Download computer setup - Utah State University

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Co m p u t e r SEt u p
It is important that you prepare your computer to operate in the Blackboard
environment. Make the following adjustments to your computer.
Browser Checker
Blackboard is a platform that relies heavily upon available browsers to view the
HTML and other content pages. It is critically important that all users of Blackboard
configure their browsers correctly to allow interaction with Blackboard to benefit
from the online experience.
Browser configuration consists of:
* Making sure a supported browser is installed
* Enabling Cookies
* Enabling JavaScript
* Enabling pop-up windows for the WebCT site
* Verifying that the correct version of Java Runtime Environment is installed and
enabled.
Blackboard has a built in “Check Browser” function to assist users with properly
configuring their browser.
** Before completing any course work, please do the following:
1. From the MyWebCT page choose “Check Browser” located in the upper right- hand corner of your screen.
2. A window will open and Blackboard will run a system check on your computer.
3. Any problems with your system will be marked with a red “X.”
4. A link will be displayed next to any problem areas with instructions on how to
fix the problem.
Supported Operating Systems
Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, and OS X 9 and below are not supported operating
systems.
Please be sure you are using Windows XP or Vista. Or if using a Mac, Mac OS X or
later.
FACULTY ASSISTANCE C E N T E R F O R T E AC H I N G , U t a h S t a t e U n i ve r s i t y
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Pop-up blockers
In order for Blackboard to function properly, browsers must allow pop-up windows
from the WebCT server. Pop-up blockers can cause a variety of problems if not
configured appropriately for WebCT. If you cannot view the discussion and quiz
windows and have difficulty opening links, check to see if you have any pop-up killer
software on your computer.
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Some software will allow pop-ups from certain sites. If yours has this option, add the USU WebCT URL to the list.
Or check your browser to make sure the pop-up protector is turned off.
Firewalls and other virus protection programs may also have built-in pop-up blocking settings that will need to be turned off.
Cookies
Cookies are small pieces of data that are sent by a Web server (in our case
Blackboard server) to a browser. The browser sends that cookie back each time it
accesses that server.
Cookies are used by Blackboard for authentication purposes. Cookies must be
enabled in a browser that is used to access WebCT. If they are not enabled, you may
not be authenticated properly and could experience several problems depending on
the browser. At a minimum, session cookies must be enabled for your WebCT site.
Problems from cookies not being enabled include:
* Inability to log in
* User ends up at the wrong log in screen
* User is kicked out of WebCT and must log in again
The Browser Checker will check for cookie enabling problems and give you a link to
information if they are not.
Java Runtime Environment for Windows
The Java Runtime Environment is necessary to allow WebCT to run Java applets.
Blackboard contains several Java applets.
** You need to have Sun Java J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 5 installed to
work within the WebCT environment. Any other version of Java may cause problems
while uploading assignments, taking exams, and posting discussions.
To Determine if you have the correct Java Version installed using Windows:
Access your Add/Remove Programs option by going to:
Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs
If you see multiple versions of Java (as shown here) remove all of them except for the
J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 5.
FACULTY ASSISTANCE C E N T E R F O R T E AC H I N G , U t a h S t a t e U n i ve r s i t y
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If you don’t have the correct version installed, remove them all (by selecing
“Remove”) before installing the J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 5.
Download Correct Java for Windows
Copy and past this address into your browser to download Correct Java:
https://sdlc3b.sun.com/ECom/EComActionServlet;jsessionid=2D011F
A6B6E2562A18E05173FEDE7F54
(Download the Windows Multilanguage 15.67 MB file)
Be sure to accept the license agreement and run the program.
The Correct Java will appear in Add and Remove programs as shown here.
Turn off Automatic Updates to Java
After installing the correct version of Java, you will need to turn off
automatic Java updates, it may install a newer version that is not compatible
with Blackboard.
1. Logging into Blackboard will cause the Java Applet icon to appear
in the windows system tray (lower right-hand side of your screen).
2. Right-click on the applet icon and select “Open Control Panel”
from the list of options.
3. Choose the “Update” tab and deselect the check box next to
automatic updates.
4. Select “OK” at the bottom of the screen when you have changed
this setting.
Java Runtime Environment for Mac
To use Blackboard Vista you will need to be running OS X.
If you have had your Mac on a network and allowed automatic updates to occur,
then your Mac probably has the correct version of Java on it. You can verify this by
browsing your Macintosh HD for Applications/Utilities/Java. Look for a folder called
J2SE 5.0. If the J2SE 5.0 folder exists then you have the correct version of Java
installed.
If not you may visit:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/j2se50release4intel.html
to download the correct version.
The Mac does not seem to have the same problem when multiple version of Java
areinstalled. Your Mac will probably also have Java 1.4.2 installed. There is no reason
to uninstall other versions.
FACULTY ASSISTANCE C E N T E R F O R T E AC H I N G , U t a h S t a t e U n i ve r s i t y
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Adware/Spyware
If your browser is having problems displaying WebCT, you may have an adware
problem. Remove all adware from your computer by downloading free adware
software from www.download.com and searching for AdAware (you can also try
Spyware blaster or Spybot).
Download and run the program. Delete everything it finds.
FACULTY ASSISTANCE C E N T E R F O R T E AC H I N G , U t a h S t a t e U n i ve r s i t y
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