Preparing Your Computer for WVU eCampus

Students who are enrolled in online courses need to have access to a computer, an Internet connection, and a supported Web browser. Having access to a computer with an Internet connections at home is recommended, since it is the most convenient way to get into your online courses. You will also be able to change any settings necessary to access your course on your home computer.

You may also utilize the computer labs on campus in the basement of the main building or in the Caperton Center.

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 Java  |  Browsers  |  Firewalls, Pop-up Blockers & Spyware  |  Software Plug-ins | Student Tutorial | Computer Requirements | Request Help

   Sun Java Virtual Machine (Sun JVM)

All eCampus courses require the Sun Java Virtual Machine (Sun JVM) to be installed on your computer. Java is used in many web environments to enable online interaction. If you can't browse your computer to send files (documents, spreadsheets, etc.) or enable html in emails to change fonts, then you probably need to install and enable Java on your computer.

To check to see if Java is installed on your computer and the version installed:

  • Windows users,
    • Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel      or      Start > Control Panel
    • Look for the Java Plug-in
    • If it is not listed, download and install the Sun JVM (below)
    • If it is listed, double-click to open it and click the Browser tab
    • Select the checkbox next to your browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.) and click Apply to save the settings
    • Next click the About tab to see the version of Java that you are using. Java (TM) Plug-in 1.4.2_09 JRE is the recommended version.

    PLEASE NOTE:
    If your version of Java is not the one listed above, remove your version of Java by following these directions:
    Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel      or      Start > Control Panel
    Add or Remove Software
    Select Java on the list and click the Remove button. Do this for all versions of Java that you see listed
    After removing Java, download and install the Sun JVM (below)
     

  • Macintosh users, click on either one of these java applets to see if Java is installed on your computer
    • Puzzles
    • Magic Cube
    • If you can't see the puzzle or cube, download and install the Sun JVM (below)
    • If you can see them, proceed to your browser settings

To install the correct version of Java:

Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel      or      Start > Control Panel
Add or Remove Software
Locate all versions of Sun Java, JRE, or JVM.
For each version, click Change/Remove and follow the onscreen instructions to remove all previously installed versions of Java.
Download.
To install the JRE, accept the license agreement and follow the online and onscreen instructions.

After installing the JRE and rebooting your computer, do not download updates for the JRE.

To disable automatic Java update checks:

Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel      or      Start > Control Panel
Double-click Java Plug-in.
Click the Update tab.
Clear the checkbox next to Check for Updates Automatically.
Click Apply.
Click the "x" to close the Java Plug-in Control Panel window.

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Browser Requirements

To access your courses on the internet, you need to have an Internet service provider (ISP), providing either dial-up (phone modem) or broadband (DSL, Cable, T1/LAN) Internet connection services. To access your online courses, you will need a browser compatible with eCampus and it must be configured properly. For detailed browser information and step-by-step instructions on preparing your browser for use with eCampus, please complete the Browser Tune-Up.

Problems accessing your course in WVU eCampus?

Try accessing eCampus using another browser. If you are having problems while using Internet Explorer, then try using Netscape, Mozilla, or Safari.

Download browsers from the Browser Tune-Up Information page.

Attention AOL users!
1) Connect to the internet with AOL
2) Launch a private chat in AOL (to keep the AOL client open without disconnecting)
3) Minimize AOL
4) Launch a different supported browser (e.g., Internet Explorer 6 or Netscape 7)
5) Login to eCampus in the non-AOL browser

1. Upgrade to the latest browser versions. The following browsers are recommended for use with WVU eCampus.

   Recommended Browsers - PC    Recommended Browsers - Mac

2. Your web browser must be configured properly in order to access and interact successfully in your courses. Click on a link below to double-check the settings for your operating system and browser.

  Windows - Browser Configurations   Macintosh - Browser Configurations
   Internet Explorer Settings

   Netscape Browser Settings		    Internet Explorer Settings

    Netscape Browser Settings

3.  Go to this page for more browser troubleshooting tips:
        eCampus Tune-up and Troubleshooting

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Firewalls, Pop-up Blockers, Spyware & Viruses

As a result of security risks on the internet (viruses, hackers, etc.) many companies and individuals use firewalls to protect their computers. These firewalls can restrict you from accessing materials or web sites over the Internet. If you are unable to view the eCampus Log In page on your computer, you may have a firewall restriction issue. Firewalls can be configured to allow access only to certain IP addresses or ports. If you cannot access your online course, you may have a firewall configuration issue. Personal firewalls, such as Norton Internet Security, McAfee Personal Firewall and Microsoft SP 2 Firewall can be set and controlled by the user, however, your worksite may have policies restricting the personal use of work computers and/or making changes to the firewall configuration.

Pop-up blockers (also known as pop-up killers, ad blockers, etc.) are programs that help to keep unwanted advertisements from popping up as you surf the internet. Unfortunately, they may also prevent necessary or beneficial windows from opening. eCampus tools, such as mail, discussion, and quizzes, all use javascript the same way that these pop-up ads do. So, if you have pop-up blockers installed or activated, you may not be able to access course materials or actively participate in discussions.

Spyware and other deceptive software can cause problems when using eCampus or other websites. If you are having problems accessing eCampus, then you should check for, then uninstall or temporarily disable these types of software.

Viruses can cause many problems on a computer. If your computer is infected with a virus, you may have problems using eCampus.

 Firewalls
To access your courses with personal firewalls on your computer, you can do the following...

Check the instructions for your personal firewall for details about how to configure it to grant access to the eCampus server, http://ecampus.wvu.edu. In addition to granting access to the eCampus server, you should make sure that port 8080 is open to allow communication with the  server. WVU eCampus uses port 8080; therefore, port 8080 must be opened for communication in your firewall. Check the documentation for your personal firewall for instructions on how to open access to port 8080.

To access your courses with a worksite firewall on your computer, you can do the following...

If you access eCampus from a company computer, you should contact your company's network administrator to determine what firewall restrictions are set and whether they can be modified to enable access to eCampus  at http://ecampus.wvu.edu and to port 8080.
 Pop-Up Blockers
To access your courses while you have a pop-up blocker on your computer, you can do the following...
  1. Find and disable the pop-up blocker software each time that you need to access your course.

    a) Right-click on the icon in the system tray and disable, then re-enable when you have left the course.

    b) To find and disable pop-up killers/stoppers/blockers or ad-blockers software on your computer:

    Click your Start button in the bottom left hand corner of your screen, then select Search and search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name and disable it. You may need to open the program, then go to the Help menu/area to find the directions for disabling the application. Examples of popular pop-up killer applications include:

    • Pop-Up Stopper
    • Pop-Up Defender
    • Pop-Up Zapper

    c) Pop-up killing or ad-blocking functions are now included in many anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, browser, and search & toolbar programs. Disable the relevant setting in the program while you are in your course. Examples include:

    • Norton Internet Security 2003 - Click the link for directions on enabling pop-ups
    • AOL 8.0 - Look in the AOL Support/Help or Frequently Asked Questions for directions on how to use the pop-up controls. You can decide which sites may display pop-up windows.
    • Yahoo Companion Toolbar - Click the link for directions on enabling pop-ups
    • Google Toolbar - Click the link for directions on enabling pop-ups. The Google pop-up killer can be over-ridden by holding down the Ctrl button while clicking the link.
  2. Use the software shortcut to let an individual pop-up through.
  3. Configure the software settings to always allow pop-ups for a specific domain (web address) [recommended].
 Spyware
To learn more about spyware and check your browser for spyware and other forms of unwanted software, visit the Doxdesk page on parasites at http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite.

To help you control these types of Internet programs, you can download and install a free trial version of a spyware detection and removal utility at http://www.pcsecuritynews.com.

For further information, see Microsoft's page about Spyware and Unwanted Software.
Viruses

Scan your computer to check for viruses. If you do not have a virus checker, it is strongly recommended that you get one and install it.

Two examples of well-known anti-virus programs are McAfee VirusScan and Symantec's Norton AntiVirus. Each of these companies also offer free scanning services:

Microsoft Support maintains a list of antivirus-software vendors.

For more information about security:

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Computer Hardware Requirements

PC
   Minimum Requirements    Recommended Requirements
  • Pentium 133 MHz or higher
  • Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP
  • 32 MB RAM
  • 2 GB Hard drive
  • 28 kbps modem or faster
  • 1.44 MB diskette drive
  • A 4X or better CD-ROM drive
  • 16 bit (or better) Windows compatible sound adapter and a color display
  • Pentium III (or equivalent) running at 400 MHz or higher
  • Windows 98/NT/2000/XP
  • 128 MB RAM
  • 10 GB Hard drive
  • 56 kbps modem or faster
  • CD-ROM and/or CD-RW drive
  • Sound card with speakers and a color display
Macintosh
   Minimum Requirements    Recommended Requirements
  • Power Macintosh G3 or Performa (with Power PC processor)
  • 24 MB RAM
  • 500 MB or larger hard disk drive
  • 28 kbps modem or faster
  • 1.44 MB diskette drive or a 100 MB or 250 MB Zip drive
  • 2X or better CD-ROM drive
  • Sound card with speakers and a color display
  • PowerMac G3 or higher
  • Mac OS 9 or OS X (10.1) or higher
  • At least 64 MB RAM
  • 4 GB or larger hard drive
  • 56 kbps modem or faster that supports the V.90 standard
  • CD-ROM and/or CD-RW drive
  • Sound card with speakers and a color display

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Other Possible Software Requirements

The following software plug-ins are available as free downloads. Plug-ins are software programs that add functionality to your web browser (e.g., run movies or view animations) or allow you to view special content (e.g., view PowerPoint or Word files). Your courses may require any or all of the software listed below. Check with your instructor for additional software requirements within your courses.

Click on the icons in the table below to download the corresponding plug-in. Follow the download instructions provided on that web site.

   Adobe Reader
Get Adobe Reader Instructions can be found on their web page.

Adobe Reader allows you to view, search, and print documents saved as PDFs (Portable Document Format). [.pdf]
 
   Macromedia Flash
Get Flash Player Click the "Install Now" button on their web page.

The Flash Player allows you to view content, like graphics and animations, created with Macromedia Flash software. [.swf]
 
   RealPlayer
Get RealPlayer Click the "Download Free RealPlayer" link on their web page.

The RealPlayer allows you to view streaming content, such as audio, video, animations, and media presentations, created with RealMedia software. [.rm .ra .ram .avi .aif .mpg .mp3 .wav]
 
   Apple QuickTime
Get QuickTime Player After selecting your operating system, click the "Download Quicktime" button on their web page..

QuickTime allows you to view content, such as audio, video, animations, and panoramas, created with Apple QuickTime software. [.mov .avi .aif .mpg .mp3 .wav]
 
   Windows Media Player
Get Windows Media Player Click the "Download Now" button for your operating system on their web page.

Windows Media Player allows you to view content, such as audio and video created using Windows Media software. [.wmp .wma .asf .asx .avi .aif .mpg .mp3 .wav]
 
   Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer
Get Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer Click the "Download" button on their web page.

If you don't have the full Microsoft PowerPoint or Office application installed on your computer, you can view and print PowerPoint slides and presentations with this viewer. [.ppt .pps]
 
   Microsoft Word Viewer
Get Microsoft Word Viewer Click the "Download" button on the right side of their page.

If you don't have the full Microsoft Word or Office application installed on your computer, you can view, print, and copy/paste text from Word documents with this viewer. [.doc]
 
   Microsoft Excel Viewer
Get Microsoft Excel Viewer Click the "Download" button on the right side of their page.

If you don't have the full Microsoft Excel or Office application installed on your computer, you can view and print Excel spreadsheets with this viewer. [.xls]

 
 Java  |  Browser Requirements  |  Firewalls, Pop-up Blockers & Spyware  |  Software Plug-ins | Tutorials1 | Tutorials2 | Computer Requirements

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