Technical Support
Students in Web-based courses seeking technical assistance should:
Visit the Help Desk Support Portal
Technical Requirements
System Requirements: PC / Compatible Windows
- Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2, or Windows 7
- 800 MHz processor (2 GHz or higher recommended)
- 512MB of RAM (2\+ GB recommended)
- Cable or DSL connection. (dial-up modem is not recommended)
- 500 MB free hard disk space (2 GB recommended)
- Web browser (any of the following): Internet Explorer 7, Internet Explorer 8, Firefox 3.5, Firefox 3.6
- Java installed. In order to participate in your classes, you need to use a Java-capable web browser.
Multimedia Recommendations: PC / Compatible Windows
- Web camera w/software installed
- Headset (using a headset will avoid audio feedback loop that occurs when separate microphone and speakers are used together)
System Requirements: Mac
- Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
- 867 MHz processor (2 GHz or higher recommended)
- 512MB of RAM (2\+ GB recommended)
- Cable or DSL connection. (dial-up modem is not recommended)
- 500 MB free hard disk space (2 GB recommended)
- Web browser (any of the following): Safari 4, Safari 5, Firefox 3.5, Firefox 3.6
- Java installed. In order to participate in your classes, you need to use a Java-capable web browser.
Multimedia Recommendations: Mac
- Headset (using a headset will avoid audio feedback loop that occurs when separate microphone and speakers are used together)
Recommended Software
Other software may be needed and will be specified by the instructor of each course. Below you will find a list of recommended software for taking UMass Online courses, along with free alternatives. Please consult your course syllabus for information on any specific software required by the instructor.
- Virus protection: as a member of the UMass Amherst community you can download free virus protection softwarefor either Mac or Windows computers. You may have to enter your NetID and password (your UMail address) to gain access to the software.
- Office editing and viewing program: Microsoft Office (Windows & Mac); Open Office (free, Windows & Mac);Microsoft Office Viewer (Windows & Mac); or iWork (Mac)
- PDF viewer: Adobe Reader (free, Windows & Mac); or Preview (Mac)
- Media viewing (you may need all or none of the following): Adobe Flash Player (free, Windows & Mac); Real Player (free, Windows & Mac); QuickTime (free, Windows & Mac); Windows Media Player (free, Windows);Flip4Mac (free, Mac, to play Windows Media files); and/or VLC Media Player (free, Windows & Mac)
University of Massachusetts Amherst e-mail account
You must activate your university e-mail account to receive class log-in information. If you are a new student, directions will be sent to your non-university email address explaining how to activate your University of Massachusetts Amherst email account. After this initial email, all future communications will be sent to your University of Massachusetts email address. If you already have an account, make sure your account is active. If you have questions or problems with your email account, please contact OIT (Office of Information Technologies) at 413-545-9400 or for further assistance:
