Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions Getting Assistance
Making ISO CDs License Questions
SacLink Questions Software Questions VPN Questions
Why don't I see the software I want to download even though I enter my SacLink Username and Password correctly?
There could be a number of reasons for this:
1. Students cannot access ITC or Faculty & Staff designated software titles; Faculty and Staff cannot access ITC designated software titles. Make sure you are trying to download a software title that you have access to.
2. If you are an ITC, it could be possible that your name did not get entered correctly into the ITC access list. All Sacramento State ITC's should have been added to the access list. If you are being classified incorrectly, contact the University Help Desk at 278-7337 to have your name checked on the ITC access list.
How can I get the CD Key to install this software?
When your username and password are authenticated, you will be given a list of software to download. Click on the link for the file you want to download . At that time you will receive additional information for that software title, including the CD key for installation. The CD Key must be protected from access by unauthorized users. By downloading this software, you have agreed to share this responsibility.
What size files are appropriate for
download over a Modem or slow connection?
Files that are greater than 20MB should be downloaded
using a campus connection or fast home connection (i.e.
DSL or cable). Files that are less than 20MB can be
reasonably downloaded using a slower connection (i.e.
modem).
How do I contact my ITC?
Sacramento State Information Technology Consultants (ITC) provide technical assistance to Students, Faculty, and Staff. If you require assistance in downloading, installing, and/or configuring your hardware or software you can contact your departmental IT support staff or the University Help Desk at the phone number below.
To locate general contact information for Sacramento State ITC support staff, please visit the ITC Contacts Page.
How do I contact the University Help Desk?
The University Help Desk is available to provide University-related support to Students, Faculty, and Staff via chat, email, phone, and walk-in.
For software support via email: software@csus.edu
For software support via phone: 278-7337
For support via walk-in: Visit the University Help Desk Counter in the Academic Information Resource Center, Room 2005
What is an ISO?
ISO stands for International Standards Organization. The 2048 standard was developed to provide cross-compatibility across various hardware and software implementations accessing CD files. An ISO image is an exact sector-by-sector image of a CD’s contents, provided as a file for copying to a blank CD or accessing directly. Copying an ISO image to a blank CD provides an exact image of the original CD.
How do I use an ISO to make a new CD?
Special hardware and software is required to create a CD from an ISO image. You will need to have access to a CD-R or CD-RW drive. There is a variety of CD mastering software available. Some examples for the PC would be Easy CD Creator, WinOnCD, Nero, and Win ISO. Toast is a well-know CD mastering software title for the Macintosh. You will find special software and hardware in the Sacramento State BATS labs that will allow you to create CD's.
To make a CD:
Place a blank CD into the CD-RW drive. Browse to an ISO file. Double-click on the ISO or open the appropriate application and choose File --> Open. This will begin the process of writing the ISO image to your blank CD. The resulting CD will be the exact image of the original CD from which the ISO was created. If you need additional assistance in creating a CD from an ISO image, contact your departmental ITC.
You can also ask your faculty computer support person to
make you a CD for installation.
Are there CD burners available on campus for me to use?
There are CD-RW drives available at all the BATS Lab locations. Campus BATS Labs are located in various buildings around the campus. Visit the LAB LOCATION MAP to locate a lab and view hours closest to you.
You can also use the free Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel by
Microsoft.
The Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel is a free tool that has
been provided by Microsoft, but not supported. The tool
comes with installation instructions and can be downloaded from
our Software Distribution server to mount ISO
images on your desktop and install software without
burning a physical CD. You can Google for information on
use and download of this free utility.
I am a student. What software can I download and install?
When you log in with your SacLink username and password, you will only see the list of software available to Students. Software designated for other groups such as Faculty, Staff, or ITC are restricted by license different groups.
Does the license allow me to use this software at home?
Most license agreements distinguish between software installation and use at work versus home. The Campus Microsoft agreement no longer allows for installation on personal machines used for university work at home. The campus Microsoft agreement provides for WAH (Work at Home) media to be purchased by departments for installation on non-state owned machines. WAH media can be purchased through ASAP, our campus software vendor. WAH media is provided through ASAP in bundles of 25 CDs at $6/CD. Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Office 2003 Suite, and FrontPage 2003 can also be purchased by faculty and staff directly from the Hornet Bookstore under the Microsoft campus WAH agreement.
What if I don't have a SacLink account or I am having problems with my SacLink account?
The software distribution server validates your affiliation with Sacramento State using your SacLink username/password. You must have a valid SacLink account to download software from this site. The SacLink account is also used to determine your eligibility based on your status as a student, faculty, staff or ITC.
If you are currently enrolled as a student or are employed as a faculty or staff member, you may create a SacLink account. See Setting Up a SacLink Account.
If you have a SacLink account, but have forgotten what your username, visit the SacLink FAQ Page.
If you have forgotten your password, bring your OneCard or valid ID to the University Help Desk located in ARC 2005 during regular business hours.
Note: If you live a distance from Sacramento State and are not able to come to the University Helpdesk, you may call (916) 278-7337 for instructions to reset your password.
I can't find the software I downloaded. Where did it go?
Determine the file's name and the download location by starting another download of the same software and noting the name and location of the file. Cancel the download. Open a Windows Explorer window on your machine and go to that download location or do a search of "My Computer" for the file name.
Will this software run on my machine?
You can generally locate system requirements and/or recommendations for a specific version of software by visiting the manufacturer’s site. We have provided a number of manufacturer site links in our . Go to the Software Title Page and click on the software title you need information for; most of these are linked to the manufacturers site. From there you should be able to locate information as to what systems are supported and/or recommended.
What are my options if I don't find the software title I'm looking for?
If you are unable to locate the software you need in the software list, try searching the archives and License Details or Special Pricing information pages. If you are a faculty or staff member, your ITC or department may have additional information about the availability of the software. The bookstore may also sell the software at a special price to students, faculty and staff.
Why can't I download software listed in the available software list?
Not all software in the software list is available to all campus users. The group column designates for each software title, the group that is eligible to download and install the software. Click the INFO link for an explanation of each group designation. If you believe you should be eligible to download the software and are not allowed to do so, we may have to update our database to permit you access. Contact the University Help Desk at 278-7337 to have this corrected.
Your browser may also be the problem. Internet Explorer is the preferred browser and is the most compatible with the software download page.
I downloaded the software file. What do I do now?
If you downloaded an ISO file, you now need to open the file using your CD burning software. See "How do I use an ISO file to make a CD image?" Insert the newly created CD into your CDROM drive. Many CDs have autorun configured to start the installation process. If not, you will need to start the installation from the CD manually.
What is BATS and WSRT?
BATS and WSRT are two desktop computer standards groups on campus. BATS (Baseline Access Training and Support) defines the baseline software found in BATS funded labs each semester. WSRT (Workstation Standards Recommendation Team) recommends the baseline software to install on newly purchased administrative computers each semester. Most of the software listed on the "Obtain Software" page represents the current semester's recommendations from these two groups. For more information about BATS, see http://www.csus.edu/acaf/bats/. For more information about WSRT, see http://www.csus.edu/coit/standards/wsrt.htm.
What is VPN? When do I need it? How do I install the VPN client?
VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network. Sacramento State has adopted its use to improve network security when using the on-campus wireless network and accessing campus resources from off-campus through the Internet. Sacramento State users who access campus resources through the Internet, e.g. via their home Internet service provider, will be given a secure connection from their PC to the campus. All Internet packets are encrypted with a strong encryption algorithm. Additionally, all campus computers and network will see this traffic as originating from on-campus and, as such, it will not be restricted by firewall blocks that prevent access to many campus resources by users who are not part of the University community.
VPN is beneficial in a number of ways. The primary benefit is that VPN provides secure access to campus computers and network by authorized users from off-campus and on-campus wireless connections. The encrypted packets also prevent hackers from obtaining username/passwords and other sensitive data which would otherwise be transmitted as plain text. Some campus computers and the network will only permit access from computers that appear to be originating from on campus. By using VPN, off-campus access will appear as on-campus access. VPN prevents unprotected on-campus network access by wireless and open port users. Users who make off-campus connections through the University’s Dial-in modem pool are provided with dedicated secure connections that appear to originate on campus; therefore they do not require VPN.
To use VPN, you must have a valid SacLink username/password and install the VPN client. The VPN client and installation instructions may be obtained from http://www.csus.edu/vpn. Remember, you only need to install VPN if you access the campus network from an off-campus ISP or an on-campus wireless or open port connection.