Please be aware that USFconnect and Blackboard are browser specific applications. If you are having problems accessing USFconnect or Blackboard, make sure you use a supported browser as listed on our USFconnect FAQ, or on the Blackboard Online page.

If you determine your browser is supported and continue to experience problems, such as getting a Login Expired error message, make sure you are not double-clicking links and make sure you have any popup blockers set to allow popups from the USFconnect and Blackboard sites and that your Firewall is configured to allow access to USFconnect, Blackboard and other USF websites. It is also a good idea to clear your browser's cache and stored cookies and, if you are using a web accelerator provided by your dial-up ISP, you may need to turn it off. One final note: many employers have firewall settings that prevent access to external resources, such as USFconnect and Blackboard. If you are attempting to access those sites from your workplace you may need to check with your employer's IT personnel to determine if they are blocking access.

Popup Blockers

In most cases, popup blockers are great. USFconnect, however, uses popup window features in various areas and if you have a popup blocker installed it may be preventing you from displaying a USFconnect page.

There are a number of free available popup blockers available. For instance AOL, Google, and Yahoo tool bars all now have popup blockers and Windows XP Service Pack 2 has a built-in popup blocker for Internet Explorer 6.0.29. If you have any of the popup blockers mentioned, you can hold down the Ctrl or shift key on the keyboard while clicking on the USFconnect links or you can allow popup windows for USFconnect.

Firewalls

If you have installed your own Firewall check the support website for the maker of your Firewall to determine how to modify Firewall settings or how to temporarily disable your Firewall. If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2, it has a built in fire wall.

Clearing Cache & Cookies

Cache is information stored by a browser so if you return to a website your browser will check the cache first to see if there is already page information stored locally on your computer. This allows for quicker reload of previously visited pages. Cookies are bits of information stored by your browser at the request of certain websites. Cookies store information such as pages looked at, links clicked on, etc. and are used by websites to help cater information more directly to your preferences. Some cookies are legitimate, such as those used by USFconnect and sites like Amazon. Others, however, are used to track advertising information or sites you've viewed previously. It is a good idea to periodically clear your cookies. To clear cache and cookies, follow the instructions below for Windows or Macintosh computers.

Windows

(Instructions may vary depending on which version of the browser you are using - be sure you are using a supported browser)

Macintosh

(Instructions may vary depending on which version of the browser you are using - be sure you are using a supported browser)