process (blah, blah, blah)... See the log file (blah, blah, blah) for more details.

    Solution: This is a known warning caused by the unanticipated length of time it takes to load MATLAB and all of the licensed toolboxes. Click OK to safely ignore this warning message and continue installing MATLAB.

    Problem: During MATLAB activation, the Windows User Name field is displaying a name other than the name I want to use. When I change it, the activation process fails.

    Solution: Please accept the default name that is displayed in the Windows User Name field. Don't change it.

  • Problem: I am having difficulty installing National Instruments LabVIEW on my computer.

    Here are several common problems and solutions regarding installing and activating National Instruments LabVIEW.

    Problem: When I launch SETUP.EXE from the ASLQ309CORE1 folder, the installation installs the first product correctly, then as it begins to install the second product, the following error message appears.

    Window Title: Academic Site License Fall 2009 LabVIEW CORE
    Window Content: An error occurred while installing LabVIEW 2009 Control Design and Simulation Module.
    Do you want to continue installing the remaining products? Yes/No
    When I click No, I see the following pop-up window.
    Window Title: Academic Site License Fall 2009 LabVIEW CORE
    Window Content: Product Information
    Please read the following information about the products you have installed.
    LabVIEW 2009 Control Design and Simulation Module
    NI LabVIEW 2009 Control Design and Simulation Module
    The Control Design and Simulation Module requires LabVIEW 2009 Full or Professional Development System to be installed.

    Solution: This is a known problem. You must first install only NI LabVIEW by running SETUP.EXE from the ASLQ309CORE1 folder and selecting LabVIEW English from the LabVIEW 2009 folder.
    To exit from the current installation attempt, click Next to see the details of this installation attempt.
    If checked, uncheck the Run License Manager to activate the product(s) box.
    Click Finish.

    Problem: When I launch SETUP.EXE from the ASLQ309CONTROL folder and successfully navigate through all of the screens (including selecting all software to be installed), and click the final Next button to begin the installation, I see the following error in a pop up window.

    Window Title: Academic Site License Fall 2009 Control and Embedded Systems
    Window Content: An error occurred while installing LabVIEW 2009 FPGA Module.
    Do you want to continue installing the remaining products? Yes/No
    When I click No, I see the following pop-up window.
    Window Title: Academic Site License Fall 2009 Control and Embedded Systems
    Window Content: Product Information
    Please read the following information about the products you have installed.
    LabVIEW 2009 FPGA Module
    NI LabVIEW 2009 FPGA Module
    NI LabVIEW 2009 32-Bit Full/Professional must beinstalled before you can install NI LabVIEW 2009 FPGA Module.

    Solution: This is a known problem. You must begin installing NI LabVIEW by running SETUP.EXE from the ASLQ309CORE1 folder.
    To exit from the current installation attempt, click Next, then Finish.

  • Problem: I brought a Macintosh computer with me instead of the recommended Microsoft Windows system, and now I need to be able to run software that only runs under Microsoft Windows.

    Solution: You will need to install additional software on your Macintosh to allow you to run Microsoft Windows. Here are some options. VUSE does not officially recommend any of these packages or approaches.

General Advice

  • VU Organizations Providing Service

    A student participating in the TransIT program may find support from

    • VUIT: the VU Information Technology support organization
    • ResNet: IT staff charged with supporting data network services in the VU residential halls
    • The Commons: IT staff in the Dean of the Commons Office charged with specific support for data network services in The Commons (for first year students)
  • Hardware Service/Maintenance
    • The TransIT computers are carried around a lot and are subjected to general wear and tear. In order to meet the goal of having a working computer every day, it is wise to have a service plan that will guarantee rapid repairs if a problem occurs.
    • Accidents happen. A damaged-computer replacement plan may be a good investment.
    • Service plans (both repair and replacement) are usually restricted geographically to the country in which the system and service plan are purchased. It is probably best to have a service plan that will be effective in Nashville, TN, USA since that is where a TransIT computer is expected to be usable in any VUSE class.
    • The battery is not usually covered under the system service plan because it is not expected to last the normal life time of the computer. Recharging technology is not perfect and over time a rechargeable battery simply loses the ability to take and hold a charge. Some vendors will offer a separate service (replacement) plan for the battery alone.
  • Software Maintenance
    • Install and use anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
    • Keep operating system and application programs up to date with patches on a semi-weekly, weekly, or monthly basis.
    • Make regular backups of all personally created data with a desktop backup drive or optical disks, so that when, inevitably, a computer needs to be reinstalled, no personal work is lost.
    • Keep track of distribution media and license keys for all software installed on a computer (just in case ...).
  • Printing
    • Vanderbilt community members can use the VUprint service to print to a variety of printers across campus for a reasonable per page charge.
      • The ECE and CS departments have printers accessible via VUprint in Featheringill 201 and 203.
      • The BME Department has a printer accessible via VUprint in Stevenson Center 5814.
    • Many students find it more convenient to have a personal printer in their dorm room or suite than to use a VUprint printer in the middle of the night. Printer supplies can be purchased online or at a variety of vendors near campus.
    • The Vanderbilt University School of Engineering has printers accessible in Jacobs/Featheringill 232 and in Olin 133.
    • There are commercial printing operations with very capable printers available for high volume, high quality, or large size printing within easy walking distance of campus.
  • Other Hardware
    • printer
    • desktop disk
    • USB flash drives
    • backpack or carrying case
    • docking stations
    • external keyboard
    • external video display
    • external mouse
    • desktop computer
  • Other Software

    You may find some of these software packages helpful.

  • Insurance

    Computer theft occurs. You may want to find some way to add your TransIT computer to your homeowner's policy.