RAS Help and FAQs

RAS Help and FAQ's

Getting Started

+ 1.1 Connecting to RAS

The service can be accessed from a web browser anywhere via the following URL: https://ras.ncl.ac.uk. However, before clicking on this link there are a few things you should know:

  • At the login page you must log on using your ISS Windows Logon name (you do not need to specify 'campus' in front of your logon name).
  • Once you've successfully logged in, you'll see various applications which you can open and use. RAS is a web based service so you only need to single-click in order to open the applications.
  • You may need to install the Citrix Client before being able to use RAS

+ 1.2 Installing the Citrix Client

+ 1.3 Accessing RAS with Internet Explorer 9

If you have upgraded from a previous version of Internet Explorer you may notice that RAS performs slowly or generates ICA error messages when attempting to load an application.
To access RAS using Internet Explorer 9 you need to have the latest Citrix Client installed, this is available from the RAS logon page. For installation instructions please visit Installing the Citrix Client.


+ 1.4 Accessing RAS with Google Chrome

To access RAS using Google Chrome you need to have the latest version of the Citrix Client installed; version 13.1. This can be obtained from the RAS homepage, please visit Installing the Citrix Client for further information.
Alternatively you can also use the Java Client with Chrome; visit Using the Java Client for setup instructions.


How do I use RAS

+ 2.1 How do I access and transfer files using RAS?

+ 2.2 How do I print from RAS?

Local Printers:
In most cases, printing from RAS should be a fairly straight-forward process, the system automatically detects your local default printer. Your local printer will be identified as "Client/WI-xksieiurdkdjfk_printername [UPD]".
You can also choose to print to one of the cluster printers if you would prefer.

It is recommended that if you want to print, you choose File, and then Print as this gives you the option of selecting the correct printer.

If you have problems with printing please ensure that the printer you wish to connect to is set as the default on your local machine before connecting to RAS. You should also upgrade to the latest client, available from the RAS homepage.

If after all these steps the printer does not show up in the list of printers it may mean that your printer driver is not compatible with RAS and is unlikely to work, please try upgrading your Citrix Client to the latest version (available from the RAS login page) as each new release of the client increases printer support.

The following printers are known not to work with RAS:

  • Lexmark Printers
  • HP 'PhotoSmart' Printers
  • Dell Printers
  • Most all-in-one Printer/Scanners
  • Older Epson Printers

Network Printers:
Use the Find Printer button in any office application (except Outlook) to connect to your networked printer using this method.
If you find that the application you are using doesn't have the Find Printer button, then logout completely from RAS and run Word and click the Find Printer button and print a test page to your printer. Logout and then this printer will be available for you for any other RAS application.

If you receive the error 'Access is denied' this means that the RAS servers do not have the available drivers for your printer. The RAS servers have the HP Universal Printing PS (5.1.1.8283) driver installed and we recommend this for most HP Printers: please contact your computing officer to ensure your local printer server is using the Universal print driver else you will not be able to print.

You can print to most business-class printers without needing to install additional drivers by using the 'Local Printers' method above.


+ 2.3 How do I give RAS access to my local files?

To access resources from your local computer through RAS, you need to give permission within the Citrix Client.

Windows:
Launch an application on RAS.
Click on the Citrix Connection Centre Citrix Connection Centre Icon / Citrix Receiver Citrix Reciever Icon icon on your taskbar (and select the relevant option to open the Connection Center), select File Security settings and change this as required to give Full Access.

Citrix Connection Centre Icon Citrix Web Client (Old Client)
File Security
Citrix Reciever Icon Citrix Receiver (New Client)

File Security

File Security

Mac:
Launch an application on RAS.
Click on the Citrix Viewer menu and select Preferences/

Mac Drive Access

Select Always for Read and Write for the drive labeled as C/

Mac Drive Access

+2.4 How do I change the Keyboard, Mouse and Regional settings?

These settings can be configured from the Accessibility folder in RAS.


+2.5 How do I enable sound in RAS?

When logged into RAS, before launching your application, click on Settings, then in the Sound dropdown menu (under the User Experience heading), change the option from Off to your desired quality level Low/Medium/High. Click on Save.


+ 2.6 Adding RAS to your Bookmarks and Favourites

Please do not bookmark the page you are redirected to when logging in; due to load balancing you may return to an inactive link next time you try. Please only bookmark https://ras.ncl.ac.uk


+2.7 How do I access my local drives in RAS when using Linux?

You need to enable the drive in your local ICA Client settings.

In a terminal window, type: /usr/lib/ICAClient/wfcmgr
This starts up the ICA Client manager.

Click Tools, Settings and from the drop-down box select Drive Mapping. Select the drive letter you wish to enable and select the enabled check box. Add the local Unix path you wish to appear as the drive letter then click Apply and OK
The next time a RAS session is started this drive mapping should take effect.


+2.8 How do I get access to the AD tools via RAS?

You need to logon to RAS via the Web Interface with your sid. This will give you access to an additional folder called SysAdmin Tools and the AD tools are located here.


+2.9 How do I map to another network drive or share?

Launch the 'My Drives' application from RAS. Please ensure this is the only application open
Click Map Network Drive from the toolbar and enter the path required. You will then need to press F5 (or refresh the window) for the drives to become visible.

NB: Your H Drive (Home Folder) will automatically be mapped and labeled as 'Documents'

Please close the 'My Drives' application once you have mapped your drive so that it saves for future use.


+ 2.10 How do I access internal Newcastle web pages?

There are 2 web browsers installed on RAS, both of which can access internal web pages. For convenience, there are shortcuts to popular internal web pages in the Library Resources folder.


+2.11 How do I run Inventor 2012 through RAS?

When you run Inventor 2012 for the first time, you will be asked to enter a path for the Undo Directory. Enter
c:\users\a12345\local settings\temp (replacing a12345 with your username)
as the path to the Undo directory.

If you have already entered an incorrect path and are unable to load Inventor please contact the ISS Service Desk on x5999 or email it.servicedesk@ncl.ac.uk to have your profile reset.


+ 2.12 How do I access my local drives in Filezilla?

To access your local mapped C drive type in \\client\c$ in the 'Local Site' address bar in Filezilla then press Enter.
You can also substitute the letter before the dollar sign for any additional local drives on your computer.


+ 2.13 How do I access Matlab on RAS?

Due to license restrictions Matlab is only available to Staff and Research Associates. If you meet the criteria and wish to access Matlab on RAS please contact the ISS Service Desk on x5999 or email it.servicedesk@ncl.ac.uk.


Dealing with Errors

+3.1 You have chosen not to trust 'Thawte Premium Server CA, the issuer of the servers security certificate (SSL error 61)'

Windows:
If you receive this error on Windows please ensure that your computer is fully up to date with patches available from Window Update and that you have the latest Citrix Client installed (available from the RAS logon page). If you still get this error then please click to install the Thawte Root Certificate. You will be asked to install the certificate, please do so accepting all the defaults.

Mac:
If you receive this error on an Apple Mac please place a copy of the Thawte Root Certificate in
/Applications/Citrix ICA Client/keystore/cacerts if you are using the older Citrix Client
If you are using the newer Citrix Dazzle client place the file in
/Library/Application Support/Citrix/keystore/cacerts

Linux:
This error occurs on Linux if you do not have the root certificate in your ICA Client keystore directory, please download the Thawte Root Certificate and place it in the /usr/lib/ICAClient/keystore/cacerts directory.

In either situation you can use the Java Client; visit Using the Java Client for setup instruction.


+3.2 'Unable to run launch.ica' / 'Do you want to open or save launch.ica'

Firstly you need to install the Citrix Client software. This is available for download on the RAS logon page.

If you are using Internet Explorer 9, please ensure you have the latest version of the Citrix Client installed (at least 12.1.44.1). Previous versions are reported to cause problems with IE9.
Once the client is successfully installed you should also add https://ras.ncl.ac.uk to your trusted sites, as this will prevent the following dialogue from being displayed.

Launch ICA Dialogue

To add RAS to your trusted sites in Internet Explorer 9, click on the Settings icon, then Internet Options. Click on the Security tab, Trusted Sites, then Sites. Ensure https://ras.ncl.ac.uk is entered in the website field then click Add. You may need to close and relaunch Internet Explorer for the setting to apply.

Internet Settings Phase1

Internet Settings Phase2

Internet Settings Phase3

If you continue to receive this error message when using the 64-bit edition of Windows we recommend using the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer.

This message can also be generated by your Internet Explorer security settings if you have Windows XP Service Pack 2 or greater installed. Please ensure that 'Do not save encrypted pages to disk' is unchecked. You can find this under Internet Options, Advanced.


+3.3 ICA file not found

This can sometimes happen when your Temporary Internet Files folder is full. Please delete your Temporary Internet Files.


+3.4 The Citrix windows launches, then closes after 'Negotiating Capabilities'

If the Citrix window disappears after attempting to launch an application, then your local settings have become corrupt. You need to remove the ICAClient from within your profile folder. On XP this will be located within C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data and on Vista / Windows 7 this will be under C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming
You may need to have hidden folders shown to view these; see Guide for XP and Guide for Vista / 7 here.

You can also use the Java Client; visit Using the Java Client for setup instruction.


+3.5 You receive the error 'Published resource shortcuts are currently disabled'

If you receive this error you need to clear out your cookies and temporary internet files as your local cache has become corrupted.


+ 3.6 The operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer

If you get this error then please contact it.servicedesk@ncl.ac.uk to have your RAS Profile reset.


+3.7 You receive the error 'Cannot connect to the Citrix Presentation Server. Proxy detection failure:.PAC script HTTP download failed: Connect failure'

If you are using a University computer off-campus then un-tick the proxy settings from your browser as the PAC file isn't available off-campus. If you are on-campus, you can change the proxy settings to wwwcache.ncl.ac.uk (port 8080) for HTTP and Secure and socks.ncl.ac.uk (port 1080) for the socks proxy.


+ 3.8 You receive the error 'Outlook Cannot be opened'

If you receive this error it means your Outlook Navigation pane settings have become corrupt. Close down all applications within RAS and open the application 'Reset Outlook NavPane'. Once Outlook has opened, please close it again and open Outlook via the normal icon.


+3.9 Your exchange server administrator has blocked the version of Outlook that you are using

This means that you are trying to run the Outlook application when you have access only to Outlook via the web (OWA).


+3.10 My Outlook profile has become corrupt, how do I delete it?

Open the Manage my Outlook Profile application from within the Office 2010 folder. Click on Show Profiles, click on Remove and then click OK. Now when you run Outlook again, it will build a new profile for you. You will have to re-configure Outlook to look the way you are used to having it.


+3.11 You receive the error 'Connect error, protocol' when opening Crossfire

If you receive the above error when opening Crossfire you will need to setup the SOCKS proxy:
Open Crossfire, When the logon box appears click Cancel, Click Options menu --> Server Profiles --> Edit --> Communication tab --> Click Firewall parameters and use the following:

  • Host: socks.ncl.ac.uk
  • Port: 1080
  • Click OK
  • Ensure you TICK Connect via Firewall
  • Click OK --> Close --> Options menu
  • Click Connect to Server Default

+3.12 You receive the error 'The currently selected scratch disks are almost full' when running Photoshop

If you receive this error, please ensure that you have adequate free space available in your University H Drive (Documents Folder). Photoshop uses your H Drive to store temporary files.


+3.13 You receive an error regarding an ActiveX control

You may receive the following or similar error message when using RAS:
'Internet Explorer has blocked this site from using an ActiveX control in an unsafe manner. As a result the page may not display correctly'
We recommend that when using RAS off-campus you ensure that it is configured as a Trusted Site in your Browser.
To do this in Internet Explorer; Click on the Tools menu, Click on the Internet Options menu option, click on the Security tab, click on Trusted Sites, click on Sites, type in https://ras.ncl.ac.uk, click Add, click Close, click OK.

If RAS is not configured as a Trusted Site, an information/messages icon will appear on the RAS webpage to inform you.


+3.14 The remote session was disconnected because there are no Terminal Server License Servers available to provide a license. Please contact service administrator

If you receive this message the Terminal Server License on your machine may have become corrupted. Please follow the steps below to fix. You will need administrator rights to do this, if you do not have them please contact your local IT support.
Open RegEdit
Create a backup of the MSLicensing registry key and its subkeys on the computer, and then remove the original key and subkeys by doing the following:

  1. On the computer, navigate to the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSLicensing
  2. Click MSLicensing
  3. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File
  4. In the File name box, type mslicensingbackup, and then click Save
  5. If you need to restore this registry key in the future, double-click mslicensingbackup.reg
  6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion of the MSLicensing registry subkey
  7. Close Registry Editor, and then restart the computer
  8. When the computer is restarted, the missing registry key is rebuilt.

+3.15 Citrix Receiver Configuration Manager: No value could be found for (Client Hosted Apps) that satisfies all lockdown requirements

You might receive this error message when trying to launch an application after installing a previous version of the Citrix Client while logged in as one user, upgrading with Client as another user, and logging back on with the previous user name. Follow the steps below to fix this error.

  1. Open RegEdit from the search/run box in the Start Menu
  2. Navigate to the following registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Citrix\ICA Client\Engine\Lockdown Profiles\All Regions\Lockdown\Virtual Channels\Control\
  3. Click ClientHostedApps
  4. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion of the value
  5. Repeat from Step 2 as appropriate for each of the following subkeys (if they exist):
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wow6432Node\Citrix\ICA Client\Engine\Lockdown Profiles\All Regions\Lockdown\Virtual Channels\Control\

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Citrix\ICA Client\Engine\Lockdown Profiles\All Regions\Lockdown\Virtual Channels\Control\


    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Citrix\ICA Client\Engine\Lockdown Profiles\All Regions\Lockdown\Virtual Channels\Control\
  6. Close Registry Editor, and then retry your connection to RAS.

If you still experience the error, try running through the instructions again however this time right-click on RegEdit and select Run As Administrator

 

Where to get further help and assistance with RAS

Please email it.servicedesk@ncl.ac.uk who will forward your query to the RAS Support Team.