Need Help Connecting to BioMedSearch Resources?

What is BioMedSearch?

BioMedSearch is an umbrella term for a growing set of article indexes, electronic journals, and digital resources. Most of these resources are restricted to students, staff, and faculty of the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities campus).

Can I connect to BioMedSearch resources from my home or workplace?

If you connect to the Internet through the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities campus network or modem pool, you should have no trouble accessing BioMedSearch resources.

If you get your Internet service from an Internet Service Provider other than the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (such as America Online, Media One, or US West), you should still be able to connect to most resources. Just make sure you use the connection links on the BioMedical Library Web site or the LUMINA Web site. You will still need to log in with a valid University of Minnesota Internet ID and password.

Alternatively, if you store database URLs in a Netscape Bookmarks / Internet Explorer Favorites list, make sure you save the database URL that asks you to log in, not the URL you get after you've logged in. For example, to create a bookmark for BioMedSearch MICROMEDEX, save this login address:

http://www.biomed.lib.umn.edu/micromedex/index.html

and not the address that shows up after you've logged in:

http://www.biomed.lib.umn.edu/mdxcgi/mdxhtml.exe

If you are connecting from a business location, it is possible that your company has a firewall that is preventing you from logging on to a BioMedSearch resource. One common difficulty is related to the ports to which company computers are allowed to connect. Our authentication software requires that your computer be able to access port 2048, then one additional port (a different port for each database). Since we have no control over company firewall parameters, please check with your computer security personnel to see whether the ports to which you have outgoing access have been restricted. Provide them with the above information and ask them if the company firewall policy allows them to lift the restriction.

I typed in my ID and password and still can't connect to your databases. Why?

Note that you must be a current University of Minnesota--Twin Cities student, faculty, and staff member to access BioMedSearch resources. If your status as a current University affiliate has changed recently, you may not be authorized to access library databases (i.e., students who have not registered for classes are not eligible).

Most connection failures are caused by someone forgetting their UM password. You can call the ADCS Technology Helpline at (612) 626-4276 if you need to verify your Internet ID and password.

Some departments at the University of Minnesota have their own e-mail systems. To provide a consistent way of authenticating current UM-TC students, faculty, and staff so that they may use our licensed databases, we screen all users against the campus X.500 database (the Student-Staff Directory). Therefore, departmental e-mail IDs and passwords will not work to gain access to University of Minnesota licensed library databases. Look for the line "Internet ID" in your Student-Staff Directory entry and use that login ID and corresponding password.

If you need further assistance with your TC campus Internet ID and Password, contact the ADCS Technology Helpline by email or phone.

Why do I get a busy signal when I connect to your databases?

Many of our databases are purchased via a site license that allows the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities a specific number of simultaneous users. Only a certain number of students and staff are allowed in at a given moment. You have most likely tried to access a database when we had the maximum number of users connected. Usually, if you wait a couple of minutes and try again, you can get in.

I can connect to some electronic journals but not all. Why is this?

Some journal publishers place restrictions on access to their e-journals and limit their use to University of Minnesota--Twin Cities users whose computers are physically located on the campus network.

If you connect to the Internet through the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities campus network or modem pool, you should have no trouble connecting to electronic journals licensed by the Bio-Medical Library.

If you get your Internet service from an Internet Service Provider other than the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities (such as America Online, Media One, or US West), you may be unable to access some of our licensed electronic journals. Over time, we are working to put into place a software solution.

My problem is different from the ones described above. Can you help me?

For help with:

• Connecting to a Bio-Medical Library resource.
• Identifying the appropriate electronic resource for your topic.
• Formulating an appropriate search strategy.
• General help in finding health sciences information.

Call the Bio-Medical Library Reference Desk at (612) 626-3260 for help. Hours of service:

Monday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m.- 6:45 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.

For help with:

• Connecting to LUMINA Resources
• Searching LUMINA and other information resources
• Reference help in subject areas other than the health sciences.

The University Libraries InfoPoint Service.
Responses provided within 24 hours, 7 days a week.
http://infopoint.lib.umn.edu
info@tc.umn.edu

or

Take a look at the University Libraries Computer Help Web page.

or

Consult the University Libraries database answers to Frequently Asked Questions

For help with:

• Installation of the University of Minnesota Internet Kit software.
• Initiation of your UM email account.
• If you do not remember your campus Internet ID and matching password.
• Any problems with your UM password.
• Identification of Internet Service Providers.

Academic & Distributed Computing Services' Technology Helpline

Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

(612) 301-HELP (4357)
www.umn.edu/adcs/Help/helpline.html

or

Consult ADCS' Knowledge Base of answers to frequently-asked questions.