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Zoom video/web conferencing frequently asked questions

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3.0 - Updated on 2021-02-22 by Carlos Salazar (Inactive)

2.0 - Updated on 2020-11-12 by Marcia Teckenbrock

1.0 - Authored on 2016-12-23 by Hannah Ward (Inactive)

Intended for: Users who want to use the Zoom video/web conferencing service


Senario/Use case:

This article provides answers to common questions regarding Zoom.


Instructions:

General questions:

Mac/OSX questions:

H.323 (Polycom) questions:

Linux questions:

 

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What happened to the toll-free number?

As part of the transition to Zoom, we will no longer be using toll-free numbers. Instead, dial: +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll West Coast) or +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll East Coast, choose the appropriate number from the list of international numbers available at https://zoom.us/zoomconference, or use your computer/data to join/host a meeting.

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What are the phone numbers to call into Zoom?

Dial: +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll West Coast) or +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll East Cost)

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference

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Do I need a Zoom account to join a Zoom meeting?

No. Anyone invited to a Zoom meeting can join. You will be prompted to download the Zoom client, but a Zoom account and license are not necessary.

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How do I know if I have a Standard account or an Enhanced account?

Open your Zoom application. At the top of the application window, if you see “Zoom – Pro Account,” then you have an Enhanced account. If you do not see "Pro Account," then you have a Standard account. 

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What is the difference between a Standard Zoom account and an Enhanced Zoom account?

All features between a Standard account and an Enhanced account are the same with the following exceptions:

            o Meetings with more than three end-points have a 40-minute limit. You will receive a warning from Zoom at the 30-minute mark of your meeting. 

            o You will not be able to invite an H.323 conference room into the meeting. 

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How do I get a Zoom account or request modification to an existing Zoom account?

You will need a Fermilab SERVICES account to obtain a Zoom account.

1. Log in to the Fermilab Service Desk web portal.

2. Fill out the Zoom Account Request form, including your affiliation.

3. Enter any special instructions/requests you might have.

4. Click Submit.

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I had multiple ReadyTalk accounts, but I only received one Zoom account. Can I have two Zoom accounts?

Since Zoom uses specific meeting IDs and allows for proxy hosts, each user only needs one account.

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Why can't I annotate the screen?

In order to have the annotation option available to you, you must be in full-screen mode. Click on the icon in the upper right-hand corner (it looks like 4 arrows pointing outward) to enter full-screen mode.

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What's a PMID?

PMID stands for Personl Meeting ID. This meeting ID is unique to you only -- similar to your ReadyTalk meeting ID. By default, Zoom generates a random meeting ID for each meeting you schedule or create -- unless you specify to always use your PMID. Why? By having random meeting IDs, you can separate out your meetings so that people intended to attend one meeting don't accidentally join the wrong meeting.

For example, suppose you host 3 different meetings - management, Project X, and Project Y meetings. If you always used your PMID for all these meetings, it is possible that someone from your Project Y meeting could accidentally attend your management meeting (since the meeting ID is always the same). By randomly generating meeting IDs per meeting (or scheduled/recurring meeting), this issue is avoided. Each type of meeting will have a unique meeting ID to use.

You can override this behavior by clicking on "User Personal Meeting ID" whenever you start or schedule a meeting.

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Can I conduct a meeting entirely by phone?

 

You will need to use your computer to actually schedule the meeting. Once scheduled, it can be started by phone by just dialing the phone number and entering the meeting ID (make sure "Enable join before host" is selected for your meeting). If you don't want to use your computer at all, not even to schedule a meeting:

  1. Use your PMID and make sure you select "Enable join before host."
  2. Use whichever non-computerized method you would normally use to notify people of the meeting time and info.
  3. You can then use your PMID and the Zoom phone number to conduct your meeting entirely by phone.

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Wll my meeting timeout?

If you have a Standard Zoom account:

Meeting timeout at 24 hours: 

Meeting timeout at 40 minutes:

If you have an Enhanced Zoom account:

Meeting timeout at 24 hours: 

Meeting timeout at 40 minutes:

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How do I contact Zoom for help?

Zoom Web Site: https://fnal.zoom.us

 

Zoom Technical Support 24x7

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Mac/OSX Questions

Why don't I see Outlook as an option for scheduling meetings on my Mac?

For Mac/OSX, choose ical or Other if you want a scheduled meeting to go into your calendar. Zoom will enter it in whichever calendar you have chosen as your default calendar (Outlook, Mac Calendar, etc).

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H.323 (Polycom) Questions

Is there an easy way to connect a Fermilab H323/Polycom room into a Zoom meeting?

1. In the Zoom desktop application click Invite. The invite people screen opens.

2. Click Invite by a Room System. Select the Call Out tab.

3. Select the down arrow button next to the IP address or E.164 number field. Make sure H323 button is selected.

4. Select the Fermilab conference room you wish to connect. If the room is not listed you cannot use this method to connect.

5. Using the Polycom remote, press the green button to accept the incoming call or using the arrows select “yes” to accept the call.

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Why can't I connect my Polycom to the Zoom US West or US East gateway?

Set encryption to "When Available"

Note: you may need admin privileges to enable this feature.

1.      From a web browser or the Polycom Menu or Home Screen, select System.

2.      Navigate to Admin Settings=>Security=>Security Settings

3.      In the AES Encryption drop-down menu, select When Available


In older standard definition systems you will have to make two setting changes:

1.  Calling speed should be set to 768kps

2. In Admin Settings (maybe password protected) go to Cameras>Camera 1. Select Sharpness from the drop-down menu.

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Linux Questions

Which Linux version should I select to download the Zoom client for Scientific Linux 6 or 7?

You should select RedHat.

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See Also: