In order to access many of Trinity’s online academic services you must be connected to the Virtual Private Network.  I am taking a course this semester using Moodle instead of Blackboard to house our assignments and important links.  I found out the hard way that Moodle requires users be connected to Trinity’s VPN in order to access some content.  Unfortunately, my VPN connection and current laptop suddenly decided to part ways leaving me in the lurch and scavenging for a solution to my Moodle issue.

I still don’t know what made my laptop or VPN reject each other after such a long and loving connection but I do know that with finals looming I had to get these two back together.  I am not entirely digitally incompetent so I tried de-installing and re-installing.  Then I tweaked firewall settings, edited account details, wrote emails and made calls seeking and implementing advice… unsuccessfully.  As a last resort, I schlepped my laptop down to tech support where after a couple of hours my VPN connection and laptop were finally reunited. 

Allow me to recommend that you go directly to tech support, better known as the Computing Center, if you encounter any similar problems.  Tips and links for self-service can be located at their website http://www.trincoll.edu/RaetherCtr/ComputingCenter/default.htm however I also started that way and wasted allot of time and energy.  No appointment is required for service and the help desk is staffed most of the day and night.  The tech support student employees and staff are probably better equipped than you to troubleshoot your connection issues, plus they can save your sanity.