28-Oct-2019

Firefox Update: Tuesday, 29-Oct-2019

On Tuesday, 29-Oct-2019, Firefox on CLASSE-managed Windows and Linux computers will be updated from version 60 to version 68. In our testing, we have found that after this update, some users might see the warning message "Failed to read the configuration file", although Firefox will continue to function. To fix this problem, please plug your network cable into a CLASSE network (or connect to the CLASSE VPN) and wait 30 minutes for the configuration update to take effect (this is separate from the software update itself). If you continue to see the warning message after doing so, please submit a ServiceRequest.

Upgrading Windows 7 to Windows 10

In January 2020, Microsoft is ending support for the Windows 7 operating system. To prepare for this deadline, we have been contacting Windows 7 users to schedule an upgrade to Windows 10 (or to discuss other options). Some older computers are incapable of running Windows 10 and will need to be replaced. If you have not been contacted yet, please submit a ServiceRequest at your earliest convenience to start the process. Available options for existing Windows 7 computers are:

• Re-image to Windows 10: This option is only available for computers deployed in 2016 or later.
• Replace computer with Windows 10 computer: If you have a Windows 7 computer deployed in 2015 or earlier, we can replace it with a new Windows 10 computer.
• Change OS to Scientific Linux 7 (SL7): This option is available to most computers regardless of age. For computers deployed in 2012 or later, we can usually migrate to SL7 without any additional upgrades. Older computers may require a RAM upgrade to at least 8GB, and often will get additional performance boost by installing an SSD.
• Decommission the computer: If the computer will not be needed after January 2020, it can be left in place, and we will schedule a removal.

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General network and server maintenance will occur every Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM. The CLASSE-IT group will always announce any expected disruptions in our NewsLetter and via CLASSE-IT-NEWS-L, but with the size and complexity of our network there is always the potential for something to go wrong. We will do our best to contain all network maintenance and planned outages to Tuesdays from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM.

Unless other arrangements have been made, CLASSE-managed Windows systems may be updated and rebooted on Tuesday morning at 2:00 AM, so please avoid critical or lengthy operations at that time. For more details, please see SystemExpectations.

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Questions or problems? Submit a service request.

Other resources:

• CLASSE-IT Home Page
• Previous newsletters

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