Accessing E-Resources FAQ

Accessing Licensed Resources:

Trouble-Shooting Problems

1. I can't get into a licensed resource that I know MIT subscribes to. What's wrong?

In order for publishers to recognize you as an authorized MIT user, you must have an MIT IP address or be coming through our proxy server (using Vera will route you through the proxy server). A few selected resources require you to come through the proxy server even when on-campus. Also, some MIT IP addresses added to the campus more recently aren't considered "on-campus" since it's been impossible to update this information with the hundreds of publishers/vendors involved.

Always try going through Vera, especially if you have been using other paths (Google, bookmarks, etc.) - this can solve many problems.

2. I need an article that Vera says we own, but I'm bring prompted to pay for it. What's wrong?

Even though MIT may have a subscription to a journal online, that doesn't mean we have access to all back issues. Check the coverage dates for the journal in question in the Vera record for the item. If we don't subscribe to the issue you need online, check the Barton Catalog for print issues - if we don't own it in print, you may request the article via Interlibrary Borrowing. If you find that the coverage dates say we should have it but you can't get it, please report the problem via Ask Us!

3. I'm getting an error that says I'm logging in using a Touchstone Collaboration Account, which it won't accept. I want to use my Kerberos login or my web certificates - why aren't I presented with those options?

Access via Touchstone requires you to move through several screens where you can make choices about whether you want to use Kerberos, MIT certificates or a Touchstone Collaboration Account.

To simplify this process there are two places where you can select defaults to bypass these screens so that access via Touchstone can seem almost invisible - if you are not seeing these screens, it's possible the default has been set to only use a Collaboration Account. Reset these defaults.

You can use Collaboration Accounts to access Your Account in Barton, but not for licensed resources.

4. I'm getting to the Touchstone page, but it won't accept my certificates. What should I do?

If Touchstone will not accept your certificates, then your certificates have most likely expired or become corrupted. Try deleting them and installing new ones (contact IS&T's Support if you need help):

Obtaining Certificates for Accessing Secure Web Services at MIT

You may also get access through Touchstone via your Kerberos login instead.

5. None of your suggestions are working. What else can I do?

Try another browser
If you are using Internet Explorer or Safari, try using Firefox; if you are using Firefox, try using IE or Safari. If you can get access using a different browser, then probably there are either some security settings (usually involving cookies or javascript) on your other browser that are set too strictly or the resource may not be compatible with the browser you are using.
Try VPN
VPN (Virtual Private Network) is software supported by IS&T that will make your computer simulate having an MIT IP address. This can help with off-campus access issues, and even sometimes with problems on-campus.
Ask Us!
If you still can't get access, please contact us via our Ask Us! service and we will do our best to help you quickly resolve the problem.

Questions? Contact Us