Browser Diagnostic Test  

This page is designed to check whether your current browser settings will allow you to use Blackboard.  Please be patient while the page loads!

Important: For all browsers you will need to have JavaScript, Java, Cascading Style Sheets, and Cookies enabled and pop-up blockers turned off when using Blackboard.  If you pass all checks in this section you are able to use the main features of Blackboard.

For all users, set cached pages to update "automatically" (Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Netscape Navigator 6.2.x), or "when the page is out of date" (Netscape Navigator 7.x and Mozilla 1.x).

This page will verify your browser type and version and will detect whether or not JavaScript, Java, and cookies are enabled. This test will not work with all browsers.  You should only use browsers listed in the Computer Requirements page for accessing Blackboard.

Your Platform and Browser information.

Check	Pass / Fail	Notes
Browser	Browser :  Version : Platform :	For the list of supported browsers, please refer to the Computer Requirements Page Please note that alternative browsers may also work with Blackboard, but no support for their use is provided. If you are experiencing problems with using Blackboard, you should change to one of the supported browsers. Note: This check required JavaScript
JavaScript		If this check fails, try our instructions on enabling Javascript.
Cookies		If this check fails, try our instructions for enabling Cookies.
Popup Windows		This check tries to load a Popup Window. Pop-up windows are used in a number of Blackboard features, such as Email, Quizzes and Discussion Board, and Chat  Note: This check requires JavaScript. If this check fails, try our instructions on enabling Popup Windows .
Check	Enabled /Disabled	Notes
Java		Java needs to be "Enabled" in order for you to use certain tools.
Java Version	To use Blackboard v7.3 you must be running Java Version 1.4.1 or newer. You have:	If after 15 seconds the box remains grayed out or does not appear, you will need to install the Java engine. You will need to have the Sun Microsystems Java Runtime Environment (JRE) software version 1.4.1 (1.4.2 or higher recommended) software installed in your browser in order for certain areas of Blackboard to function properly. To download and install this software, click the Java button below. Then, follow the online instructions.

 

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Enable Pop-Ups for Blackboard

While using Blackboard, if you are unable to view discussion postings, quiz windows, or download links, then you need to enable pop-ups.

Depending on the pop-up blocking software you are using, you may be able to set the Rio Hondo College Blackboard site (http://riohondo.blackboard.com ) as an allowed site, or you may need to turn-off the pop-up blocker while using Blackboard.

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 Blackboard from performing properly.

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To disable pop-up blockers for Blackboard:

a) Search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name. Disable it or set the Rio Hondo College Blackboard site
(http://riohondo.blackboard.com) as an allowed site. Examples of popular pop-up blocking applications include:

• Pop-Up Stopper
• Pop-Up Defender
• Pop-Up Zapper

b) 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 the Rio Hondo College Blackboard site (http://riohondo.blackboard.com) as an allowed site. Examples of programs that include pop-up blocking functions include the following.

• Norton Internet Security
• Zone Alarm Pro

1. Open Zone Alarm (may work for Zone Alarm Pro and Zone Alarm Security Suite)
2. Select Privacy->Main
3. In the Ad Blocking area options should be there to turn it off

• Google Toolbar
• Yahoo! Toolbar
• MSN Toolbar
• Safari browser

1. Open the Safari Menu and choose Preferences
2. Open the Security Menu
3. Uncheck 'Block pop up windows'

• Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 2
• Mozilla browser
• Netscape browser
• Firefox browser

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How to Enable Cookies

To enable cookies, follow the instructions below for the browser version you are using.

Mozilla Firefox (1.0 final release and earlier)

• Go to the "Tools" menu.
• Select "Options".
• Select the "Privacy" icon in the left panel.
• Check the box corresponding to "Allow sites to set cookies".
• Click "OK" to save changes.

Netscape 7.1/Mozilla 5.0

• Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
• Click on the arrow next to "Privacy & Security" in the scrolling window to expand.
• Under "Privacy & Security", select "Cookies."
• Select "Enable all cookies".
• Click "OK".

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+

• Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
• Click on the "Privacy" tab.
• Click the "Default" button (or manually slide the bar down to "Medium") under "Settings".
• Click "OK".

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x

• Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
• Click on the "Security" tab.
• Click the "Custom Level" button.
• Scroll down to the "Cookies" section.
• To enable:
  Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Enable".
  Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable".
  Click "OK".

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How to Enable/Disable JavaScript

The following describes how to enable JavaScripts in Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator and AOL browsers. To disable JavaScript, follow the same step, but uncheck the JavaScript options that you set when you enabled JavaScript.

Internet Explorer 7.x, 6.x, and 5.x

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.x, 6.x, and 5.x
• Open Internet Explorer.
• Select Internet Options from the Tools menu.
• In Internet Options dialog box select the Security tab.
• Click Custom level button at bottom right. The Security settings dialog box will pop up.
• Under Scripting category check Active Scripting, Allow paste options via script and Scripting of Java applets
• Check radio boxes.
• Click OK twice to close out.

Netscape 4.0 or higher:

• Select Preferences from the Edit menu
• click Advanced
• check in both Enable Java and Enable JavaScript
• click OK

Netscape 3.0:

• Select Options from the Edit menu
• click Network Preferences
• click Languages
• check both Enable Java and Enable JavaScript
• click OK