Most Frequently Asked Questions

I'm locked out of my eCommons account! What do I do?

How can I forward my HMS email to another account?

How do I change my information in the HMS White Pages?

How do I change my password?

How do I set an Out of Office message?

Who qualifies for eCommons access?

How do I get a web page posted on the HMS web server?

I'm locked out of my eCommons Account! What do I do?

If your account gets locked out you can reset ("unlock") the account yourself. You will need:

• Access to a Internet connected computer
• To know the answer to your secret question

To unlock your account:

1. Connect to: http://ecommons.med.harvard.edu
2. Try log in again to make sure your account is truly locked
3. If you see the message "Account is Locked Out":
   1. Click Unlock Account
   2. Click Send New Code.
      Note: The 6-digit code that will be sent to you will only be valid for short time. Please make sure to complete the password change process immediately.
   3. Retrieve the code from either your test-enabled phone or alternate email address.
   4. Enter the 6-digit code in the space provided and click Submit.
4. Your account will be unlocked.
5. Click the Login Now link to redisplay the eCommons login page.

If you are still having difficulty, you can wait several hours and the account with reset itself. Or, contact the HMS IT Help Desk at 617.432.2000. A Help Desk Representative can unlock the account for you.

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How do I change my password?

1. Log into eCommons.
2. Click Preferences in the upper left corner of the screen.
3. Click Security.
4. Click Change Password.
5. SafeCode, ensures that you are authorizing this requested password change. Click Send New Code.
   Note: The 6-digit code that will be sent to you will only be valid for short time. Please make sure to complete the password change process immediately.
6. Retrieve the code from either your test-enabled phone or alternate email address.
7. Enter the 6-digit code in the space provided and click Submit.
8. Enter your old password and then your new password twice.
9. Click Submit.

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How do I forward my HMS email to another account?

1. Log into eCommons at http://ecommons.med.harvard.edu/
2. Click Preferences in the upper left corner of the screen.
3. Click Messaging in the preferences window in the middle of your screen.
4. At the bottom of the Email page go to Email Options. Click the radio button next to Forward my emails to: and enter in a valid email address.
5. Click Save email options.

Your email will be forwarded to the address supplied for as long as you have an active HMS email address.

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How do I change my information in the HMS White Pages?

1. Connect to http://whitepages.med.harvard.edu/.
2. Enter your last and/or first name.
3. When you see your name click it and then select Change Your Information.
4. Enter your eCommons ID and password and click Login.
5. Update name and address fields as needed.
6. Click Save.

Change requests take about 5-7 days to be completed.

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How do I set an Out of Office message in Outlook Web Access (OWA)?

1. Log onto your email account using Outlook Web Access (OWA) via http://email.med.harvard.edu.
2. Click Options on the top right.
3. Click the Out of Office Assistant link in the left column.
4. Click the radio button to the left of Send Out of Office auto-replies.
5. Set a start and end time for the automated replies to be sent.
6. Enter the message you want forwarded in response to email you receive while out of the office.
7. If you wish the same message to be sent to people outside of HMS, click the checkbox next to Send out of Office auto-replies to External Senders and copy the message from the top box. Or, compose a different message if you wish.
8. Click the Save button at the top of the window.
9. Log Off of OWA.

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Who qualifies for eCommons access?

You must have a Harvard ID or affiliate email address to register for eCommons. However, without a Harvard ID you will not have access to the DigitalLibrary that contain the electronic journals. You can review eCommons qualification details here.

To access eCommons you need to first register to receive an eCommons user name and a password. To register for eCommons Account:

1. Launch your internet browser application (such as Internet Explorer).
2. Go to http://ecommons.med.harvard.edu/.
3. Click on Obtaining an Account.
4. Select New User Registration.
5. Enter your personal information in the form provided.
   1. If you have a Harvard ID issued by Harvard Medical School (not from one of the hospitals):
      Enter the first eight digits of your Harvard ID and your last name. You can leave all the other fields blank. Follow the prompts from there.
   2. If you DO NOT have an ID issued by the Medical School:
      Fill out either Social Security or DOB and your last name in the form and click Submit. You may get a message saying the system cannot find you. Click Continue and follow the prompts.
6. Call the IT Help Desk at 617.432.2000 if you need assistance with the registration process.

Users who need access to eCommons as a guest but who are not qualified for an account may have an account requested on their behalf by an HMS faculty or staff sponsor.

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How do I get a web page posted on the HMS web server?

HMS Offers web hosting on a variety of platforms including both Linux and Windows based hosting and associated services. To request web hosting please fill out a web hosting request form.

All content posted on HMS web servers needs approval from the Office of Communications and External Relations. You will also need to request an account to place content on the HMS web servers. For complete information, review the Web Site Hosting web pages.

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