Determining if a Windows Computer is Ready for the Office 2007 Upgrade
In preparation for the University’s Summer 2011 email upgrade, it’s necessary to check your computer to be sure that it is running or is capable of running Office 2007 to connect to the new email server. Please follow the the instructions below to perform these checks, and if you do not have Office 2007 installed on your computer, contact Computing & Network Services at [email protected].
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A NEW COMPUTER SINCE JULY 2010, THERE’S NO NEED FOR YOU TO PERFORM THESE TESTS. YOUR COMPUTER ALREADY HAS OUTLOOK 2007.
Step 1: Check your Version of Microsoft Office
In order to take advantage of the new features offered by the upgraded email server, and to assure that such services as resource accounts and shared calendars operate properly with other campus users, you will need to have Office 2007 installed on your computer.
To check your version of Office, click the Start menu and select Programs (on some machines it will be All Programs; you may also have to click the double arrow at the bottom of the list of Programs in order to see the complete list.)
A folder icon with the label Microsoft Office will appear somewhere in the list; click on it, and you will see the complete set of Office applications along with their versions.
If you have Office 2007 applications in this folder, your computer passes the Office 2007 Version test.
IF YOUR COMPUTER PASSED THIS TEST -- THAT IS, IF YOU HAVE MICROSOFT OFFICE 2007 -- YOU CAN STOP RIGHT HERE BECAUSE YOU ARE READY TO CONNECT TO THE NEW EMAIL SERVER.
IF YOUR COMPUTER DID NOT PASS THIS TEST, PLEASE CONTINUE ON TO STEPS 2 AND 3 TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION FOR C&NS.
5/26/2011: jr Step 2: Check your Windows Computer’s Processor Speed
All computer processors run at specific speeds, and since their processors are regularly updated by the manufacturers, it’s important to determine whether your computer runs at a fast enough speed to accommodate the new email service. Only those Windows computers that run at 1.5 GHz or higher can run Office 2007 efficiently.
To check your processor type, right click on the My Computer icon on your desktop or in your Start menu, and select the last item in the menu, Properties.
A new window will appear that provides some basic information about your computer. Under the General tab, you’ll see a section titled Computer; this will tell you the GHz speed of your machine.
If your machine is showing 1.5 GHz or higher, your computer passes the Office 2007 Processor Speed test. If it is less than 1.5 GHz, please note the speed listed and continue on to Step 3.
Keep this window open as you’ll need to use it for the next test.
Step 3: Check your Windows Computer’s Operating System
The University has been running Microsoft’s XP Professional operating system for a number of years now, so very few computers should remain that are running older versions (either Windows 2000 or Windows 98). Only computers running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 can run Office 2007.
To check your operating system version, refer to the Properties window again and, under the General tab, look under the first heading, System. If Microsoft Windows XP appears in that place, your computer passes the Office 2007 operating system test. (Although there should be no Windows Vista or Windows 7 machines on the University network, if you do have one it will also run Office 2007.) If you are not running XP, Vista, or Windows 7, please note the system you are running.
If your computer does not have Office 2007 already installed, please inform Computing & Network Services as soon as possible by sending an email to [email protected]. In your email you should include your name, department, and type of computer (laptop or desktop), and tell us the processor speed and the operating system version that you noted. C&NS will work with you to either upgrade your computer, install the appropriate operating system or software, or find a recycled Windows computer that can run Office 2007 until your next computer upgrade is scheduled.
5/26/2011: jr