Fixing Login Difficulties
Five things interfere with logging in:
Login & Username - UserIDs and passwords are case sensitive. If you are having trouble using a login or password, copy and paste the ones that were sent/given to you into the login window to be sure your are entering them accurately. Note that in a password such as IOlij0, it may be impossible to guess which character is a letter and which is a number, so copying and pasting will ensure correctness.
Cache - To speed up the time it takes to load a page, your browser keeps a cache (stores) the contents of previously viewed pages. So, you may be logging in correctly, but its still taking you to the error page. Empty the cache and change the settings to always check the server for the newest page. See instructions below.
Cookies - You may have noticed that after logging into one site, for example your web mail account, you cannot log into other sites. This happens because the first site sets a cookie in your browser to facilitate your moving securely from one page to another in the site. The cookie remembers your login information as your move through that site. However, when you go to a new site, your browser can't get rid of the first site's login information (cookie).
You can avoid this problem by logging out of secure sites, such as forums, on the Internet. However, if you forget you may need to manually delete the cookie. See instructions below.
Forms Auto Fill - Some browsers "remember" your name, address and other items whenever you open a page with forms. However, if the login is case sensitive, "Auto fill" may be changing your entry into the wrong case. Turn it off! See instructions below.
Pop-up Blockers - Your operatiing system (Windows, Mac OS, Linux) and 3rd party security programs (Nortons, McAfee, etc) may be trying to save you from unwanted advertising annoyances, but it they also disabling the opening of windows that are used for Logins, Replies, Messages, and other items. Turn them off while using a discussion board like panFora. See instructions below.
Instructions: Scroll below to find out how to fix these problems in your computer's browser.
Empty Cache
Browser cache stores the images and text of
the last few pages you have visited in your computer's memory. It keeps
the images safely in its memory in case you return to that page and
want to view its contents and load it quickly. More info: Setting Cache 
Setting cache:
- ADVANTAGE - It allows quick reloading of pages you have
just accessed.
- DISADVANTAGE - it shows old or "unrefreshed" page
views. It causes login problems. It uses additional computer memory.
| PROGRAM |
EMPTY CACHE |
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Internet Explorer |
Tools: Delete Browsing History
After emptying cache, click the reload button in IE toolbar (circular arrow). |
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Safari |
Safari Menu - Empty Cache
After emptying cache, click the reload button in Safari toolbar (circular arrow). |
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FireFox |
Mac - Preferences: Advanced: Network: Offline Storage: Clear Now
Win - Tools: Options: Advanced: Network: Offline Storage: Clear Now
or
Clear Private Data: Browsing & download histories, cache, cookies, passwords, certificates, etc.:
- Mac - Preferences: Privacy: Private Data: Clear now
- Win -Tools menu: Clear Private Data
After emptying cache, click the reload button in Firefox toolbar (circular arrow). |
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Setting Cookie & Privacy Preferences
Cookies remember you! A "cookie"
is a small amount of information that a web site copies to your hard
disk. A cookie can help a web site identify you the next time you visit. For
instance, if you shop for books online, the bookstore's web site might
use a cookie to store information about your favorite subjects, and
later use that information to recommend particular books. More Info: Cookie Settings
Enabling & Deleting Cookies
- ADVANTAGE - Your browser cookie will help a site
remember your name and login for you so that you don't have to type
that information again.
- DISADVANTAGE - None.
The script on your hard disk takes up negligible space. Cookies are
not "spies" tracking your personal movements. They can help
collect statistical data about users' visits to web pages and their
movements / path through a particular site. Cookie Rumors
| PROGRAM |
COOKIE SETTINGS |
IMAGE |
Internet Explorer |
Tools: Internet Options: Privacy: Advanced (If you wish to change the default settings, click "Override automatic cookie handling" to get to the settings box.
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Safari |
Safari Preferences: Security: Accept Cookies (Only from sites you navigate to . . . )
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FireFox |
Mac - Preferences: Privacy: Cookies:
Win - Tools menu: Options: Privacy: Cookies:
(Decide how long you wish to keep a cookie. Note you can go in to the list and select cookies from commercial sites and delete them.)
Clear Private Data: Browsing & download histories, cache, cookies, passwords, certificates, etc.:
- Mac - Preferences: Privacy: Private Data: Clear now
- Win -Tools menu: Clear Private Data
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Form Auto-Fill
- ADVANTAGE - saves you from having to retype form data
- DISADVANTAGE - enters incorrect information into forms when logging in (captitalizes letters that you may not want in case-sensitive logins) Disable if causing problems
| PROGRAM |
FORM AUTO-FILL |
IMAGE |
Internet Explorer |
Win - Tools: Internet Options: Content: Auto Complete: Settings: Disable (uncheck) |
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Safari
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Mac - Preferences: Auto Fill: (enable or disable)
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Firefox
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No option to disable. It can be cleared:
- Mac -Tools menu: Clear Private Data
- Win -Tools menu: Clear Private Data
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Form+autocomplete |
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Pop-up Blockers
- ADVANTAGE - This feature will suppress annoying pop-up window that occur when visiting commercial sites.
- DISADVANTAGE - This feature will keep you from seeing important window used in discussion boards and and academic course management systems such as WebAccess (Moodle)
| PROGRAM |
DISABLE POP-UP BLOCKERS |
IMAGE |
Internet Explorer |
Tools: Pop-up Blocker : Turn off / Disable
(Make sure that any previous installation of Norton is not enabling a pop-up blocking program.) Symantec support page: http://service1.symantec.com/support/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2003082718220036
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Safari |
Safari Menu - Block Pop-Up Windows (Turn off / Disable) |
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FireFox |
Mac - Preferences: Content: Block Pop-up windows
Win - Tools: Options: Content: Block Pop-up windows
(Turn off / Disable) |
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Unfortunately, Norton Internet Security comes default installed on many newly purchased computers as a trial copy. Even if the software is expired, the overly aggressive popup blocker remains active and NEVER offers any warnings or alerts that the popups are being blocked.
In the main window, on the left side click Norton AntiSpam.
Click Pop-up Blocking : Turn Off.
Symantec support page:
http://service1.symantec.com/support/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2003082718220036
IMPORTANT: Quit /Exit the browser and restart the application to make sure all changes take effect
More information: Customizing Your Browser Settings
Centers for Teaching and Learning, San Mateo Community College District, CA USA Updated 9/1/2008 by Sevastopoulos
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