GCCC Blackboard Portal

To ensure that your computer will work properly with the Blackboard system, please make sure that your computer meets these minimum requirements.

Computer Equipment

For PCs a minimum of a Pentium II Processor
A minimum of 128 MB of RAM memory, 256 MB or higher recommended
CD-ROM drive
Monitor at 800 x 600 resolution or above
56k Telephone modem, cable modem or a web-enabled local area network (LAN) connection
An Internet Service Provider
Windows 98 or above with all Windows Updates current
Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 6.0 or higher) Web Browser Test
Anti-virus software is also strongly recommended along with Spyware removal tools

Web browser specifications and settings

To access Blackboard your web browser must have cookies and Java enabled.

PLEASE NOTE:
Blackboard is designed to be used with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6.0 or greater. Blackboard is NOT designed to work with the AOL, Wal-mart browser or the Opera browser. If you use AOL, you can still dial-up using your AOL account, but you are encouraged to download and install Microsoft Internet Explorer browser (version 6.0 or higher). You can obtain it from the "Download Center" link under Quick Links. Once you have dialed in using AOL, you can then minimize AOL and launch Microsoft Internet Explorer browser (version 6.0 or higher) to access your course content. AOL will sometimes try to "hang-up" its call due to perceived service inactivity (since you are using a different browser). If this happens, you are encouraged to contact AOL technical support in order to adjust your system's default "time-out" so that it doesn't hang up during your activity with another browser.

How do I enable cookies for Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher?
Select Internet Options from the Tools menu.
Go to Privacy (tabs).
Adjust preset settings so that cookies are enabled or click on Advanced to customize the settings (make sure that Override automatic cookie handling is un-checked).
Click OK for each window and click Refresh on the browser menu when you return to the web page.

How do I enable Java and JavaScript in Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher?
Test for Java. See if you can load a java applet of this puzzle or this magic cube. We link to two applets because the sites are occasionally not available. If you can't link to one, try the other.
If you don't see the cube, you will need to download an updated Java plug-in for Windows (JVM). Download file from Sun. After installation of the Java plug-in, try to load the puzzle or magic cube java applet again.

To Enable Java and JavaScript
Select Tools > Internet Options
Select the Advanced tab
Locate Java(Sun)
Make sure the Java option is checked
Click OK
Restart your computer

How do I set my browser cache to always reload a page?
Select Tools > Internet Options
Select the General tab
Select Settings from Temporary Internet Files
Select the Automatically radio button
Click OK

Some online courses may require additional software that can be obtained at the Download Center, please check with your instructor or the office of the division chair to see if there will be a need for additional software.