MWS (Online Library) Password Expiry and New University Portal - Important!

All University users are now required to change their Managed Windows Service (MWS) password (the password used to access the Online Library resources) every three months. This measure is a requirement of the University's Auditors and is designed to increase security.

Between 7th January and 4th February 2008 MWS passwords for University of Liverpool Laureate online students and staff will start expiring. You will receive an email message through your University of Liverpool email account advising you when your password is about to expire (you will be sent two email reminders and then a final reminder).

To change your MWS password please follow these instructions. Do follow the ‘Password rules’ advice carefully as this will help you create a secure, acceptable password.

To make sure that you are reminded about when your password is due to expire again we recommend you do the following:

1. Login to the new University Portal for Online students (using your MWS username and password). The University portal will give you automatic reminders about when your password is due to expire. It will also give you easy access to Online Library and Computing Services news, direct links to the Online Library resources, easy access to your University of Liverpool email account and an email forwarding facility. In future, we will be publicising the portal as the recommended way of accessing the University services.
2. Check your University of Liverpool email regularly. This can be easily accessed through the University Portal. You can also follow this link to Webmail and add your MWS username and password. Messages advising you when your password is due to expire will be sent to this email address.
3. Set up an email forwarding service from your University account to the email address you use most regularly, for example, to your Embanet account. Again this can be done easily through the University Portal.

If anyone has any questions about MWS password expiry please contact the University Computing Services Helpdesk. It is a good idea to set a Secret Question to help verify your identity with the Computing Services Helpdesk in cases such as a forgotten MWS password.

Any Library related enquiries should be sent to Stephanie Allen, Online Librarian

Secret Question and Answer for your MWS account

You may find that you need to contact the University Computing Services Helpdesk. For example, if you've forgotten your Managed Windows Service (MWS) username or password, you will need to contact the Helpdesk.

Before the Helpdesk can help you though they will need to verify your identity. To save you time and make it easier for you, you can set a Secret Question and Answer for your Managed Windows Service (MWS) account. When you contact the Helpdesk in the future, you may be asked this question to verify your identity.

Why not set a Secret Question and Answer now? Just type in your Managed Windows Service (MWS) username and password when prompted.

Contact Helpdesk for MWS username & password questions

If you have forgotten your Managed Windows Service (MWS) username and password for the Library please contact the University Computing Services Helpdesk and not the Online Librarian. Computing Services manage the registration system and will be able to advise about MWS username and password questions.

The Computing Services Helpdesk can be contacted at

Email: helpdesk@liverpool.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 151 794 4567

If you send an email please use your Embanet address. Include your full name, Laureate student number, date of birth and place of permanent address.

University computing network down 17.00 - 19.00 UK time, Monday 3rd September

The University computing network will be down between 17.00 - 19.00 UK time this evening (Monday 3rd September) so there will be no access to the Managed Windows Service (MWS). This will mean that you will not be able to login to the Library, self-register for a username and password, or use University email at this time. Please try again after 19.00 UK time. Apologies for any inconvenience this causes.

MWS password queries

Since September 2005, anyone registering for a University of Liverpool Managed Windows Service (MWS) username and email account is asked to set a secret question and answer. This can be used to verify your identity with the University Computing Services Helpdesk in cases such as a forgotten MWS password. If you have not previously set a secret question or wish to change the one you did set, please go to: http://liv.ac.uk/mwssecretquestion. Access to this page requires your Managed Windows Service (MWS) username & password. Please email the University Computing Services Helpdesk at helpdesk@liverpool.ac.uk if you have any questions about this.

Major Interruption to University Computing Services Fri 31st Aug & Sat 1st Sept

Please can I draw your attention to a notice issued by the University Computing Services as it will affect access to the Managed Windows Service (MWS) and hence the Online Library and University email this Friday (31st Aug) and Saturday (1st Sep).

There will be a major interruption to the computing services between 16:30 Friday August 31 and 15:00 on Saturday September 1st. In order to install the first phase of the upgrade to the campus data network backbone to 10 gigabit, there will be no access to most core services, including the MWS, University email and Windows Terminal Service from 16:30 on Friday 31 August until 15:00 on Saturday September 1st. We apologise for this interruption to service but it is an essential step to improving the performance of the campus network. Much of the other work to complete the upgrade to the network can be undertaken without the need for major service interruptions. Iain Stinson, Director Computing Services, CSD Helpdesk, helpdesk@liv.ac.uk, Computing Services Department.

Self-registration for MWS Now working Again

The self-registration system for the Managed Windows Service (MWS) is now working again. This problem was caused by an unexpected power outage in Computing Services at the University of Liverpool.

Apologies for any inconvenience this has caused anyone.

University Computing Services affected by Campus Power Outage

Please see this announcement from the University Computing Services Department. This power outage affected login to the Managed Windows Service (MWS) and self-registration. The MWS is working now, but self-registration is still not working. I will update the blog when I hear more.

"Last night (Tuesday 24th July) there was a major campus power outage that affected the CSD building on Brownlow Hill. All CSD services were affected and were unavailable from 8:30pm (UK time) Tuesday night. As of 8am (UK time) today (Wednesday) access to the MWS, Exchange (e-mail/diary) and your M-drive appears to be fine. Currently there is no access to all administration databases - it is hoped that these will be available by lunch time. If services that you require are unavailable, please be patient while CSD staff strive to restore a full working service as quickly as possible."

Secret Question and Answer

Since September 2005, anyone registering for a University of Liverpool Managed Windows Service (MWS) username and email account is asked to set a secret question and answer. This can be used to verify your identity with the Computing Services Helpdesk in cases such as a forgotten MWS password. If you have not previously set a secret question or wish to change the one you did set, please go to: http://liv.ac.uk/mwssecretquestion.

Access to this page requires your Managed Windows Service (MWS) username & password. Please contact the University Computing Services Helpdesk if you have any questions about this: helpdesk@liverpool.ac.uk