Database FAQ and Troubleshooter

Question/
Problem

Possible explanation

How to resolve it

1) Why can’t I get into the databases?

You’re not a current FIT student or employee

You must be a currently registered FIT student or current employee to use FIT databases remotely. Alumni do not have access.

Try Online Resources for Non-FIT students

You left FIT / graduated / skipped a semester or more, and have come back
(full or part time
When you are not taking classes, you lose your access privileges to Library databases (due to contractual agreements with the database publishers). When you return, you may be in the FIT system as both "current student" and " alumni" .

Check if you can get into other sources that require FIT login, such as Angel, MyFIT, or getting on to campus computers.
If those are OK but you just can't get into the databases, contact IT for FIT and let them know that you are a returning student.

You don’t know your user name and password

To access our databases, use the same user name & password that you use for MyFIT, Angel, FIT e-mail and for logging on to campus computers. If you aren't familiar with the proper format, click for details. If you changed your password from the default (birthday) password, use the new one.

You forgot your password or it expired

See IT for FIT for information on resetting or retrieving your password.

Pop-ups are blocked

All databases require login with an FIT user name & password; often the screen that requests it shows up as a pop-up. If so, disable pop-up blocker for this site.

Using a computer that has a firewall or anti-virus software on it (e.g. a computer at work or in a public place, your own computer where you can change settings)

The problem may be the security settings on your computer, a firewall, or virus- blocking software
This is a common problem when using a computer at work.
We suggest that you do not disable security settings on an office computer, but instead talk to your company's IT department about a solution. Try checking whether your computer is blocking cookies from FIT or from the specific databases you are trying to open. You may need to ask about changing security settings to be able open the page(s).

For help with these technical issues only, contact:
your workplace IT department (for computers at your work)  OR
IT for FIT if you're using your own computer
212 217-HELP for students,
212 217-TECH for faculty or staff

2) I logged in with my user name and password , but I’m still not able to get all the way into the database I want—now what?

Some databases require extra log in steps, creating an account and/or registering at their site. You have to log in each time you use that site.

These procedures change often , so even a database that you used before may not work the way it used to

Always access Databases through the Databases list, so you’ll see the most up-to-date instructions. Also check Database News & Notes for any additional updates or tips.

Sometimes you will need to create an account with a specific database (e.g. Stylesight, Mintel) and then you have to follow exactly the instructions given on that site.

Often you will have to use your FIT e-mail address (not Gmail, Yahoo, etc) to register . You can generally pick your own password , which does not have be the same as your FIT password; remember that you have to change your FIT password periodically so that if you use the same one initially when you register at a database, you might get them mixed up later on.

Once registered with/in a database, it usually asks you to log in with your 
e-mail; make sure that it's in the form of a full e-mail address (e.g. firstname_lastname@fitnyc.edu )  not just the username (firstname_lastname ) that you would use to log into computers on campus, MyFIT, the general database access login, etc.
This step generally appears after you have logged into the FIT network.

Be patient; even when you have to log in up to 3 times-- with different user names and passwords--the process is pretty quick. But if you're stuck, please let us know and ask us to help you resolve the problem.

Some databases or sections of databases don’t work well or at all in certain browsers.

Generally, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Firefox all work but others like AOL’s browser, may not. If one doesn’t work, try another. Look at any compatibility notes or warnings posted on the Databases pages, or on Database News & Notes .

3) I tried to create an account at the Database I want, but it still doesn’t work--why not?

You used the wrong e-mail (non-FIT)

OR tried user name rather than full e-mail

Use your FIT e-mail address (not Gmail, Yahoo, etc) to register .You can generally pick your own password , which does not have be the same as your FIT password; remember that you have to change your FIT password periodically so that if you use the same one initially when you register at a database, you might get them mixed up later on. Occasionally the database will assign you a password rather than let you choose.
Sometimes you have to get a confirmation e-mail to click through before you can continue. Also note if you are assigned a password or any other information you need to know to continue. 

Once registered with/in a database, it usually asks you to log in with your 
e-mail; if that’s the case, make sure that you use  the form of a full e-mail address
(e.g. firstname_lastname@fitnyc.edu )  not just the username 
( firstname_lastname ) that you use to log into computers on campus, MyFIT, the general database access login, etc. This step generally appears after you have already to logged into the FIT network.

You have to get a confirmation e-mail before you can continue

Check your e-mail (usually your FIT e-mail) for the confirmation message, note any special instructions, and then click through to get into the database.

4) I’m still stuck—what can I do?

There may be a temporary problem with a specific database or with the entire log in system

If one database doesn’t work, try a different one. If you’re only having trouble with one, it’s probably an issue on that site only. Wait a few minutes and try again.
If several don’t work, there may be a temporary network problem. Wait a few minutes and try again.

There may be another problem we haven’t addressed here

Let us know! We may be able to talk you through a solution.