Below is a list of helpful steps to ensure that your computer is configured for the Blackboard Vista environment.  

Check list:

1. Prepare Your Computer for your online class.
• Browser Tune-Up - CE 6 and Vista 4
• Java Download PC users
  (Select "Windows" from the platform drop down menu; Check the "I agree" box; Click "continue")
• Java Download MAC users
  (Scroll down until you see the Java icon)
• Browser Software and Plug-ins
2. Contact your Instructor.
• Don't Lose Your Place in Class!
  
3. Get familiar with your classroom.

• Take the Blackboard Vista Student Tutorials

FAQ's:

1. Is my class a non-Blackboard Vista class? What do I do now?
2. How do I enable pop-ups for Blackboard Vista?
3. How do I install Java for Blackboard Vista?
4. How can I stop my Blackboard Session from timing out?
5. Why does Blackboard say I have a "Session Already Running?"
6. Why don't this semester's courses appear in my My Courses list? 
7. How do I make sure I do not lose my place in class?
8. When Can I Start My Class?
9. Can I Take The Blackboard Vista Student Tutorial? 
10. When I run the Browser Check on Blackboard Vista, why does the pop-up window say it is checking when it never produces results?
11. Why do I get an error message when checking my browser on the login page?
12. When I try to view a file I just get a blank page in Blackboard Vista. How can I fix this?
13. Why do I need to enable cookies?
14. What is the difference between Windows Vista and Blackboard Vista?
15. My instructor says he or she cannot view the assignment I submitted. What should I do now?
16. I have Successfully Petitioned A Class. What do I do now?

Browser Tune Ups, Java Downloads, Software Plugins...

• Browser Tune-up - for CE 6 and Vista 4
• Browser Tips & Troubleshooting - for CE 6 and Vista 4.
• How do I download Java for a PC ?
  (Select "Windows" from the platform drop down menu; Check the "I agree" box; Click "continue")
• How do I download Java for a MAC ?
• Where do I find the Browser Software and Plug-ins I will need for my courses?

Contacting Technical Support

If you have implemented all the steps from above, but you are still having technical difficulties, you need to contact Technical Support.

For technical questions and issues, online students MUST submit a ticket or telephone Technical Support. Technical Support Staff is available to answer your requests 24/7. Click the link below to access the Tech Support website, where you can review the Knowledge Base or Submit a Ticket online.

Submitting A Technical Request

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• Vista Student Tutorial

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If you have successfully petitioned a closed class and completed registration, you need to take ONE of the following steps:.

For Blackboard Vista classes:

You MUST register for the course before you can get into the online class. You should have access to your online class within 24 hours of registering. Check the Admissions & Records page for details about the registration process.

For Non-Blackboard classes:

If your course does not use Blackboard Vista (you'll know because when you access the course in Blackboard Vista, a message will be there indicating this, with a link to your instructor's web site) you must contact your professor for instructions.

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Some online courses do not use the Blackboard Vista online classroom environment. Sometimes instructors of these courses provide a link to their online course within Blackboard Vista, so you can follow the usual procedure to access their course. If you're enrolled in an online class, and you can't get into it in Blackboard Vista, you'll want to contact your instructor for directions.

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