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Prepare Your Browser for Internet Explorer or Mozila_Firefox and Disable Pop-up

Internet Explorer

You will need to perform the following adjustments to optimize your browser for use with Blackboard CE.

1. Enable Java

You will need to have the Sun Microsystems Java Runtime Environment (JRE) software version 1.4.1 (1.4.2_07 or higher strongly recommended) software installed in your browser in order for certain areas of Blackboard CE to function properly. Sun JRE version 5.0 (1.5) is also supported.

To install this software:

  1. Click Java - Get It Now. The Download Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment page appears.
  2. Review and accept the License Agreement.
  3. Select the appropriate download and follow the online instructions.

Sun Java - Get It Now

In addition, you will need to perform the following adjustments:

a) Enable Java in your browser

Internet Explorer
  1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options. The Internet Options screen appears.
  2. Select the Security tab.
  3. Click the Custom Level button. The Security Settings screen appears.
  4. Look for the Java Permissions section.
    • If the section does not exist, continue to the next step.
    • If the section exists, choose Low, Medium or High safety
  5. Click OK. The Internet Options screen appears.
  6. Click OK.

b) Switch to the Sun Java Runtime Environment

Internet Explorer
  1. Open the Windows Control Panel by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel. The Control Panel appears.
  2. Locate and double-click Java or Java Plug-in. The Java Control Panel appears.
  3. Look for the Browser tab.
    • If the Browser tab does not exist, skip the rest of this section.
    • If the Browser tab exists, click the Browser tab.
  4. Under Settings, select the checkbox next to your browser.
  5. Click Apply to save your settings.
  6. Restart the browser.

2. Enable Javascript

Internet Explorer
  1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options. The Internet Options screen appears.
  2. Select the Security tab.
  3. Click the Custom Level button. The Security Settings screen appears.
  4. Scroll down to Scripting, and enable Active Scripting and Scripting of Java Applets.
  5. Click OK. The Internet Options screen appears.
  6. Click OK.

3. Set Browser Cache

Internet Explorer
  1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options. The Internet Options screen appears.
  2. Select the General tab.
  3. Under Temporary Internet Files, select Settings. The Settings screen appears.
  4. Select the Automatically radio button.
  5. Click OK. The Internet Options screen appears.
  6. Click OK.

4. Enable Cookies
You may need to enable cookies in order to log in to Blackboard CE.

Internet Explorer 6.x
  1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options
  2. Select the Privacy tab
  3. Enable Cookies:
    • If using a default setting, move the slider to select any of the following privacy settings:
      • Medium High
      • Medium
      • Low
      • Accept all cookies
    • If using a custom setting:
      • Click the Advanced button
      • Select Override automatic cookie handling
      • Select Always allow session cookies
      • Click OK to return to the Privacy Tab
  4. Click Apply then OK
Internet Explorer 5.x
  1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options. The Internet Options screen appears.
  2. Select the Security tab.
  3. Click the Custom Level button. The Security Settings screen appears.
  4. Scroll down to the Cookies section
  5. Set Allow cookies that are stored on your computer to Enable
  6. Set Allow per-session cookies to Enable
  7. Click OK

 

Prepare Your Browser Settings for - Mozilla Firefox

You will need to perform the following adjustments to optimize your browser for use with Blackboard CE

.1. Enable Java

You will need to have the Sun Microsystems Java Runtime Environment (JRE) software version 1.4.1 (1.4.2_07 or higher strongly recommended) software installed in your browser in order for certain areas of Blackboard CE to function properly. Sun JRE version 5.0 (1.5) is also supported.

To install this software:

  1. Click Java - Get It Now. The Download Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment page appears.
  2. Review and accept the License Agreement.
  3. Select the appropriate download and follow the online instructions.

Sun Java - Get It Now

In addition, you will need to perform the following adjustments:

a) Enable Java in your browser

Mozilla
  1. From the Edit menu, select Preferences
  2. In the left-hand pane, select Advanced
  3. Make sure the Enable Java checkbox is selected
  4. Click OK
b) Switch to the Sun Java Runtime Environment
Mozilla
  1. Open the Windows Control Panel by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel. The Control Panel appears.
  2. Locate and double-click Java or Java Plug-in. The Java Control Panel appears.
  3. Look for the Browser tab.
    • If the Browser tab does not exist, skip the rest of this section.
    • If the Browser tab exists, click the Browser tab.
  4. Under Settings, select the checkbox next to your browser.
  5. Click Apply to save your settings.
  6. Restart the browser.

2. Enable Javascript

Mozilla
  1. From the Edit menu, select Preferences
  2. In the left-hand pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Advanced, and select Scripts & Plug-ins
  3. Under Enable JavaScript for, make sure the Navigator checkbox is selected.
  4. Under Allow scripts to, make sure the following checkboxes are selected, if shown:
    • Move or resize existing windows
    • Hide the status bar
    • Change the status bar text
    • Change images
    • Create or change cookies
    • Read cookies
  5. Click OK

3. Enable Cookies
You may need to enable cookies in order to log in to Blackboard CE.

Mozilla
  1. From the Edit menu, select Preferences
  2. In the left-hand pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Privacy & Security, then select Cookies
  3. Select Enable cookies for the originating website only
  4. In the left-hand pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Advanced, then select Scripts & Plug-ins
  5. Under Allow scripts to, make sure the Create or Change Cookies and Read Cookies checkboxes are selected. Note: In some versions of the Mozilla browser, these settings do not appear. If you do not see these settings, proceed to Step 6.
  6. Click OK

Disable Pop-Up for Blackboard CE

5. Disable Pop-Up Blocking for Blackboard CE

While using Blackboard CE, if you are unable to view discussion postings, quiz windows, and download links, then you need to disable pop-up blocking for your Blackboard CE server.

Depending on the pop-up blocking software you are using, you may be able to set your Blackboard CE server as an allowed site, or you may need to disable the pop-up blocker while using Blackboard CE.

Pop-up blockers work in the background while you browse the internet. When they detect a pop-up window that may be an unwanted advertisement, they automatically close the window. This can prevent Blackboar CE from performing properly.

To disable pop-up blockers:

(a) If the Safari browser, use the Command+k key combo to toggle the pop-up blocker on or off.

(b) In Firefox, OS X users should add the URL for their Blackboard CE entry page to the list of allowed sites. You can do that by selecting Preferences in the Firefox menu, selecting the Content tab, selecting the Allowed Sites button and pasting in the URL of the course entry page.

(c) Search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name. Disable it or set your Blackboard CE server as an allowed site. Examples of popular pop-up blocking applications include:

  • Pop-Up Stopper (not for Mac)
  • Pop-Up Defender (not for Mac)
  • Pop-Up Zapper
  • Popup Eliminator

(d) Pop-up blocking functions are included in some anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, and browser programs. Disable the relevant setting in the program or set your Blackboard CE server as an allowed site. Examples of programs that include pop-up blocking functions include the following.

Note: Click the links to read configuration information. If there is no link, refer to the Help in the affected program.