BAKER COLLEGE
 
 
Library

Troubleshooting Remote Access to Online Resources

Printer-friendly versions

Help Topics

Settings, Instructions & Information

Computer settings

Error Messages, Problems, and Suggested Solutions

Before you start make sure you have the following (online access checklist):

  • An active library (barcode) number: You can look-up/verify this in SOLAR: Login and View Account Information
  • An up-to-date Internet browser: Internet Explorer (IE) version 5.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox, or Netscape version 5 or higher
  • The computer clock showing the correct local time.
  • Personal firewall or internet security settings changed or these services disabled (if you have them)
  • The RealDownload program uninstalled (if you have it)

^ Top

Browser settings

Enable JavaScript and cookies

  • Internet Explorer 5.x: Tools -- Internet Options -- Security -- Custom Level -- Cookies -- Enable (both categories) -- Scripting -- Enable (all 3 categories) -- OK.

  • Internet Explorer 6.x: Tools -- Internet Options -- Privacy -- Under "Move slide to select a privacy setting for the Internet Zone", move slider to the Medium High position: 3rd from position from the top -- Security Tab -- Custom Level -- Scroll down until you get to Scripting -- Enable (all 3 categories) -- OK -- OK

  • Mozilla Firefox 1.0.x: By default, cookies are accepted in Mozilla Firefox.
    To enable JavaScript: Tools -- Options -- Web Features -- check the Enable JavaScript option -- OK.

  • Netscape 5.x: Edit -- Preferences -- Advanced -- Allow cookies -- OK.

  • Netscape 6.x - 7.2:
    To enable cookies: Edit -- Preferences -- Privacy and Security -- Cookies -- Enable All Cookies -- OK. To enable JavaScript: Edit -- Preferences -- Advanced -- Check the Navigator box and select other options as needed.

  • Netscape 8:
    To enable cookies: Tools -- Options -- Privacy -- Site Controls -- under Master Settings, select I trust this site. For specific sites (listed), you can uncheck the Allow cookies option.
    To enable JavaScript: Tools -- Options -- Site Controls -- Web Features -- check the Enable JavaScript / VBScript option -- OK.

In order to set your browser not to accept cookies, enable before and disable after using the resources.

^ Top

Cache setting

  • Internet Explorer: Tools -- Internet Options -- Temporary Internet Files -- Settings -- Check for the newer version of pages -- Select "Every visit to the page" -- OK -- OK.

  • Mozilla Firefox 1.0.x: Tools -- Options -- Cache (no comparable options).

  • Netscape 6.x - 7.2: Edit -- Preferences -- Advanced -- Cache -- Compare the page in the Cache to the page on Network --   Select “Every time I view the page” -- OK.
  • Netscape 8: Tools -- Options -- Privacy -- Cache -- check the Clear Cache on browser exit.

^ Top

Clear cookies and delete temporary Internet files (cache)
  • IE 6.x: Tools -- Internet Options -- Temporary Internet Files -- Delete Cookies AND also Delete Files -- OK

  • IE 6.x (alternate method): Tools -- Internet Options -- Temporary Internet Files -- Settings -- View Files -- Edit (from the menu bar) -- Select All (or Ctrl+A) -- Press Delete Key in your keyboard.

  • Mozilla Firefox 1.0.x: Tools -- Options -- Privacy -- Cookies -- Clear -- Scroll down to Cache -- Clear.

  • Netscape 6.x - 7.2: Clear Cookies: Edit -- Preferences -- Privacy and Security -- Cookies -- View Stored Cookies -- Remove All Cookies -- OK. Clear Cache: Edit -- Preferences -- Advanced -- Cache -- click the Clear Cache button.

  • Netscape 8: Tools -- Options -- Privacy -- Cookies -- Clear -- Scroll down to Cache -- Clear.

  • Windows Explorer or Desktop (clear cache and cookies in one step): My Computer -- Local Disk (C) -- Documents and Settings -- [Owner] -- Local Settings -- Temporary Internet Files -- Edit (from the menu bar) -- Select All (or Ctrl+A) -- Press Delete Key in your keyboard.

^ Top

Pop-up blocker settings

The firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides additional security without interfering with the databases. Changing some of the browser settings, however, may be necessary. The firewall is part of the latest update, which is free to download from the Microsoft Windows Update Web site. (From the Windows Desktop: START -- Windows Update).

Note that proprietary pop-up blockers in Google, Yahoo, and other downloadable toolbars may also interfere with your connection to the databases. In that case, go to View -- Toolbars (IE & Firefox) or Show/Hide (Netscape) -- uncheck the toolbars.

  • Internet Explorer: Tools -- Internet Option -- Privacy -- Slider to Medium High -- Check Block pop-ups -- Settings -- Address of Web sites to allow -- type baker.edu -- Add -- type falcon.edu -- Add -- Filter level -- set to Medium: Block most automatic pop-ups -- Close.

  • Mozilla Firefox 1.0.x: Tools -- Options -- Web Features -- Check the Block Popup Windows option -- Allowed Sites -- -- type baker.edu -- Allow -- type falcon.edu -- Allow -- OK.

  • Netscape 6.x - 7.2: Edit -- Preferences -- Privacy & Security -- Popup Windows -- Check Block unrequested popup windows -- Allowed Sites -- Allow pop-ups from the following web sites -- type baker.edu -- Add -- type falcon.edu -- Add -- Close.

  • Netscape 8: Tools -- Options -- Site Control -- under Web Features uncheck the Allow unrequested pop-up windows option if checked -- check the option to Open requested pop-ups in new tab. Add sites by opening the desired web page (e.g., www.baker.edu) in your browser -- click on the Site Control icon in the tab area -- check the I trust this site option -- click the Advanced tab -- select pop-up blocker and other options for this site only -- repeat these steps for the sites listed below.

^ Top

 

Security Settings

These instructions are for more commonly used Norton (Symantec) products. Instructions for other software may be similar.

  • Norton Personal Firewall: Norton Personal Firewall -- Open -- Options -- Personal Firewall -- Advanced Options -- Web -- Add Site -- add sites one by one (see the list below) -- set Cookies and Referrer (under Browsing Privacy) to Permit as a default rule for the www.baker.edu and www.falcon.edu domains -- OK -- OK
  • Norton Internet Security: Norton Internet Security -- Status and Settings -- Privacy Control -- Configure -- Advanced -- Add Site -- add sites one by one (see the list below) -- OK -- Global Settings -- uncheck the default settings -- select Permit in all 5 areas -- OK.

Sites to be added:

www.baker.edu
proquest.umi.com
umi.com
proquest.com
newfirstsearch.oclc.org
www.gale.com
rpa.falcon.edu
ezproxy.falcon.edu
www.mergentonline.com
campus.westlaw.com
westlaw.com
newsbank.com
www.netlibrary.com

^ Top

Some programs allow adding domains (e.g., baker.edu) for a range of web sites instead of specific URLs. This list is subject to change.

During a database session...

  • The Online Resources page opens in a new window and remains open in the background throughout your session. Closing this window will end your session in all the open databases.

  • Each database opens in a separate window. This is to help you search multiple databases simultaneously. Some will log you out after long periods of inactivity.

  • End individual database sessions: Instructions like EXIT, Return to Baker Library, Library Home, Baker Library or Log off mean that the selected database sessions MUST be ended properly. When a session is not ended properly, you may have problems the next time you want to search the same database. 

  • The all-important "FINISHED" button: The Online Resources page will remain open until you click Finished to close the session. This also means that your barcode will stay authenticated until you click Finished here. Without ending your authentication, you will experience future access problems if you close this window during a session.

  • DO NOT bookmark the database link pages. The databases cannot be accessed directly. You have to be an authorized Baker user for EVERY session of your access. ALWAYS start from the RPA page,  type your barcode number, and access the databases.

  • AOL and Yahoo browser users: Use Netscape or Internet Explorer (versions 5 or later). Netscape, Internet Explorer, and other browsers can be downloaded from the Baker College Computer Information Systems web site*. Connect using your AOL or Yahoo account, minimize the browser, and open Netscape or Internet Explorer to access the databases.
    * You may request a CD from the CIS Helpdesk: 1-800-645-8350

  • Download programs:
    -- RealDownload program seems to create problems with the Online Resources access.
    -- SmartDownload works okay. After downloading SmartDownload, the first time when you access the resources you would be suggested to download the "webauth.exe" file. OK to "save". Select Baker College from the list of libraries, enter your barcode, and login.

  • Setting the clock in your computer to show the correct local time is very important, since this determines how long the cookies stay alive. Use the World Clock to determine your time zone and local time.

  • FirstSearch will give you an alert message after a long period of inactivity. If the session ends abruptly DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESTART. Open the window with the Online Resources page- remember, this is still open - and click the FirstSearch link to start a new session.

^ Top

Myths and realities - Online resource facts
   

Myth:

Online Resources are available 24/7/365

Reality:

Not completely true. There are some downtimes: software upgrade, server maintenance, server backup, server outage. For example, the PALNet server runs a backup Sundays 2am-3am EST. Resources will NOT be available at that time.

Myth:

All articles online have full-text

Reality:

Only about 60% -- the rest is just citation and/or abstract. This gap is rapidly closing as the number of full-text publications grow exponentially.

Myth:

When it says full-text is available, it WILL be there.

Reality:

Not always. Publishers, authors, and copyright laws may restrict full-text availability of electronic articles.

Myth:

Once I start taking classes at Baker, I'll have remote access to the online library until I graduate.

Reality:

Not really. You have access only if you have registered for classes.

Myth:

I can access the online library anywhere in the world.

Reality:

Technically yes. But you may not be able to access these sites from your workplace because of their firewall.

^ Top
   

Error messages, problems, questions, answers, and solutions

  • Close the browser and re-launch it, whenever you make any changes in the settings
  • If the problem persists, shut down the computer and re-start
No Authorized Links

^ Top

Identification is not recognized
  • Make sure you entered the barcode number correctly and without blank space before it.
  • Check SOLAR to see if your barcode is active (it is inactive if you are not enrolled)
  • When you copy/paste barcode from SOLAR, make sure there is no blank space BEFORE the 14-digit number.

^ Top

Unable to access ProQuest / asking for more login

^ Top

I am getting an "Error 1010: You are attempting to access ProQuest from a pager that has not been properly authorized" message
  • Disable the firewall in your computer, or
  • Configure your security settings. Add two sites from the "Sites to be added" list: proquest.com and umi.com.

^ Top

Unable to recognize you as having access to InfoTrac
  • Go back to RPA page, enter your barcode and access the database.

^ Top
    

Unable to access FirstSearch
  • Your session may have timed out after 30 minutes of inactivity. Close the window and open FirstSearch again.

^ Top

Unable to access the Book Catalog. No connection to Baker server
  • Problem at our end. Contact the library.

^ Top

Time out on reply from server
  •  Library server is down. Contact the library.

^ Top

Databases do not open. I hear clicking sounds

^ Top

Undo saved barcode

^ Top

Barcode number is accepted but only a few databases open
  • Your library account is NOT current.

^ Top

Followed all instructions but error messages and problems still persist
  • Refresh:
    • Internet Explorer: Ctrl+Refresh: Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, and click the Refresh button in your browser screen.
    • Netscape: Shift+Reload: Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, and click the Reload button in your browser screen.
  • Close the browser and re-launch it whenever you make any changes to the settings.
  • If the problem persists shut down the computer and restart.

^ Top

February 2006



  < Back  |  ^ Top