WMU > OIT > Help Desk > Get Connected

Registering Your Computer to Use WMUnet

All computers being used at Western Michigan University must have an IP address. To receive an IP address, you must be registered to use WMUnet, Western's network, which allows connectivity to the Internet and access to other resources. Students living in residence halls and WMU apartments, will have to re-register each semester. At some point, faculty and staff may also be asked to re-register on an annual basis. Before you register, you are strongly encouraged to have installed antivirus software and be current with virus tables, and, if you are registering a Windows machine, be current on Windows updates.* To register, or if your previous registration was cleared, to re-register, simply open a browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.). You should be automatically taken to the registration page. If not, go to the registration page.

* Students living in WMU residence halls or WMU campus apartments will have Clean Access installed during the network registration process. Clean Access will assure their computers are up to date with Microsoft® updates as well as protected by WMU Symantec AntiVirus.

• Install Symantec Antivirus
• Windows Update
  • Open Internet Explorer
  • Click on 'Tools', 'Windows Update', 'Scan for Updates'. This may take several minutes.
  • If updates are found, they will be shown on the left; click 'Review and install updates'.
  • You will see the standard Microsoft disclaimer, click next and then agree to the license agreement to install the updates. This may take several minutes, depending upon how frequently you have installed updates.
  • You may be asked to reboot your computer upon completion, click 'Yes'.
  • OIT recommends you run Windows Update weekly.

OIT reserves the right to remove infected computers and/or computers that are non-current with Windows updates from the network until such problems have been resolved.

To register to use WMUnet you will need to know:

• Your Bronco NetID and password.
• The first and last name of the person owning/using the computer being registered.
• The phone number of the person owning/using the computer.
• Building name and room number of where the computer is located.
• The operating system used by the computer being registered.

You will be shown the WMUnet Acceptable Use policy and you will be asked to accept it. If you do not accept it, you will not be allowed to register.

After you accept the policy, you will be asked for your Bronco NetID and password. Then you will see a screen similar to:

Fill in and submit the requested information, reboot your computer, and you should be registered. If you have any questions, or if there are any problems, please contact the Help Desk at 387-HELP (387-4357).