Blackboard (WebCT) Vista System "Check-up"

New to Blackboard (WebCT) Vista?

User Services is here to help you do a "check-up" on your office or home computer to make sure you meet Vista's requirements and minimize problems. On this page, we have compiled a list of Windows and Macintosh requirements and have links to tools and tutorials for making your system ready for Vista. If you have any questions or problems, you can call our help desk at 898-6000 and a help desk analyst will assist you. If your campus system needs upgrades, our tech shop can provide service. If you have any trouble logging into Blackboard (WebCT) Vista we can also help make sure your account is in order. It is our goal to help make sure you have everything you need to successfully log in and work in Vista.

Once logged in, you can get specialized support for using Vista and creating or moving content from TLP, the Technology and Learning Program. Visit their Web site here for more information.

STEP 1 - System Requirements

Any system capable of running the supported Web browsers below should be sufficient to use Blackboard (WebCT) Vista. Campus machines meeting our minimum supported system requirements should be capable of using Blackboard (WebCT) Vista. However, processor speed, amount of RAM and Internet connection speed can greatly affect performance. The following are the current recommended minimum specifications for Macintosh and PC and steps for checking your system. If your campus system needs upgrades, our tech shop can provide service by opening a service request online or calling the Help Desk at x6000

PC

Recommended:

Pentium 4 Processor or higher

Minimum 512MB RAM

Windows XP SP2

Macintosh

Recommended:

G4 Processor or higher

Minimum 512MB RAM

OSX 10.3 or higher

STEP 2 - Browser and Java Requirements/Checker

The following are the current Blackboard (WebCT) Vista Internet browser version requirements and a link to an automated browser/Java version checker.

PC

Note Internet Explorer 5.5 must have service pack 2 installed.

Macintosh

STEP 3 - Additional Browser Plug-ins

In addition to having the correct version, some features within Blackboard (WebCT) Vista require plug-ins, such as QuickTime, or Acrobat. The following page provides links to many common Blackboard (WebCT) Vista plug-ins.

3.- Check your system for plug-ins that may be required to view course content HERE.

STEP 4 - Browser Clean-up

If you still experience problems using Vista after completing the above "check-up", you may need to "clean-up" some of your browser cache settings. Below are instructions for emptying your browser cache, clearing browser cookies and deleting Java cache files. These steps resolve the most common Blackboard (WebCT) Vista issues.

Deleting Java Cache

To resolve several problems in Blackboard (WebCT) Vista, it may be necessary to reset your java cache by deleting some temporary cache files. Here are instructions for Windows and Macintosh.

STEP 5 - Internet Connection Speed

To function properly, Blackboard (WebCT) Vista requires a high-speed Internet connection. From off-campus, a broadband connection is highly recommended. Dial-up connections are not recommended for using Blackboard (WebCT) Vista. To find out about Broadband options in your location, you can try this web site:

Locate broadband providers: http://www.gobroadband.com/

If you want to check the speed of your Internet connection, you can try this bandwidth tester here:

CNET bandwidth meter: http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html

STEP 6 - Using Vista

User Services can help you make sure that your system is ready to run Blackboard (WebCT) Vista by following the steps above or by calling our Help Desk at x6000 for assistance.

Once you are logged in and you have Questions, TLP (the Technology and Learning Program) is dedicated to assisting you to build your course content. They offer courses, web guides, a drop in lab, and phone support.

For more assistance in using Blackboard (WebCT) Vista, please visit www.csuchico.edu/tlp/vista

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