Blackboard: Technical Tune-Up
Set Up Your Computer
Blackboard is accessed by using a web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc.). To optimize your experience with Blackboard, be sure your browser is configured properly.
The topics below cover the most common technical problems encountered by Blackboard users.
Browser Check
All users are strongly encouraged to begin by using the Check Browser tool link located in the upper-right of your MyBlackboard page:
The Browser Check tool will automatically inspect your computer for the following requirements:
- Web browser version and compatibility (list of supported browsers
- Cookie files are enabled (What are "cookie" files?)
- Javascript is enabled (What is "Javascript"?)
- Pop-up windows are allowed (Why do I need to allow pop-ups?)
- Java is installed (What is "Java"?)
If the Browser Check window displays all green checkmarks, then your computer is properly configured to work will with Blackboard. No further action is required.
If the Browser Check window displays a red "X" for any of the above items, please refer to the recommended troubleshooting steps presented in the Browser Check window, or refer to the additional information on this page.
Pop-Up Windows
Blackboard uses pop-up windows to display quizzes, discussion messages, mail messages, course content, and many other tools.
However, there are many programs that block pop-up windows from appearing.
Can you open pop-up windows?
Clicking the above link should result in a new window. If you are unable to view the pop-up window, or get an alert that a pop-up window had been blocked, you have software on your computer that needs to be configured to allow pop-up windows from Blackboard.
Below are links to instructions for many of the most common programs that may be blocking pop-up windows on your computer.
Java
Blackboard uses of Java (What's "Java"?) to run a variety of functions, including a mini-word processor, file uploading, and Chat. It is important that your computer have Java installed (most already do), and that it be a relatively recent version.
Security Certificate:
Shortly after logging in to Blackboard, most users will see a Java Security Certificate.
When presented with the Java Security Certificate, be sure to click Run in order to enable Java for various Blackboard functions.
Leave the box checked to "Always trust content from this publisher."
Correct Version:
In order for Java-based tools in Blackboard to work correctly, you will need to have a relatively recent version of Java installed on your computer. If you are unsure of which version you have, or need to install Java, click the link below...
Multiple Versions:
Many Java-related problems are caused by simply having multiple versions of Java installed on the same computer. These problems are often solved by simply removing older versions of Java that may be installed on your computer.
Instructions for removing Java:
Windows XP
Remove old versions of Java by using the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel
- In Windows, click the Start button
- click Control Panel
- click Add/Remove Programs
- select any Java items listed, and click Remove or Uninstall
- install the most recent version of Java (see above)
Mac OS X
You should not experience Java problems on the Mac, as the operating system has Java built into it. But if you are experiencing Java issues, try downloading the latest version.
Internet Explorer Settings
Internet Explorer has some specific settings that can be adjusted to make it work more smoothly with Blackboard.
By making the following changes to Internet Explorer on your computer, you will avoid some common errors and warnings that interfere with successfully accessing your course tools and content in Blackboard.
Set Blackboard as a Trusted Site
- Open Internet Explorer
- Select Tools, then Internet Options
- Select the Security tab
- Select the zone Trusted Sites
- Click the Sites button
- Uncheck Require server verification (https:)
- Add blackboard.butte.edu to the zone
OPTIONAL: Add *.butte.edu instead to trust ALL sites in the Butte College domain (MyBC, WebAdvisor, Blackboad, etc). - Press the Add button
Modify Trusted Site Settings
- In Internet Explorer, select Tools , then Internet Options
- In the Security tab, go to the Trusted Sites section
- Select the Custom level... button
- Scroll down to the Downloads section
- Select Enable under Automatic prompting for file downloads
- Scroll down to the Miscellaneous section
- Select Enable under Display mixed content
IMPORTANT: Restart Internet Explorer for these changes to take effect.