Laptop Surgery

The Laptop Surgery can do the following:

• Connection of personally-owned laptops to LSE's IT environment: the LSE network, email, H: space and School printers
• Virus and malware protection, disinfection or removal
• Academic data retrieval
• Advice on Operating System problems
• Help diagnosing hardware problems
• Configuration of mobile phones and PDAs to access LSE email
• General advice on laptop and mobile devices issues
• Limited hardware support: Hard drive data recovery, replacements and memory upgrades.

Please note that the Laptop Surgery is unable to assist with:

• Hardware repairs of any kind
• Staff and students from other universities
• LSE alumni

Non-Windows operating systems can currently only be supported on a best-efforts basis.

If you are a member of staff or research student, you can book an appointment by contacting the IT Service Desk. 

Academic year 2018-2019

Please note: the Laptop Surgery is closed on weekends and School closure days.

During vacation time, the Laptop Surgery is open from 11:00am - 1:00pm.

Michaelmas Term 

• 17th – 21st September: 11am - 1pm
• 24th September - 16th November: 10am - 4pm
• 19th November – 7th December: 10am - 2pm 

Lent Term 

• 2nd – 11th January: 11am - 1pm
• 14th January – 15th February: 10am - 4pm
• 18th February – 29th March: 10am - 2pm 

Summer Term 

• 29th April – 17th May: 10am - 4pm
• 20th May – 14th June: 10am - 2pm 

A lot of the time at the Laptop Surgery is spent scanning for viruses and spyware, and updating software and the operating system. To save your own time:

• Use the Windows built-in firewall (enabled by default) or install a free third-party firewall, such as Zone Alarm
• Update your anti-virus software to the latest definitions. IMT strongly recommend Sophos, which is available for free to current LSE staff and students.
• Download and run anti-spyware software such as MalwareBytes.
• Run Microsoft Updates for the latest security updates for Microsoft Windows and Office software products.
• Configure Windows to download security updates automatically by clicking Start | Control Panel | Windows Update (or Automatic Updates)
• Set a password for your Windows computer - Start | Control Panel | User Accounts

For more information, see Protecting Your Own Computer Guides & FAQs.

If you think your computer has a virus:

1. Update your virus scanner virus definitions
2. Run a scan for viruses

This will disinfect your computer of any viruses. If you are unsure whether you have antivirus software or need further help, visit the Laptop Surgery.

Please note that the Laptop Surgery is unable to assist with hardware repairs of any kind. Users are advised to contact their suppliers.

The Laptop Surgery offers assistance with hard drive replacement, memory upgrades and hard drive data recovery, on a best-efforts basis.

Users will be required to sign a disclaimer, before any of these hardware activities can be carried out on their computer.

The Laptop Surgery will provide support for connecting to the LSE network on campus via cable and wireless connections and remotely via VPN and Remote Desktop. We can also offer support for email, H: Space and printing.

Support is offered for the Apple Mac OS X operating system only. Windows OS is not supported on Apple Mac laptops. Any other requests for assistance and advice will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and no guarantee can be made on the level of support provided.

While the Laptop Surgery will endeavour to maintain the integrity of laptop data, we cannot be held responsible for any losses that may occur.