How to: get Blackboard working on your PC

Table of Contents
Minimum computer requirements.......................................................................... 2
Virus 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..................................................................................... 2
/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
Page 1 o" 19
Please ensure that Blackboard works on your computer be"ore you attend your
<rst on7line session. 6o do this you need to:
). ha,e a computer that meets Blackboard=s minimum speci<cations
2. ha,e an up7to7date ,irus checker
. know which operating system you ha,e
$. know which browser you use and its ,ersion number
+. run a browser and 8a,a check
:epending on the requirements o" your course> you may ha,e to install some
so"tware.
6his is not as di?cult as it seems. 6his is a step7by7step guide o" how to get
Blackboard working on a PC that has the Microso"t %indows &P operating
system. %hile some Mac settings are co,ered> this guide does not deal with Macs
in depth. /"> at any stage o" this process> you need help please contact the #H/
Helpdesk. Please note: the Helpdesk hours are Monday @ Ariday> *5:**7).:**. Bou
are welcome to telephone> 6el. )+* 0internal1 C *)$- 2.5 )+* 0e4ternal1> but it is
o"ten quicker i" you e7mail them <rst and describe e4actly what you ha,e done
and what error messages 0i" any1 your system is showing. Please tell them your
login id> student id> "ull name> College the problem and the e4act error message.
6he Helpdesk e7mail is )+*Duhi.ac.uk
Minimum computer requirements
PC Apple
Processor +** MHE /ntelF Pentium
/// processor or equi,alent
$** MHE PowerPC G
H!M 2+- MB 2+- MB
Hard dri,e )GB or more "ree hard
disk space
)GB or more "ree hard
disk space
Video card -$MB -$MB
Monitor Color monitor 2+- colors
2** 4 -** minimum>
)*2$ 4 .-2
recommended
Color monitor 2+- colors
2** 4 -** minimum>
)*2$ 4 .-2
recommended
/nternet connection Broadband is
recommended. ! +-k
Modem is the absolute
minimum.
Broadband is
recommended. ! +-k
Modem is the absolute
minimum.
Page 2 o" 19
Virus checker
Please note that you must ha,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 Downloads section o" the e7learning %eb site:
http:CCwww.uhi.ac.ukCelearningCdownloads. %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:CCuk.mca"ee.comCrootCm"sCde"ault.asp and you can download a "ree * day
trial ,ersion o" the Mc!"ee /nternet security suite at
http:CCuk.mca"ee.comCrootCdownloads.aspLidM"ree6rials
(ee all o" Mc!"ee=s "ree ser,ices at: http:CCuk.mca"ee.comCrootCcatalog.aspL
catidM"ree
Bou can also buy Mc!"ee online http:CCwww.mca"ee.comCukC or "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 the
word !uto#pdate. Click the
(chedule button> click the
(chedule tab and set Hun task
to daily and set the start time.
Click the 3nable randomiEation
and Hun 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
Page $ o" 19
/" 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&stem
Both 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 when
logged 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. Head more at staysa"e.org:
http:CCwww.staysa"eonline.orgCcontentCprotect7your7computer.
Microsoft )indows *P updates
Many computers are set to check "or
Microso"t updates automatically.
)indows *P> click the #tart button>
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 'pdates button and "ollow
the instructions.
!iure $" Automatic update bo.
Page / o" 19
Apple Mac 0# * 112/ updates
Arom the !pple menu> click #oftware
update. (elect the items you want to
install> then click 3nstall. 3nter your
administrator account name and
password. !"ter the update is complete>
you may be asked to restart the
computer.
Hepeat 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 <nished.
!iure /" #oftware update on the Apple
menu
0peratin s&stem
6he ne4t step is to check i" you ha,e an operating system and browser that
meets Blackboard=s requirements. /" you know your operating system> please
skip this step and go to: Check your browser ,ersion.
Check &our operatin s&stem %ersion
)indows"
Click the %indows #tart button @ the
,ersion is written going up the le"t7
hand side o" the (tart Menu:
!iure 4" )indows %ersion on the #tart
menu
Page 4 o" 19
Mac"
'pen the Apple menu 0in the upper
le"t corner unless you ha,e customiEed
your Mac1> click About this Mac:
!iure 5" The About this Mac window
Page 5 o" 19
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.plorer
window
Mo8illa !irefo."
'pen your browser. 'n the +elp
menu> click About Mo8illa !irefo..
6he !bout MoEilla Aire"o4 window
opens:
!iure 9" 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
Page 7 o" 19
:lackboard compatible s&stems and browsers
6he 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/ section below.
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. Bou can download Aire"o4 "rom
http:CCwww.moEilla.com click :ownload Aire"o4 @ Aree and "ollow the instructions.
Bou need to be logged in as an administrator @ see #pdating your operating
system "or more in"ormation. Hegardless 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<ed: Aire"o4 2.* or .*
Compatible: /nternet 34plorer -> . and
2
%indows Vista :esktop Certi<ed: /nternet 34plorer .> Aire"o4
2.* or .*
Compatible: /nternet 34plorer 2
Mac'( )*. 0Panther1 Macintosh Compatible: Aire"o4 ).+ or .*
Mac'( )*.$ 06iger1 Macintosh Certi<ed: Aire"o4 ).+> 2.* or .* or
(a"ari 2
Compatible: (a"ari
Mac'( )*.+ 0Ieopard1 Macintosh Certi<ed: (a"ari 2 or P
Compatible: Aire"o4 2.* or .*
3nternet ser%ice pro%iders ;3#Ps<
Please note that i" you ha,e a subscription to !merica 'nline 0!'I1 and use the
!'I browser you may get an error message or ha,e problems using Blackboard.
Please use the !'I browser to log in to and connect to the /nternet. MinimiEe the
!'I browser and open /nternet 34plorer. Connect to Blackboard using /nternet
34plorer.
Page 9 o" 19
: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:CCwww.uhi.ac.ukCCblackboard7help
/t takes a short time to scan your computer> then it opens the :lackboard
:rowser #etup page:
!iure 11" The :lackboard :rowser #etup pae
Aor Blackboard to work properly you need to ha,e Cookies enabled> =a%a
#cript enabled and =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 Blackboard section.
(ote" your lecturer may want you to ha,e some o" the so"tware installed. 6he
most common one is !dobe 0!crobat1 Header. Iinks to all o" the so"tware are
included on the page. 8ust click on the link and "ollow the instructions. (ote" you
must 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 note that 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.
Page 9 o" 19
/nternet 34plorer will update itsel" automatically when you update your operating
system. Bou can download Aire"o4 "rom http:CCwww.moEilla.com click :ownload
Aire"o4 @ Aree and "ollow the instructions. Bou 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
#HIs 0addresses1 o" %eb sites that you
trust as sa"eOsuch as %eb pages that are
on the #H/ %eb site. %hen you add the
#H/ #HI as a 6rusted (ite> you are telling
/nternet 34plorer that <les you download
or that you run "rom the #H/ %eb site will
not damage your computer or data. 6his
stops /nternet 34plorer blocking the #H/
%eb site and asking you questions e,ery
time you try to download a <le "rom the
#H/ site.
'pen 3nternet 6.plorer. 'n the menu>
click Tools> click 3nternet 0ptions> click
#ecurit&> click Trusted sites.
/n Trusted sites> click the #ites button.
!iure 11" The 3nternet 0ptions window
/n the Add this website to the 8one:
type >2uhi2ac2uk then click the Add
button.
Make sure that ?equire ser%er
%eri@cation ;https"< for all sites in
this 8one is not checked.
%hen the site is in the %ebsites bo4> click
the Close button.
!iure 12" Trusted sites
Page 11 o" 19
6nable pop-ups for :lackboard
Many 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. Bou 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$" The Pri%ac& window
6ype >2uhi2ac2uk in the !ddress o"
website to allow bo4 and click the Add
button.
%hen the address appears in the Allowed
sites bo4> click the Close button.
!iure 1/" Pop-up :locker #ettins
Page 11 o" 19
3nstall or update =a%a
/" the site says that your ,ersion o" 8a,a is not 'N or probably 'N> please go to
the Verif& Aa%a page:
http:CCwww.Qa,a.comCenCdownloadCinstalled.Qsp
6he Veri"ying 8a,a Version window opens. 6he site automatically checks i" you
ha,e the recommended ,ersion o" 8a,a "or your browser:
!iure 14" The Verif&in =a%a Version )eb pae B update needed
/" you do not ha,e 8a,a or you do not ha,e the correct ,ersion o" 8a,a> you can
download it "rom the Veri"y 8a,a site. Bou need to be logged in as an
administratorOsee #pdating your operating system "or more in"ormation. 'nce
you ha,e downloaded the correct ,ersion o" 8a,a run the check again.
Page 12 o" 19
!iure 15" Verif&in =a%a Version - correct %ersion installed
'nce you ha,e completed all o" the abo,e checks please run the Blackboard
browser setup page again:
www.uhi.ac.ukCblackboard7help
/" it now reports Cookies enabled> 8a,a (cript enabled and 8a,a 'N or probably 'N
0and you ha,e checked that you ha,e the correct 8a,a ,ersion1> please go to the
ne4t step 6est Blackboard.
/" you still ha,e problems> please contact the #H/ Helpdesk. Please note the
Helpdesk hours are Monday @ Ariday> *5:**7).:**. Bou are welcome to telephone>
6el. )+* 0internal1 C *)$- 2.5 )+* 0e4ternal1. but it is o"ten quicker i" you e7mail
them <rst and describe e4actly what you ha,e done and what error messages 0i"
any1 your system is showing. Please tell them your login id> student id> "ull name>
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:CCwww.blackboard.uhi.ac.uk.
Click on the 'ser Coin button.
Page 1$ o" 19
!iure 17" The '+3 :lackboard home pae
6he R+a%e an AccountD= login
window opens. 3nter your
username and password.
/" you are a student you will ha,e
been allocated with a username and
password when you <rst enrolled in
College. Bour password is usually
your date o" birth and should be
entered using the ddmmyyyy
"ormat> i.e. )+ (eptember )52+
should be entered as )+*5)52+.
Click on the Coin button.
!iure 19" The E+a%e an AccountDE window
6he +ome tab opens.
/" you ha,e any di?culties with
logging in> please contact the #H/
helpdesk either by email>
)+*Duhi.ac.uk or by telephone on
*)$- 2.5 )+*.
!iure 19" The :lackboard +ome tab
'pen the Modules window by
clicking on the Module tab on the
top le"t o" the page.
!iure 21" The Modules tab
Page 1/ o" 19
%ork through the options in your module and check that e,erything works. /" you
ha,e been told that you need chat or the Virtual classroom> please go to the ne4t
section.
Test the Chat and the Virtual Classroom tools
(ote" Please do not use another chat tool at the same time as using the
Blackboard chat tool as this may cause a conSict and pre,ent Blackboard Chat
"rom working. Please do not open the Chat tool and the Virtual Classroom tool at
the same time as this also causes problems. Please make sure you open the
correct tool. /" you open a tool and do not see your tutor in the Participant list at
the correct time> you may be using the wrong tool. Close the tool by closing its
window and then open the other tool.
'n the menu on the le"t7hand side o" the screen> under Tools> click
Communication. 6he Communication window opens. Click Collaboration.
6he Virtual Classroom and Chat window opens:
!iure 21" The Virtual Classroom and Chat window
6est the Chat tool by clicking the =oin button. 6he Chat window opens on top o"
the Blackboard window> depending on your connection it can take up to a minute
to open:
!iure 22" The Chat window
Page 14 o" 19
(ote" 6he <rst thing to do i" you do not see the Chat window is check to see i" it
is on the 6ask bar. /n the e4ample below it looks as i" Chat hasn=t opened. But i"
you look on the task bar you will see that a Blackboard Chat button is ,isible:
!iure 2$" The Chat button on the Task bar
Click the :lackboard Chat button and the Chat window will be displayed.
/" it is not on the 6ask Bar and you ha,e completed all o" the abo,e steps> please
log out o" Blackboard and go to the ne4t section on My#H/.
6est the Virtual Classroom tool by repeating the abo,e steps and click the =oin
button "or the Virtual Classroom. (ote" Make sure you ha,e closed the Chat
window be"ore opening the Virtual Classroom tool. :epending on your
connection> it can take up to a couple o" minutes to open. /" it does not open>
check the 6ask bar as with Chat. /" it is not on the 6ask Bar and you ha,e
completed all o" the abo,e steps> please log out o" Blackboard and go to the ne4t
section on My#H/.
M&'+3
Bou can access My#H/ through the #H/ %eb site. /t gi,es you access to a ,ariety
o" programs and i" Blackboard does not work on your computer it should work in
My#H/.
Page 15 o" 19
'pen the #H/ home page
http:CCwww.uhi.ac.uk
Click #hortcuts> then click
M&'+3Othe My#H/ in"ormation
page opens.
Click Coin to M&'+3O6he
login window opens:
!iure 2/" The M& '+3 lo in window
3nter your #H/ id and password
and click the Coin button.
M&'+3 opens.
:o not be concerned i" you see
a black window open. 6his is
part o" the underlying operating
system and will close.
!iure 24" The M& '+3 window
%hen My#H/ is open> on the
le"t7hand side> click the VC6
"older. 6he VI3 "older opens.
!iure 25" 3nside the VC6 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 in
your module and check that e,erything works.
%hen you ha,e <nished> log out
o" Blackboard and close the
window. My#H/ will still be open.
Please log out by clicking on the
Coout button on the right7
hand side o" the window.
Page 17 o" 19
!iure 27" The M& '+3 loout button
6he loout window opens.
Please click Close applications
and click the Co 0ut button.
!iure 29" The Coout window
6he M&'+3 window 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.
Page 19 o" 19
+elpF
). /" you ha,e a problem with Blackboard> please check the Blackboard A!T
page on the e7learning %eb site: www.uhi.ac.ukCblackboard7"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.
Bou are welcome to telephone> but it is o"ten quicker i" you e7mail them
<rst and describe e4actly what you ha,e done and what error messages 0i"
any1 your system is showing. Please tell them your login id> student id> "ull
name> College> the problem and 0i" applicable1 the e4act error message.
6el. )+* 0internal1 C *)$- 2.5 )+* 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:CCwww.getsa"eonline.org1 has an e4cellent )*7minute guide "or
beginners http:CCwww.getsa"eonline.orgCnqcontent.c"mLa;idM)).5 and you can
test your knowledge by taking their <,e7minute risk assessment quiE on threats>
risks and dangers on the /nternet http:CCwww.getsa"eonline.orgCnqcontent.c"mL
a;idM)2-+. Bou 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:CCwww.bbc.co.ukCwebwise1 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"ety
http:CCwww.bbc.co.ukCwebwiseCcourseCsa"etyCmenu.shtml and you can test your
knowledge by playing the %eakest Iink.
Page 19 o" 19