Course Info.

Common WebCT Problems and Solutions

Problem:  Student gets “Page cannot be displayed” when trying use CentralPipeline from off-campus. 

Solution:  Students need to be running the latest version of Internet Explorer (6.0 or higher) or Netscape Navigator (6.2 or higher) with the latest security patch and they must have Cookies and Javascript enabled within the browser.  Go the http://pipeline.ccsu.edu and click on the link below the Password textbox that says “If you are having problems logging in, click here”.  This will give you the latest information about browser requirements for logging into CentralPipeline.

IMPORTANT NOTE: AOL users should connect to the Internet via the AOL browser and then minimize the AOL browser and use Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Problem: Student gets a blank screen when entering WebCT via My Courses or certain screens do not appear inside of a WebCT course.

Solution:

1.)     See Solution to “Page cannot be displayed” problem above.  Have the student check their browser version and/or settings.  If that checks out okay, go to Step 2.

2.)    Have the student check the following browser requirements: 

a.       Go to Tools/Internet Options

b.      Click on the General Tab

c.       Click on Settings (in the Temp Internet Files section)

d.      Make sure the option for “Check for newer versions of stored pages:” is set for “Every visit to the page.”

e.       If that is okay, go to Step 3.

3.)    Have the student check their WebCT browser settings at: http://www.webct.com/tuneup.

Problem: Student gets a username and password prompt when using WebCT.

Solution:  Have the student check their WebCT browser settings at: http://www.webct.com/tuneup.  If that does not solve the problem, have them email Lisa Ricci (ricci@ccsu.edu) or stop at the MW Lab and talk to a supervisor about the problem.

IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL students using WebCT from off-campus should be told to go through the browser tune-up at http://www.webct.com/tuneup prior to using WebCT the first time.   This will alleviate a lot of potential problems using WebCT.

 Computer Accounts T

 Starting in April, 2003, with the introduction of CentralPipeline, students now need only one account to access ALL campus resources.  The account is used for logging into a PC on campus and for accessing CentralPipeline and all associated resources (including WebCentral and WebCT).

 CentralPipeline and Existing Student Computer Accounts

Any student who has an existing computer account (formerly known as an NT account) can use that same account and password to access CentralPipeline via the web site, http://pipeline.ccsu.edu.  CentralPipeline gives a student access to CCSU information, CCSU email (if desired), WebCentral (for registration and grades), WebCT, M: drive files, etc.

 Resetting a Password on an Existing Student Computer Account

Any student with an existing account (formerly known as an NT account), can go to http://pipeline.ccsu.edu, log into CentralPipeline and click on the link for “Account Management”.  It will ask the student for some security information, which includes their new 8-digit ID, the last

4-digits of their SSN, and date of birth.  The student will be able to set their own new password. The password must have at least one uppercase, one lowercase, and one numeric character and must be at least 7 characters long.  For example, Spring2003 is a good password, but spring2003 is not because there is no uppercase character.

 Setting Email Preferences on an Existing Student Computer Account

Students now have the option to have a CCSU mailbox or set forwarding on their existing account to an off-campus email address.  This email forwarding will be transparent to CCSU users.  All student account names will appear in the Outlook global address book regardless of whether or not they have a CCSU mailbox or set email forwarding.  This will make it easier for faculty and staff to email a student without asking for a current email address.  Students set email forwarding by logging into CentralPipeline and clicking on the link for “Account Management”.  It will ask the student for some security information, which includes their new 8-digit ID, the last 4-digits of their SSN, and date of birth. 

Important Note: Students can choose only one option; a CCSU Mailbox OR email forwarding; they cannot have both.  They can, however, change these email preferences at any time.

 New Computer Accounts and Students Who are Unsure of Account Username and/or Password

A Student Computer Account gives a student the ability to log into a PC on campus and access CentralPipeline from any Web Browser with Internet access.  All students can apply for a new computer account via the web page: http://pipeline.ccsu.edu.  On the CentralPipeline page, there is a link to the Accounts Program.  This link will take the student to a page that will ask for some security information (8-digit ID, last 4-digits of SSN, and date of birth).