Blackboard Browser Comparability
If you are experiencing problems when trying to access Blackboard or any part of Blackboard, please check/try the following:
Blackboard is only compatible with certain internet browsers. Using Blackboard with a incompatible browser may result in random errors within the system and/or the inability to access the system at all. In order to be fully compatible with Blackboard, please be sure to use one of the following browsers:
Internet Explorer
- Version 6.0 for Windows 2000 or XP
- Version 7.0 for Windows XP (must add http://bb.usi.edu/ to your Trusted Sites list)
Firefox
- Versions 1.5 and 2.0 for Windows 2000 or XP and for all Mac OS X systems
Safari
Netscape
Browser Settings for use with Blackboard
The following Matrix lists instructions on how to chance various settings within your browser to make it compatible with Blackboard. Be sure to know which browser version you are using.
NOTE: You will also need the most recent plug-ins. |
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Browsers |
Settings |
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Internet Explorer 6 |
Enable Cookies: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Advanced > Check "Override Automatic Cookie Handling (accept 1st party; Prompt 3rd party)" and check the option to always accept session cookies. OK back to browser. |
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Enable Java: Tools > Internet Options > Advanced Tab > scroll down to Java (Sun) and check the box next to “Use XXX X.X for <applet> (required restart)". OK back to browser and restart the machine. |
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Enable Javascript: Tools > Internet Options > Security Tab > Custom Level > Scroll down to Scripting and enable "Active Scripting," "Allow Paste Operations via Script," "Allow status bar updates via script," and "Scripting of Java Applets". OK back browser. |
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Enable Status bar: View > Check "Status Bar". |
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Get New Page Each Visit: Tools > Internet Options > General Tab > in Temporary Internet Files section, click the Settings button > select "Every Visit to Page." OK back to browser. |
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Pop-up Blocker Settings: Tools > Pop-up Blocker > Pop-up Blocker Settings ... > Add *.garrettcollege.edu and *.blackboard.com > Close back to browser. |
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Discussion Board Issues: Tools > Internet Options > Security Settings > scroll down to “Launching programs and files in an IFRAME” and choose Enable. OK back to browser. |
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Cut, Copy & Paste: In the Edit menu,
these options are disabled when the user has the Visual Text Box Editor
enabled. User should use the buttons on the Text Box Editor’s Toolbar
in BB instead. |
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AOL Users: Minimize the AOL browser and double-click the Internet Explorer icon to open a new session to use Blackboard. |
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Internet Explorer 7 |
NOTE: Support and testing of IE7 is pending, we recommend using IE6 or Firefox at this time. This document will be updated as new information becomes available. |
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Enable Cookies: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Advanced > Check "Override Automatic Cookie Handling (accept 1st party; Prompt 3rd party)" and check the option to always accept session cookies. OK and OK back to browser. |
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Enable Java: Tools > Internet Options > Advanced Tab > scroll down to Java (Sun) and check the box next to “Use XXX X.X for <applet> (required restart)". OK back to browser and restart the machine. |
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Enable Javascript: Tools > Internet
Options > Security Tab > Internet > Custom Level > Scroll
down to Scripting and enable "Active Scripting," "Allow
Programmatic clipboard access," "Allow status bar updates via
script," "Allow websites to prompt for information ...," and "Scripting
of Java applets". |
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Enable Status bar: Tools > Toolbars > Check "Status Bar". |
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Get New Page Each Visit: Tools > Internet Options > General Tab > in Browsing history section, click the Settings button > select "Every time I visit the webpage." OK and OK back to browser. |
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Pop-up Blocker Settings: Tools > Pop-up Blocker > Pop-up Blocker Settings ... > Add *.garrettcollege.edu and *.blackboard.com > Close back to browser. |
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Trusted Sites: Tools > Internet Options > Security > Trusted
sites > Sites > Uncheck "Require server verification for all
sites in this zone" |
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Discussion Board Issues: Tools > Internet Options > Security Settings > Custom Level > scroll down to Miscellaneous and enable “Launching programs and files in an IFRAME”. OK and OK back to browser. |
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Mozilla Firefox |
NOTE: for Mac OS X browsers, access preferences via the Application Menu (ex. Firefox>Preferences). |
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Enable Cookies: Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies > select “Accept cookies from sites.” OK back to browser. |
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Enable Java: Tools > Options > Content > check the “Enable Java” box. OK back to browser. |
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Enable Javascript: Tools > Options > Content > check the “Enable Javascript” box. OK back to browser. |
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Advanced JavaScript Settings : Tools > Options > Content > Click the "Advanced" button next to Enable JavaScript > check the "Change status bar text" box. OK and OK back to browser. |
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Enable Status Bar: View > Check “Status Bar”. |
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Get new page each visit: Tools > Options > Privacy > History tab: set “Remember Visited Pages for the Last 0 Days.” OK back to browser. |
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Popup Blocker Settings: Tools > Options > Content > Click the “Exceptions” button next to Block Pop-up Windows > Add *.garrettcollege.edu and *.blackboard.com > Click Allow and Close. OK back to browser. |
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Clear Browser Cache: Tools > Options > Privacy > Private Data > click "Clear Now" button. OK back to browser. |
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Safari 1.2 & 2.0 |
All Settings: Safari
Menu > Preferences > click
Security icon > Check: Enable Plug-ins, Java, & Javascript. |
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NOTE: Safari users may need
to disable the Visual Text Box Editor in BB, if they encounter problems
with text boxes. |
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Netscape |
NOTE: Netscape is currently not compatible or supported, we recommend using Internet Explorer, or Firefox at this time. |
Make sure that there are no programs running on your computer that will interfere with Blackboard access.
If you are running any firewall and internet security software, it may be configured such that it prevents you from accessing Blackboard. If you have made the above changes and are using a Blackboard compatible browser, please disable any firewall or internet security software you have running on your computer and try accessing again.