If you are using Internet Explorer on Windows XP or Vista, select the Windows Client. It is faster than the Java Client.
For any other browser or operating system, you must select the Java Client.
Click Enter.
The My Desktops window will open.
For Users using the Windows Client:
In the My Desktops window, DO NOT click on the Virtual Open Access Lab icon on the left.
Click on the Download the Virtual Access Client link at the bottom right (circled in the figure). The installer will automatically download and install a program called vasclient32t.exe from voal.tamu.edu but first you will receive a File Download - Security Warning which will ask "Do you want to run or save this file?"
Click on Run. Then you will see the Download Window:
Next you will see the Internet Explorer - Security Warning which will ask " Do you want to run this software?"
Click the dropdown arrows for More Options, select "Always run software from Provision Networks,Inc." and click Run.
The InstallShield Wizard will open and guide you through the installation of the Virtual Accass Web Client. In the process, you will see a checkbox for "Enable Credentials Pass-Through".
If you check this you will not need to enter your password each time. It is a bad idea to select this unless you are sure that no one else will have access to your computer. When the installation finishes, you should be back at the My Desktops window.
NOW click on the Virtual Open Access Lab icon on the left. (This may take you back to the Login window again. Just log in again and click on the Virtual Open Access Lab icon again.) Your Remote Desktop should open. The Windows Firewall may ask if you want to block the program.
Click on Unblock. The Unblock dialog may be hidden behind the Virtual Access Desktop, so you may need to minimize the Virtual Access Desktop to see it. To minimize or maximize the desktop, move your mouse to the top edge of the screen to access a dropdown control bar. Continue with "For All Users" below.
For Users using the Java Client:
In the My Desktops window, click on the Virtual Open Access Lab icon on the left.
A dialog box will open, titled Opening launchjava.aspx
Select "Open with Java(TM) Web Start Launcher"
If you want, you may select "Do this automatically for files like this from now on." so you won't see this window every time.
Click OK.
The installer will automatically download and install a program called Provision Networks Virtual Access Client from https//voal.tamu.edu.
You may be asked to approve running the program.
Be sure "Always trust content from this publisher." is checked and click Run. The Windows Firewall may ask if you want to block the program.
Click on Unblock. Your Remote Desktop should open. The first time you Unblock the Java, the Virtual Access Desktop may disappear. Just click on the Virtual Open Access Lab icon again. Also the Unblock dialog may be hidden behind the Virtual Access Desktop, so you may need to minimize the Virtual Access Desktop to see it. To minimize or maximize the desktop, move your mouse to the top edge of the screen to access a dropdown control bar. Continue with "For All Users" below.
For All Users:
To close the Remote Desktop click on Start and Log Off.
If you accidentally close the Remote Desktop or click on Start and Disconnect, your session will stay alive for 5 minutes during which you may reconnect from the same or a different computer.
To configure settings for the desktop, eg to specify a smaller window, click on the Settings wrench next to the words My Desktops on the My Desktops page.
In the future, to open the Remote Desktop, enter your TAMU NetID and Password, select Windows or Java Client and click Enter. Then click on the Virtual Open Access Lab icon. Your Remote Desktop should open.
Last Updated: July 8, 2008 by Philip B. Yasskin
