Problems logging into WebCT
Your password is your student ID number but if it starts with a zero, drop the zero. For example, if your student ID is 0123456, your WebCT password is 123456.
Problems Adding or Opening Attachments.
Browser / Computer Setup Problems.
- WebCT works on one computer but not another.
- I can't log in to WebCT from work.
- After I log in to WebCT, I get redirected back to the Login or Institution page.
- If you are not using AOL and experience this problem.
- When I click on a course title in My WebCT, my browser shuts down.
- Why does my browser close unexpectedly?
Problems with Course Tools.
- I can't open a Chat session.
- I can't start my quiz.
- Links don't work or content pages don't load.
- Session timed out.
- There was an error opening this document (PDF document).
Browser Support.
Problems Adding or Opening Attachments
I can't attach a file to my assignment
The process to attach a file from your computer to an assignment requires that a supported version of Java be installed on your computer. Please 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.
Note: Attachment size for an assignment is 5mb.
I can't view or open a PDF or DOC file
Windows XP users that have upgraded to SP 2 (service pack 2) may experience problems opening PDF or other non-html documents in their browser. The SP2 release of XP added numerous security measures to the Internet Explorer browser, one of which is a feature to prohibit the automatic downloading of files. For example, when you click on a PDF file or a Word document, IE will display an "information bar" near the top of the page, just below the address field.
This information bar tells you that IE blocked this site from downloading files to your computer. Click on this information bar and it will give you an option to download the file. You may do this for files that you want to download. Note that when you select the option to download, the browser will take you out of your course back to your My WebCT page. Click back into your course and go to the file you need to view and click on it. You should now get a dialog to open/save this file.
Alternately, you can disable this information bar, so that you will automatically get the Open/Save option when you click on a file to download. Go to Tools >> Internet Options >> Security tab >> Custom Level. In the Downloads section of the list, click Enable for "Automatic prompting for file downloads" and in the Active X controls and plug-ins section of the list, click Enable for "Automatic prompting for Active X controls".
Browser / Computer Setup Problems
WebCT works on one computer but not another
If you can log in to WebCT 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 go through the Computer Setup section and double-check for:
1) a compatible browser
2) correct browser settings
3) a supported version of Java installed
4) personal firewalls and pop-up blockers
5) any spyware
I can't log in to WebCT from work
If you can log in to WebCT 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 go through the Computer Setup section and double-check for 1) a compatible browser, 2) correct browser settings, 3) a current version of Java installed, and 4) any spyware.
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 WebCT accessible via your office computer. The main WebCT 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 WebCT 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.
After I log in to WebCT, I get redirected back to the Login or Institution page
This is a problem seen frequently with AOL users. If you are using AOL, first, make sure you are using a compatible version. You should use AOL version 8 or 9. Then, for best results in accessing WebCT, you should use an alternate browser after you connect using AOL.
• Use AOL to connect to the internet
• Open a private chat session within AOL, which allows the AOL client to remain open without asking if you wish to disconnect while minimized
• Minimize your AOL browser
• Open an alternate supported browser, e.g., Internet Explorer 6 or Firefox
• Log into WebCT and access your course using the alternate browser
If you are not using AOL and experience this problem, then check the following
- Cookies - for IE go to Tools/Internet option/Privacy and move the slider to Medium or lower to allow for cookies. If you prefer a higher level, then you should add the WebCT server to the allowed web sites. Click the Edit button in the Web sites section on the Privacy tab. Then add the domains uh.edu and uhv.edu and click Allow. Then click OK.
- Accelerators - disable any accelerators used with your ISP to "load pages faster". They typically work by caching and re-using pages that you have visited before. In doing so, they may not load the most current information on the web page that you are requesting.
- Firewalls - disable personal firewalls and/or pop-up blockers during your WebCT session or set the WebCT server as a trusted site (domain = scholar.uh.edu).
When I click on a course title in My WebCT, my browser shuts down
First, make sure that you are using a supported browser and have followed the recommended settings in the Computer Setup section. Also, uninstall any browser toolbars, such as Yahoo!, MSN, or Google toolbars. These may cause erratic behavior in WebCT. And finally, make sure that you have either disabled your pop-up blocker or have changed the setting in your pop-up blocker to always allow pop-ups for the WebCT domain (scholar.uh.edu).
Why do I get sent to Ask Jeeves (or some other web site) when I log in to WebCT? (Do We need this one)
If, when you log in to WebCT, you are being automatically redirected to another web site, then your browser is being "hijacked" by spyware. These programs are commonly installed automatically by other programs, such as file-sharing programs. It is recommended that you uninstall or temporarily disable these programs while accessing WebCT. Please check our Spyware & Adware section for suggestions on detecting and removing this type of software.
Why does my browser close unexpectedly?
• You may be encountering a security settings issue. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools/Internet options and choose the Privacy tab. Move the settings slider to Medium security or lower. If you prefer a higher level, then you should add the WebCT server to the allowed web sites. Click the Edit button in the Web sites section on the Privacy tab. Then add the domains uh.edu and uhv.edu and click Allow. Then click OK.
• Check your Java settings.
You are not authorized to view this page
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 toolbars, such as Yahoo!, MSN, or Google toolbars will minimize compatibility problems while running WebCT.
WebCT session already running
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 WebCT, do not choose to open a new window (File/New/Window or right-click and "Open in new window") and then return to your login page and log in again. WebCT tracks multiple sessions by the same user, so if you would like to have a second browser open with WebCT, you must launch a new instance of Internet Explorer and then login (either launch from your desktop, taskbar, or start/programs menu). It may be less confusing to launch a second WebCT session using another supported browser, like Netscape 7.
Problems with Course Tools
I can't open a Chat session
Tips for using Chat in WebCT
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 with 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.
I can't start my quiz
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 with 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.
Beginning in the Summer of 2006 students might be required to use the Respondus Lockdown Browser to take assessments. If the “Begin Assesments” button is grayed out and the instructions tell you that you must use the LockDown Browser then that is the only way to take the assessment.
Links don't work or content pages don't load
If you get a "Page not Found" message, first try go back to course homepage and try again or clicking once on the link to load the page again. Note that pages with large graphics or other media may take longer to load, especially when accessing over dial-up. If the page or link cannot be found, please contact your instructor. They can verify the address of the link or content file.
Session timed out
The idle session time limit in WebCT is set to 180 minutes. If you are logged in to your WebCT course and do not perform any actions in the course (click links, access tools, click send, save, etc.) for 180 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 180 minutes expired, you will not be able to post that message and you will need to log back in to WebCT and create a new message.
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 WebCT's 180 minutes. You may be timed out of your ISP before being timed out of WebCT, so be sure to check the idle time limitations with your ISP.
There was an error opening this document (PDF document)
If you get an error message that "the document is corrupt and cannot be loaded", then you need to apply an update/fix to your Adobe Acrobat Reader to version 6.0.1. This update is necessary both for Adobe Acrobat Professional and for the Adobe Reader. To get the update, open your Adobe application (Acrobat or Reader) and go to the Help menu and select "Updates" and follow the steps to get the update.
Browser Support
What browsers are supported by WebCT?
For version 4.0, WebCT supports the following web browsers:
Windows OS:
- Internet Explorer 5 or higher – except 5.5 SP1.
- Netscape 6.2.x or higher - may require updated Java plug-in.
- AOL 7.0 browser or higher
- Mozilla 1.5, 1.6
- Mac OS 9.x:
- Internet Explorer 5.1
- Netscape 6.2.x
Mac OS 10.x:
- Internet Explorer 5.1 (for OS 10.1.x)
- Internet Explorer 5.2 (for OS 10.2.x)
- Netscape 6.2.x (for OS 10)
- Netscape 7.0 (for OS 10.1 and 10.2)
- AOL for Mac OS X browser
- Mozilla 1.5, 1.6
- Safari 1.2
Note: All browsers must enable Java, JavaScript (for Chat & Whiteboard) and allow cookies (for ticket-based authentication) as well as style sheets (.css).
Lastly, while connecting to WebCT, make sure that you disable any pop-up ad blocker software when accessing WebCT.
How can I configure my browser for WebCT?
The best way to configure your browser is to use the WebCT Browser Tune-up page. This resource steps you through the different aspects of setting up your browser. Follow the links for your Operating System (Windows or Mac) and then your particular browser (IE, Netscape or AOL). Finally, you will want to follow all directions under the prepare link for your browser.
Lastly, while connecting to WebCT, make sure that you disable any pop-up ad blocker software when accessing WebCT.