If when you open the laptop you can already see the desktop - i.e., you would be able to open a browser or other app - the laptop must have another user logged-in. Please take the laptop straight to a member of staff as it will need immediate updating.
If instead you another user's name and a request for a password, then all you need to do is restart the laptop, and you should be able to log in yourself.
If when trying to log in you get an error message that indicates the laptop is locked for a different user, you should restart the laptop and then log in.
You might see a message like that above, or you might see another user's name and a password box. In either case, restarting the laptop should allow you to log in.
Please try plugging the laptop in to a power supply.
If you see a message starting "We can't sign you in with this credential because your domain isn't available," then it indicates that there is no connection to the Solent Network.
There are two ways to resolve this:
, in the bottom right hand of the screen), and log in. When you are logged in, you will need to unplug the ethernet cable and make sure wifi is working.If neither method works, restart the laptop and try again.
If you don't have a wifi connection, open up the list of wireless networks by clicking on the wireless symbol
(
) at the bottom right.
You should see a list of Networks that includes SolentNet. This is Solent's wireless network, and you should be able to connect to this following the instructions below. As a last resort, eduroam should also give you a good experience on campus. You will not be able to log in to SolentGuest.
Click on SolentNet, then Connect. You might get a warning message about expecting to find SolentNet in this location, but if you are on campus it is ok to continue:
If prompted to enter login details, enter your university username (e.g., 1abloo23) and password.
If there is a problem connecting, try right-clicking on the network name (on the trackpad, this is done by tapping with two fingers) to bring up a small menu of options, one of which is Forget. Note: this does not seem to be possible for me on a Windows 11 laptop, but it is worth trying.
Click Forget and then try connecting to the network again.
If there is still a problem, restart the laptop and try again.
There are restrictions on what software can be installed on these laptops. You will not be able to download and install software from the web. However, if the software you expect to see is not already installed on the laptop, it is worth checking whether it is available to install from the Software Center. This is an app where all the software that Solent ICT have made available for student laptops is stored. The Software Center works best and quickest if you are connected to Solent wired network. There are ethernet cables available for use near the information desk in the library foyer.
You can find the Software Center by clicking the windows key and searching for "software".
It should open with a list of available software.
If you find software that you want, you can select it and then click on Install. Note that it can often take ten minutes or more for the install to complete; sometimes there is an estimated time on the details page.