Configure Your Browser & Computer Settings
Tip: If you're using Internet Explorer as your browser, it tends to block files that you try to download from your course. In order to have the best browsing experience we have made a tutorial showing how to add Blackboard as a Trusted Site in Internet Explorer. Click here to see the tutorial.
Please take 10-15 minutes to set up your browser and computer settings to the requirements below. You need only run through this process once at the beginning of each semester.
- Use a supported operating system
- Use a supported web browser
- Download Java (very important)
- Configure your browser settings
- Uninstall Yahoo, Google or any other toolbar
- Disable pop-up ad blocker programs
- Install plug-ins for Blackboard (as needed)
- If using AOL, minimize AOL and use Internet Explorer
Use a Supported Operating System (OS)
Blackboard supports the most common operating systems:
- PC: Windows 2000, XP, Vista
- Mac: OSX
Use a Supported Web Browser
The Web browser that you use is very important! Below are the supported browsers and versions for Blackboard:
Supported browsers for PC users: Supported browsers for Mac users:
- Microsoft IE - 6.0, 7.0
- AOL - 8.0, 9.0
- Firefox - 2.0x, 3.0x
- AOL - (OS X)
- Firefox - 2.0 (OS X)
- Safari 1.3, 2.0 (OS X)
To download a compatible browser, click one of the following:
If you download a new browser version, you will need to download it, close your browser, and reopen your browser again, and then follow the steps to configure your browser listed in the steps below.
Please NOTE: The newest version of Internet Explorer, IE 8, is not currently compatible with Blackboard. If prompted to upgrade from IE 7, please refrain until IE 8 is validated by Bb.
Download the Correct Version of Java
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.
- Click on "Start", then "Control Panel"
- Double click on the "Add & Remove Programs " icon
- Wait for the list to populate and look for Java.
- 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.
If you do not have Java installed at all click here.
If you have the correct version of Java, but are getting an 'X' when you try to upload/attach a file in Blackboard, click here for directions on fixing it.
Configure your Browser Settings
Your browser settings will vary, depending on the browser you choose to use. Blackboard has developed a browser support site that will tell you exactly how to prepare your browser settings for your specific browser.
Go to the Blackboard Browser support site: http://www2.Blackboard.com/tuneup
Click the arrow next to your operating system:
Confirm your browser.
Click Prepare your browser settings for Blackboard.
Follow the steps you see on the page to:
Enable Java and switch to the Sun Java Runtime Environment (if you haven't done so already) .
Enable Javascript in your browser(if you haven't done so already).
Enable cookies.
If you need help in understanding how to set up your browser or computer, feel free to call the student helpdesk at 254-968-1960 (toll free at 1-866-744-8900) or email support.citde@tarleton.edu.
Uninstall Yahoo, Google, AOL, or any other Browser Toolbars
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:
- Click your computer's Start button.
- Click Control Panel. (You may need to click Settings first, and then Control Panel.)
- Double click Add/Remove Programs.
- Click the appropriate toolbar and click Remove.
Disable Pop-Up Ad Blocker Programs
Please disable any pop-up ad blocker programs if they are 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 Blackboard from performing properly.
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.
Install Plug-ins for Blackboard
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
If using AOL, minimize AOL and use Internet Explorer
- Make sure you are using the most recent version of AOL and Internet Explorer.
- Connect to the Internet through AOL.
- Minimize the AOL window.
- Open the Internet Explorer window and use Blackboard.
This page was last updated August 19, 2009.
Questions or comments about Blackboard can be referred to support.citde@tarleton.edu.