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Dial-Up Modem Connection Problems
  If you use a dial-up modem to access your course in Blackboard, you may have a problem taking online tests or doing exercises lasting more than 15 to 20 minutes.

Some modems time out automatically after 15-20 minutes. If this happens, you are disconnected from Blackboard without warning. That means you cannot submit your tests unless you reconnect to the internet or not at all.

To keep this from happening in Windows XP, go to Start, open the CONTROL PANEL, select PHONE AND MODEM OPTIONS, select MODEM, select PROPERTIES, and select ADVANCED, select CHANGE DEFAULT PREFERENCES. Make sure DISCONNECT A CALL IF IDLE MORE THAN __ MINUTES is not checked.		  
   
  Some Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) terminate a connection not actively in use after 15 or 20 minutes without any warning. If this happens, the result is the same as if the modem disconnected.

To keep this from happening, select the link below before you begin to take a test or do an exercise. The link will open a window showing the time on the Blackboard server and send signals regularly to the Blackboard server to make sure your ISP does not break your Internet connection for lack of use. Keep this window open while you are working in Blackboard. If the time stops updating every 30 seconds, you will know that you have lost your Internet connection to Blackboard.

Selct the "Click Here" test below to download the "Stay Alive" freeware program. (PC Only)
   
  Click Here

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Site Updated on Thursday, 31 July, 2008