CII

Blackboard supports the most common operating systems:

• PC: Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000
• Mac: Mac OS 10.6 "Snow Leopard®", Mac OS 10.5 "Leopard®", Mac OS® 10.4 "Tiger®

The Web browser that you use is very important! Below are the supported browsers and versions for Blackboard.

Windows operating systems:

Mac operating systems:

Download a compatible browser:

• Firefox
• Safari
• Internet Explorer

Please note: Google Chrome is not currently supported, and you may run into problems with Blackboard when using it.

Also note: If using America On Line (AOL) as your Internet service provider, minimize AOL and use Internet Explorer or another supported browser.

1. Make sure you are using the most recent version of AOL and Internet Explorer.
2. Connect to the Internet through AOL.
3. Minimize the AOL window.
4. Open the Internet Explorer window and navigate to Blackboard.

Make sure that cookies from third parties are allowed.

Third party cookies are allowed by default on all supported browsers.  If you experience problems staying logged in to Vista/CE please check your browser settings to make sure you allow third party cookies. View documentation for your web browser: Firefox, Internet Explorer , Safari

Make sure that JavaScript is enabled in the browser

JavaScript is enabled by default on all supported browsers.  However, if you encounter problems with Blackboard please check your browser settings to make sure that JavaScript is enabled. View documentation for your web browser: Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari

While using Blackboard, some tools, such as Chat, Who's Online, HTML Creator, WebEQ™ Equation Editor, My Computer, and SCORM® modules may not function without Java. 

Check to See that Java is Installed

1. For PCs Users, Click on "Start", then "Control Panel"
2. Double click on the "Add & Remove Programs " icon
3. Wait for the list to populate and look for Java.
4. If you do not see Java in your Add & Remove programs, then you must install Java.

Installing Java

1. Download Java
2. Click on Free Java Download
3. If using Internet Explorer, Click "Run" and then "Run" again. If using Firefox click Save As.
4. Run the Java setup.
   
5. Click "Next" (it may ask you to click "Next" again and if so click next)
6. Click "Finish"
7. After the installation it may ask you to reboot your computer so that the changes will take effect. Click "Yes".
8. After your computer restarts you should now be ready to log into Blackboard with Java successful installed.

Make Sure You'll Be Able to Add Attachments and Upload Files into Blackboard

To make Blackboard run properly on your computer, you must download Java version 1.6.0x. The current recommended version of Java by Blackboard is 1.6.0x.

If you think you may be experiencing problems with Java, it may be because you have more than one Java version installed. Check and see which version of Java you have by following steps 1 through 4 below.

1. Click on "Start", then "Control Panel"
2. Double click on the "Add & Remove Programs " icon
3. Wait for the list to populate and look for Java.
4. If your screen looks similar to this:
   
   
   
   Then you should uninstall all older versions of Java.

If you do not see Java in your Add & Remove programs then you must install Java.

If you are at a computer that requires you to have "Administrator Rights" and you do not have these rights, you can contact your network or lab manager and request that your Java be made compatible with Blackboard.

I  have the correct version of Java, but still receive an 'X' when I try to upload/attach a file.

1. Click on your 'Start' menu for Windows
2. Click your 'Control Panel', and click 'Classic View' (if you're not already on Classic View)
3. Double-Click 'Java' (Don't see Java? Click here)
4. Click the 'Security' tab
5. Click on 'Certificates'
6. Click all Blackboard and/or WebCT Certificates that you see and click 'Remove'
7. Click 'Ok' , and 'Ok' again if asked.
8. Open a NEW browser window
9. Navigate to Blackboard and Log-in
10. This step is very important - Wait until you see the following message:
11. 
12. Check 'Always' and click 'Run'.

You should now be ready to log into Blackboard and there will no longer be an 'X' where the MyComputer icon is located.

While using Blackboard, if you are unable to view discussion postings, quiz windows, and download links, then you may need to disable pop-up blocking for our web site. View documentation for your web browser:  Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari

You have the option to disable any pop-up ad blocker programs installed on your system. Pop-up blocker applications 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 functionality will prevent you from seeing and/or downloading files in Blackboard.

Pop-up blockers may be installed as part of a browser toolbar, as part of your browser, as part of your virus protection software or even as a separate program.

Examples of programs that may include pop up blockers include the following (you may want to click a link below to determine how to disable pop up blockers on your system):

• Google Toolbar
• Yahoo! Toolbar
• MSN Toolbar
• Internet Explorer browser
• Firefox browser
• Mozilla browser
• Netscape browser
• AOL 8.0 and later
• Safari browser
• Norton Internet Security
• Zone Alarm Pro

If you are unable to determine how to disable pop up blockers on your system, please contact support.citde@tarleton.edu.

Although the browser toolbars are useful tools for searching the Internet, you should uninstall these for Blackboard to work optimally. Open your browser. Your toolbar (if you have one) will be immediately under the line on your browser where you can type in a web address. 
 
 

To uninstall browser toolbars:

1. Click your computer's Start button.
2. Click Control Panel. (You may need to click Settings first, and then Control Panel.)
3. Double click Add/Remove Programs.
4. Click the appropriate toolbar and click Remove.

Some Blackboard courses use browser plug-ins to run certain types of multimedia (e.g. streaming video). To view portions of these courses, you may need one or more of the plug-ins. The most utilized plug-in for media viewing is Windows Media Player. You may download all of the following, or just come back to this page if/when you need them:

• Acrobat Reader: For viewing, downloading and printing Adobe PDF files

• Windows Media Player: For viewing streaming video or listening to streaming audio clip

• Real Player: For viewing streaming video or listening to streaming audio clips.

• QuickTime: For viewing QuickTime video

• Flash: For viewing animations or using interactive content

As a final step, Run A Browser Check, and look to see that you get all 'green checks', as shown below:

If you are still getting a red 'X' for any of the categories, give us a call at 254-968-1960 or Toll-Free 1-866-744-8900 or e-mail support.citde@tarleton.edu with your contact info.