Library Services Desk: Computers / Software / Equipment

Adobe Suite is available on Computers 22, 23, 24, 25, and 16 (on the south wall in the lobby). Study Room 208 includes Adobe Creative Cloud software for video editing.

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The Suite includes the following programs: 

Updated May 2025 MK

First time users for Adobe must create a free account. 

1. Go to adobe.com and click "Sign in."
2. Click "Create an account."
3. Fill out the form and click on "Create account."
4. Verify the email address by going to the email address you used to create the account and click on the link. 
5. To log out out of Adobe, click the colored circle at the top right of the screen, then click on "Sign Out."

5-12-25 MK

All-in-One (AiO) PCs in Rooms 207 and 209 may be used as a second monitor for your own laptop. Follow these steps:

1. Shut down the All-in-On (AiO).
2. Plug an HDMI cable into the "HDMI IN" slot in the back of the AiO. 
3.  Plug the HDMI cable into your laptop.
4. The AiO will detect this and turn on the monitor automatically.

10/17/23 DM, Reviewed 5/12/25 MK

This should work for Linux computers as well as Android phones:

1. Select your Settings app (gear icon)
   • Alternative Method: Swipe down from the top and press and hold Wifi symbol
2. Select Connections (Wifi icon) or Network & Internet
3. Ensure your Wi-Fi is toggled on
4. Select Wifi
5. Tap the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to (e.g. SDSUFacStaff or SDSUStudent) in the Current Network list
6. Enter the following settings:
   • EAP Method: PEAP
   • Phase 2 authentication: MSCHAPV2
   • CA Certificate: Do not validate or Do not verify or Use System
     • Accept or approve any prompts related to the certificate
     • CA Certificate: Please select Use System - Do Not Validate and not Install certificate
     • Do not use Request Status, Require Status for All Certificates, or Require Status for Untrusted Certificates
   • Identity: 
     • Students: Full Jacks Email (example@jacks.sdstate.edu)
     • Faculty / Staff: FirstName.LastName
   • Anonymous Identity: leave blank​​​​
   • Password:
     • Students: Jacks email password
     • Faculty / Staff: Email password
   • Domain: sdstate.edu
   • Mac Address: Use Device Mac
     • Do not use Randomized
7. Select Connect

EndNote 2025 is now available to all current SDSU faculty, staff, and students. There are links to the installer files on the EndNote Research Guide and on InsideState. 

It is important that people have both the EN2025Inst and License.dat file in the same place on their computer. If they are asked for a product key, it is because they did not save both files in the same place on their computer.

At this point EndNote21 will still work well. When Microsoft Word updates, people may need to update EndNote as well. 

Edited 8/19/2025 mk

Personal computers: When students have LockDown Browser installed on their personal computers, it will not work properly unless pop-ups/ad blockers are disabled. If they are having trouble with LockDown Browser, check this first.

On the library's computers this should not be a problem.

They can download LockDown Browser here: https://loginhelp.sdstate.edu/FAQ.aspx

Chromebooks: Pop-up blockers are activated by default in Chromebooks, so we may see students with Chromebooks unable to use LockDown Browser. Once the blocker is de-activated it should work. Scott says that instructions for how to do this will differ for various types of pop-up and ad blockers, and in different browsers. Generally it is in the browser settings, or on the toolbar if it is an add-on.

Mac Computers: The lockdown browser does not work on the Mac computers. If a student needs to use the lockdown browser, they can use any computer other than the Macs. 

Library workstations: As of 2/13/2024, we are waiting for an updated version of LockDown Browser from IDS. Staff credentials should allow admin access to workstations. Staff can install it as needed/requested by library users.

Library laptops: Users have admin credentials so they can download LockDown Browser as needed on library laptops. 

Updated by NM, 2/13/2024; 11/2025 mk

Mac computers have been installed in two locations in the library. 

There are three in the main reference area: Computers # 23, 24, and 25.

There is one on the upper level in Study Room 208. 

The Mac computers require a username and password that is posted on the monitors: 

Username: library
Password: sdsu2022

Updated 10/16/2025 mk

Current students, faculty, and staff may install the software on up to five university-owned or personal computers at no cost.

The software will remain active and usable for as long as you are a current faculty member, staff member, or student. 

Based on Microsoft's licensing requirements, it's not offered to past students who have graduated or leave SDSU.

Installation instructions

Additional information

2/8/22 - NM, Reviewed 11/2025 

There is a good tutorial on how to do this here:
Install Microsoft Office 365

We have one Black & White photocopier on the main level. It takes cash only (coins or bills). Cost is $0.05/page. 

• For better quality copies, we recommend scanning and printing in black & white.

For color copies, use the scanner on the main level and print to the color printer, also on the main level. Cost is $0.15 per page.

Updated 10/16/2025 mk

There are three microform (microfilm and microfiche) machines on the lower level.

• A scanner to create pdf files to save or print. Scanning is free.
• A reader/printer for black & white copies only. There is currently no paper in the machine. Ask for help with paper, printing and payment in the Government Documents office or at the Library Services Desk on the main level. Or use the scanner instead (recommended).
• A reader-only machine. 

Notes: Hobo Dough is required for printing. For community users who do not have Hobo Dough, library staff can use the department card at the Circ desk to print for them.  Charge $0.05 per page for B&W; $0.15 per page for color printing.

Updated 10/16/2025 mk

Turnitin plagiarism detection software can be accessed in D2L by faculty members. They need to self-enroll as students in the course “SDSU: Turnitin Checking & LDB Sandbox”. 

NM 2/7/25

Instructions for returning laptops are posted on the partition above the laptop cabinet.

9/18/2025 mk

The laptop cabinet has several old-style chargers (the type with a single prong on the laptop end). These may be checked out to patrons if needed. DO NOT check out a USB-C charger separately from a laptop.

Reviewed 11/4/2025 - mk

We have 3 staff laptops available for checkout through ALMA. The instructions are in the Word document linked above. 

For problems logging into the staff laptop, see "Logins/Login Issues" tab in this guide

Reviewed 11/2025 mk

Add Availability for LibCal Appointments

If you use the appointment scheduler in your LibGuides, you might need to update your availability each semester. See instructions below.

• In LibCal, go to Appointments (in the orange bar)
• Click on the Availability tab
• Enter the times you are typically available. LibCal will check your Outlook calendar and will not list times you are "out" or "busy".

Syncing LibStaffer with Outlook

Log into LibApps at https://sdstate.libapps.com/libapps/login.php
Choose LibStaffer from the list of apps in the drop-down menu.
Click on your e-mail address in the top right corner of the screen.
Click on Calendar Sync
LibCal Sync – LibCal Appointments Sync Enabled
Server/Host name – outlook.office365.com.
Enter your username (firstname.lastname@sdstate.edu).
Enter your e-mail password.
Click Save.

Click "Run the Export."

SDSU Virtual Lab ( https://cloudapps.sdstate.edu/ )  provides SDSU users access to software that they do not otherwise have access to. Any SDSU user can access SDSU virtual lab anytime anywhere through any browser, using existing SDSU authentication credentials. 

Step by step instructions for SDSU Virtual Lab access    

• 7-Zip File Manager
• GIMP 2
• HedgeSim
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• Invitrogen
• JMP 8
• Logger Pro
• MATLAB R2011b
• Microsoft Office
• National Instruments LabVIEW
• VNC SAS
• Win Geom
• Win Plot

Software list from InsideState, Updated March 2020

Reviewed 11/2025 mk

AutoCAD & Revit

Students can create a free account to access AutoCAD, Revit, and possibly other software created by the company, Autodesk. https://www.autodesk.com/education/edu-software/overview?sorting=featured&filters=individual

Virtual Machine software

IT has created some virtual machines for students. This works like remoting into your computer: students can sign in for access to any software  on the virtual machine. The following software is available through the VM:

SolidWorks

MATLAB

SPSS

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

"R" and R-Studio

Students who use SAS and STATA should ask their instructor how to access these.

To access the virtual machine, students go to cloudapps.sdstate.edu and login with their SDSU credentials. Choose the "Library" icon to access the software listed above.

VMware "Virtual Machine" App

VMware (a virtual machine app) is available to all students. Among other things, it can serve as a workaround for logging into library resources. For download instructions and further info, go to https://www.sdstate.edu/information-technology/technology-support-desk/student-software Click on CloudApps. 

After logging in, the browser treats the student as an "on campus" user, so they would be able to log in to any library resources without having to log in again. If they are unable to log in to CloudApps, then the problem is likely with their credentials. They should contact IT Support Desk for help with the login.

10/6/23 DM, Reviewed 5/6/2025 mk