Setup your computer for Blackboard

Return

Topics in this Article

 Printer-Friendly Version

Overview

If you are having any trouble using Blackboard, there may be an incompatibility issue with your browser or other software on your computer. The information provided below offer setup guidelines have been used successfully to fix common problems experienced with Blackboard.
Step 1
Setup Your Browser Environment
Ensure Blackboard will work correctly for you.
  1. Check your Browser's compatibility with Blackboard
  2. Enable Java, JavaScript, & Cookies
  3. Disable Pop-up Blockers
  4. Accept the Security Certificate
MAC USERS
For Macintosh access, upgrade to Safari 4.0.3+ or use Mozilla Firefox. Blackboard's browser checker does not correctly confirm the Java install on machines running Snow Leopard. This error can be ignored most of the time. If you encounter issues that cannot be ignored, try turning off Java's cache.
Step 2
Setup Internet Explorer (IE) (Optional)
Modify Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) settings to allow Blackboard to function without the interruption of security prompts by designating Blackboard as a trusted site and allowing the following operations to occur unprompted for trusted sites: Document Downloading, Mixed Content Pages, and Pop-up Windows.
  1. Set Blackboard as Trusted Site
  2. Modify Trusted Site Settings
  3. Disable Content Advisor
  4. Activate Open OR Save Microsoft Documents
Downloading Problems?
If you use Internet Explorer (IE) to access Blackboard, there are a few important setting changes that must be made to allow file downloads to be trouble free. Please follow the instructions given in Setup Internet Explorer (IE) to make the necessary setting changes to your browser.
Step 3
Troubleshooting Tips
If you continue to experience problems when using Blackboard even after receiving all green checks for Bb's Browser Checker (Step 1), be sure to check out Troubleshooting Tips which offers some great additional suggestions to help you setup your computer to work smoothly with Blackboard.

Problems with Certificate Errors, Generic Exception Errors, Windows Vista?

Remove ALL versions of Java, then
Install NEWEST version of Java
Getting Certificate Errors?
Verify that you have the newest version of Java installed and remove all older versions of Java
This will fix Certificate Errors, Generic Exception Errors, problems with Windows Vista [more . . .]

Setup your computer for Blackboard

 
Blackboard supports only full-featured browsers. Some Internet service providers issue 'customized' versions of Internet Explorer (IE) or Netscape. These are not compatible with Blackboard. It is important to ensure you are using a supported browser and that your browser settings are correct so the complete functionality of Blackboard is available to you by following three important steps:
 
  1. Setup Your Browser Environment
  2. Setup Internet Explorer (IE) (Optional)
  3. Troubleshooting Tips
     
  Next >>

Return