How to Get Blackboard Working on Your PC

8/12/2019 How to Get Blackboard Working on Your PC

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How to: get Blackboard working on your PC

Table of Contents

Minimum computer requirements..........................................................................2Virus checker......................................................................................................

Check Mc!"ee automatic update settings...........................................................

#pdating your operating system........................................................................ $

Microso"t %indows &P updates........................................................................$

!pple Mac '( & )*.$ updates.........................................................................$

'perating system.................................................................................................. +

Check your operating system ,ersion................................................................+

Check your browser ,ersion............................................................................... -

Blackboard compatible systems and browsers......................................................

/nternet ser,ice pro,iders 0/(Ps1............................................................................

Blackboard browser setup.....................................................................................

/nternet 34plorer settings...................................................................................5

!dding #H/ as a 6rusted (ite........................................................................... 5

3nable pop7ups "or Blackboard.........................................................................)*

/nstall or update 8a,a...........................................................................................))

6est Blackboard....................................................................................................)2

6est the Chat and the Virtual Classroom tools.....................................................)

My#H/.................................................................................................................. )+

Help9.................................................................................................................... )

/nternet security.................................................................................................. )

ocument name: How;to;get;Blackboard;working;on;your;PC.doc

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Please ensure that Blackboard works on your computer be"ore you attend your

this guide does not deal with Macs

in depth. /"> at any stage o" this process> you need help please contact the #H/

Helpdesk. Please note: the Helpdesk hours are Monday @ Ariday> *5:**7):**. ou

are welcome to telephone> 6el. )+* 0internal1 *)$- 25 )+* 0e4ternal1> but it is

o"ten quicker i" you e7mail them College the problem and the e4act error message.

6he Helpdesk e7mail is )+*Duhi.ac.uk

Minimum computer requirementsPC Apple

Processor +** MHE /ntelF Pentium

/// processor or equi,alent

$** MHE PowerPC G

!M 2+- MB 2+- MB

Hard dri,e )GB or more "ree hard

disk space

)GB or more "ree hard

disk space

Video card -$MB -$MB

Monitor Color monitor 2+- colors

** 4 -** minimum>

)*2$ 4 -

recommended

Color monitor 2+- colors

** 4 -** minimum>

)*2$ 4 -

recommended

/nternet connection Broadband is

recommended. ! +-k

Modem is the absolute

minimum.

Broadband is

recommended. ! +-k

Modem is the absolute

minimum.

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Virus checkerPlease note that you mustha,e an up7to7date ,irus checker. /" you do not ha,e a

,irus checker and you are a registered #H/ student> you can download Mc!"ee

"ree7o"7charge "rom the Downloadssection o" the e7learning %eb site:

http:www.uhi.ac.ukelearningdownloads . %hen you click on the download

Mc!"ee link> you will be asked to enter your Iogin Jame and Password. Please

enter the same name and password that you use "or Blackboard.

Mc!"ee oKers a "ree ,irus scan 0Mc!"ee Aree(can1 at

http:uk.mca"ee.comrootm"sde"ault.asp and you can download a "ree * day

trial ,ersion o" the Mc!"ee /nternet security suite at

http:uk.mca"ee.comrootdownloads.aspLid"ree6rials

(ee all o" Mc!"ee=s "ree ser,ices at: http:uk.mca"ee.comrootcatalog.aspL

catid"ree

ou can also buy Mc!"ee online http:www.mca"ee.comukor "rom shops selling

computer programs.

Please remember that a ,irus checker can only protect your computer i" it is

updated regularly. Mc!"ee should be set to update automatically e,ery day.

Check McAfee automatic update settins

Iook "or the Mc!"ee icon on your

desk top and right click on it>"rom the menu that opens click

Virus(can Console. 'r click

(tart> Programs> Mc!"ee>

Virus(can Console.

!iure 1" McAfee taskbar icon

6he Virus(can Console opens.

Check the (tatus o" !uto#pdate.

/" !uto#pdate is not set to run

daily please double click on theword !uto#pdate. Click the

(chedule button> click the

(chedule tab and set un task

to daily and set the start time.

Click the 3nable randomiEation

and un i" missed check bo4es

and set the days to ) in the

(chedule 6ask aily section.

Click 'N until the bo4es close.

Close the Virus(can Console.

!iure 2" The Virus #can Console

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http://www.uhi.ac.uk/elearning/downloadshttp://uk.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asphttp://uk.mcafee.com/root/downloads.asp?id=freeTrialshttp://uk.mcafee.com/root/catalog.asp?catid=freehttp://uk.mcafee.com/root/catalog.asp?catid=freehttp://www.mcafee.com/uk/http://www.uhi.ac.uk/elearning/downloadshttp://uk.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asphttp://uk.mcafee.com/root/downloads.asp?id=freeTrialshttp://uk.mcafee.com/root/catalog.asp?catid=freehttp://uk.mcafee.com/root/catalog.asp?catid=freehttp://www.mcafee.com/uk/


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/" you ha,e bought your ,irus checker> you must buy a new program or renew

your license e%er& &ear. /" you use the #H/ ,ersion o" Mc!"ee> the license is

renewed annually and you may continue to use it "or as long as you are a

registered #H/ student.

'pdatin &our operatin s&stemBoth Microso"t and !pple issue updates "or your computer=s so"tware. /t is

essential that you keep your computer up7to7date. Aailure to do this may stop

Blackboard working on your computer. Aurthermore> your computer could be

in"ected with malicious so"tware such as spyware> worms and ,iruses which can

delete your data and steal your passwords.

Please note that you ha,e to be logged in to your computer as an administrator

to install updates. /" you do not ha,e administrator rights please contact the

people who are responsible "or your computer and check that your computer is

being updated. (ote"you should not use your computer "or general use whenlogged in as an administrator. Aor general use you should always log in as a user

with restricted rights> this protects your computer "rom damage by malicious

so"tware. ead more at staysa"e.org:

http:www.staysa"eonline.orgcontentprotect7your7computer .

Microsoft )indows *P updates

Many computers are set to check "or

Microso"t updates automatically.

)indows *P> click the #tartbutton>

click +elp and #upport> under Pick a

Task> click ,eep &our computer up-

to-date with )indows 'pdate.

Check the automatic update bo4 on the

le"t o" the page. /t should be turned on.

/" it is not turned on> click the Turn on

Automatic 'pdatesbutton and "ollow

the instructions.

!iure $" Automatic update bo.

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http://www.staysafeonline.org/content/protect-your-computerhttp://www.staysafeonline.org/content/protect-your-computer


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Apple Mac 0# * 1/ updates

Arom the !pple menu> click #oftware

update. (elect the items you want to

install> then click 3nstall. 3nter your

administrator account name andpassword. !"ter the update is complete>

you may be asked to restart the

computer.

epeat these steps to see i" more

updates are now a,ailable. Because

some updates cannot be installed

be"ore others ha,e been installed> you

may need to repeat these steps a "ew

times be"ore the update is


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Mac"

'pen the Applemenu 0in the upper

le"t corner unless you ha,e customiEed

your Mac1> click About this Mac:

!iure 5" The About this Mac window

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Check &our browser %ersion/" you know your browser ,ersion> please skip this step and go to Blackboard

compatible systems and browsers.

3nternet 6.plorer"

'pen your browser. 'n the +elp

menu> click About 3nternet

6.plorer. 6he !bout /nternet 34plorer

window opens:

!iure 7" The About 3nternet 6.plorerwindow

Mo8illa !irefo."

'pen your browser. 'n the +elp

menu> click About Mo8illa !irefo..

6he !bout MoEilla Aire"o4 window

opens:

!iure " The About !irefo. window

#afari"

'pen your browser. 'n the #afari

menu> click About #afari. 6he (a"ari

in"ormation window opens:

!iure 9" The #afari information window

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:lackboard compatible s&stems and browsers6he table below lists the Blackboard compatible systems and browsers. Please

note that Blackboard and the Microso"t Vista operating system ha,e not been

tested as #H/ does not support Vista. /" you ha,e any problems please use My#H/

to access BlackboardOsee the My#H/ sectionbelow.

Please check to see i" your system and browser is listed. /" it isn=t you need to

download the correct browser. /nternet 34plorer will update itsel" automatically

when you update your operating system. ou can download Aire"o4 "rom

http:www.moEilla.comclick ownload Aire"o4 @ Aree and "ollow the instructions.

ou need to be logged in as an administrator @ see #pdating your operating

system"or more in"ormation. egardless o" whether you ha,e the correct

operating system and browser e,eryone must complete the ne4t stepO

Blackboard browser setup.

0peratin s&stem :rowser

%indows &P Certi


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:lackboard browser setup#H/ ha,e a %eb page that scans your computer and tells you i" it is compatible

with Blackboard. 'pen your browser and go to the :lackboard browser setup

page: http:www.uhi.ac.ukblackboard7help

/t takes a short time to scan your computer> then it opens the :lackboard

:rowser #etuppage:

!iure 1" The :lackboard :rowser #etup pae

Aor Blackboard to work properly you need to ha,e Cookies enabled>=a%a

#cript enabledand=a%a 0,. /" the page reports that your computer meets

these requirements> please read to the end o" this section and then go to the

6est Blackboardsection.

(ote"your lecturer may want you to ha,e some o" the so"tware installed. 6he

most common one is !dobe 0!crobat1 eader. Iinks to all o" the so"tware are

included on the page. 8ust click on the link and "ollow the instructions. (ote"youmust ha,e administrator rights to your computer to install so"tware. /" you are

unable to install the required so"tware> please contact the people who are

responsible "or your computer.

on=t worry about %indows Media Player> %ord> PowerPoint> etc.Othese

programs usually work pro,iding you ha,e been running your updates on a

regular basis.

Please notethat the "ollowing instructions only apply to PCs runnin

)indows. /" you use a Mac and your settings are incorrect and i" you cannot

correct them yoursel"> please contact the Help desk.

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/nternet 34plorer will update itsel" automatically when you update your operating

system. ou can download Aire"o4 "rom http:www.moEilla.comclick ownload

Aire"o4 @ Aree and "ollow the instructions. ou need to be logged in as an

administratorOsee #pdating your operating system"or more in"ormation.

'nce you ha,e the correct ,ersion> you need to run the browser check again.%ith the browser test page open> click the re"resh button. Aire"o4 de"ault settings

normally work.

3nternet 6.plorer settins/" you use /nternet 34plorer> you may ha,e to change some settings.

Addin '+3 as a Trusted #ite

6he 6rusted (ites section contains the

#Is 0addresses1 o" %eb sites that you

trust as sa"eOsuch as %eb pages that areon the #H/ %eb site. %hen you add the

#H/ #I as a 6rusted (ite> you are telling

/nternet 34plorer that

click Tools> click 3nternet 0ptions> click

#ecurit&> click Trusted sites.

/n Trusted sites> click the #itesbutton.

!iure 11" The 3nternet 0ptions window

/n the Add this website to the 8one:

type >uhiacukthen click the Add

button.

Make sure that ?equire ser%er%eri@cation ;https"< for all sites in

this 8oneis not checked.

%hen the site is in the %ebsites bo4> click

the Closebutton.

!iure 12" Trusted sites

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http://www.mozilla.com/http://www.mozilla.com/


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6nable pop-ups for :lackboardMany browsers ha,e pop7ups disabled. /" you add an item 0e.g. the Google

toolbar1 to your browser> this may automatically change your settings and block

pop7ups. ou need to make sure that pop7ups are enabled "or Blackboard.

'pen 3nternet 6.plorer.

'n the menu> click Tools> click 3nternet

0ptions> click Pri%ac&.

#nder Pop7up Blocker click the #ettins

button.

!iure 1$" The Pri%ac& window

6ype >uhiacukin the !ddress o"

website to allow bo4 and click the Add

button.

%hen the address appears in the Allowed

sitesbo4> click the Closebutton.

!iure 1/" Pop-up :locker #ettins

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3nstall or update =a%a/" the site says that your ,ersion o" 8a,a is not 'N or probably 'N> please go to

the Verif& a%apage:

http:www.Qa,a.comendownloadinstalled.Qsp

6he Veri"ying 8a,a Version window opens. 6he site automatically checks i" you

ha,e the recommended ,ersion o" 8a,a "or your browser:

!iure 14" The Verif&in =a%a Version )eb pae B update needed

/" you do not ha,e 8a,a or you do not ha,e the correct ,ersion o" 8a,a> you can

download it "rom the Veri"y 8a,a site. ou need to be logged in as an

administratorOsee #pdating your operating system"or more in"ormation. 'nce

you ha,e downloaded the correct ,ersion o" 8a,a run the check again.

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http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsphttp://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp


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!iure 15" Verif&in =a%a Version - correct %ersion installed

'nce you ha,e completed all o" the abo,e checks please run the Blackboard

browser setup page again:

www.uhi.ac.ukblackboard7help

/" it now reports Cookies enabled> 8a,a (cript enabled and 8a,a 'N or probably 'N

0and you ha,e checked that you ha,e the correct 8a,a ,ersion1> please go to the

ne4t step6est Blackboard.

/" you still ha,e problems> please contact the #H/ Helpdesk. Please note the

Helpdesk hours are Monday @ Ariday> *5:**7):**. ou are welcome to telephone>6el. )+* 0internal1 *)$- 25 )+* 0e4ternal1. but it is o"ten quicker i" you e7mail

them

College> the problem and the e4act error message. 6he Helpdesk e7mail is

)+*Duhi.ac.uk.

Test :lackboard

'pen your %eb browser and go to

the #H/ Blackboard home page

http:www.blackboard.uhi.ac.uk .

Click on the 'ser oinbutton.

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mailto:[email protected]://www.blackboard.uhi.ac.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.blackboard.uhi.ac.uk/


14/19


15/19

%ork through the options in your module and check that e,erything works. /" you

ha,e been told that you need chat or the Virtual classroom> please go to the ne4t

section.

Test the Chat and the Virtual Classroom tools(ote"Please do not use another chat tool at the same time as using the

Blackboard chat tool as this may cause a conSict and pre,ent Blackboard Chat

"rom working. Please do not open the Chat tool and the Virtual Classroom tool at

the same time as this also causes problems. Please make sure you open the

correct tool. /" you open a tool and do not see your tutor in the Participant list at

the correct time> you may be using the wrong tool. Close the tool by closing its

window and then open the other tool.

'n the menu on the le"t7hand side o" the screen> under Tools> click

Communication. 6he Communicationwindow opens. Click Collaboration.6he Virtual Classroom and Chatwindow opens:

!iure 21" The Virtual Classroom and Chat window

6est the Chat tool by clicking the=oinbutton. 6he Chatwindow opens on top o"

the Blackboard window> depending on your connection it can take up to a minute

to open:

!iure 22" The Chat window

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(ote"6he


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'pen the #H/ home page

http:www.uhi.ac.uk

Click #hortcuts> then click

M&'+3Othe My#H/ in"ormation

page opens.

Click oin to M&'+3O6he

login window opens: !iure 2/" The M& '+3 lo in window

3nter your #H/ id and password

and click the oinbutton.

M&'+3opens.

o not be concerned i" you see

a black window open. 6his ispart o" the underlying operating

system and will close.

!iure 24" The M& '+3 window

%hen My#H/ is open> on thele"t7hand side> click the V6

"older. 6he VI3 "older opens.

!iure 25" 3nside the V6 folder

Click :lack:oard. 6he Citri4 MetaArame window opens and loads your personal

settings. 'nce all o" the settings ha,e been loaded> Blackboard opens in a new

window. Iog in to Blackboard> open your module and work through the options inyour module and check that e,erything works.

%hen you ha,e log out

o" Blackboard and close the

window. My#H/ will still be open.

Please log out by clicking on the

ooutbutton on the right7

hand side o" the window.

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http://www.uhi.ac.uk/http://www.uhi.ac.uk/


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!iure 27" The M& '+3 loout button

6he looutwindow opens.

Please click Close applications

and click the o 0utbutton.

!iure 2" The oout window

6he M&'+3window opens. Click

the 0,button.

!iure 29" The M& '+3 window

/" you cannot get the Chat or the Virtual classroom tools working> please contact

the Help desk @ see the ne4t section Help9

(ote"Please remember> always log out o" Blackboard be"ore closing the browser

window.

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+elpF). /" you ha,e a problem with Blackboard> please check the Blackboard A!T

page on the e7learning %eb site: www.uhi.ac.ukblackboard7"aqs

!ll known issues and their solutions are recorded there. /" the issue is not

co,ered on the Blackboard A!T %eb page> please contact the #H/

Helpdesk.

2. on=t "orget> i"> at any stage o" this process> you need help> please contact

the '+3 +elpdesk.

ou are welcome to telephone> but it is o"ten quicker i" you e7mail them

College> the problem and 0i" applicable1 the e4act error message.

6el. )+* 0internal1 *)$- 25 )+* 0e4ternal1.

6he Helpdesk e7mail is )+*Duhi.ac.uk

3nternet securit&%hile anti,irus so"tware keeps your computer sa"e "rom ,iruses and updating

your operating system keeps your operating system sa"e there are other threats

"rom the /nternet. %hile Blackboard will work i" you ha,e "ollowed all o" the steps

in this guide you should also know how to keep your computer sa"e. Get (a"e'nline 0http:www.getsa"eonline.org1 has an e4cellent )*7minute guide "or

beginners http:www.getsa"eonline.orgnqcontent.c"mLa;id))5 and you can

test your knowledge by taking their

risks and dangers on the /nternet http:www.getsa"eonline.orgnqcontent.c"mL

a;id)2-+. ou can also sign up "or "ree e7mail warningsOyou will be sent clear>

step7by7step warnings telling you what the problem is> how it aKects you and

what you can do to a,oid trouble. 6he BBC=s %ebwise site

0http:www.bbc.co.ukwebwise1 has !sk Bruce9Oinstant answers to your /nternet

questions> an /nternet beginners course> a computer tutor and a broadband

guide. ! section o" their beginner=s course co,ers online sa"etyhttp:www.bbc.co.ukwebwisecoursesa"etymenu.shtml and you can test your

knowledge by playing the %eakest Iink.

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How to Get Blackboard Working on Your PC