Topics Map > Services > Communication and Collaboration Tools (Web, Video, Voice, Storage) > File Storage and Sharing
Topics Map > Services > Systems and Infrastructure for IT Partners > Central File Services
Central File Services - Common Issues
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Common issues and solutions for Central File Services.
Folder or file does not open
If a folder or file in your user drive, department shared drive or cross-department shared drive will not open, consider the following:
- Does the folder or file name contain any special characters?
- When connecting to Windows File Services using the "off campus" instructions, folders and files with names that contain certain special characters may not open or display. In the case of a folder, you may be able to click on it, but the files within will not display. However, when you connect using the "on campus" method, those folders and files will display and open without any problems. To resolve this issue for off-campus access, rename the folder or file and remove any special characters, including the following characters: + ` ^ & { } [ ]
- Does the file name include the extension (e.g., .doc, .xls)?
- Files that were created without an extension cannot be opened in Windows File Services, because the system cannot determine which program to use to open the file. This issue is most common with files that were created by old Macintosh computers. If a file name does not include the extension, you can 1) rename the file to add the extension and then open the file, or you can 2) right click on the file and choose to "Open with" and then select the appropriate program.
Determining whether your computer has been joined to NDSU's Active Directory domain
Windows 7
- Open the Start Menu by clicking on the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen
- Right click on Computer and select Properties
- Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, view the Domain field. If ad.ndsu.edu is listed, your computer is joined to the NDSU Active directory domain. If some other domain is listed, or if "Workgroup" is listed, your computer is NOT joined to NDSU's Active Directory domain.
Drives do not automatically appear
If your computer is NOT joined to the NDSU Active Directory domain, you need to manually connect to Windows File Services:
- Central File Services - Windows 10 Instructions
- Central File Services - Instructions for Mac OS X
- Central File Services - Instructions for Mobile Devices
If your computer is joined to the domain, and your drives (e.g., U:, S:, X:) do not automatically appear upon logon, you may need to refresh Group Policy:
- Save your work and shut down all open applications
- Open a command prompt: click on the Start menu, type cmd in the Search field, and then hit Enter
- In the command prompt, type gpupdate /force and hit Enter
- Log back in to your computer, and then check to see if your drives appear. If they do not, contact the IT Help Desk at 701-231-8685 or email ndsu.helpdesk@ndsu.edu for assistance
Details when accessing File Services from off-campus Windows 7 computer
If you experience delays when opening a folder, copying files, or moving from one folder to the next when accessing File Services from an off-campus Windows 7 computer, please do the following:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Under Tools in the menu, click Internet Options
- Click the Connections tab, and then click LAN Settings
- Uncheck the box next to Automatically detect settings
- Click OK
Corrupted files when using WebDAV for Mac
Dragging and dropping files into WebDAV can result in corruption of those files. If you choose to drag and drop, check to ensure that you can open the copied file before deleting the original.