Java Troubleshooting

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Overview


If you are experiencing problems with the Blackboard HTML Editor or Chat/Whiteboard tool, you may have a problem with your installation of the Java browser plug-in. It is very important to have the current version of Java installed and enabled for your browser as it is required for Blackboard. Even if you have the current version installed, any older versions that still exist on your machine may cause problems with the Java functionality until they are uninstalled. Also, the version of Java that comes with the Vista operating system is problematic for Blackboard. If you are using Vista, we recommend that you uninstall all versions of Java and then reinstall the latest version of Java available from the Web.

Troubleshooting tips given below describe how to:

  • Enable Java, if it has been disabled on your machine.
  • Uninstall all versions of Java that exist on your computer and then reinstall the latest version of Java.
    1. Windows: Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Remove Java
      Mac: No need to Uninstall
    2. Reboot your computer
    3. Install the latest version of Java
    NOTE: All Microsoft Windows Vista users should Uninstall and Reinstall Java automatically.

Enable Java

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If you're not able to load Blackboard tools such as the HTML editor or the Chat/Whiteboard, it is possible that Java has been disabled on your machine. Java is required for Blackboard and must be enabled. Below are instructions on how to enable Java in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.

Internet Explorer 7 - Enable Java

NOTE: Instructions for Internet Explorer 5 & 6 are below

  • From Internet Explorer 7, select the Tools menu
  • Then Internet Options

  • Select the Programs tab
  • Click the Manage add-ons button

  • Scroll down to the Java Plug-in
  • Select Enable on all Java Plug-ins available
  • Close and Restart your browser


 

Internet Explorer 5 & 6 - Enable Java

  • From the Tools menu, choose Internet Options...
  • Click the Security tab
  • Click Custom Level... 
  • Scroll down to the Java VM / Java permissions section
  • Click Low, Medium or High Safety
  • Close and Restart your browser
     

Firefox - Enable Java

  • From Firefox, select the Tools menu
  • Then Options

  • Select Content
  • Then check Enable Java
  • Press OK


 

Safari - Enable Java

  • From Safari on a Mac, select the Safari menu
  • Then Preferences...

 

 

  • From Safari on a PC, select the Edit menu
  • Then Preferences...

  • Select Security
  • Then check Enable Java
  • Close the window

 

 

Uninstall & Reinstall Java

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If you are experiencing problems with the Java based chat/whiteboard or HTML editing tools in Blackboard, you may try uninstalling all previous versions of Java, and then reinstall the latest version. Even if you have the current version installed, any older versions that still exist on your machine may cause problems with the Java functionality until they are uninstalled. The version of Java that comes with the Vista operating system is problematic for Blackboard. Thus, if you are using Vista, we recommend that you uninstall all versions of Java and then reinstall the latest version of Java available from the Web. Here's how:

NOTE: Mac users do not have to uninstall previous versions of Java, you may skip to the install section.

Uninstall Java

  • Open My Computer
  • Access the Control Panel

  • Select the Add or Remove Programs option

  • Scroll down to the Java installations, press the Remove button on all Java applications and updates
  • Reboot your Computer

Reinstall Java

 

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