VDI: Frequently Asked Questions (Students)

Tags VDI Student

In this article

  1. Can I personalize my VDI workspace?
  2. How do I access files/save files when I'm using the VDI workspace?
  3. Can I transfer files from my personal computer to the VDI workspace, or vice versa?
  4. Can I connect a USB device or access a CD-ROM from my VDI workspace?
  5. Can I map a drive in my VDI workspace?
  6. Can I print from a VDI workspace?
  7. Can I copy and paste while I'm using a VDI workspace?
  8. Are there time limits when I'm using a VDI workspace?
  9. Can I request software for my VDI workspace?
  10. What is the Graphic and Information Technology VDI Workspace?
  11. What if I'm a student taking one of the courses but I don't see the Graphic and Information Technology VDI Workspace available?
  12. It's taking awhile to connect to VDI. Is this normal?
  13. Nothing happens when I click on an application or workspace. I'm using a web browser. What should I do?
  14. After I input my login information and submit, the next page doesn't fully load. I'm using Chrome. What should I do?
  15. How do I unlock my VDI workspace if it's locked or if I need to change my password?
  16. I just reset my password. How long do I have to wait before I can log in to the VDI workspace?
  17. I downloaded the VDI client. What do I do now?

Questions and Answers

  1. Can I personalize my VDI workspace?

No. Student VDI workspace personal customizations are not available at this time. Download our TCC VDI Reference Guide (PDF)Listen  to learn how to favorite certain applications and workstations.

  1. How do I access files/save files when I'm using the VDI workspace?

To access files from your VDI workspace or from your personal computer, you must access them through your OneDrive. Your files must already be in OneDrive before you try to access them from your VDI workspace.

To upload files to your OneDrive, visit OneDrive online.

To access and save Microsoft Office files while you're using the VDI workspace,

  1. Open the Microsoft Office application you wish to use
  2. Click the File tab in the top navigation
  3. Select Open
  4. Select Add a Place
  5. Choose OneDrive for Business
  6. Enter your myTCC login information
  7. Select No, sign into this app only
  8. Begin work

You can now open and save files to your OneDrive. Remember, any files saved to the VDI workspace C: drive will be erased after your session terminates.

  1. Can I transfer files from my personal computer to the VDI workspace, or vice versa?

No. VDI workspaces do not support any file transfers from personal devices or other workspace sessions.

To access files from your VDI workspace or from your personal computer, you must access them through your OneDrive. Your files must already be in OneDrive before you try to access them from your VDI workspace.

To upload files to your OneDrive, visit OneDrive online.

  1. Can I connect a USB device or access a CD-ROM from my VDI workspace?

No. USB devices and CD-ROM access is not available from any VDI workspace.

  1. Can I map a drive in my VDI workspace?

No, only faculty and staff have the ability to map a TCCD network drive.

  1. Can I print from a VDI workspace?

Yes. WEPA is a fully Internet-based print-anywhere service. Universal printing is one of its major design features. It doesn't reside or rely on any TCC servers/systems. There is no difference between printing on-campus and printing off-campus.

You can set up the WEPA app on your own laptop, so when you finish typing your Word document on Saturday afternoon you can click "File>Print>wepa BW" to send the document to the queue whether you're in the campus Writing Center, or at your apartment, or visiting Grandma in San Antonio. Then on Monday morning stop by a WEPA kiosk to release that print job before heading to your classroom. 

Printing from a VM instance is the same process. The location of the device a student uses to access the VDI system does not affect WEPA print functions.

  1. Can I copy and paste while I'm using a VDI workspace?

No. Copy and paste does not work with VDI workspaces.

  1. Are there time limits when I'm using a VDI workspace?

No, but inactive sessions will automatically be disconnected after 10 minutes. If you log back in within 10 minutes of inactivity, your previous session will still be available.

After your session has been disconnected, all files and running applications will be closed. Any work not saved to your OneDrive will be lost and will not be recoverable.

  1. Can I request software for my VDI workspace?

No. Only faculty can submit a software request through the IT Service Desk for software requests for you if the software is relevant to your coursework.

  1. What is the Graphic and Information Technology VDI Workspace?

This VDI workspace is available if you're a student taking any of the following courses:

  • GIS
  • Graphic design
  • Gaming design
  • Information technology
  • Computer science
  1. What if I'm a student taking one of the courses but I don't see the Graphic and Information Technology VDI Workspace available?

Your instructor or department chair is responsible for requesting access for students if your class requires access to this VDI workspace. Please contact your instructor to add you to the request. 

  1. It's taking awhile to connect to VDI. Is this normal?

Yes. It can take time to connect to VDI.

The average time is 1-2 minutes to properly set up a virtual desktop. Your home internet speed plays an important role in load time.

You can view the status of your VDI setup by selecting the gray tab on the left-side of your screen.

  1. Nothing happens when I click on an application or workspace. I'm using a web browser. What should I do?

This could be due to the pop-up blocker in your web browser. Turn off your pop-up blocker to see if this fixes the issue.

Follow the instructions to allow pop-ups in:

  1. After I input my login information and submit, the next page doesn't fully load. I'm using Chrome. What should I do?

Try refreshing the page, or using another browser.

  1. How do I unlock my VDI workspace if it's locked or if I need to change my password?

To unlock your VDI workspace,

  1. Click on the silver side bar tab to expand the sidebar menu.
  2. Click on the top first menu with the three squares arranged in the shape of a pyramid.
  3. If your desktop is locked, select CTRL+ALT+DEL to enter your password and unlock your machine.
  4. To change your password, select Change a password on the VDI workspace screen and follow the prompts.
  1. I just reset my password. How long do I have to wait before I can log in to the VDI workspace?

Please wait a minimum of 15 minutes for all accounts to sync before logging back in.

  1. I downloaded the VDI client. What do I do now?

Troubleshooting with the VDI client is unavailable at this time. TCC highly recommends using your browser to access VDI workspaces.

However, if you've chosen to use the VDI workspace client (Horizon), make sure the client software is downloaded before you try to open a VDI workspace or application with it. Do not enter the server name or any information you don't know. Close the application, go back to cloud.tccd.edu, and choose the option to open the VDI workspace or application with the client. The information

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Details

Article ID: 25
Created
Tue 8/31/21 4:59 PM
Modified
Wed 3/27/24 1:15 PM