Troubleshooting Off-Campus Access to Databases and Electronic Journals

BSU Computer Usernames and Passwords
What is my "BSU computer username"? How can I get one?

How faculty and staff request and setup an e-mail account
New University employees can bring their Ball State ID id to RB 165 to request an e-mail account.

Password/Access Problems

Generally, access to databases and electronic journals is limited to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff. Temporary guest accounts may be requested at several campus locations; photo ID is required.
If you are currently a BSU student or faculty/staff member, you’ll need to enter your BSU username and password when prompted to access databases and journals from off-campus.
If you don’t currently have a BSU username and password, and you are a student/faculty member, University Computing Services’ BSU Computer Usernames and Passwords describes how you can request one.
UCS offers a Password Management System to change and maintain BSU passwords.
Passwords are case sensitive; if there is a problem with your BSU username and password, please double check the spelling and make sure the caps lock isn’t on.
If you need further assistance, please use our Ask a Librarian service, or call the library at 765-285-1101.

Problems with specific databases/journals

If you log in successfully, but have trouble with specific databases and journals, please try the following solutions:
1. Clear your browser’s cache. Please refer to Instructions for clearing your browser’s cache if you aren’t sure how to do this. (This solves most problems for users.)
2. If you are using Opera, please use a different browser. The Opera browser is incompatible with the program used to log users into the databases.
3. If you are using your provider’s browser (e.g., AOL’s), please try again using a different browser, such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, or SeaMonkey.
4. If you are using the NetZero HiSpeed service, try disabling the HiSpeed service; right click the HiSpeed icon in the lower right-hand system tray (usually at the very bottom of the screen on the right-hand side, next to the time), and select “Disconnect.” If that doesn’t work, please see our instructions for a workaround.
If none of these strategies resolve the problem, please use our Ask a Librarian service, or call the library at 765-285-1101 for assistance.