Microsoft has released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP. Included with this
update are popup-blocking functionality for Internet Explorer, as well as the
introduction of the new Windows Firewall. These features are enabled by default,
and may impact the access of your online courses. We encourage any users who
have upgraded to SP2 to review the following links for further information, as
well as directions on how to disable these features.
Note:
Feedback and Suggestions
University of Houston-Clear Lake is currently using WebCT CE version 4.1.
You can visit the WebCT
Browser Tune-up page to fully prepare your browser for WebCT.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 includes a file download that prevents downloading of files from content pages, attachments, and other areas of
WebCT. If a site attempts to download a program to your computer without your
authorization, Internet Explorer in Windows XP SP2 uses the Information Bar to
let you know. The Information Bar shows up to notify you, and then it disappears
when you move on to another Web page.
Disabling File Download Notification
In an Internet Explorer window, click on the Tools menu
Now choose Internet Options
Click on the Security tab at the top
Click on the Custom Level button in the middle of the window
Scroll down until you find the setting Automatic Prompting of Downloads (pictured
below) and check ENABLE
Click OK, then click Yes, then OK one more time to close the Internet Options
window
The instructions that follow explain how to configure the pop-up blocker that comes with the latest service pack for Windows XP (SP2). You will need to add an entry to allow pop-up windows from WebCT, as well as for any other sites you use with legitimate pop-up windows.
Note: If you're using a different popup blocker, please refer to the product's documentation for information on allowing pop-up windows from certain sites.
In Internet Explorer, click on the Tools Menu and select Internet Options
The Internet Properties window opens
Click on the Privacy tab
Click on the Settings button under Pop-up Blocker
In the "Address
of Web site to allow" field,
enter courses.uhcl.edu and click the Add button
Select the desired notifications and filter level from the Filter Level
options
When finished, click on Close. Click Close and OK to
finish
If you're running Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) Windows Security Center
should tell you the status of your antivirus software, firewall, and
automatic updates. Security Center will alert you if your antivirus is
out of date or turned off, firewall is turned off, or if Automatic Update
is not turned on.
If you have received multiple alerts and would like to turn notifications
off, you can disable the antivirus, firewall, or automatic update alerts.
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.
To turn off the Information Bar for file downloads,
in the Downloads section
of the list, under Automatic prompting for file downloads, click Enable
To turn off
the Information Bar for ActiveX controls, in the ActiveX controls
and plug-ins section of the list, under Automatic prompting
for ActiveX controls, click Enable
Note: Click Related Topics for information about how to decide if you should
trust a Web site or publisher
To help protect
your security, Internet Explorer stopped this site from installing an
ActiveX control on your computer. Click here for options…
This message appears when a Web page tries to install
an ActiveX control and Internet Explorer blocks it. Because ActiveX controls
are potentially hazardous to your
computer, you should be certain that you trust the publisher of the ActiveX
control before you decide to install it on your computer.
To install the ActiveX control:
Click the Information Bar
Click Install Software
To help protect
your security, Internet Explorer blocked this site from downloading
files to your computer. Click here for options…
This message appears when a Web page tries to download
a file that you might not have specifically requested.
If you are certain that you want to download the file, follow the steps
below:
Click the Information Bar.
Click Download File
When you are prompted to download the file,
read the information in the dialog box very carefully. Make
sure the file is from a Web
site that you absolutely trust
Your security
settings do not allow Web sites to use ActiveX controls
installed on your computer. his page may not display correctly. Click
here for options…
This message appears when a Web page tries to use
an ActiveX control or script and your security settings won't allow
it.
If you are certain that you want to allow the Web site to use
this ActiveX control, you can follow the steps below:
On the Tools menu, click Internet Options
On the Security
tab, click Default Level
Internet
Explorer has blocked this site from using
an ActiveX control in an unsafe manner. As a result this page
may not display correctly...
This message appears when a Web site tries to access
an ActiveX control on your computer without your permission. Internet
Explorer will block
this action. To avoid possible damage to your
computer, you should not try to work around this.
To help protect
your security, Internet Explorer has
restricted this file from showing active content that
could access your computer. Click here
for options...
This message appears when a Web page on your computer
tries to run a script or ActiveX control.
If you are certain that you want to allow the page to run scripts and
ActiveX controls on your local machine, follow the steps below:
Click the Information Bar
Click Allow Blocked Content
This content
might not be displayed properly.
The file was restricted because the content
doesn’t match its security information.
Click here for options..
You should be sure that you know what the file will
do to your computer before you decide to display the content without
restrictions.
To display this content without restrictions, follow the steps below:
Click the Information Bar
Click Show Restricted Content
This site
might require the following
ActiveX control: Name. From: Publisher.
Click here to install...
This message appears when a Web page tries to install
an ActiveX control that has a valid digital signature. If you want to
install this ActiveX control onto your computer, click the Information
Bar to install it..
