Skip Search and Navigation

Blackboard News and Current Issues

Click the links below to learn about current known issues existing in the Blackboard system:

General Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new features in Blackboard 7.3?
What is Blackboard?
How do I log in to Blackboard?
When is Blackboard available?
Is there a timeout feature on the virtual chat?
What are the computer requirements for using Blackboard?
What are the software requirements for using Blackboard?
What plugins are required for using Blackboard?
A work/school firewall blocks my access, what do I do?
Are there any special rules for uploading to Blackboard?
Why are videos coming up "Page Cannot be Displayed"or "RTSP is not registered protocol"?

Answers

Q. What are the new features in Blackboard 7.3?

Blackboard will be upgraded to version 7.3 over the holiday break period. In addition, new hardware and software will be installed to improve system performance. Refer to the following Word Document to learn more about these features.

Top of Page

Q: What is Blackboard?

A: Blackboard is the course management system utilized by the University of Louisville to teach on-line courses and used in support of classroom instruction. The current version of Blackboard installed is version 7.3.

Top of Page

Q: How do I log in to Blackboard?

A: Access Blackboard directly by typing in http://blackboard.louisville.edu or by navigating to http://louisville.edu, click on Current Students and then the Blackboard icon. You will use the same user ID and password you use for email and other network services. If you are having issues/difficulties with your user ID and password or other computer difficulties, the HelpDesk is available 24/7 by phone at 502-852-7997 or email the HelpDesk.

Top of Page

Q. When is Blackboard available?

A. UofL performs weekly maintenance on servers each Friday starting at 10 pm and finishing around 2 am EST and each Sunday starting at 2 am and finishing around 5:30 am EST. During these times Blackboard, ULink, and Email may be unavailable. If you suspect a system is down at another time you may call the HelpDesk at 502-852-7997 for status.

Top of Page

Q: Is there a timeout feature on virtual chat?

Yes. Blackboard has added a new Inactivity Timeout feature to Chat that is set for 10 minutes of inactivity. If a participant in a Chat session does not respond with a post within 10 minutes of inactivity they will be prompted to launch the Chat session again. Inactivity is defined as not submitting a post. Please note that no posts will be lost and that this is a feature of Blackboard 7.1. *The University of Louisville along with other institutions is asking Blackboard to revise this feature.

Note: It is always best to have your students launch a Chat session a day before the first scheduled class Chat and 30 minutes prior to each chat session thereafter to ensure enough time to resolve connection issues if they arise.

Top of Page

Q: What are the computer requirements for using Blackboard?

A: You must use a compatible, properly configured browser when working with Blackboard.

Recommended PC Operating Systems:

Recommended Mac Os:

Compatible Browsers for the PC:

Compatible Browsers for the Mac:

General Browser Requirements/Settings: Due to the wide variety of computer hardware/software/browser combinations available, it is nearly impossible to give a comprehensive list of settings that accounts for all variations. What follows are some of the most common settings necessary to make your Blackboard experience a successful one.

Java

Many Blackboard functions require Java to be installed on your computer and java scripting to be enabled in your browser. Java runtime version 1.5 is required.
* Special Note: Java's newest version 1.6 is currently NOT compatible with Blackboard. To optimize your Blackboard experience verify you have installed the correct Java version 1.5. *
To see if Java is installed on your computer and what version it is do the following:

    1. Click on “Start” lower left portion of the screen
    2. Select “Control Panel”
    3. From the "Category View" click on the “Java” coffee cup icon to see which version you have
    4. If the Icon is not present, you will have to download Java version 1.5 .

To enable Java scripting in IE:

  1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
  2. Choose "Internet Options"
  3. Click on "Security" tab
  4. Click on the "Internet" icon
  5. Click on "Custom Level" button
  6. Scroll down until you see "Scripting of Java Applets" (under Scripting). Set this to "Enable"
  7. Click on "OK"

Cookies

Your computer must be allowed to accept cookies. To enable cookies in IE:

    1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
    2. Choose "Internet Options"
    3. Click on "Privacy" tab
    4. Slide bar to medium or lower
    5. Click on "Apply"

Trusted Site

It is recommended that you make the following: blackboard.louisville.edu or louisville.edu, a trusted site in Internet Explorer's Privacy tab:

    1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
    2. Choose "Internet Options"
    3. Click on "Privacy" tab
    4. Click on "Sites"
    5. Type in blackboard.louisville.edu or louisville.edu
    6. Click "Allow"
    7. Click "OK"

It is recommended you also make blackboard.louisville.edu or louisville.edu trusted sites in Internet Explorer's Security tab:

  1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
  2. Choose "Internet Options"
  3. Click on "Security" tab
  4. Click on "Trusted Sites"
  5. Click on “Sites”
  6. Type in blackboard.louisville.edu or louisville.edu
  7. Click "Add"
  8. Click "OK"

Security Warnings

Read all security warnings that appear on your screen. Security warnings are in response to settings within your browser. In general if you are within the Blackboard application at the University of Louisville you can click okay or run to proceed with the application without danger. However, you should evaluate the message before deciding to proceed. If you have concerns, contact the HelpDesk by phone 502-852-7997 or email the HelpDesk.

Pop-Up Blockers

Pop Up Blockers must be turned off when using Blackboard. Be sure to turn off Pop Up Blockers that come with your browser as well as third-party blockers that come with programs such as Google Tool Bar. The procedure below allows popups to be displayed when accessing UofL's Blackboard site. To allow popups in Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on "Tools" in the menu bar
  2. Choose "Internet Options"
  3. Click on "Privacy" tab
  4. In the Popup Blocker area, click the Settings button
  5. Enter blackboard.louisville.edu in the "Address of Web Site to Allow" field and click Add
  6. Click on "Close"
  7. Click on "OK"
    Note: make sure that any third-party popup blocking software is disabled.

Clearing Cache

Occasionally a previously viewed page will load or remain on your screen creating the illusion you are working with a new page. Cache Settings for Internet Explorer 6.0:

  1. Click on Tools
  2. Choose Internet Options
  3. General tab
  4. Temporary Files
  5. Click Settings
  6. Choose "Every time"
  7. Click OK
  8. To clear cache click "Delete Files"
  9. Delete all files... click OK
  10. Click OK

Cache Settings for Internet Explorer 7.0:

  1. Click on Tools
  2. Choose Internet Options
  3. General tab
  4. Browsing history area click Settings
  5. Select "Every time I start Internet Explorer"
  6. Click OK
  7. Browsing history area click Delete
  8. Temporary Internet Files click Delete files...
  9. Are you sure... click Yes
  10. Click Close
  11. Click OK

SSL (Secure Socket Layer)

Much of Blackboard goes through secure connections. SSL (and the correct versions) must be enabled. SSL Settings for Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Tools
  2. Select Internet Options
  3. Choose Advanced
  4. Scroll down to Security section
  5. Near the bottom place a check beside "Use SSL 2.0" and "Use SSL 3.0"
  6. Remove the check beside "Use TLS 1.0"
  7. Click OK

Firefox 2.0

  1. Click on Tools
  2. Select Options
  3. Choose Advanced
  4. Select the Security tab
  5. Under Protocols place a check beside "Use SSL 2.0" and "Use SSL 3.0"
  6. Remove the check beside "Use TSL 1.0"
  7. Click OK

FireFox Best Practices

Most of Mozilla FireFox defaults are generally adequate for Blackboard. If you need to change them, most settings in Firefox are located:

  1. Tools
  2. Content
  3. Options

Make sure the following selections are marked:

  • "Load Images"
  • "Enable Java"
  • "Enable Javascript

If "Block Popups" is checked, then you should also click the corresponding "Allowed Sites" button and add "blackboard.louisville.edu", since popup blocking can interfere with some blackboard features.

Top of Page

Q: What are the software requirements for using Blackboard?

A. Software needs depends on individual requirements of the course. The instructor may require specific programs/formats for document and assignment submission. If you don't have the required programs on your computer, the Microsoft Office Suite and other programs are offered to the University community at reasonable prices through the University of Louisville's IT Store.

To Download and read documents, free reader versions of Microsoft applications are available for download. Open Office is a free open source software suite which emulates most of the functions of Microsoft office. If you need to view Office 2007 Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files you will need to download the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack.

Free Downloads
Word Powerpoint Excel Open Office

Q: What plugins are required for using Blackboard?

Some courses may require certain plug-ins for your browser to play or utilize materials.
You may or may not need the plug-ins, depending on what type of files your instructor shares with you via Blackboard. These plug-ins are free downloads:

Top of Page

Q. A work/school firewall blocks my access, what do I do?

A. You should give this information to your company/school system administrator:

Outside of the university, companies use firewalls. To use ULink and BlackBoard, traffic on specific TCP/IP port numbers must be allowed.

Specifically, firewalls must allow traffic to/from:
orionweb1.louisville.edu on ports 8331 and 7991 for ULink
blackboard.louisville.edu ports 8008, 8010, 8011 for Blackboard Chatrooms

Of course with Internet Explorer 6, the louisville.edu domain must be trusted for the ULink portal to work. Instructions for that follow:

1. Click on the "Tools" menu.
2. Click on "Internet Options".
3. Click on the "Privacy" tab.
4. Click on the "Edit" button.
5. In the box labeled "Address of Web site" type: louisville.edu
6. Click on the "Allow button".
7. Click on the "OK" button.
8. Click on the "OK" button.
9. Try to login to ULink.

Top of Page

Q. Are there any special rules for uploading to Blackboard?

A. Yes, as a best practice it is always wise to save documents or create items in the Blackboard system that contain only letters, numbers, underscores ( _ ) and dashes ( - ).

Top of Page

Q. Why are videos coming up "Page Cannot be Displayed" or "RTSP is not registered protocol"?

A. If you get one of these messages this will probably fix your problem:

Top of Page

Q. I am trying to open a Word document from Blackboard, and I get the following error: “Word was Unable to read this document. It may be corrupt..." Why am I getting this?

A. When opening a file in Microsoft Word with hyperlinks, you might see the error above. Generally, this occurs when the Word file has been saved with the incorrect link to Blackboard. Confirm you have the proper link syntax when uploading Word documents with hyperlinks into Blackboard. If referencing a link to Blackboard, please be sure to use: “https://blackboard.louisville.edu” instead of “http://blackboard.louisville.edu” as we have changed to a secure socket connection.

Top of Page

Q. When using Firefox 3.X, I can’t upload assignments or get a valid file error in Blackboard

A. Although Blackboard supports several web browsers and operating system configurations, Firefox 3.X is currently not compatible as a functional browser option in Blackboard.  You may notice several features, including uploading assignments that cause errors. It is recommended you continue to use Firefox 2.X until this issue has been resolved.
Firefox 2.0.0.X is still available for download from Mozilla here. Blackboard is aware Firefox 2.X is supported until mid-December 2008, and is actively seeking compatibility with Firefox 3.X.

Top of Page