NEFEC Tech Support - Minimum System Requirements

System Specifications | Browser Configuration and Maintenance | Automatic Browser System Check |
Required Software and Plug-Ins

System Specifications

For a successful online learning experience with NEFEC, your computer should meet the following minimum specifications:

Memory: Minimum 64 MB RAM, 1 G of free disk space. (If you have minimal RAM, you may not be able to run other programs at the same time you are using Blackboard, especially the Collaboration tools in Blackboard.)
Processor speed: 150 MHz or higher recommended.
Internet connection: 56 K modem or better.
Monitor: A monitor capable of at least 800 x 600 resolution is recommended. Need to increase the text size for easier viewing? View our Changing Text Size tutorial.

Browser Configuration and Maintenance

Browser Type: To check your version of Browser, click the HELP menu and then the “About …” link. Then look for the version number on the information screen the appears. Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7) works best with Blackboard on computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. If you do not already have IE 7, you may download it at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp. Depending on your platform, certain browsers are certified, while others are at least compatible. Firefox (Version 1.5) or Netscape may work as well; however, the AOL browser does not. For AOL Internet service users, connect to the Internet normally, then minimize the AOL window and open Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape or other browser of your choice. If you are using VISTA, please note that there may be compatibility issues with Blackboard using the ActiveX Controls. Follow the directions below to remedy this.
Browser Settings: Java, Cookies and ActiveX Controls must be enabled. (Most computers have these settings enabled already so no action may be needed.)
- Cookies: In Internet Explorer 7, go to the "Tools" menu and choose "Internet Options". Choose the "Privacy" tab and move the slider to "Medium" (which is the default setting) to enable Cookies.
- Java: To enable Java (if not installed, see "Java Plug-in for Windows" or Java Plug-in for Macintosh"), go to the "Tools" menu and choose "Internet Options". Choose the "Advanced" tab. Scroll down until you see the "Java (Sun)" item and check the box beside "Use Java...". Click "OK". You may need to close your browser and all other applications and restart your computer before this setting takes effect. The Java plug-in, J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5.0_03 (also known as JRE 5.0) or higher is required in order to use Blackboard.
- ActiveX Controls: Go to the “Tools” menu on the top bar of a window in Internet Explorer. Then, click “Internet Options.” Click the Security tab and then look towards the bottom of the window at the Security level. A Medium-High or lower setting seems to work fine. Then click the Custom Level button. In the window that appears, scroll until you find the “Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins” and make sure it is marked as enabled. Additional information with screen shots is provided at http://www.nefec.org/dl/techsupport/no_textbox_td.htm.
- Add Blackboard to List of Trusted Sites: Go to the “Tools” menu on the top bar of a window in Internet Explorer. Then, click “Internet Options.” Click the Security tab and then in the box at the top of the screen, click “Trusted Sites” with a green check mark icon. Then click the “Sites” button. On the next screen type http://bb8.nefec.org in the textbox and click the “Add” button.
Pop-Up Blockers: Disable pop-up blocker software or allow pop-ups on http://bb8.nefec.org. (TOOLS >> Internet Options >>Pop-Up Blocker Settings.)
Firewalls: Check firewall settings (if applicable) to make sure settings are not blocking Blackboard or NEFEC sites. Depending on your access location, this could be on your computer, on a network or through your ISP. To test this, go to http://bb8.nefec.org and see if the page comes up. If you get a “Page Cannot be Displayed” message, then it may be blocked by a firewall.
Check for New Pages Every Visit: Your Internet browser may need to be set to check for newer versions of stored (previously visited) pages every visit. In Internet Explorer, go to the "Tools" menu and choose "Internet Options". Under "Temporary Internet Files", choose "Settings". Under "Check for newer versions of stored pages", check "Every visit to the page". Click "OK", then "OK" again.

Automatic Browser System Check

To automatically check the status of your computer's browser, Java, and cookies, test your browser for the needed configuration, visit University of North Florida's site below, and click the "Select this button to Perform Browser Check" button:

http://www.nefec.org/dl/bbcheck.asp

Required Software and Plug-Ins:

Required Software
Microsoft Office 2000 or higher with Word and Excel is recommended. If Microsoft Office is not available, there is a FREE option. OpenOffice.org is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is available to download, use, and distribute at no cost. Download Open Office at http://www.openoffice.org/.

For those who do not have Microsoft Office, you will need FREE Microsoft Office Viewers to access some course documents and presentations. Download at the following links:

Required Plug-Ins