When I click on the Syllabus link in my course, I get a blank screen. Others are able to view it. What's happening?

ANSWER:

If you are using Internet Explorer and have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed on your computer, IE will, by default, block Vista from downloading files to your computer.  It will especially prevent MS Office documents (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) from opening (whether or not they are in a new window).

To allow downloads (or the ability to view the Syllabus or any MS Office file) through Vista, look for a pale yellow information bar near the top of the page that says:

To help protect your security, Internet Explorer blocked this site from downloading files to your computer. Click here for options...

Click on this message, then Download File.  Find the Syllabus or file link in your course and click it again.  You will then be prompted to Open the file (either in the browser window or a separate window) or Save the file (to your computer for viewing later).

If this problem continues to persist, take the following steps to allow Web sites to automatically prompt when downloading files and software (bypassing the pale yellow Information Bar):

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  3. On the Security tab, click Custom Level.
  4. To turn off the Information Bar for file downloads, in the Downloads section of the list, under Automatic prompting for file downloads, click Enable.

If you have any further questions, please contact us for support.  Thank you.