Problem:  I can't access my course.

Answer:  Two of the most common reasons students cannot access their courses are due to logging in incorrectly or to Internet congestion.

If you try to log in and the login box reappears after you have entered the required information, you are entering either the wrong login name or password. If you are positive that you have entered the correct login name and password, check to see that the Caps Lock on the keyboard is not activated.  If it is, turn it off and reenter your login name and password. Your password is case sensitive.(Note: If you enter an incorrect login name or password, you may also be directed to a 401 error page. Again, follow the instructions above to correct the problem.) 

Another reason you may not be able to access your course is because the connection has "Timed Out," which is due to congestion on the Internet.  A "Time Out" message is not related to a problem on your computer. Do not click on the link more than once.Clicking on the link several times may only make your wait longer, because your request is saved each time by the server and answered in the order it is received. With several hundred people doing this, it can become a real problem over a short time period. In this situation, you have two options:  (1) you can be patient and wait for the connection to resume, or (2) you can log off and try logging into the course later when Internet traffic is less congested. 

The busiest period on the Internet is usually during the middle of the day. Working on your courses in the evening may be a better option if you experience this problem frequently.
 

Problem:  Although I clicked on the "Save and Close" button, my assignment didn't send properly.

Answer:  In Netscape when you click on "Save and Close," a window pops up and displays the "Where did my document go?" page. If you click on the "X" in the upper right-hand corner of the window, you will cause the save and close operation to stop before it saves your document. You may experience problems seeing the buttons at the bottom of the "Where did my document go?" window if your monitor resolution is set to less than 800 x 600. To see the buttons, use the scrollbar on the right side of the window to scroll to the bottom of the page. 

A good rule of thumb to use whenever you are working in your course is to use the buttons provided on the pages rather than the buttons on the window frame or on your browser. 
 

Problem:  I can't send a lesson/comment/assignment/attachment.

Answer:  There are several ways in which you may submit assignments or comments.  Each way depends upon how the information was designed to be used in the course. You should read the instructions provided in each area carefully so that you fully understand how to submit the material.  If you want to be able to read the instructions while you look at the course, go to the file menu on your browser and select "New" then select "Window" (for Internet Explorer) or "Navigator Window" (for Netscape) to open a new window. You may then refer back to the instructions by simply selecting the other window on your taskbar at the bottom of your screen. 
 

Problem:  My instructor informed me that he/she cannot retrieve my homework.

Answer:  This problem may be related to a computer virus on your computer. There have been a few reports where an instructor received an attached document from a student, but when the instructor opened it, it was empty. Antivirus software blocks the contents of the document because it recognizes the virus. You must remove the virus from your system before you send any attachments to your instructor. You should always make sure that you are running the latest antivirus software updates. 

Look for more tips on online courses and your computer in future issues of the PLEXUS.