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Recommended Minimum Technical Requirements

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 2000 with Service Pack 3 (SP3 upgrade may be downloaded at www.microsoft.com), Microsoft Windows XP, or a later operating system.
• Processor: 133 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor; Pentium IV recommended
• Memory: 256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended) for the operating system, plus an additional 8 MB of RAM for each program running simultaneously
• Hard-Disk Space: 245 MB of available hard-disk space with 115 MB on the hard disk where the operating system is installed
• Monitor: Super VGA (800 x 600) or a higher resolution monitor with 256 colors
• CD-ROM drive: 12X or higher (DVD-ROM drive recommended)
• Audio: Sound Card with Speakers (or headphones)
• Browser and Operating System: Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7) works best with Blackboard on computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. If you don’t already have IE 7, you may download it at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp. Depending on your platform, certain browsers are certified, while others are at least compatible.
• Browser settings: JavaScript and Cookies must be enabled. Mail preferences should be set to open “Mail To” commands.
• Internet connection: 56K modem or better. (Cable or DSL is highly recommended. Please check with your cable or phone provider for accessibility.)
  • NOTE: If your current service is AOL, you can use it to connect to the Internet, but you cannot use the AOL browser to interact with Blackboard. After connecting to the Internet minimize AOL and use the Internet Explorer browser to interact appropriately with Blackboard.
• Required Software: Microsoft Office Version 1997 or higher is compatible. Microsoft Office 2003 recommended.
• Required Plug-Ins:
  • To see if you already have the required plug-ins click here to run the plug-in test page:
    • Plug-in Test Page
  • If you need the required plug-ins you may download them for free by clicking on the following links:
    • Adobe Acrobat Reader
    • Windows Media Player or equivalent
    • QuickTime
    • Flash 6.0
• Anti-virus software: Norton’s Antivirus. Your virus software should be set to auto-update. This is for your own protection and the protection of others. Online courses involve file sharing, which increases your risk of computer virus infection. Anti-virus software will help protect your computer in case of exposure to a computer virus. If your virus software has not been updated on at least a monthly basis is it not protecting your system.