Using Blackboard in Internet Explorer 7

Main Blackboard FAQ Page :: Accessing Blackboard FAQ Page

At this time, the Blackboard vendor does not recommend the use of Internet Explorer 7 with Blackboard. However, if you are unable to use another recommended browser, please follow the instructions below to setup your browser.

Text Editor Box Not Appearing in Internet Explorer 7
There have been reports of the text editor box not appearing in Internet Explorer 7, especially with the new Microsoft Vista operating system, but also occasionally in Windows XP.

Solution: You will need to disable the Microsoft WYSIWYG editor in order to create text in Blackboard.

  1. Log in to Blackboard at http://learn.vt.edu.
  2. Select Personal Information from the Tools menu on the left.
  3. Choose Set Text Box Editor Options.
  4. Choose Unavailable under Set Availability, then Submit.

This should correct the error, and you should now see a java-based text editor whenever you have a text-entry box.

Set Browsing History in the General Tab in Internet Explorer 7

  1. Open Internet Explorer 7
  2. Click the Tools Icon located on the right side of the toolbar.
  3. Select Internet Options.
  4. In the General tab, click Settings under Browsing History.
  5. In the Temporary Internet Files, click the rado button next to Every time I visit the webpage
  6. Click OK to save your settings and return to Internet Options.

Set Trusted Sites in the Security Tab

  1. Open Internet Explorer 7
  2. Click the Tools Icon located on the right side of the toolbar.
  3. Select Internet Options.
  4. Click the Security tab
  5. Click the Trusted Sites icon (the checkmark icon)
  6. Click the Sites button
  7. In the textbox under Add this Web site to the zone, type *.vt.edu
  8. Click Add
  9. *.vt.edu will move to the trusted websites list. Click Close to go back to Internet Options.
  10. Uncheck the box Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone.
  11. Click Close to return to Internet Options.
  12. Click OK to save your internet options

Set Cookie and Pop-up Blocker Settings in the Privacy Tab

  1. Open Internet Explorer 7
  2. Click the Tools Icon located on the right side of the toolbar.
  3. Select Internet Options.
  4. Click the Privacy tab.
  5. The Settings slider should be set to Medium or lower. If the slider to set to a higher value, you may experience problems with your cookies being blocked.
  6. If the 'Turn on Popup Blocker' is checked, click Settings to add Virginia Tech's domain to the list of sites to allow popup windows
  7. Under Address of website to allow type *.vt.edu, then click Add.
  8. *.vt.edu will move to the allowed sites list.
  9. Click Close to save your settings.
  10. Click OK to close the Internet Options window.

Certificate Problems
If you receive certificate errors when accessing Blackboard in IE7, you may need to install the VT Root Certificate for the browser to functionl properly. The instructions below will take you through the installation and the verification that the certificate is properly installed. This following information is from http://www.answers.vt.edu/ask4help/connection/vtkb2831.htm.
Important: Log on to Windows with an account with computer administrator privileges.

  1. Go to the VTCA Bundle Install download.
  2. Click the Open button. The certificate will install automatically.
  3. Verify that the certificate is installed properly.
    A. Start Internet Explorer.
    B. From the Tools menu, select Internet Options.
    C. Select the Content tab.
    E. Click the Certificates button.
    F. Select the Trusted Root Certification Authorities tab.
    G. Double-click Virginia Tech Root CA.
    H. Select the Details tab.
    I. Select Thumbprint.
    J. Under Value, verify that this value is listed:
    "af 6f eb 42 fa 2f e4 a2 6e 9f 7f b5 b5 ff 3a bc 13 c6 0d 81"
    K. Click OK.
    L. Click the Close button.
    M. Click OK.
    N. Quit Internet Explorer.

Navigation Cancelled Error
If you installed Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) and are receiving a 'navigation cancelled' error, and see a bar above the page which states 'To help protect your security Internet Explorer has blocked this website from displaying non-secure content. Click here for options...' You can then choose to 'Display Blocked Content', and your site will appear. IE7 appears to have extra security that blocks a site from being viewed when it has mixed security areas. For a more permanent solution:

  1. Click Tools
  2. Click Internet Options
  3. Click the Security tab
  4. Click the Internet icon
  5. Click Custom level
  6. Locate Display mixed content
  7. Click the radio button next to Enable (the default setting is 'was Prompt'
  8. Click OK to save your changes

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