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Your Browser & Blackboard CE

It is highly recommended that you use Internet Explorer for your browser when using Blackboard CE. This browser will give you the full functionality of Blackboard CE.

Click HERE to have the Blackboard CE program check to see if your browser is configured properly so that you get the full functionality of Blackboard CE (or visit the Blackboard CE Login page where you will see a link in the upper right hand corner of the page that says “Check Browser” ).  After doing the Browser Check and IF you DO NOT get all green check marks, the following is how to configure your Windows computer for Internet Explorer for each of the areas of the Browser Check. NOTE: Even though you might get a green check mark for the Java Check (last check mark in the list of configuration checks), make sure it is the supported version of Java (see #2 below). 

If you do not have a on all the items in your browser check, please do the following:

1. Disable pop-up blockers for Blackboard CE:
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1. Search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name. Disable it or set Blackboard CE as an allowed site. Examples of popular pop-up blocking applications include:
   
   
   • Pop-Up Stopper
   • Pop-Up Defender
   • Pop-Up Zapper


2. Pop-up blocking functions are included in some anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, browser programs and tool bars such as the Google or Yahoo Tool Bars.  Disable the relevant setting in the program or set your Blackboard CE course as an allowed site.
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2. Use the supported version of Java:
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You must have Java installed on your computer so that you will have the full functionality of Blackboard CE. The supported versions are as follows:

• 1.4.2_x to 1.4.2_06 (update 1 to 6)
• 1.5.0_04 to 1.5.0_07 (update 4 to 7)

Check to see which version of Java is installed on your computer. The easiest way to find this out is to look at the version that is listed in the last option of the Browser Check. Another method is to go to Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs then scroll down to J2SE Runtime Environment to see which version is listed. If you don’t have any versions listed above, do the following:

Click on this weblink for the supported version of Java .

After the Java program completes the download you should uninstall any other versions of Java. To do this, do the following:


1. Click on the Start Button
2. Click on the Control Panel
3. Click on Add or Remove Software
4. Scroll down and look for any unsupported versions of J2RE (Java 2 Runtime Environment)
5. Click on these versions and click remove or uninstall
6. Restart your computer


It is very important to turn off the automatic Java updater otherwise your computer will automatically download a later version of Java that is not supported. To do this, do the following:


1. Click on the Start Button
2. Click on the Control Panel
3. Double click on the Java icon (icon looks like a little blue coffee cup)
4. Click on the Update Tab
5. Uncheck the check box for Updates Automatically
6. Click on the Apply Button then OK
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3. Use the correct version of a browser:
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• If Internet Explorer: version 6.0 Service Pack 2 or Version 7;
• If Netscape: version 7.2
• If Mozilla: version 1.7
• If Firefox: version 1.0

Note: Click HERE to have the Blackboard CE program validate if you are using the correct browser version (or visit the Blackboard CE Login page where you will see a link in the upper right hand corner of the page that says “Check Browser” ).  It is recommended to use Internet Explorer at this time to get the full functionality of Blackboard CE. You can also see the current version of your browser by going to Help then About Internet Explorer on the menu bar and your version will be noted there. It's easier to find your current version by clicking on the Browser Check link in Blackboard CE. This MUST be done anyway to validate other browser settings.
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4. Enable Cookies:
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1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options
2. Select the Privacy tab Enable Cookies:
3. 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
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5. Enable JavaScript:
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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.
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6. Set Browser Cache:
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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 Every visit to the page radio button.
5. Click OK. The Internet Options screen appears.
6. Click OK.
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