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Mac OS 10.3 or higher, Windows XP, Vista and 7: Run the Stanford Computer Health Check Tool (HCT) if you haven't done so since August 14, 2011. Once your computer passes, you will then be allowed to register. If you have not run the HCT before, please read the list of frequently asked questions below.
Linux, handheld (e.g., smartphone), gaming system, digital video recorder or other operating system: Click here.
Only available for download from within the residences - please run Microsoft Update/Mac Software Update and anti-virus for now and then try again once you are connected to the residential network
What exactly does the HCT do?
The HCT runs a number of security checks on your computer, including checking for the latest security patches, searching for malicious software, making sure you are running some type of virus protection software, and making sure you are running an automated update process. The tool will direct you to required and recommended software updates and applications. This tool was developed by IT Services; click here for a full description of HCT actions. When a computer passes the HCT in the residences, the tool automatically notifies Residential Computing to allow registration.
How can I make the HCT go faster on a Windows Machine?
If you are missing a large number of patches/updates under Windows XP, Vista and 7, such as Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, you may want to consider going directly to Microsoft Update to download and install the necessary updates. This process may take a while and may require you to restart your computer a few times, return to the Microsoft Update site and check for remaining updates. Once you have done this, you can then run the HCT to be approved for registration. Installing BigFix is not required to pass the Health Check Tool (if you're fully patched you can click the *Continue* button in the lower right).
What operating systems are supported by the HCT? What if I'm running something other than Mac OS X, Windows XP, Vista or 7?
The following operating systems are supported by the HCT:
- Mac OS X versions 10.3 and newer
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
If you are running an unsupported version of Mac OS X (e.g. 10.2 or older), please contact your RCC with your hardware address(es) to have your computer approved for registration.
If you are running Linux or other varieties of Unix (i.e. something other than Windows or Mac OS), registering a handheld (e.g., iPhone), or registering a device without a traditional operating system (e.g. an Xbox or Tivo), you may proceed directly to registration.
If you are running a version of Mac OS earlier than X or Windows earlier than XP, you should seriously consider upgrading, but you may proceed directly to registration... for now.
I ran the HCT last year, but when I try to register it keeps sending me back here. Why?
The list of approved machines is cleared periodically, so you will need to run the HCT again if you last ran it before August 15, 2010. This ensures that machines that leave Stanford over the summer are clean before they join the network again, and that continuously connected machines prove their safety periodically.
I've run the HCT over and over again and/or I keep trying to update my computer by going to Microsoft Update (for Windows)/Software Update (for Macs), but there are one or two updates that just won't install successfully. What should I do?
Contact your RCC and, depending on how important the update is, she will help determine whether you can be approved for registration.
When I run the HCT, it can't find any of my hardware addresses. What should I do?
If you're running Microsoft Windows Vista, and are connecting wirelessly, the HCT may not be able to find any hardware addresses (aka physical addresses, MAC addresses) to approve for registration. Plug into the wall with an Ethernet cable and try to register over the wire. Note that even if this helps you pass the HCT, when you get to the final registration form you may need to manually look up and add your wireless hardware address.
I've already completed the registration process for this computer, but when I try to connect it keeps sending me back to the registration system. Why?
There is a chance the Health Check Tool could only detect one of your hardware addresses (wired or wireless), and that you only registered with one, so when you try to connect with the other you appear to be unregistered. Update your existing registration, and make sure that all relevant hardware addresses are listed - you may have to look them up yourself. This happens more often with Vista.