How do I get started with my DSA awarded Laptop, software and Equipment. Where do I start, setup first start

How do I get started with my DSA awarded Laptop, software and Equipment.

How to use your laptop or PC, and what to expect from it.

In general, if provided with a standard entry-level laptop and printer, the first thing to do is to understand what the equipment can and cannot do.
If you have an upgraded machine, some of the restrictions may still apply, though certainly less of them.

I am not a techy, I need to understand the basics.

Your optional next step, if you are not very technical, is to register for/take a look at the free offerings on basic IT technology usage offered by UK based learnmyway, US based GCF, Australian based beconnected or a "simple" quick start from the BBC.

If you are new to laptops and PC's, or just want a refresher we can make no real recommendation. Although, trying each and going with whichever you are most comfortable with may be the best idea. They all offer essentially the same advice, tips and basics.

I know what I am doing, how do I get into my machine?

Most passwords, if present, will usually be "12345678" or "1234", though if not, it can be worth checking this article. This applies to first install/base passwords only. Once you have signed in with your Gmail/Apple/Windows/University email or password, then we can no longer help/the security and password management will be with the online provider or University, not us.

We would recommend adding a second "local" admin user to your laptop before signing in/up with your University email specifically, to avoid being locked out.


An entry-level laptop will be able to run any software DSA/SLC have allocated/that you have been assessed for at bare minimum speed, potentially with some DSA deemed non-essential features and the like not included.

So what can a standard DSA laptop do?

A standard laptop will be able to run only a few programs at once and only have a few tabs open in a browser before it reaches high loads, gets hot and/or loud and can do no more


A standard DSA entry-level laptop will have a bare minimum of storage space. 
If you need more than the above, an upgrade would be recommended

Either way, DSA/SLC does make clear (albeit with less than two sentences) that you, as the student, are responsible for basic maintenance, including installing updates and a better than the base version it comes with Anti Virus.

We will never ship a laptop we have installed what software we can on, which will almost never be all the software you have been awarded, with no Administrator privileges on your user. If a University or Work login/email revokes Admin privileges, which we do see every so often, it can make a laptop unusable. We recommend creating a second user/making sure you have at least one "local" or personal email Administrator profile separate from any University or other login in most instances.

Okay, so how do I install my DSA awarded software?

Your first, and potentially only step is to use the article below.

You may need your Serial numbers and software keys, which may have been sent via email, on/in a document called a shipnote on the last page.
If any PDF or similar were included in that email, ignore those and use the article below as a first step, then the PDF attachments from your email and finally simply search above in the article search for your software name.

Again though, in most instances all you will need is the article below.

How about my online University drive, applications, cloud storage or similar?

Article below, though we would encourage you to circle back up to the add a new user article above before adding any University emails, Applications, Microsoft Office applications or online storage.

What about safety online, malware and viruses and such things?

We have touched on these things above, but it is an idea to look over this article below if they are still a concern.

What about a printer?


What about my headset/headphone or audio devices?

I have other questions not covered here?

Use the article search above, we will have covered it in most instances, if all else fails, contact support.