If you get no login prompt even when connecting to sirtommy, this is a networking problem. I'll probably be aware of it already if it's on my end, and in any case emailing me to let me know won't work--if your attempt to log in isn't getting through your email won't get through either! To confirm that it is a network problem, you can use the ``ping'' command, and if you're curious to find where the problem is, you may be able to use ``traceroute''.
If you get a login prompt but your password is rejected, you may need to see me for a password reset. You should be aware that your Linux and Windows passwords need not be the same, although most people find it less confusing to make sure that they are. If you have just changed your password on Linux, you can log into Windows with your old password and change your Windows password too. Also, not everyone is given a Windows account when they join the Statslab, so if you have never been able to log into Windows, you may need to ask me to set up your Windows account.
If you are no longer a member of the Statslab and your account has suddenly stopped working, it is possible that I have deleted it. Email me if you need it reinstated. To avoid this problem, let me know whether you want to keep your account before you leave, and if so, how long you will be needing it for.
On rare occasions, your password will be accepted but the computer will ``act up'', complaining about being unable to access your files, or not displaying all the icons and menus it usually does when you log into the console. The most common cause of this trouble is a power cut, but it can also occur for no clear reason. If nobody is using the computer, a reboot will frequently clear the problem up. Type ``safereboot'' to reboot the computer iff it is idle and unused.
If the computer is very slow and accessing its hard disk a great deal but seems normal otherwise, it is probably ``thrashing'', i.e. so loaded up with jobs that it is spending all its time working out what to do next and not really achieving very much. The best thing to do when this happens is to email me from another computer, giving the name or location of the thrashing machine. I may be able to determine what is wrong with it before rebooting it.