Student Laptop Setup and Back-to-School Tech Help
For uOttawa, Carleton, Algonquin, La Cité and Saint Paul students: the right laptop for your program, set up properly, with eduroam, school Microsoft 365, course software and backups working before classes start.
Remote from $25 · Evenings and weekends · Repairs when a laptop dies mid-term
The first week of term is the worst time for your laptop not to work: campus Wi-Fi won't connect, Office asks for a licence, the software your course needs won't install, and nothing is backed up. Your school's IT help desk is a good free first stop for account and campus-system problems. We help with everything on your own laptop, including evenings, weekends and off campus.
We're independent and not affiliated with any school. We just help students in Ottawa get their computers working and keep them working through exams.
What We Help Students With
Choosing a laptop
Advice for your program and budget, with no markup since you buy it yourself. Computer science, engineering, design and business all need different things.
New laptop setup
Windows or macOS updated, your school Microsoft 365 and OneDrive signed in, antivirus, a password manager and printing set up.
eduroam and campus Wi-Fi
eduroam set up on your laptop and phone with the right settings for your school, and fixing "authentication problem" errors.
Course software
Student editions of SPSS, MATLAB, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, IDEs and more installed with your own or your school's licence.
Online exam software
LockDown Browser or Proctorio installed and updated, and your webcam and microphone checked before the exam. We never help bypass them.
Backups before exams
Your notes and assignments backed up automatically, so a dead laptop doesn't cost you a term's work.
eduroam Not Working?
eduroam uses your full school email and password, and on some devices it also needs the right security settings for your school's network. Most "authentication problem" errors come from an old saved password, a missing domain or certificate setting, or a phone that remembers an outdated profile. Forgetting the network and setting it up again with your school's instructions fixes most of them.
If it still won't connect, your school's IT help desk can check your account. If it's your device, we can sort it out remotely or when you're off campus.
Laptop Died Before a Deadline?
We answer on WhatsApp seven days a week from 7 AM to 11 PM. Software problems are often fixed remotely the same day, and if the laptop won't start, we get your files off first so you can keep working on another computer.
From First Message to Fixed
Step 1: Tell us your school and program
And whether it's a new laptop to set up or something that's stopped working.
Step 2: Remote or in person
Software setup remotely; hardware and full setups at our west-end workshop by appointment or on a visit.
Step 3: Ready for class
Wi-Fi, Office, course software and backups working, tested with you.
What It Costs
| Laptop buying advice | Free |
| Remote setup or software install session | $25 |
| Full new-laptop setup | Quoted upfront |
| Laptop repairs | From $40 |
Software licences come from you or your school. You get our price before we start. See full pricing.
Student Tech FAQs
What laptop should I buy for university?
It depends on your program. Most students do well with 16 GB of RAM, an SSD and good battery life. Engineering and design programs may need a dedicated graphics card or Windows-only software, and computer science students benefit from more memory. Tell us your program and budget and we'll suggest options.
Why won't eduroam connect on my laptop or phone?
Usually an old saved password or a missing security setting. Forget the network, then set it up again using your full school email and your school's eduroam instructions. If it still fails, we can check your device.
Can you install SPSS, MATLAB or AutoCAD for my course?
Yes, using your own licence or your school's student licence, including fixing installs that fail or won't activate.
Do students get Microsoft Office for free?
Most colleges and universities give students Microsoft 365 through their school account. We sign you in so Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive are licensed and backed up.
Can you check my webcam for an online exam?
Yes. We install or update the exam software your course uses and check your webcam and microphone work with it. We don't help bypass exam software in any way.
Are you part of my school's IT department?
No. We're an independent local business. For account and campus-system problems, your school's IT help desk is the right first contact.
Get Ready for Term
Tell us your school, program and laptop. We'll get everything set up before classes start.