Receiving your laptop

At A Glance
How Often Do We Exchange? Students = Every 2 years Employees = Every 3 years 2023 Campus Device Options Device Specs Steps Pick device, register for session Back up data Exchange your device Getting work-functional Restore data and applications What to Bring Backed up Laptop Power cords

About this article

This article provides an overview of the steps involved in receiving a new laptop and tablet. It is intended for all students and employees participating in the eWarrior Digital Life and Learning Program who are scheduled to receive new devices beginning in summer 2015.

Using this step-by-step guide

Our goal is to get your new laptop and tablet into your hands as quickly as possible. To accomplish this, we have documented the process below in nine steps, some of which apply only to those exchanging old devices. You can complete some of these steps yourself and others will require assistance.

Step 1: Choose your devices

Before you schedule a time to pick up your devices, you will need to decide which laptop and tablet model you prefer. The articles listed below will help you decide. Employees can contact TLT (tlt@winona.edu) and students can contact Technical Support (AskTech@winona.edu.) with any questions

• What's new this year?
• Compare your laptop and tablet options head-to-head
• Introducing the HP EliteBook 840 G2
• Introducing the Apple MacBook Air
• Introducing the Apple iPad mini
• Introducing the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4
• Review laptop recommendations by college and major
• The Tablet PC option for faculty
• Pro tips for choosing a laptop and tablet

Step 2: Schedule a time to pick up your new devices

You complete this step on your own, but please contact the Technical Support Center (TechSupport@winona.edu, 507-457-5240, Somsen Hall 207) with any questions. The registration process varies based on your role:

• First year undergraduate students eligible for early registration: During their visit to campus in April, students will schedule a time to come back in July or August to pick up their laptop and tablet. To reschedule, contact the Technical Support Center (TechSupport@winona.edu, 507-457-5240, Somsen Hall 207).
• First year and transfer undergraduate students: New students will receive their laptop and tablet during their campus visit in June. They do not have to make an appointment.
• Current undergraduate students and employees exchanging devices: The Technical Support Center will email current students and employees, inviting them to sign-up for an exchange session via the Registration Website. Sessions will be available in July and August. Students select a week and then come to campus any time during normal operating hours that week. Employees select a day and a time period that day. They can then come in any time during that period. To reschedule, select the link in the confirmation email you received.
• New employees: Not all employees participate in the program, so please contact your department chair, program director, or supervisor regarding your eligibility. New employees can receive a laptop and tablet any time after their contract is finalized, their WSU network account is created, and they have submitted a Device Request Form. This form can be completed by the employee or an office administrative assistant. Once the form has been submitted, contact TLT (tlt@winona.edu) to schedule an appointment.
• Special appointments: When school starts in August, additional sessions will be available for those who could not attend a summer session. Contact the Technical Support Center (TechSupport@winona.edu, 507-457-5240, Somsen Hall 207) to join one of those sessions or schedule an appointment.

Step 3: Back up your laptop data (Note: This step is under construction)

This step only applies to those who are exchanging old devices. You complete this step on your own, but employees can contact TLT (tlt@winona.edu) and students can contact the Technical Support Center (TechSupport@winona.edu, 507-457-5240, Somsen Hall 207) with questions. You are responsible for backing up your own devices prior to receiving your new ones. There will be no time during your exchange session to backup or restore data and applications. If you come to your session unprepared, you will have to reschedule. Consult the articles below for more information:

• Backing up your HP Elitebook laptop
• Backing up your Apple MacBook
• Backup workshops for employees are available on the TLT Professional Learning Opportunities site.

Step 4: Return your old laptop

This step only applies to those who are exchanging old laptops and it must be completed with assistance. When you arrive at Somsen 207 to receive your new devices, you will first return your old laptop and all components that came with it. Stop at the front desk to start this process. You will then be directed to a technician who will collect your laptop and check for any damage. The hard drive of your old laptop will be stored for two weeks following your exchange session, just in case you missed something. Contact the Technical Support Center (TechSupport@winona.edu, 507-457-5240, Somsen Hall 207) to schedule an appointment to access your old hard drive if needed.

• Bring your power adapter for your old laptop
• Consult the Laptop Return Verification Checklist to make sure you are prepared

Step 5: Pick up and configure your new devices

This step must be completed with assistance. Both employees and students will go to Somsen 207 for their scheduled session. TLT and User Services staff will distribute the new devices and work through the configuration tasks listed below. This process will take approximately one hour. Transfer students will pick up their devices during transfer registration. Newly admitted students will pick up their devices during June registration. It will include:

• Start-up and personalization: A personalization script will run on your laptop that assigns it to you and connects it to our campus network properly. The personalization process will differ somewhat for iPad and Samsung tablets. Those receiving iPad Minis will need to enter their Apple ID. All tablets will then be configured to use our campus mobile device management system, Airwatch.
• Test wireless: We will ensure that both your laptop and tablet connect to our campus wireless network properly. You will also learn how to connect to other wireless networks.
• Test email: We will ensure that you can access your WSU email on both your laptop and tablet properly.
• Test OneDrive For Business: We will ensure that you can access your WSU cloud storage service, OneDrive for Business, on both your laptop and tablet properly.
• Review guidelines: We will provide a quick review of important computing policies and technical support services.
• Directions to additional setup and training. We will direct you to online and face-to-face opportunities provided by TLT to continue configuring your devices, restore your data and applications, and learn more about new features and functions.
• Create a lynda.com account. We will walk you through setting up an account at our campus lynda.com site, a collection of over 3000 online courses focusing on using technology effectively.

Step 6. Additional setup and essential information (NOTE: This step is under construction)

When you leave your Somsen session, you will probably not be fully work-functional. For example, you may need to connect to a campus printer or learn how to access our VPN from off campus using Windows 8.1. The articles below include additional instructions and important, work-related information that you can review on your own as needed. Employees can contact TLT (tlt@winona.edu) and students can contact Technical Support (techsupport@winona.edu) with any questions. Employees who need face-to-face assistance can also meet with a TLT staff member in the Maxwell Hall Professional Resource Center immediately following their Somsen session.

• Continue to set up your new HP Elitebook 840 G2
• Continue to set up your new Apple MacBook Air

Step 7. Restore your laptop data and applications (NOTE: This step is under construction)

You complete this step on your own, but employees should contact TLT (tlt@winona.edu) and students should contact Technical Support (techsupport@winona.edu) with any questions. This step only applies to those who are exchanging old devices. The articles

• Restoring your PC laptop
• Restoring your Mac laptop
• Setting your browser homepage
• Managing bookmarks to web resources
• Restoring special applications

Step 8. Are you work-functional? (NOTE: This step is under construction)

At this point, you should be 100% work-functional with your new devices. Although you may not know how to use every feature and function, you should know enough to work effectively. Use the checklist below to assess your level of work-functionality.

• Work Functionality Checklist

Step 9. Learn more about getting the most from your new devices at WSU (NOTE: This step is under construction)

• Using your new HP EliteBook 840 G2
• Using your new Apple MacBook Air
• Using your new Apple iPad mini
• Using your new Samsung Tab 4
• Student Laptop Distribution Training
• iBook (coming soon)

Related resources

• Personal versus work-related laptop and tablet use
• Data sensitivity and file storage
• E-Warrior Digital Life and Learning Program
• Technical Support Center homepage
• Teaching, Learning, and Technology Services homepage
• Information Security homepage