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Computing and Information Services

CIS has tested Windows and Mac operating systems on software commonly used at Brown, especially supported products and services. There are some incompatibilities with the software applications that CIS supports. For a list of software that did not perform as expected, please see our Windows 7 - Known Issues page or our Apple Mac OS 10.8 - What Works? page.

Both Windows and Mac operating systems were tested on Brown's standard hardware configurations, however, performance on older hardware will be slower. Some computers in use at Brown may not meet our minimum hardware requirements, and there may be some driver or device incompatibilities (such as printers and scanners).

Departmental users should consult their DCC or computer support professional prior to upgrading to the latest operating system.

Desktop Operating System Support

Computing and Information Services provides two levels of operating system support to Brown users: Supported and Limited. If one of these support levels has not been assigned by CIS, even if the software publisher continues to support it, the operating system is considered "unsupported" in Brown's computing environment. Select from the following links to view support levels and details about CIS support for your operating system:

Windows Support Statements   Macintosh Support Statements
 

Microsoft Windows

CIS provides support for the versions of Microsoft Windows described here. Windows versions prior to Windows XP SP3 are unsupported. Home use of the Windows Operating System is not licensed by Brown University.

Windows 8

Computing and Information Services (CIS) provides Limited support for Windows 8. The extent of this support is:

  • Limited assistance with supported applications running under Windows 8.
  • If the support you need requires operating system configuration, CIS may be unable to assist you.

Windows 7

CIS will strive to develop in-depth knowledge about Windows 7 and pursue solutions to problems with using Windows 7 at Brown. Additionally, CIS will provide training based on need, through courses, online tutorials, or cooperative arrangements with departments.

Support includes:

  • Providing information on how to connect your Windows 7 workstation to the Brown Network including online connectivity documentation.
  • Technical assistance with supported applications running under Windows 7.

Departmental users should consult their DCC or computer support professional prior to installing Windows 7 or if you have plans for a multi-user Windows 7 computer. CIS strongly recommends Windows 7 Enterprise on OEM computers, or Windows 7 Business if Enterprise is not available.

Windows Vista

Computing and Information Services (CIS) provides NO SUPPORT for Microsoft Windows Vista.

Windows XP Professional - Support ends April 2014

  • Microsoft will not be providing critical security updates for any edition of Windows XP after April 2014. Upgrading to Windows 7 is strongly recommended.

Windows XP Professional SP3

Computing and Information Services (CIS) supports Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP3 if the latest critical updates are applied. CIS will strive to develop in-depth knowledge about Windows XP Pro and pursue solutions to problems with using Windows XP Pro at Brown. Additionally, CIS will provide training based on need, through courses, online tutorials, or cooperative arrangements with departments. Support includes:

  • Providing information on how to connect your Windows XP Pro workstation to the Brown Network including online connectivity documentation.
  • Technical assistance with supported applications running under Windows XP Pro.
  • If you are using a multi-user Windows computer, you must have Administrator privileges. Otherwise, contact your DCC for support.

Windows XP Home (SP3) and Media Editions

Computing and Information Services (CIS) provides Limited support for Windows XP Home SP3 and Windows Media Editions. The extent of this support is:

  • Limited assistance with supported applications running under Windows XP Home or Windows XP Media.
  • If the support you need requires operating system configuration, CIS may be unable to assist you.
  • Windows XP Home or Media editions do not support domain login.

UNSUPPORTED Windows features:

  • Windows File and Print Sharing
    CIS will not assist you with Windows File and Print Sharing configuration or operation.

Apple Macintosh OS

CIS provides support for the versions of Macintosh OS described here. Macintosh operating systems prior to OS X 10.5.8 are unsupported. Operating Systems other than Macintosh OS running on Apple computer hardware are unsupported. Any Macintosh OS running on hardware other Apple computer hardware is also unsupported.

Macintosh OS X

Computing and Information Services (CIS) provides support for Macintosh OS X 10.5.8 through 10.7.x if the latest updates are applied. CIS will strive to develop in-depth knowledge about Mac OS X and pursue solutions to problems with using Mac OS X at Brown. Additionally, CIS will provide training based on need, through courses or cooperative arrangements with departments.

Support includes:

  • Providing information on how to connect your Macintosh to the Brown Network including online connectivity documentation.
  • Technical assistance with supported applications running under Macintosh OS X.

Computing and Information Services (CIS) provides no support for any Macintosh OS earlier than 10.5.8.

Mac OS 10.8

Computing and Information Services (CIS) provides LIMITED SUPPORT for Macintosh OS 10.8.

Support includes:

  • Best efforts technical assistance with supported applications running on Mac OS 10.8.

For information about software that has been tested on Mac OS 10.8, please visit Mac OS 10.8 (Mountain Lion) - What Works?

(You may need to temporarily disable gatekeeper to install Brown University distributed applications.)

UNSUPPORTED Macintosh OS features:

  • Apple File and Print Sharing
    CIS will not assist you with Apple File and Print Sharing configuration or operation.

Brown does not maintain a licensing agreement with Apple. As a result, CIS does not distribute the Macintosh OS to Brown users. Users who want to install OS X on their computers must purchase both media and license from either an outside vendor or the Computer Store. Note that this purchase covers the licensing of ONE computer and should not be used to install the OS on more than one computer.

Last Reviewed: Friday, 25-Jan-2013 15:26:47 EST by Software_Services