If you have questions about the computing environment Mercer's Residence Halls, please call the Help Desk at (478) 301-7000 in Macon or (678) 547-8989 in Atlanta.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

• You must use a supported operating system to connect to the Mercer network.  Microsoft currently supports only Windows XP.  Apple supports only OS/X
  
• You must keep your computer up to date by installing the latest critical security patches.  You can download security patches at no cost.
  
• You must have an antivirus software package installed on your computer and you must keep the anti-virus data definition files up to date.  Mercer provides antivirus software for all residential students who need it.
  
• In order to access the Internet, you must configure your browser (we recommend Firefox or Internet Explorer) to use Mercer's proxy servers .

To protect the safety of our residential network, Mercer uses Cisco's Clean Access software.  The Clean Access software will verify that your computer meets the requirements listed above before permitting full access to the network.  If you try to connect to the Mercer network from the Residence Halls without the required security patches and antivirus software, your computer will be placed in a quarantined area and you will only have access to the sites necessary to download and install the necessary updates.