1. Click on "Tools" at the top of your browser. From this menu select "Internet Options."
2. Click the tab labeled "Privacy."
3. Click the "Advanced" button.
4. Check the box for "Override automatic cookie handling," and then check the box for "Always allow session cookies." Click "OK."
5. Click "OK" once more to finalize your settings.

1. Click on "Tools" at the top of your browser. From this menu, select "Options."
2. Click on the icon for "Privacy."
3. Check the box next to "Accept cookies from sites" and make sure that the drop-down menu next to "Keep until:" reads "they expire."
4. Click "OK."

If you have a new PC, you may be using the latest OS from Microsoft: Windows Vista. Because this system is brand new, not all PC's will have it installed, and you need to take special measures to make sure that the documents, spreadsheets, forms, PowerPoint presentations, assignments, etc. that you save are all saved in a format that your instructor will be able to view--regardless of whether or not he or she has access to Microsoft Vista.

Follow these steps to save your Vista Word Document (we used Word for an example, but the process will be basically the same for all of your Office products):

1. Once you have the document that you would like to submit, click on the "Save As" option from the lefthand side of your screen.
2. You will see several icons to the right of your "Save As" menu that will allow you to select the format you want to save your document in (these include "Word Document," "Word Template," "Word 97-2003 Document," etc.).
3. Click on "Word 97-2003" Document.

Saving your document in this way insures that your instructor will be able to view it regardless of what versions of the products he or she has.

If your instructor is having trouble accessing the assignments you submit via the Digital Dropbox, here's what you can do:

• Remember to click SEND
  Remember, just because you have uploaded a file to the Digital Dropbox does NOT mean that you have submitted that file to your instructor. Remember to click the "Send" button to submit the file for your instructor's review.
• Do Not Use "#" in Your File Name 
  Do not use a # in your file name, because the Blackboard system will interpret this as HTML code, and your instructor will not be able to open the file. If you want to name your file "Assignment #1" for instance, try naming it something like "Assignment No. 1" or "Assignment_1" instead.

If your instructor tells you that he or she cannot grade your submission because it is "locked," the problem is usually that you did not "Submit" your assignment. You may have just "Saved" it by accident, in which case your instructor will see that you are working on the assignment, but will not be able to access it until you have clicked "Submit" to open it up for his or her review.

To "Submit" your assignment, just go back to the assignment page, scroll to the bottom, and click the "Submit" button.

1. Give the Browser Check sufficient time to check your browser. If, after 5-10 minutes, the screen has not changed, go ahead and close the window and follow the next step.
2. Check your version of Java. You want to have version 1.5 update 5 or better on your system. For help with determining your version of Java, reinstalling Java, or downloading for the first time, go to the Java Information page of this site.

If you're trying to download a file (PowerPoint, PDF, Word, etc.) and all that loads for you in Blackboard is a blank page, you should check the following.

First, make sure that you've run the Browser Check.
(To run the Browser Check, go back to the "Preparing for Your Online Class Page" and click on Browser Tune-Up - Application Pack 1 for CE 6 and Vista 4, or just use this link.)

If you've run the Browser Check, and are using a supported Browser, then this is likely a Security Issue.
There are two ways to correct this issue. The first will correct the issue on a one-time basis (you may have to repeat the steps whenever you log in to Blackboard.) The second will correct the issue within your browser's security, so it will remain unless you take action to reset your security options. 

The steps provided are walk-throughs for Internet Explorer.

Quick Fix Method

1. You should see some text under the OCC logo that says "To help protect your security, Internet Explorer blocked this site from downloading files to your computer. Click here for options..." (Click here for a screenshot of the message.)
2. When you see this, click on the text. 
3. A menu should drop down; from this menu, you should select "Download File." This will send you back to the main blackboard page--the one that has links to your courses.
4. If you go back into your class and try opening the file again, it should work for you.

Long-Term Fix

1. Go to the top of your browser, click "Tools," and then "Internet Options."
2. Click the tab for "Security."
3. On the Security Tab, click the button for "Custom Level."
4. A new dialog box will open up for you. Scroll down until you see "Downloads" and under "Auto Prompting for File Downloads" click the radio button for ENABLE.
   
   This should fix this issue within your browser, so it will be ready for you whenever you access your online course.