Desktop Hardware Support
OIT Desktop Support provides hardware support for Faculty, Staff and Departments at UT Arlington.
Buy and Upgrade
Installation
Repair and Troubleshoot
Surplus
New Computers
Desktop support recommends that new computers have at least a dual core processor and 4GB of RAM. The Dell and Apple machines listed in the Volume Purchase Agreement meet OIT minimum standards for campus machines, and are capable of running UT Arlington supported software.
Desktop support strongly recommends selected models of Dell or Apple computers, as these are fully supported. Machines from other vendors may have limitations on the hardware and software we can support.
Desktop Support offers full support for Mac OS X 10.5, 10.6, and Windows 7 32 and 64-bit.
Desktop Support also offers recommendations for machines not currently on the bulk purchase, and can help match your needs to the best machine.
If you have questions or needs which are not met by the current Volume Purchase Agreement, or want to verify that a computer meets the Desktop Support standards before purchase, please contact the Help Desk and a Desktop Technician will respond as soon as possible.
Computer Upgrades
Desktop support provides research, recommendations, and assistance in purchasing for upgrades to existing systems. Our technicians are skilled in working with our clients to assist in assessing if a system should be upgraded or replaced. Items we frequently specify are RAM, hard drives, optical drives, video cards, displays, and other accessories. Contact us, we will be pleased to assist you.
New Printers
Desktop Support recommends HP network printers and multifunction copier-printers that are durable, cost effective, and use industry-standard drivers. Our Volume Purchase Agreement page outlines units that meet our criteria. These include:
Windows Server 2008 64-bit, Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit, and Mac OS X
If a unit listed in our volume-purchase list does not fully meet your needs, contact us and we will be happy to build a quote for you.
Setting Up A Computer
For supported computers that are UT Arlington Assets, OIT provides imaging, which includes our standard set of software. For computers that are UT Arlington Assets, which are not supported, we can install our standard software, where applicable. When you receive your new computer, please submit a request at https://ithelp.uta.edu
Setting Up A New Printer
For network printers that meet our specifications, OIT provides print queues on one of our secure servers to facilitate efficient printing by many users. For network printers that do not meet the standards for print queues, they can be set up for direct printing via TCP/IP. Because of security issues, OIT does not permit workstation print sharing of local or network printers. For printers that are not networkable, we can assist you in setting the unit up directly to your computer. When your new printer arrives, please submit a request at https://ithelp.uta.edu
Adding New Hardware
Macintosh and Windows systems provide automatic installation of external hardware through plug and play support. For supported computers that are UT Arlington Assets, OIT can install items such as memory, internal drives, video card, and other items. If you need assistance in this area, please submit a request at https://ithelp.uta.edu
Moving or Repurposing A Computer
For computers that are UT Arlington Assets, OIT can assist in preparing a system for use by another person in your department, or for use by another department. For more information, please submit a request at https://ithelp.uta.edu
Warranty Repairs and Support
For Apple Macintosh and Dell computers that are UT Arlington Assets, OIT Desktop support provides certified, in-warranty repairs at no cost to the department. Coverage is determined by the warranty of the individual unit. For more information, please submit a request at https://ithelp.uta.edu
Non-Warranty Repairs
OIT Desktop Support provides non-warranty repairs for supported systems that are UT Arlington Assets. For repairs that are completed in house, repairs are provided for the cost of parts. For non-supported UT Arlington Assets, OIT can facilitate the repairs by a third party. In such cases, the department will be responsible for parts and labor. For more information, please submit a request at https://ithelp.uta.edu
Printer Repairs
OIT Desktop facilitates HP printer repairs for printers that are in warranty and out of warranty through HP or other outside vendors. Repairs that are covered under warranty, are completed at no charge to the department. Presently, for supported HP printers, OIT covers the labor for repairs we facilitate, and the department is responsible for the parts. For unsupported printers, Desktop is happy to facilitate the repair order, but the department is responsible for the parts and labor. For more information, please submit a request at https://ithelp.uta.edu
Network Troubleshooting and Setup
OIT Desktop Support provides network set up of supported devices on UT Arlington network and first-line troubleshooting of issues as they arise. For more information, please submit a request at https://ithelp.uta.edu
Preparing Computer Items for Surplus
UT Arlington requires that computer disks be securely wiped of data before recycling to prevent identity theft. This means computers must be securely wiped before sending them to surplus. To this end, UT Arlington department is responsible for its computers. The use of secure wiping software such as DBAN is a means of ensuring due diligence in this area. For more information on using DBAN, see our Using DBAN page.
Sending Computer Items to Surplus
Once properly prepared for transfer to Surplus (for more information: see Preparing Computer Items for Surplus in the above section), Departments must follow UT Arlington procedures for transfer of UT Arlington Assets. For more information, see the UT Arlington Business Affairs and Controller page on Inventory Management.