Having Login Problems with Blackboard

Blackboard login problems and solutions

1. Getting a message indicating that you username does not exist on the system?

Contact Jane Chinn by email at chinn@cwu.edu to receive a temporary Blackboard password and to verify your correct username.

2. Getting a message indicating that you have not provided valid authentication credentials?

You have Active Scripting turned off in the browser settings. You must enable it in order to use Blackboard. In Internet Explorer: go to the tools menu, select Internet Options. Click on the Security tab and then click on the custom settings button. Scroll down towards the bottom of the list until you reach the section on scripting. Click on the radio button next to enable under Active Scripting. Click the OK button and yes to the dialog box asking if you want to change settings.

3. Getting a message indicating that you have not provided valid authentication credentials?

You have your privacy setting set to high. In Internet Explorer: go to the tools menu, select Internet Options. Click on the Privacy tab. Move the slider to medium or medium high. Click Apply and then OK.

4. Getting a message indicating an error in the authentication module?

You have your browser set to block all cookies. Blackboard uses cookies to monitor your connection. No personal information is stored in these cookies. In Internet Explorer: go to the tools menu, select Internet Options. Click on the Privacy tab. Move the slider to medium or medium high. Click Apply and then OK. If this does not work try adding the CWU Blackboard server as a trusted site: In Internet Explorer: go to the tools menu, select Internet Options. Click on the Security tab. Click on Trusted Sites Icon. Click the "Sites" button. In the box titled "Add this web site to the zone" enter: http://courses.cwu.edu Clear the checkbox "Require server verification (https) for all sites in this zone". s Click OK on this page, then OK on the Security tab to close the dialog box

5. Pop-Up Blockers must be turned off

If you have problems after logging into Blackboard after clicking links that may open a new window you probably have your browser set to block pop-ups. This has been occuring when students try to take tests that are set to open in a new window. In this case a blank page appears after the link is clicked to take the test. Blocking of pop-ups is something you can turn on or off if you have Internet Explorer 6.02 or higher. To turn it off go to Tools menu-->Pop-up Blocker-->Turn Off Pop-up Blocker. If you don't have this option in the Tools Menu please go Tools Menu-->Window Update to update your browser.

6. Still can't find a resolution to your login issue?

You may have a machine infected with spyware. Spyware is software that secretly monitors your computer's activity. You may have spyware and not know it. Spyware typically installs as part of a free program that you download and install from the Internet. Programs such as Weather Bug and Kazaa, as well as free screen savers and games contain spyware. When you click on a button agreeing to "accept the following terms and conditions" you may be agreeing to permit the software creator to install spyware on your computer.

If you suspect your problem might be related to spyware you need to clean your machine. You can use the following programs (which are free for personal use) to clean your computer:

• Ad-Aware - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
• Spybot Search and Destroy version 1.3 - http://www.safer-networking.org

Each of these programs finds spyware that the other misses. Like antivirus software these programs must be updated to find the newest spyware applications.

The following CNN article describes, in more detail, what spyware is, what it does, and what you can do to protect your self:

Christie, L. 2004. Six steps to protect your computer: What you can do to fend off hacker attacks. CNN Money [online] accessed at: http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/03/pf/security_sixsteps/ September 21, 2004.

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