Q: I get an error page that says "Secure Connection Failed" when I try to make a reservation. What should I do? A: This means your browser is having problems validating the CSS security certificate. You can remedy the problem by either downloading the UW certificate here or by manually accepting the certificate. To do so, click on the link that says "Or you can add an exception..." on the error page, then "Add an exception". Q: I have a problem with my equipment, what should I do? A: If the loaned equipment is not working, please call (206)543-9900 or email us at stfequip@u.washington.edu, or come in to our office ASAP and we will be able to switch it out for a functioning piece of equipment. If it has broken while in your custody, please let us know Immediately and we will help fix it. DO NOT FIX IT YOURSELF. Much of the equipment is under warranty or we can repair it at a discounted rate (you will be responsible for any costs incurred). Q: I need equipment today. What do I do? A: We have emergency reservations only at our Health Sciences branch. Please be aware we have a limited amount of same-day equipment and will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis, so we cannot guarantee that you will receive equipment. You must visit the Health Sciences office since we cannot make you a reservation over the phone or by email. Please see our policies page for more information about same-day reservations. If we do not have the equipment, check with your department to see if they have equipment available. If you are part of a Registered Student Organization, contact the Resource Center for Student Organizations at source@u.washington.edu for more information on their equipment. Q: I have equipment checked out from Health Sciences. May I return it at the Kane Hall Branch? A: No. All equipment checked out from Health Sciences must be returned to the Health Sciences office. All equipment from Kane Hall must be returned to Kane Hall. Q: Does it matter if I return my equipment late? A: Yes! Most of the equipment is scheduled to go out directly after the previous reservation, so another student will not be able to use the equipment as requested. Also, if the equipment is not returned within five business days we have to assume it has been misappropriated and we will contact the UW Police Department to ensure its return. This is a serious offense, as it is considered a felony under the Revised Code of Washington 9A.56.096.

Q: How much does it cost for me to check out equipment?
A: We do not charge students to check out equipment from either of our offices. Our program is funded by your Student Technology Fees as well as the Services and Activities Fees. If you are a currently registered student paying these fees, you have access to the equipment for free. The only fees you may incur are in purchasing a tape to use with our mini-DV camcorders. Though you can buy them elsewhere, we sell 63-minute tapes at our Kane Hall office for $8 each. If there is damage to borrowed equipment, or it is lost or stolen from a student, there will be replacement or repair charges.

Q: I am taking extension classes. Can I get equipment?
A: Extension students now pay the STF/SAF fees, so they may check out equipment.

Q: I am enrolled at UW Tacoma/UW Bothell. May I check out equipment?
A: Since UW Tacoma and UW Bothell students are enrolled on different campuses, they may not check out UW Seattle STF Equipment. However, there are equipment checkout programs at the different campuses.
-Link to UW Tacoma Media Equipment Checkout
-Link to UW Bothell Campus Media Center

Q: I am in need of a piece of equipment that you do not have. How do you choose your equipment?
A: We choose new equipment based on how much our current equipment is used, and from our surveys that are on the check-out desk. If you would like to see a new type of equipment, or more of a certain piece of equipment, please fill out one of our surveys, or email us at stfequip@u.washington.edu.

Q: What is a "Blackout period"? A: A "Blackout period" is a time at which all equipment must be returned to our office. These occur between quarters, such as spring break, and the entire month in between Summer and Autumn Quarters. Check out during the time in between Summer and Autumn Quarters is restricted to grad students or students currently enrolled in classes (e.g. in Early Fall Start). Requests for exceptions can be forwarded to stfequip@u.washington.edu. Bookings coincide with a "Blackout period" if they are reserved less than either 3 or 7 business days before the end of the quarter. If you attempt to reserve a 7 day item and the booking coincides with a blackout period, try booking a 3 day item instead. Q: I logged on to my reservations page to try and cancel my reservation for today, but it says it is already checked out! What happened? A: Since it is the day of your reservation, we have already printed your paperwork and assigned a piece of equipment to you. We do not make changes to your online account on the day of the reservation, so even though it may say it is picked up, that only means that it is due to picked up today. To cancel the reservation, please email us at stfequip@u.washington.edu for Kane Hall, or stfhsb@u.washington.edu for the Health Sciences Branch. Q: I need both a projector and a laptop at the same time. Can I do that? A: Students may check out multiple pieces of equipment each check-out, but no more than one piece from each catagory. In other words, a student may have a projector, laptop, digital camera and flatbed scanner, but may not have two laptops at once. To reserve more than one item at a time, just select the items on the same request page.

Q: I don’t have my registration stickers but I am enrolled in classes this quarter. Can I still check out equipment? A: If you are taking classes, you are allowed to check out equipment. We ask that you bring in a form of photo ID, such as your drivers license or passport, and we will have you log on to MYUW to show us your class schedule. Q: My friend made a reservation but can’t pick it up/return it. Can I do that? A: Starting September 30, 2009, STF will NO longer allow anyone but the original borrower to pick up and return equipment. Q: I left the power supply for the laptop at home. Will the equipment be late? A: Yes. Equipment and all associated parts and accessories must be returned before 4 pm on the due date. If the power cable is not turned in on time, we cannot check the equipment out to another student. Q: I have my own bag I would prefer to carry the equipment in. May I use it to carry the equipment? A: No. In order to keep our equipment safe, we require that students take the case that comes with the equipment as well as all additional parts.

Q: I have my own equipment but need cables. Can I get them from your office? A: No. We have only the cables needed to supplement our own equipment, and therefore do not check out cables or parts on an individual basis. Q: I own a Mac laptop and am borrowing a projector from your office. How can I connect the two? A: Mac laptops require specific adapters in order to connect to a projector. If you are only borrowing a projector from us, we provide mini-DVI to VGA adapters (good for Macbooks, but not iBooks or Powerbooks) to connect your laptop to the VGA cable. If you are borrowing a Mac laptop from us, we provide the adapter automatically. Q: Can I connect to the internet with the laptops? A: Our laptops are equipped with wireless internet capabilities as well as wired connectivity. They also come with an Ethernet cable. Q: May I install programs on the laptop? A: Yes. Laptops are re-imaged upon return, which means that all additional programs, documents, and personal files will be erased. Q: What software do the laptops come with? A: The Dell laptops come with * Windows XP * Microsoft Office SX Professional * MS Remote Desktop Connection * MS Internet Explorer * SSH Secure File Transfer Client * TeraTerm Pro * Adobe Acrobat Reader * Windows Media Player * Quicktime * iTunes * Real Player * PowerDVD The Macs also come with Microsoft Office and the Mac Operating System. Q: Do you support ExamSoft for law students? A: No, we only loan you the computer. ExamSoft is not pre-installed, so you will have to check with the Law School Academic Services (206-543-0453) if you have any questions. If you need help installing ExamSoft or have hardware/software malfunctions, please contact the Law School Computer Services (206-616-4357). Please note ExamSoft is not compatible with Macs, so you will need to borrow one of our Dell laptops. Q: Where can I purchase tapes for your min-iDV cameras? A: Only the Kane Hall office sells Panasonic mini-DV tapes for use in our cameras. They are 63 minutes long, and cost $8. We accept cash, checks, or debit/credit cards (Visa or Mastercard only). Q: My personal computer isn't working. Will you try to fix it for me? A: Unfortunately we cannot fix any equipment that does not belong to the program. If you need help with personal computing problems, please visit refer to UW's Computer Vet services.