Overview

The purpose of this guide it to acclimate users of Internet Explorer 7, often called IE7, to the new interface.  We will specifically look at the features that affect the performance of online training courses. 

The following topics covered will be:

• The User Interface
• Java Installation and Version
• Managing Add-Ons
• Pop Up Blockers
• Clearing Cache (or temporary internet files)

The User Interface 

The first thing to point out is what this new setup looks like.  Below is an image of an IE7 updated web browser!  Notice that many of the menus we are accustomed to seeing are not present, and have been centralized in the "Tools" area in the upper right hand corner of the image (circled in red).  This "Tools" area is where we can explore your web browser's settings to ensure that you are configured for online courses.

The next image is the expanded "Tools" menu where we can gain access to many important features. From here we can access the features that need to be configured for online courses to function correctly. This menu can be accessed by clicking on the area that says "Tools" (circled above in red), and will be displayed in your web browser as the red, rectangular box below.

The menu options we will focus on are: "Delete Browsing History," "Pop-Up Blocker," "Manage Add-ons," "Toolbars," and "Internet Options." 

Java Installation and Version

One of the most important aspects of your PC's setup is having the correct Java version installed and operating in your web browser.  The Java Runtime Environment allows the courses to send and receive data, and provides much of the functionality through the user interface.  To view the system requirements for Java please visit our system requirements page. 

To view the version of Java currently installed in your web browser please run our browser test, or follow these steps:

Viewing the Java Version 

• Select "Tools"
• Select "Internet Options"
• Find the Advanced tab and navigate there
• Find Java (Sun) or Microsoft VM in the list of items, and you can see a number that provides the version.  For example, it will read "Use JRE 1.5.0_06 for <applet> (requires restart)," if using Sun Java and will this area will read "JIT compliler for virtual machine enabled (requires restart)."
  If the Java version is 1.6.0_0 or higher please uninstall and install a previous version of Java.

Java Installation

• Please check with your IT Department before installing Java on your PC and make sure you have sufficient rights before downloading and installing Java
• Go to the Software Downloads page and select the version of Java that matches your operating system
• Click on the link for that version and select "Run"
• Follow the prompts: Accept the License Agreement, Use a Typical Setup, and continue to click "Next" until the installation is complete
• Once the files have installed please close ALL web browser windows, or restart your PC, then open a new Internet Exlporer window and verify the Java version

Managing Add-Ons

To make sure Java is running as an add-on in an Internet Explorer browser please follow the steps below.  Please note that while Java may be installed in your browser, unless it is enabled as an add-on the courseware will not run or will produce error messages. 

To Enable Java as an Add-On

• Click on "Tools"
• Scroll over the "Manage Add-ons" area, then click "Enable or Disable Add-ons"
• In the "Show" drop down menu, look for "Add-ons currently loaded in Internet Explorer" or "Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer"
• In the list of items displayed, search for Java Plug-in and make sure the status is set to "Enabled"
• It is possible there may be several Java Plug-Ins, so be sure that the Plug-In currently being used by your browser is enabled

Pop Up Blockers

It is also necessary to configure or disable any pop up blockers that may be operating in your web browser, and it's possible that several pop up blockers may be installed on your PC.  To view detailed information on disabling pop up blockers please visit our Pop Up Blocker information page.

Using the built in Windows Pop Up Blocker

• Most versions of windows now come with built in pop up blockers that will need to be disabled or configured to allow the online courses to run.
• Select the "Tools" option and locate "Pop-Up Blocker"
• When you scroll over this area some options will appear:
  • Turn On Pop-Up Blocker (the Pop-Up Blocker is disabled, and will allow the course windows to appear)
  • Turn Off Pop-Up Blocker (the Pop-Up Blocker is enabled and will block the course windows from appearing)
  • Pop-Up Blocker Settings (with this feature the Pop-Up Blocker can be configured)
• The easiest method is to click on Turn off Pop-Up Blocker while in the course, and then after exiting the course go back to the option and click on Turn On Pop-Up Blocker.

Clearing Cache

Occassionally it may be a good practice to clear out the cache, or temporary storage of web pages and files, in your browser.  The best time to clear you cache is after making changes to your web browser, but be careful because your cache also contains stored passwords and login information for certain sites.  Fortunately, Internet Explorer 7 allows temporary files to be deleted without compromising any stored passwords.

To Clear the Cache

• Select "Tools"
• Select "Delete Browsing History"
• Locate "Temporary Internet Files" and select "Delete Files"
• Confirm that you would like to delete the files, and once they have been removed you may close the window