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GALEN UCSF DIGITAL LIBRARY
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Handhelds and PDAs

Please come to the Parnassus Library Technical Service Window located in CL231 for help configuring your device. Since there are so many different varieties of handhelds, Library Computing staff cannot guarantee expertise in every device. The following steps are the general instructions for getting your device on the UCSF wireless network.

1. Have a wireless capable handheld or PDA.

In order to use wireless, you will need a handheld or PDA with wireless capability. If you are unsure of your handheld or PDA's wireless capabilities, consult the manufacturer's documentation or website.

2. Find your wireless Network Adapter Address.

Due to the variety of PDA hardware and operating systems, there is no universal way to find the Network Adapter Address (also called "MAC" or Media Access Control address). The MAC address is 12 characters long and usually comprised of numbers and letters separated by dashes. Example: 00-0D-56-A0-6B-98.

There are many ways to locate your MAC address:

  1. Some handheld devices have the MAC address printed on them.
  2. Refer to the user manual that came with your handheld device or wireless card.
  3. Google the model of your PDA (e.g. "Treo 700") and the term "MAC Address". You may find a link that provides instructions on how to find your MAC Address. Example: [Treo 700 "MAC address"].
  4. If your handheld device includes support (see the user manual), contact the vendor of the device or the retailer you purchased from to request help.

3. Modify/create your GALEN Account.

You must have an active GALEN Account for wireless access. Please modify your GALEN account to include your Wireless Network Adapter Address.

Registration will be effective in 20 minutes. If you don't have a GALEN Account, create one now, then modify your account.

4. Configure/reconfigure your handheld or PDA.

After you have registered your wireless MAC address on GALEN (and the 20-minute registration period has elapsed), your device should connect to the UCSF network. If your device does not detect any network signal, you must set the wireless Network Name to "UCSF". The wireless settings must be:
  • Network name (SSID): UCSF
  • Network authentication: Open
  • Encryption type: Disabled
If you experience problems, refer to the wireless Troubleshoot Guide.