Blackboard Troubleshooting

Sun Microsystems has released Java version 1.6. Blackboard users who update to this version may experience problems with some Blackboard functions. Blackboard advises remaining with Java version 1.5 until they have resolved these issues. (more information)

What is the Issue?

Sending Email or Discussion messages
Accessing Quizzes or Discussions
Accessing Content Files
Missing a course from your Blackboard Course List
Logging in to Blackboard or being disconnected from Blackboard
Browser and other Blackboard problems

Sending Email or Discussion messages

You may need to download a more compatible version of Java. This software can be downloaded for free from www.Java.com.

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Accessing Quizzes or Discussions

Is the quiz available?
Check the dates/times listed for quiz availability. If the end date/time has passed, you will not be able to access the quiz. Please call your instructor if you have questions about availability. Blackboard Help Desk staff cannot change quiz availability.

Do you have pop-up elimination software such as Pop-Up Stopper, Pop-Up Zapper, Ad-Aware, etc.?
If you are using software to control or eliminate pop-up windows, you may need to disable this software while you taking a quiz in Blackboard. In some cases, this software can prevent Blackboard materials and quizzes from opening properly. Pop-up killing or ad-blocking functions are built into some anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, and browser programs.

Is your browser compatible with Blackboard?
Go through Blackboard's Browser Tune-up to make sure your browser is optimized for Blackboard.

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Accessing Content Files

Is your browser software blocking file downloads?
You may need to set your browser to allow file downloads from the Blackboard website.

Instructions for setting a Trusted Site in Internet Explorer

Do you have pop-up elimination software such as Pop-Up Stopper, Pop-Up Zapper, Ad-Aware, etc.?
If you are using software to control or eliminate pop-up windows, you may need to disable this software while you taking a quiz in Blackboard. In some cases, this software can prevent Blackboard materials and quizzes from opening properly. Pop-up killing or ad-blocking functions are built into some anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, and browser programs.

Do you have the software needed to open the file you are trying to access?
Some documents provided in your course may require specific software to open them. If you do not have the appropriate software to open a particular document (such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint), you will need to contact your instructor.

Missing a Course from your Blackboard Course List

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Did you register late for the course?
If you registered late, the course may not show up in the list on your MyBlackboard screen. Please allow 24 hours for the course after registration for the course to appear in Blackboard. If the course does not appear after 24 hours, email duncanbi@sccsc.edu and request to be added to the course.

Does the course use Blackboard?
Not all courses at SCC use Blackboard. To find out if a distance learning course you're taking uses Blackboard, visit WebAdvisor. To find out if an on-campus course uses Blackboard as a supplement, contact your instructor.

Logging in to Blackboard

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Have you visited the Login Assistance screen?
The Login Assistance page has detailed information on browser options, computer settings, etc.

Java Update

Sun Microsystems has released Java version 1.6. Blackboard users who update to this version may experience problems with some Blackboard functions. Blackboard advises remaining with Java version 1.5 until they have resolved these issues.

To determine what version of Java you are using, on the login page, click the Run a Browser Check link. The Java Check section of the browser checker will tell you which version of Java you are using.

According to Blackboard, users are advised to use the JRE version 1.5 (also called the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 5.0). Update 7 of Verion 5 seems to work the best with our current version of Blackboard.

Blackboard's recommendation is to:

1. Remove all versions of Java on a system

2. Install Java 5 Update 6 (1.5.06)

3. Go to http://online.sccsc.edu/Java/jre-1_5_0_06-windows-i586-p.exe to download version 1.5.06

4. Once Java is installed, go to the Control Panel on the computer's Start menu, open the Java Control Panel, and turn off the automatic update notification.