Browser Fix for Problems Accessing Online Courses

Excelsior College is in the process of upgrading our course environment. This upgrade started with certain courses in the November 2011 term and is expected to conclude with the September 2012 term. As we transition between course environments, depending on what courses you are enrolled in, you may be required to access both our new and old systems. The good news is the new course environment supports the latest browser versions. However, if your course is still within the older course management system, Internet Explorer 9 and Mozilla Firefox version's 4 through 8 are not supported. If you are using an unsupported version of either of these browsers, you may experience the following issues:

• Inability to access course content
• Inability to access exams or quizzes
• Inability to open your course environment
• Frequent browser crashing

To verify the version of the browser you are currently using:

For both Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox:

1. Press the ALT key on your keyboard to enable the Menu Bar at the top of your browser interface if it is not already enabled.

 

2. At the top of the page, click Help, then scroll down to select About Internet Explorer, or About Mozilla Firefox depending on which browser you are using.

3. From there, you should be able to see the version of the browser you are using.

To determine which version of course management system your course is in:

If, when you log into your course environment, your homepage is consistent with the screenshot below, this is the original Vista/WebCT course management system and you will need the older browser versions.

If your home page looks like the screenshot below, this is the new Blackboard course management system and you do not need to change your browser.

To install or use an older supported browser version, please follow these steps:

For Internet Explorer 9 Users:

If your computer has not been upgraded to Internet Explorer 9, and came with Internet Explorer 9 installed, you will not be able to Uninstall Internet Explorer.  It is recommended that you install Mozilla Firefox and use that browser for the interim.  To do so, please review the instructions for downloading and installing Firefox version 3.6.X, listed below.

If you have recently updated your browser to Internet Explorer 9, you can roll back this update by going to the Microsoft Web site.

The instructions provided on tht page will give you step-by-step instructions for rolling back to the previous version of Internet Explorer you were using.

For Firefox versions 4 through 8 Users:

While you are accessing a course on our older course management system, it is recommended that you use an older version of FireFox. In order to use the older version of FireFox, you would need to uninstall the version of Firefox on your PC and install Firefox Version 3.6.X. Before uninstalling FireFox, you can download the install file for the older version (instructions below) or use an alternative browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Before uninstalling FireFox, you can download the install file for the older version (instructions below) or use an alternative browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Information on how to uninstall Firefox from your computer.

Installing Firefox 3.6.X

Download Firefox version 3.6.X, for Windows. Follow the steps to install Firefox to your computer.

Once you have done so, please disable the Pop Up Blocker functions in Firefox.

To disable the pop up blocker function:

1. From the menu bar at the top of the page, click Tools.

2. Then click Options. A new window will open.

3. From the tabs at the top of the page select Content.

4. Take the check mark out of the box next to Block Pop-Up Windows.

5. Click OK.

You should now be able to log into your course without any issues. If you encounter any problems with these steps, please contact Technical Support.

Download Firefox version 3.6.X, for Mac. Follow the steps to install Firefox to your computer.

Once you have done so, please disable the Pop Up Blocker functions in Firefox.

1. From the menu bar at the top of your screen, click on Firefox and then click on Preferences.

2. In the ensuing window that opens up, click the Content option.

3. If there is a checkmark in the box next to Block Pop-Up Windows remove it.

4. Close the window.

You should now be able to log into your course without any issues. If you encounter any problems with these steps, please contact Technical Support.

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