Popup blockers and Firewall Issues

Configure or Remove Pop-up Stopper Software

Turning off your ad-blocking or pop-up stopping software completely before using Vista can help as a troubleshooting step if you are having problems which logging in, quizzes, discussions, chat or assignments in Vista.

Alternatively add metrostate.blackboard.com as a "trusted server" to the settings or preferences section of these programs.

The following browsers and utilities have pop-up stopping capabilities:

    • Netscape 7.1
    • Windows XP Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer
    • Google Search toolbar
    • Yahoo toolbar
    • Norton Utilities ? Norton Internet Security
    • Norton Anti-virus
    • Zone Alarm
    • and many others

Firewall issues

A firewall protects your computer from threats on the internet. If you have a firewall at home or work you may be prevented from accessing Vista or some of its features such as the chat rooms.

Setup instructions for firewalls

Home/Personal Firewalls

If you have a firewall that throws up a block/allow question at any point as you attempt to enter Vista for the first time, it will probably ask you whether you want to block the site permanently, allow it temporarily, or automatically configure it.  Choose the option that allows the firewall to access Vista permanently and your firewall will set the ports and other parameters correctly.

Corporate Firewalls

 Inform technical staff at your workplace to allow tcp/ip communication for ports 80, 443 and 2304 to computers in the domain metrostate.blackboard.com and port 80 to computers in the domain metrostate.blackboard.com