Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions for students
Can't log in? - some common problems Can't post messages to a discussion board? I submitted an assignment but in the gradebook it has a lock symbol alongside it and my instructor can't open it. Why doesn't my browser Back button work? ITS Student FAQs {| ! Can't log in? - some common problems '''Could not login. Valid authentication credentials were not provided.''' If you get this error message, please check: your username and password. Check that you are using your correct Student login. Blackboard does not accept your initial (temporary) password (which is usually your student ID number). You must change this password before you login to Blackboard. For more information on changing passwords please visit Change Password page. If you are having problems changing your password or have forgotten it, please contact the ITS Help Desk (ext 5050). An error occurred in the authentication module: Error occurred while trying to lookup the current session in the database. If you get this error message, please check: Cookies & Security settings in your browser. In order to login in, you MUST enable cookies in your browser. Please refer to the Technical Support page for information on how to enable Cookies, JavaScript and Pop-ups.

Cookies
With cookies turned off, logging in is impossible, as a sessionID cookie is used to identify and authenticate you throughout your session.

JavaScript
Much of Blackboard's functionality depends on JavaScript. With JavaScript turned off, logging in is impossible. So is taking quizzes.

Pages being cached in your browser
Caching problems lead to "wrong" pages showing up, and are Frequently reported as a source of login problems, as well. After applying the setting, clear your cache and restart the browser (close ALL windows first, including any file download windows) to make sure the cache is really cleared.

MS Explorer General tab > Temporary Files > Settings: Make sure this is set to "Every time". To clear cache, click "Delete Files".

Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape Advanced > Cache: Select "Every time I view the page". Click "Clear Cache".

Passwords & form data
There appear to be occasional problems with the browser storing the encoded password for Blackboard and submitting the stored value instead of the current one.

MS Explorer Content tab > Personal Information > AutoComplete: UNcheck "Forms" and "Usernames and Passwords on Forms". Click "Clear Forms" and "Clear Passwords". Quit and restart the browser before trying again.

Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape Privacy & Security > Passwords > Manage Stored Passwords: make sure "blackboard.vuw.ac.nz" is listed among the sites where passwords are never stored.

Under Forms Manage Sites: make sure "blackboard.vuw.ac.nz" is listed among the sites for whom form data Is never stored. Or turn off saving of form data and passwords completely, if you like.

Browser Helper Objects (BHOs)
This is the main hook for malware (spyware, adware, browser hijackers, etc.), so it's very important to turn this off. Malware such as CommonName is a frequent source for login problems.

MS Explorer Advanced tab > Browsing (near top): UNcheck "Enable third party Browser extensions". Restart the browser after clicking OK.

Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape does not apply (Mozilla/NS are safe)

Pop-Up Windows
Allowing pop-ups is necessary to use Chat and Virtual Classroom. Pop-ups are also required for viewing the course map and Electric Blackboard (your notepad).

MS Explorer If using a third-party popup blocker, make sure it allows pop-ups for blackboard.vuw.ac.nz

Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape Privacy & Security > Popup Windows > Allowed Sites: Allow pop-ups for blackboard.vuw.ac.nz
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