USC ONLINE (Virtual Campus)

ava Update Procedure for Blackboard Users

Windows Users:
Blackboard now requires a new Java Plug-in, J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5.0_03 (also known as JRE 5.0) or higher, in order to function properly (effective 5/1/05).

Note:  Any prior version of the Java Plug-in must be removed prior to installing J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5.0_03 (JRE 5.0) or higher.  Please read the following instructions carefully and complete the appropriate procedures as they apply to your computer.

Check your currently installed Java Plug-in version:
1.  To open the Java Plug-in Control Panel, do the following:  In Windows  2000, go to Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel then double-click the Java Plug-in.  In Windows XP, go to Start Menu -Control Panel then double-click the Java Plug-in (XP users may also have to click Other Control Panel Options in the left side of the  Control Panel window to reveal the Java Plug-in Control Panel link).
2.  Go to the About tab and check to see what version your Java Plug-in is.
3.  Close the Java Plug-in Control Panel.
4.  If you have a version of the Java Plug-in lower than J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5.0_03 (JRE 5.0), you may need to follow the "Uninstall..." and "Install new..." instructions below for Blackboard to function properly.

Uninstall the current Java Plug-in by doing the following:
1.  Close all applications.
2.  Go to Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs.  (Note:  Windows XP users will go to Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs.)
3.  In the list of programs, choose "Java 2 Runtime Environment" and follow the on-screen prompts to remove the program.
4.  If you have multiple installations of the "Java 2 Runtime Environment," you will need to follow the above steps for each version that is installed.
5.  Once you have completed the steps above, proceed to the steps below under "Install new Java Plug-in J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5.0_03 (JRE 5.0) or higher."

Install new Java Plug-in J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5.0_03 (JRE 5.0) or higher:
1.  Download and install the installer program for the Windows version of the Java Plug-in which may be found at http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp, third item down where it says "Download JRE 5.0 Update 3."  If this page isn't available, go to http://java.sun.com/j2se/index.jsp and locate the newest Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) Java Runtime Environment (JRE).  If your operating

system doesn't meet the criteria for the latest version, you may have to try an older version of Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) Java Runtime Environment (JRE), but it may or may not work with Blackboard.  Read important notes below:

• It is best to use Internet Explorer 6 to download the installer.
• Carefully follow the instructions provided on the Java Plug-in web site.
• Depending on your download method and the browser you use to download, you may need to run the installer after the download is complete.  Make sure you note the location where you save the installer on your computer if you "Save" it rather than "Run" it, and then launch it after the download is complete.

2.  Clear the JAR cache in the new Java Plug-in:
      a.  To open the Java Plug-in Control Panel, do the following:  In Windows 2000, go to Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel then double-click the Java Plug-in.  In Windows XP, go to Start Menu -> 
Control Panel then double-click the Java Plug-in (XP users may also have to click Other Control Panel Options in the left side of the Control Panel window to reveal the Java Plug-in Control Panel link).
     b.  Go to the About tab and check to be sure you are looking at the 
          correct Java Plug-in, the one you just installed, Java Plug-in J2SE
            Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5.0_03 (JRE 5.0) or higher.
     c.  Go to the Cache tab.
     d.  Click "Clear JAR Cache" or "Clear", and answer "Yes" when asked to 
          confirm your request.
     e.  Close the Java Plug-in Control Panel.
3.  Quit all browsers and other programs.
4.  Re-start your computer.

Mac OS Users:
Mac OS users who have used Blackboard prior to 7/24/03 may need to perform the following procedure in order for Blackboard to work properly:

Mac OS X Users:
1.  Go To Applications -> Utilities -> Java -> Java Plug-in Settings.
2.  Go to the Cache tab.
3.  Click "Clear JAR Cache".
4.  Close the Java Plug-in Control Panel.
5.  Quit all browsers.
6.  Re-start your computer