Distance Education / Blackboard

Problem is as follows: When a user goes to http://clpccd.blackboard.com, they get a "Page Not Found" or "URL Not Found" (view sample screenshot) or "This system is momentarily unavailable" or other error message.

Possible cause: This may have been caused by recent server maintenance and the users' computer is not set to periodically clear cache.

Solution: Clear your browser cache. No matter what browser you have, you can find the steps at how to clear cache. (Note: so far this problem has largely been reported by those who use the Safari browser on a Mac.)

• Clear your browser cache.
• We do not recommend using AOL to access Blackboard. If AOL is your Internet Service Provider (ISP), minimize AOL, and then open another browser, such as Internet Explorer.
• Try using a different browser, such as Firefox, Safari, or Flock.
• Try using another computer.
• Try a computer in one of Chabot's labs (in the Library or Room 3906)
• Test goes blank? Make sure to turn off the pop-up blocker in Internet Explorer

Sample of the problem: Every time a student submits a quiz, they see a javascript error message (may differ for each student or include "unterminated string constant").

Try one of the following:

1. You may be using an older browser that may not be able to handle Java properly (e.g. older AOL browser). Go to your browser's download site to get the latest version. Or download a different browser. E.g. Firefox, Safari, or Flock.
    
2. You may need to install Java on your computer, particularly if you are not able to open the Virtual Chat in Blackboard. You can download Java from the Plug-in Download Links page.
    
3. Turn off script debugging. To do this:
   1. Tools
   2. Internet Options
   3. Advanced tab
   4. check "Disable Script Debugging"
       
4. Try using a different browser, such as Firefox or Safari. View options to download Firefox, Safari, or Flock.

If none of the above options work, you may need to take your next quiz/test/exam in the Library Computer Lab.

Please go to How To Login to Blackboard and scroll down to Step 3, "Verify Your Email Address."

If you encounter the Internal Server Error message, the most probable cause is that there is a temporary glitch in the system (sometimes due to heavy system-wide usage). The error message is usually only temporary and you should be able to view the area within a few seconds (you may need to click on other areas or refresh your browser).

However, if the error message continues to display, please try one or more of the following:

• There may have been an interruption in your internet service.
  1. Logout of Blackboard
  2. Close your browser. (You may also want to restart your computer).
  3. Reopen your browser. A ?Page Not Found? message in your browser may mean that there is no internet connection - check with your internet service provider for assistance).
  4. Login to Blackboard.
     • Clear your cache settings
        
     • Do you tend to close your browser without clicking on the LOGOUT button? If so, this may be another cause of the ?Internal Server Error? message. This is due to persistent cookies set by the application. Please do the following step to clear the cookies and temporary files in order to login again.
       1. In Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu and select "Internet Options"
       2. If not already selected, click the "General" tab
       3. In the area "Temporary Internet Files," select Delete Cookies and Delete Files.
           
     • If you continue having trouble viewing pages or file in Blackboard within Internet Explorer, please update your Internet Explorer browser. Updates can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/default.mspx
       
       ? Try using another browser. See Browser and Operating System Requirements (PDF). Note that while not listed on this document, Mozilla Firefox appears to work as an option as well.

Problems and their causes vary, but check both of the items below:

• Are you having this problem? When you submit a posting, do you receive the message: "Database Error; A database error has occurred. Unable to process the request."
  Solution: This may be caused by posting too much text in the subject field. Students who had this problem were copy/pasting their entire post in the subject field, when it should have been copy/pasted into the main text box.
   
• Are you having this problem? When sending a reply, I do not get a message window. So when I try to reply, a window pops up and says "type a message."
  Solution: Various computer settings can cause problems for using various tools in Blackboard, including the text editor box in the Discussion Board (the box where you type in your response). One workaround is to turn off the text editor, which means you won't be able to do such things as change the text color, but it should prevent problems.

If any of the above does not resolve the issue, try using a different browser. View options to download Firefox, Safari, or Flock. Click here for more details about the Visual Text Box Editor and other browsers.

The pop-up blockers in some Web browsers and Internet service providers may treat a Blackboard test or message in a Discussion Board forum as a pop-up. Examples may include a test that opens up in a new window, or, Blackboard now has a Save button for each question in an Assessment and a Save button after the last question for Assessments that show all of the questions at one time. As you answer questions, and click the Save button next to a question to save the answer for that particular question, a small pop up window will appear. To prevent problems, try one or more of the steps for permitting pop-up content from your Blackboard course.