Res-Net FAQs
Res-Net provides network access to student-owned computers from bedrooms within the Halls of Residences.
How do I register to connect to Res-Net?
In order to use Res-Net you must register by completing an application form available from the Information Desk. Once your form has been processed you will receive an email to your University email address informing you that your socket has been made active.
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How do I connect my computer to Res-Net?
Settings for Res-Net are configured automatically. You should simply be able to connect your PC to Res-Net using the network cable supplied.
Plug one end of the network cable into your computer. You should find a socket marked network / ethernet.
Plug the other end of the network cable into the network socket provided in your room, taking care not to damage the network socket.
If you now start Internet Explorer you should be able to access pages on the internet. This gives you access to simple, web-based internet applications.
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Accessing your M: Drive
You can now access your M: Drive via the Internet. You might have to enter your network username and password 6 or 7 times to get initial access but after that it is perfect!
Please note that this appears not to work with Windows Vista.
https://myfiles.bolton.ac.uk/ |
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How can I access a Public Directory?
Open a DOS command prompt window - click on Start and then click on Run. In the Run dialogue box type cmd and click on OK.
In the command window type:
net use O: holly.acs.bolton.ac.uk<tutors username>_PUB
/user:bolton.ac.uk<your username> <your password>
Replace <tutors username> with your tutor's username e.g. ano1
Replace <your username> with your username e.g. ano1com
Replace <your password> with your logon password.
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How can I read my email?
Simply click on the Webmail link in the menu bar on the left of any of our web pages. You will be prompted for your username and password.
NB: POP3 access to email is no longer available.
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How can I connect a Library printer?
It is possible to connect to the Information Desk printers in order to print your work. These print jobs should be requested at the Information Desk. There is a charge for this as payment cannot be taken from print quotas.
To connect to a network printer using Category View:
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Click on Start and then on Control Panel
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Click on Printers and Other Hardware
and then click on Add a printer
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This should start the Add Printer Wizard
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Select the network printer option
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When prompted for the printer you wish to connect to, select Connect to this printer
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Type in print<printername>
Replacing <printername> with one of the following:
The first time you do this you will be asked for your username and password.
Enter your username in the format bolton.ac.uk<username>
The password is your logon password.
The printers are located:
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centrale and coloure - The Library Information Desk
Please note that there is a charge| for work printed on these printers. Printouts are held in a queue and can be collected during Library Opening Hours|. Jobs are automatically deleted from the queue after 6 hours.
To connect to a network printer using Classic View:
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Click on Start and then on Control Panel
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Click on Printers and Faxes
and then click on Add a printer
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This should start the Add Printer Wizard
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Select the network printer option
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When prompted for the printer you wish to connect to, select Connect to this printer
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Type in print<printername>
Replacing <printername> with one of the following:
The first time you do this you will be asked for your username and password.
Enter your username in the format bolton.ac.uk<username>
The password is your logon password.
The printers are located:
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CENTRALE and COLOURE - The Library Information Desk
Please note that there is a charge for work printed on these printers. Printouts are held in a queue and can be collected during Library Opening Hours. Jobs are automatically deleted from the queue after 6 hours.
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What other software can I use?
For the technically minded please see the Technical Information. |
In general, any software which does not require incoming connections should work on Res-Net. The software you are most likely to have problems with is any type of server software, web-cam software and some types of instant messaging. You are welcome to try any software for which you hold a valid software licence, or which is freely available.
However, we will be unable to provide any technical support, and suggest that, based on the technical information supplied, you check relevant newsgroups and support groups.
We would remind you at this point that you must NOT download or distribute copyright material (eg. films or music).
If you run any application:
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which consumes excessive bandwidth,
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which disrupts the service to other users,
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is considered a security threat,
or in the event of any violation of the regulations, you may be disconnected from Res-Net without notice and with no refund from this service.
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My Res-Net connection is not working
If your Res-Net connection is not working then it will be due to one of three things: the computer, the network cable or the network socket.
Have you received an email to your University email account informing you that your socket has been made active?
If you have not received an email then your socket will not be active, this may be because your application hasn't been processed. Information Desk staff can check if you have had your network socket activated.
Have you made the relevant connection between your computer and the wall socket?
Check that the RJ45 network cable that has been supplied to you has been inserted securely into the network card in your computer. The socket should be labelled network/ethernet.
Check that the network cable has been inserted securely into the network socket in your room, taking care not to damage the network socket.
Do you have any connection lights on the back of your network card?
Check to see if you have either illuminated or flashing lights on your network card. If you don't have any lights on your network card then you don't have a network connection. Please note that some laptops do not have lights on their network cards.
Do you have the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) installed and configured correctly?
The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) must be installed and configured to obtain its settings automatically via DHCP.
To check the protocols are installed in Windows:
Click on Start, then on Control Panel, then on Network and Internet Connections and then on Network Connections. This shows a list of networking software installed on your PC.
If you have any problems with connectivity, click on Troubleshoot Problems. Then select Internet Connections and click on Next. Click on Troubleshoot my Connection to the Internet. This will then detect any problems that may have occurred.
Check you have a component called Client for Microsoft networks in the list and that there is a tick next to it. If you don't, click on Install, then on Client, then Add, then Microsoft, and then Client for Microsoft networks.
Check that you have a component called TCP/IP in the list.
If you don't, click Install, then on Protocol, then Add, then Microsoft, and then on TCP/IP.
If you have TCP/IP v4 in the list, click on it and then click on Properties.
ResNet uses a system called DHCP to automatically assign the correct TCP/IP settings to your computer. To ensure your computer is using DHCP:
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The IP Address should be set to "Obtain an IP address automatically".
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The WINS Configuration should be set to "Use DHCP for WINS resolution".
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The Gateway should be left blank.
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The DNS should be set to "Disable DNS".
Check that you have an IP address assigned to your computer:
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First, open a DOS (command) prompt window
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Click on Start and then on Run
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At the Open: prompt type in cmd on Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7 or command on Windows 95/98/ME.
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If you are using windows 95 type winipcfg or if you are using windows 98, NT4, ME, 2000, XP, Vista or 7 you need to type ipconfig/all
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An IP Address of the form 172.16.nn.nnn should be listed.
I have a valid IP Address but cannot access Res-Net
Check the configuration of any personal firewalls to ensure that they are not blocking access.
I have checked that I have a valid IP Address but I cannot access any websites
You will need to remove any web proxy settings:
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Click Start, then on Control Panel
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Click on Network and Internet Connections and then on Network Connections
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Or click on Internet Options and click on the Connections tab
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In Internet Explorer click on LAN Settings and untick the box labelled "Use a proxy server for your LAN"
How do I stop my computer trying to dial to access the internet?
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Click Start, then on Control Panel
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Click on Network and Internet Connections and then on Network Connections
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Double-click Internet Options and click on the Connections tab
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In Internet Explorer under Dial-up settings, choose the "Never dial a connection" option
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Click OK
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What do I do if I have a damaged or faulty network socket?
If you have followed the above connection instructions and your Res-Net connection does not work then firstly try a different network cable, or try connecting your computer in another room where Res-Net is already working. If it works there then your socket may be faulty.
Please report this to the Information Desk in the Library.
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What do I do if I have a virus on my computer?
Please download up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software, such as AVG |.
If you have an internet connection, you can use HouseCall |by Trend Micro which can scan, identify and remove viruses, Trojans, worms, unwanted browser plugins and other malware.
Please also download and install Windows updates which will help to prevent re-infection.
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My Res-Net connection has stopped working
Follow the instructions in How do I connect my computer to Res-Net? |and My Res-Net connection is not working |, particularly looking at the cable.
However, you may have been disconnected for one of the following reasons:
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Your computer is causing disruption to Res-Net due to virus infection
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There has been contact from a copyright holder informing us of a breach of copyright. This is most likely due to using peer to peer file-sharing software.
Please go to the Information Desk in The Library. They will inform you of the reason for disconnection and advise you of any action that needs to be taken depending on the nature of the reason for disconnection. The university reserves the right to charge a reconnection fee.
If, having followed all the steps above you still cannot get your computer to connect to Res-Net, we advise you to reinstall your operating system or have your computer tested at a local repair centre.
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Technical Information
Res-Net is an ethernet-based switched Local Area Network ( LAN ), and user connections are connected at 10Mbps full or half duplex.
IP, Default gateway and DNS server addresses are assigned via a DHCP server. All Res-Net traffic is subject to packet shaping to maintain service levels for all users.
Access to the internet is via a gateway which uses network address translation (NAT). Transparent web proxying is carried out on all web traffic via port 80. No restrictions are placed on traffic types within Res-Net.
The Hollins and Orlando networks form a single LAN. The following outgoing ports are blocked to the Internet for security reasons:
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25 tcp
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135-139 tcp and udp
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445 tcp and udp
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1433-1434 tcp and udp
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4899 tcp and 6129 tcp
We recommend you use web-based email services such as the University's Student WebMail |, as opposed to mail services which use POP3 and SMTP.
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