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Student Account FAQ »


What is an ICS Account?

An ICS account is actually two accounts: a Windows account and a UNIX account. They are separate and distinct both from each other and from your UCInetID. They have the same username and the same password. They each have an expiration date, though it is usually the same. You will need your Windows account to access instructional dropboxes, and your UNIX account to access your ICS e-mail and your network drive.

An ICS account is often required to complete work assigned as part of ICS, CS, CSE, Informatics, or Statistics courses and so students who are majors under the Bren School of ICS or who are taking classes in the Bren School that require the use of an account are automatically allocated one.

Getting an ICS Account

Q: Who is qualified to get an ICS account?

All majors under the Bren School of ICS.

Non-majors currently enrolled in a course under the Bren School of ICS which requires the use of an ICS account.

Students currently enrolled in a course under the Bren School of ICS through University Extension.

Q: Where do I go to get an ICS instructional account?
Instructions can be found at Activating your ICS Instructional Account.

If you are enrolled through University Extension, go to CS 346L and see the Lab Manager regarding your account. You will need to show proof of enrollment and some form of picture ID (such as a UCI student ID or driver's license).

Q: I'm enrolled in an ICS course, why can't I get an account?
Our system is linked to the UCI registrar's database, and we receive updates once a day. If your classes were dropped because you haven't paid your fees, you will not be eligible for an account until your fees are paid. If you are adding with an add card, please wait overnight to ensure that we get the updated information.

Using an ICS Account

Q: Now that I have an ICS account, what are my responsibilities as a fellow user of a multiuser system?

All UCI and ICS students are expected to follow a system of ethical academic and computing policies designated by the University of California and the Donald Bren School of ICS. You will be required to read these policies as part of your account activation process and you are responsible for knowing what is and is not acceptable behavior regarding your ICS account and the use of school equipment and facilities.
Q: Where can I go to log in?

The Bren School of Information and Computer Science has labs for students taking ICS classes on the 1st and 3rd floors of the Computer Science building. Check the lab information page for information on lab locations, operating hours, and hardware and software specifications. Note that these labs are not "public" labs in the sense that they are only for students taking ICS courses.

Q: How do I access my account from home?
If you would like to access your home directory via Windows, please follow the Map Networkdrive method.If you would like to connect via a UNIX/Linux terminal, please make sure that you have a PC with terminal emulation software or communication software at home, you can connect to the our servers remotely. Connect via ssh to any machines listed here.
Q: I entered my username and password, but the system won't log me on. What's wrong?

If this is the very first time you have tried logging on:

  1. make sure you have activated your account. If not, check out the Account Activation page.
  2. wait at least 2 hours after activating before you attempt to log on

...if you still can't log on, check out the tips below.

If you have logged on successfully during this quarter:

  1. make sure you typed your username correctly.
  2. make sure you typed your password correctly.
  3. make sure you have selected "UCI-ICS" as the log on domain.

...if you still can't log on, contact the Lab Assistant in CS 364.

NOTE: If you had an account during a previous quarter, check out the Account Expiration Section of this FAQ.

Q: I can't log in because I forgot my password.
The Lab Assistant in CS 364 can reset your password for you. Be sure to bring a photo ID, preferably your student ID card.
Q: How can I change my password?
To change your ICS password you need to go to http://support.ics.uci.edu/passwd. This page is only available from on campus, if you are off campus please use the UCI VPN. For more information on VPN see the NACS VPN information page.

Account Expiration

Q: When does my account expire?

Accounts are extended automatically for the next quarter when you register for classes. If you are registered and your account has expired, please contact ICS Support.

If you are a ICS major, your account should expire shortly after graduation. If you are a non-ICS major taking an ICS class your account expires shortly after the end of the quarter in which the class is taken. If you take another ICS class which requires computer resources, your account will be extended, re-opened or re-created. Accounts created for extension students expire shortly after the end of the class.

Q: My account is about to expire because I am not an ICS major, but I'll be taking another ICS course next quarter. How do I get my account extended?
Not all ICS courses use computer accounts, but if the course you are taking does, your account will be re-opened at the start of next quarter. Due to disk space limitations, expired accounts are sometimes deleted between quarters. It is strongly suggested that you backup your files to a CDROM or flash drive before the quarter ends. There are two type of people, those who make backups, and those who wish they did.
Q: In a previous quarter I had an account which has now expired. This quarter I'm again enrolled in an ICS course. What should I do?
Try logging back into your account to check if it has been reactivated. If not, see the Lab Assistant in CS 364. Be sure to bring your ID card with you.