Vista Support

If you can log in to Vista successfully from one computer but not another, then the problem is likely a browser or Java compatibility issue. If you are able to make changes on the other computer, then check to make sure that you are using a compatible browse and do not have any firewalls and/or pop-up blockers, that may be conflicting which your access to online courses.

If you can log in to Vista successfully from home, but not work, then the problem is likely a firewall, browser or Java compatibility issue. If you are able to make changes on your office computer, then check to make sure that you are using a compatible browse and do not have any firewalls and/or pop-up blockers, that may be conflicting which your access to online courses.

Many companies operate behind a firewall to protect the networked computers from viruses or other types of attacks. Contact your employers network administrator to determine the scope of the firewall and if changes can be made to make Vista accessible via your office computer. The main Vista application operates over the standard web server port 80, but the chat/whiteboard uses port 2304, so it, too, should be open to use Chat in your online course. Your office network may also have other mechanisms in place to block domains or web addresses. Our Vista domain is located at scholar.uh.edu If your company cannot change their firewall or network protection, then you must use another computer to access your online courses.

If you receive this error, this indicates that the official start date has not arrived for your class or you are no longer enrolled for this class.

Please try to access your class on the specific class starting date. If you have any questions regarding the official start date for your class, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 303-556-3991.

In your Internet Explorer browser, go to Tools/Internet Options. Click on the Advanced tab and in the Browsing section, UNCHECK the box next to "Show friendly HTTP error messages". Click OK to save changes.

Also, we have found that uninstalling companion toolbars, such as Yahoo!, MSN, or Google toolbars will minimize compatibility problems.

In your Internet Explorer browser, go to Tools/Internet Options. Click on the Advanced tab and in the Browsing section, UNCHECK the box next to "Show friendly HTTP error messages". Click OK to save changes.

Also, while in your online course, do not choose to open a new window (File/New/Window or right-click and "Open in new window"). The system tracks multiple sessions by the same user.

This error is usually the result of a temporary disconnect to data in the database. Please write down what you were doing when you encounter this error message and provide that information to your Online Support Technician via email. It is important to also note the date and time the error occurred. Try the following steps to resume working in your course, but send the details of the error regardless of whether you are able to resume working.

• Click the link on the error page to Return to My Blackboard Vista
• If you are returned successfully to your My Blackboard Vista page, click back into your course and retry the task that you were attempting when the error occurred.
• If you receive the same error message, return to your My Blackboard Vista page, Log out, and close your browser.
• Relaunch your browser and log back in to Vista. You should now be able to complete the task.

The idle session time limit in Vista is set to 60 minutes. If you are logged in to your Vista course and do not perform any actions in the course (click links, access tools, click send, save, etc.) for 60 minutes, then your session will be timed out. Any data that was in progress, but not previously saved, will be lost. For example, if you began a discussion post and typed a message, but did not click the Post button, and 60 minutes expired, you will not be able to post that message and you will need to log back into MetroConnect, go to My Courses, and re-access your class.

Please note that many ISPs (Internet Service Providers) also have their own time limits set for allowable idle time and this time period may be less than 60 minutes. You may be timed out of your ISP before being timed out of your online course, so be sure to check the idle time limitations which your ISP.

Tips for using Chat in Blackboard Vista

1. Check your computer! You must have Java installed for chat to work. Download Java. Also, if behind a personal or corporate firewall, you must open port 2304 to enable chat and whiteboard communication. Check the documentation for your personal firewall for instructions on how to do this, or check which your network administrator.

2. Be patient! The Chat applet takes a while to load (could be as long as a minute or more, depending on your computer and internet connection speed). It may look like nothing is happening, but Java is loading in the background.

3. Click once! Do not double-click the icons. Click only ONCE on the chat room icon to start. Double-clicking or clicking several times may cause your browser to freeze or your computer to lock up. This is true for clicking any link or URL online--you only need to click a link once.

4. Problems? If "Chat is unavailable" when you click on the chat room, log out and then log back in and try the chat again. If bumped out during a session, log out and then log back in and enter the chat room again.

The process to attach a file from your computer to an assignment requires that a current version of Java be installed on your computer. A Java applet runs when you click the My Computer icon in the Choose Files window when adding an attachment to your assignment. This applet allows you to select and attach multiple files. Please check the Java settings and download the latest version of Sun Java.

Also, it is important that you do not use any special characters in the filename of the assignment file you are attempting to attach. The best rule of thumb for naming any file that is to be displayed or handled on the web, is to use only letters, numbers, dashes, or underscores. Do not use characters such as ( )~!@#$%^&*,":'?></|\ in the name of your file.

First, make sure that you have disabled any pop-up blockers for your browser, including those included in the popular search toolbars.

Second, quizzes are typically set up which specific date and time parameters by your instructor. If you are not able to either see the quiz title in your course, or if you can see the quiz listed, but can't click on it to start, then please contact your instructor. He or she may need to change a setting on the quiz to make it visible during the scheduled time.

If you get a "Page not Found" message, first try refreshing or clicking once on the link to load the page again. Note that pages which large graphics or other media may take longer to load, especially when accessing over a phone modem. If the page or link cannot be found, please contact your instructor. They can verify the address of the link or content file.