Software and Hardware Recommendations
Is your browser compatible with Blackboard? See the following table regarding browser compatibility and support.
Cert.
= Certified - fully tested and supported |
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Microsoft
Windows |
Apple
Macintosh |
|||||||
| 2000 |
XP |
Vista |
10.2 |
10.3 |
10.4 |
10.5 |
||
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | 5.2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 5.5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 6.0 | C | Cert. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 7.0 | N/A | Cert. | Cert. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Netscape
and Mozilla |
NS 7.1 | C | C | Cert. | C | C | N/A | N/A |
| NS 8.0 | C | Cert. | P | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Firefox 1.0 | C | C | N/A | C | C | C |
N/A | |
| Firefox 1.5 | N/A | C | Cert. | N/A | ||||
| Firefox 2.0 | C | Cert. | Cert. | N/A | N/A | P | C | |
| Apple Safari | 1.0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | C | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1.1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | C | N/A | N/A | |
| 1.2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Cert. | N/A | N/A | |
| 2.0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Cert. | N/A | |
| 3.0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | C | |
Pop-Up/Spam Blockers
If you have installed a pop-up/cookie/spam blockers on your computer, you may experience difficulties when using Blackboard. For more information on how to turn off pop-up blocker (using Internet Explorer), see the following tutorial. If you continue to have difficulties, please contact the Help Desk.
JavaScript and Cookies
Javascript and Cookies must be set to "enabled' or "true". Also, Java must be enabled. Alternatively, selecting the "Medium Security Level" (on the "Privacy" tab of the "Internet Options" panel) will provide the necessary settings.
Browser Plug-ins
For some courses, you may be required to have one or more of these plug-in application programs. Each course should specify which plug-ins are required. Generally, plug-in software should already be present on your computer when you purchase it. However, we recommend that you verify that (1) you have these plug-ins installed & configured on your web browser, and (2) you have at least the minimum required version for each plug-in.
- Adobe Reader (a.k.a. Acrobat Reader) 5.1
- Apple Quicktime 6.3
- Macromedia Flash Player 5.0
- Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4
- RealNetworks RealOne Player version 2
- Sun Java Runtime Environment 1.4.1
Remember, all these plug-in software applications are free downloads from the vendors. For installation assistance with these plug-ins, please contact the technical support of the respective vendors.
What are the system hardware requirements for Blackboard? See the following table regarding hardware system requirements.
| Microsoft Windows | Apple Macintosh | |||
| Minimum | Recommended | Minimum | Recommended | |
| Operating System | 98 SE or ME or NT4 w/SP6 | 2000 or XP | Mac OS 8.6 | Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar |
| Processor Speed/Type | 400 MHz Intel Pentium II processor, or equivalent | 800 MHz Intel Pentium III processor, or equivalent/better | 300 MHz PowerPC G3 processor | 800 MHz PowerPC G4 processor, or better |
| CPU Memory | 64 MB of RAM | 256 MB of RAM | 64 MB of RAM | 256 MB of RAM |
| Monitor Resolution | 800 x 600 | 1024 x 768 | 800 x 600 | 1024 x 768 |
| Internet Connection | 56 kbps Dial-up Modem | Any high-speed connection (e.g. Cable Broadband or DSL) | 56 kbps Dial-up Modem | Any high-speed connection (e.g. Cable Broadband or DSL) |
| Free Hard Disk Space | 100 MB | 500 MB or greater | 100 MB | 500 MB or greater |