Friends,

If you are in F1/J1 status and have no earned income then you must file form 8843 only, If you have earned income then you should file form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ with the form 8843.

here's the UT Austin Link that will answers most of our questions.

http://www.utexas.edu/international/taxes/faq.html

Good luck.