Winthrop University: Online Learning - System Requirements
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Online Learning
307 Tillman Hall
Rock Hill, SC 29733, USA
803/323-2212
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Online Learning

System Requirements

Blackboard 9.1 

If your computer does not have the proper hardware, Blackboard 9.1 may run slowly or may not run at all. Prior to using Blackboard 9.1 on your computer, compare your current system configuration with the system requirements below.

 

Processor
1 GHz or more

Ram
2 GB or more

Hard Drive
40 GB or more

Hard Disk Space Available
20 GB

Internet Connection
5 Mbps download speed

Run a speed test to make sure your download speed meets this requirement.

Adapter for Ethernet connection (LAN), or a wireless adapter (Wi-Fi)

Other
Sound card and speakers

Accessibility

Blackboard strives to make all its products as accessible as possible. The two most recent versions of JAWS are used during accessibility testing.

Additional Suggested Software

  • Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

  • Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats

  • Windows Media Player (Windows Only), QuickTime (MAC only), or RealPlayer

Browser Checker Tool

Run the Blackboard browser checker tool to make sure that your browser has the necessary specifications for using Blackboard.

Browser Configuration

Your browser must be configured properly as follows:

  • JavaScript must be enabled.

  • Cookies must be enabled.

  • Pop-up windows must be enabled.

Browser Plug-ins

At a minimum, you will need three browser plug-ins to use Blackboard 9.1: Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player, and the latest version of Sun JRE 7 - Java Runtime Environment plug-in. Blackboard 9.1 will not run properly if you are using an incompatible version of Java or if you have multiple versions of Java installed. (You may need additional plug-ins if the course you are taking includes multimedia elements.)

To download and install the current versions of Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player, and the Java plug-in.

  1. Adobe Reader
  2. Adobe Flash Player
  3. Get the Java plug-in and also be sure to remove any older versions of the Java plug-in.

Supported Browsers and Operating Systems

Operating System  

Windows Operating System      Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
Mac OS Systems Mac OS 10.8, Mac OS 10.9, Mac OS 10.10

 

 

  • Chrome support: due to the auto-update feature of Chrome, support is based on the version available at the time of testing - release docs will note version tested.
  • Firefox support: due to the auto-update feature of Firefox, support is based on the version available at the time of testing - release docs to note version tested.
  • Note on OXS 10.8+ Java is no longer shipped as part of the OS install and must be downloaded and installed by users on request of application/applet - this is a one time action on the part of the user.
  • Technologies not supported:
    • Windows XP
    • Internet Explorer 
    • Firefox versions below 31
    • Safari versions 10 or below (or any version on Windows).
    • Mac OSX through 10.7
    • JRE 5, 6
    • Chrome versions below 36

If the computer you are using has a compatible browser, you still may be able to use parts of Blackboard 9.1. However, you may also experience problems, especially when completing quizzes and tests or using chat and the Virtual Classroom. For the best performance, please use a certified browser and operating system when using Blackboard.

Blackboard 9.1 requires that your Web browser conforms to certain standards. If you have an out-of-date or unsupported browser, you will need to download either a certified version of your current browser or a different certified browser before attempting to log into Blackboard 9.1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: 7/3/19