WebVista 4 Browser Setup

Important browser set up information!

Browser problems, pop-up blockers, Java, and spyware are some of the leading causes of problems using WebVista. To ensure that you have a successful experience in this online learning environment, please review the following information.  

What kind of computer setup do I need to access WebVista and my courses?

• computer system requirements

What browser do I use and how do I set up my computer?

• Browser set up for Internet Explorer
• Browser set up for Mozilla Firefox (PC)
• Browser set up for Mozilla Firefox (Mac)
• Additional Resources:
  • Quick Browser and Java Checker, Common Viewers (WORD, PowerPoint etc.), Common Plug-ins (QuickTime, Flash Player etc.)

Browser Set up for Internet Explorer

To access WebVista course Web sites with Windows IE 7.0+, you must set it up correctly:

Browser Settings

1. Go to the Tools menu and select Internet Options.
2. Choose the General tab.
3. Under Browsing History, select Settings.
4. Under Check for newer versions of stored pages:
• Click Automatically
• Click OK.
5. Select the Security tab at the top of the window.
6. Select Internet zone, then click the Custom Level button.
7. Scroll down to Downloads and check Enable for the following items:
   • Automatic prompting for file downloads
   • File download
8. Scroll way down to Scripting and under Scripting of Java applets choose Enable.
9. Click OK.
10. In the same Internet Options panel, select the Privacy tab at the top of the panel.
11. If using the Default settings, set the slider to Medium High, Medium, Low, or Accept All Cookies.
12. If using Custom settings:
    • Click the Advanced button.
    • Click the box for Override automatic cookie handling.
    • Click the button for Accept under First-party cookies.
    • Click the button for Prompt under Third-party cookies.
    • Click OK.
13. Click OK.
    

Popup Blockers: Internet Explorer’s Built-In Popup Blocker

Many browser problems are caused by ad-blocking software or ad-blocking features in browsers that disable pop-up windows and other JavaScript functions needed to use WebVista. You must disable these before using WebVista.

The most recent version of Internet Explorer has a built-in popup blocker. To configure it, see the directions below:

1. Go to Tools: Popup Blocker.
2. Select Popup Blocker Settings.
3. For Address of website to allow, you'll need to type "https://www2.webvista.umn.edu" (without quotes)
4. Click the Add button.
5. Click the Close button
6. Close and restart Internet Explorer.

Browser Set up for Mozilla Firefox (PC)

To access WebVista course Web sites with Windows Firefox 1.2+ to 3.0+, you must set it up correctly:

Browser Settings

1. Click Tools and select Options from the menu.
2. Choose the Content tab.
3. Make sure that Enable Javascript and Enable Java are checked.
4. For Block pop-up windows, click the Exceptions button.
5. For Address of web site, you'll need to type "www2.webvista.umn.edu" in the box (without quotes).
   • Click the Allow button.
   • Click the Close button.
6. Click the Privacy image on the menu bar.
7. Under Cookies, make sure the box is checked for Accept cookies from sites and Keep until they expire.
8. Under Private Data, check the boxes for Always clear my private data when I close Firefox and Ask me before clearing private data.
9. Click the OK button.
10. Close and restart Firefox.

Browser Set up for Mozilla Firefox (Mac)

To access WebVista course Web sites with Mac OS X Firefox 1.2+ to 3.0+, you must set it up correctly:

Browser Settings

Enable Java and JavaScript

1. From the Firefox menu, select Preferences.
2. Select Content from the top pane of the Preferences window.
3. Make sure Enable Java and Enable JavaScript are checked.
4. Close the Preferences window.

Allow Cookies

1. From the Firefox menu, select Preferences.
2. Select Privacy from the top pane of the Preferences window.
3. Make sure Accept cookies from sites is checked, or continue with the steps below.
4. Click the Exceptions… button.
   
   • You'll need to type "www2.webvista.umn.edu" into the box (without quotes)
   • Click Allow.
   • Close the Exceptions – Cookies window.

Popup Blockers: Disable Popup Windows

1. Either uncheck Block pop-up windows, or continue with the steps below (suggested):
   • Click the Exceptions… button.
   • You'll need to type "www2.webvista.umn.edu" into the box (without quotes)
   • Click Allow.
   • Close the Allowed Sites window.
   • Close the Preferences window.

Additional Resources

Java is a program needed on your computer for WebVista and will allow you to use WebVista components, please make sure you have a supported version of Java on your computer.

• Java for Windows (PC)
  • Resolve Java Conflicts for Windows
    
    
• Java for Mac
  • You can use Safari (browser) to access Java applications in WebVista (the chat tool and HTML editor) and to attach documents in assignments.
    

Quick Browser and Java Checker:

• Check your Browser
• Check what version of Java you have on your computer

Spyware:

Spyware may be preventing you from accessing your course. Information on spyware and spyware removal.

Common Plug-ins and Viewers:

In some courses you will need a plug-in or viewers to view course content.

Common plug-ins

Common Viewers: