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Improperly Configured Browser Many times, the problems students have with WebCT is the result of an improperly configured browser. If you know your problem is not due to a Firewall or PopUp blocker than your browser is probably the source of the problem. There are many reasons why an improperly configured browser would have trouble working with WebCT, and it could take hours to finally find the cause of the problem. Sometimes the cause cannot be found no matter how hard you try. The easiest way to fix this type of problem is to use a different browser.
Internet Browser InformationYour web browser is the most important tool required for taking an online course. Some browsers may work for much of your web surfing, but you may run into problems in your online class if you don't use a compatible browser and configure your browser settings to work effectively with WebCT. Please refer to WebCT's full listing of validated, non-validated and unsupported browsers for use with WebCT If you don't have one of the approved browsers, or you don't have the correct version, both Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are available to download for free online. Netscape Navigator An installer will download the software to your PC and walk you through the installation process, make sure you choose a version number higher than 6.2x. Internet Explorer Find Internet Explorer in the dropdown list of products and select the appropriate version for your computer. Also make sure to select your operating system from the lower drop down list. An installer will download the software to your PC and walk you through the installation process, make sure you choose a version number higher than 6.0x.
Disable Popup BlockersWhile using WebCT, if you are unable to view discussion postings, quiz windows, and download links, then you need to disable pop-up blocking for your WebCT server. Depending on the pop-up blocking software you are using, you may be able to set your WebCT server as an allowed site, or you may need to disable the pop-up blocker while using WebCT.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 WebCT from performing properly. 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 WebCT server as an allowed site. Examples of programs that include pop-up blocking functions include the following.
Enable CookiesYou need to enable cookies in order to log in to WebCT.Internet Explorer 6.x
Netscape 6.x and higher
Firewall Information If you are running a firewall, and you have problems with WebCT, turn the firewall off. If your problems go away, you have found your problem. You will have to either configure your firewall to work with WebCT, or turn it off when you are using WebCT. If you don't know if you are running a firewall and/or don't know how to administer the firewall on your computer, you will need to find someone who can help you.
403 Forbidden or Access Denied errorWhen trying to log into WebCT, some users have reported getting "403 Forbidden" or "Access Denied" error messages. One possible cause is an Internet Explorer update installed by Windows Update. Some users found that this problem could be resolved by changing an Internet Explorer setting: In Internet Explorer, from the Tools menu, select Internet Options.
myWebCT login screen does not have any courses listedStudents who have registered for WebCT courses at UHCL will see the WebCT courses listed on their "myWebCT" page on the first official day of class in any given semester. You can not add courses. An automatic process releases your courses to the "myWebCT" page at the start of the semester. Here is what you will see before the semester begins:
Here is what you will see as soon as the semester begins:
Removing Adware/SpywareAdware is advertising supported software, which is increasingly being used by major corporations as a cost-effective tool to advertise their products. Some free software (Divx, KaZaA), and some free Internet service providers (ISPs), utilize adware to pay for their products and services. Adware, in this context, is legitimate, and is understood and accepted by the user.
For more information, see Microsoft's page about Spyware and Deceptive Software .
Discussion Board & Quiz IssuesWhile using WebCT, if you are unable to view discussion postings, quiz windows, and download links, then you need to disable pop-up blocking. Many computers now come with security software applications designed to prevent pop-up windows. However, these security applications and pop-up blockers will sometimes prevent WebCT from opening your quiz or discussion posting. Either disable these security applications or read the manual on how to allow only WebCT to open pop-up windows. Also, read the instructions carefully on the Popup Blockers page. Helpful Quiz TipTo
begin a quiz, click the Begin quiz button. The quiz screen appears
in a new browser window.
Chat Room IssuesThe chat room uses a computer language called JAVA. Internet Explorer uses the Microsoft VM (Virtual Machine) to run JAVA applets. If you are having Chat Room related problems, it might be due to one of the following reasons:
Hopefully, one of these options will solve your problem. If it doesn't, one of your last options is to download and use a different web browser such as Netscape or Mozilla .
McAfee Anti-Virus SoftwareInformation Technology at the University of Houston is please to announce the purchase of a two-year University of Houston System-wide site license for McAfee Total Defense Suite for Windows, Macintosh, and Unix platforms as well as a variety of server security tools. All faculty, staff, and students in the University of Houston System are covered under this contract. Go to the Information Technology web page at UH web site for more information. On this page there is a link to the UH McAfee site license page where you can download the software. If you are downloading from on campus, no password is required. If you are downloading from off campus a generic password is required. Once you click on the download button, you will see the required password.
Operating System InformationAn Operating System or OS is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer Operating System a computer would be useless. Supported operating systems are Microsoft Windows 95 or higher. If you don't have one of these operating systems, you need to use a computer that has one, or upgrade your existing computer in order to take a Distance Education class. Find Out Which Operating System Your Computer Is Using There are many versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. You may be using Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP, or another version. To make sure you know which version is on your computer: Click Start, and then click Run. In the box, type winver, and then click OK. The window that appears will show you which version of Windows your computer is using. Note: Windows XP Home ships without the Java tools needed for WebCT. Download and install Sun's Java Plug-in for Windows XP. You can also use the Microsoft Windows Update feature to get Microsoft VM. Consult http://www.microsoft.com for windows machines, or your computer manual to determine if you can upgrade to a supported operating system
How to enable Java Virtual Machine You will need to have the Sun Microsystems Java Virtual
Machine ("JVM") software installed in your browser in order for certain areas of WebCT
to function properly. In addition, you may need to perform the following adjustments: Internet ExplorerEnable Java in your browser Select Tools then choose Internet Options. The Internet Options screen appears. Select the Security tab. Click the Custom Level button. The Security Settings screen appears. Scroll down to Java Permissions and choose either Low, Medium or High safety Click OK. The Internet Options screen appears. Click OK. Switch to the Sun Java Virtual Machine Open the Windows Control Panel by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel. The Control Panel appears Locate and double-click Java Plug-in. The Java(TM) Plug-in Control Panel appears Click the Browser tab Under Settings, select the checkbox next to your browser Click Apply to save your settings Restart the browser NetscapeEnable Java in your browser From the Edit menu, select Preferences In the left-hand pane, select Advanced Make sure the Enable Java checkbox is selected Click OK Switch to the Sun Java Virtual Machine Open the Windows Control Panel by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel. The Control Panel appears Locate and double-click Java Plug-in. The Java(TM) Plug-in Control Panel appears Click the Browser tab Under Settings, select the checkbox next to your browser Click Apply to save your settings Restart the browser Java Tester's web site can verify that your web browser is capable of running Java applets in web pages. If your browser is capable, then you can also use this web site to see which version of the Java run time environment (JVM) your web browser is using.
How to enable JavaScriptEnabling JavaScript for Internet Explorer 6.x Click Tools, then click Internet Options In the Internet Options window, select the Security tab (at the top of the window) Under the Security tab, select the Internet Web content zone Under Security Level for this zone: Click on the Custom Level button to open the Security Settings window In the Security Settings window scroll down until you get to the section called Scripting (near the bottom) Under Scripting there is a category Active scripting, select the option marked Enable for this category Click the OK button Enabling JavaScript for Netscape 6.x Choose Edit from the top menu bar Select the item Preferences In the category list, click Advanced Click box for Enable JavaScript, if not already checked Click the OK button
What is my Screen Resolution?The screen resolution on your computer affects how big and how much your monitor can display. If your screen resolution is set very low (less then 800x600), you may not be able to see very much of this (and other) web pages. Depending on you monitor you may have a wide range of screen resolution choices. In choosing a resolution setting, we recommend setting it at a point where you feel comfortable. The text and icons should be big enough to easily be read while still being able to see an entire (average size) web page we recommend a resolution of at least 800x600.
Set your Cache to Always Reload a PageSet Cache to Always Reload a PageNetscape 6.0 and higher Select Edit > Preferences Click the + sign next to Advanced to see more options Select Cache Select the "Every time I view the page" radio button Click OK Internet Explorer 6.0 and higher Select Tools > Internet Options Select the General tab Select Settings from Temporary Internet Files Select the "Every visit to the page" radio button Click OK
Macromedia Flash PlayerSome WebCT courses use video or audio that can be
played with Macromedia's Flash Player. Macromedia's Flash is
a powerful program that allows animation, sound and interactivity
to be incorporated into web pages. Web developers are increasingly
using flash multimedia because of its ability to produce high-impact
and interactive pages. While the use of Flash is not a requirement
for all UHCL online classes, certain classes do use it and
will thus require that you have the ability to view Flash. Go to the Macromedia web site download section at: http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/ Click on the Macromedia Flash Player link under the Macromedia Web Players heading Click on the Install Now button, or follow the instructions at the bottom of the page Once the player has been successfully downloaded, return to your course and refresh the page (using the refresh button at the top of your browser) to confirm that you can now view Flash movies.
QuickTime PlayerSome WebCT courses use video or audio that can be played with QuickTime Player. QuickTime is a program for handling video, sound, animation, graphics, text, music, and even 360-degree virtual reality scenes. The QuickTime Player allows you to download and use audio and visual clips presented by your instructors. The free QuickTime Player plug-in
can be downloaded from Apple's web site.
Real PlayerSome WebCT courses use video or audio that can be
played with Real Player. Real Player is a program that allows
you to listen to streaming audio or view streaming video clips. "Streaming" refers
to multimedia files that can be viewed on your computer without
having to wait for the entire file to download. When the audio/video
file size is large, or your modem speed is slow, streaming the
clip can dramatically reduce the amount of time that you spend
at your computer waiting for the file. To download the correct
Real Player plug-in for your computer, follow the instructions
below.
Acrobat ReaderPDF stands for Portable Document Format. It's a distribution format developed by Adobe Corporation to allow electronic information to be transferred between various types of computers. The software which allows this transfer is called Acrobat Reader. In order to view and print a PDF file you will first need to download and install a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader .
Windows Media PlayerSome WebCT courses use video or audio that can be
played with Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player is a program
that allows you to listen to streaming audio or view streaming
video clips. "Streaming" refers to multimedia files that can
be viewed on your computer without having to wait for the entire
file to download. When the audio/video file size is large, or
your modem speed is slow, streaming the clip can dramatically
reduce the amount of time that you spend at your computer waiting
for the file. The free Windows Media Player plug-in
can be downloaded from Microsoft's web site.
WebCT's Built-in Browser CheckIf you are getting errors in WebCT or are unable to see the content
on the pages, please confirm your browser's compatibility using
WebCT's built-in
Browser Check
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