Browser Help

Browser Quick Check:

Javascript enabled?
Cookies enabled?
Pop-up blockers turned off?
SSL enabled? Click Test SSL button. No "congratulations" page? Please enable SSL.
Adobe Reader installed? Click Test Adobe button. No "congratulations" page? Get Adobe Reader. [Help]

Other browser issues:

Clear previously saved passwords.
If you can't log in to library resources, even though you have typed your name and ID correctly, try clearing your browser's saved passwords.
Clear your browser's cache, cookies and history.
Sometimes this helps clear the clutter and restores functionality.
Need a browser upgrade?
Using an older version of your browser? It may be time to upgrade.
Using AOL?.
Use AOL to get online but try another browser (such as Internet Explorer) once you're online.
Using another institution's proxy server?
If your browser is set to use another institution's proxy server, it may interfere with logging into UMUC resources.

Need more help?
Ask a Librarian

Enable Javascript

Internet Explorer:

Go under Tools > Internet Options.
Click the Security tab, select the Internet zone, then click Default Level. The level should now say Medium (for Internet Explorer 6) or Medium-High (for Internet Explorer 7).
Click Apply, then OK.
Run Browser Check to make sure that Javascript is now enabled.

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Enable Cookies

Internet Explorer:

Go under Tools > Internet Options.
Click on the Privacy tab, then click Default. The privacy level should now say Medium.
Click Apply, then OK.
Run Browser Check to make sure that cookies are now enabled.

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Turn Off Pop-up blockers

Be aware that some of the databases, as well as buttons, make use of pop-up windows. If your browser, Google or Yahoo toolbar, security software, or any other pop-up blocking programs are set to block pop-ups, try turning the pop-up blocking feature off.

Alternative:
Try holding down the CTRL key while clicking on the link you are having trouble with. With some pop-up blockers, this may allow the link to open in a new window.

Tips for turning off or bypassing pop-up blockers:

Internet Explorer's Pop-Up Blocker:
(Available in later versions of IE)

Go under Tools > Pop-up Blocker and select option to Turn Off Pop-up Blocker. Or see Web Tycho's Pop-Up Blocking Software page for more options.
Google Toolbar Pop-Up Blocker information
Yahoo Toolbar Pop-Up Blocker information

Run Browser Check after turning off pop-up blockers to make sure the settings are now correct.

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Enable SSL

Internet Explorer:

Go under Tools > Internet Options.
Click on the Advanced tab.
Scroll down to where it says Security.
Make sure that the following boxes are checked:
- Use SSL 2.0
- Use SSL 3.0
Click Apply, then OK.
to make sure that SSL is now enabled. Do you see the Congratulations page?

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Clear previously saved passwords.

If your browser is set to store passwords, it may be trying to insert another password into the login form (where you type your ID number), preventing you from logging in successfully to library resources. Please try the following:

Internet Explorer 6:

Go under Tools > Internet Options.
Click the Content tab, then click AutoComplete.
Click the buttons to Clear Forms and Clear Passwords and follow the prompts. Also, to avoid this problem in the future, you may also wish to UNCHECK the option to use AutoComplete for user names and passwords on forms, then click OK.
Try logging in again and see if you can now get in.

Internet Explorer 7

Go under Tools > Internet Options.
On the General tab, under Browsing history, click Delete.
On the following screen, click Delete forms and Delete passwords (or just click Delete all) and follow the prompts. Close the Delete Browsing History window when done.
To avoid this problem in the future, you may wish to do the following:

Go under Tools > Internet Options.

Click the Content tab, then look under the AutoComplete section and click SETTINGS.

Then UNCHECK the option to use AutoComplete for user names and passwords on forms, and click OK.
Try logging in again and see if you can now get in.

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Clear your browser's cache, cookies and history.

Sometimes previously stored items in the browser's cache, history or cookie files may interfere with access to a library database. To clear your browser's cache, history and cookie files, please see the instructions below.

Internet Explorer 6

Go under Tools > Internet Options.
At the General tab, click Delete Cookies, Delete Files, and Clear History and follow the prompts. Note that Delete Files may take a few minutes to finish.
Close all open IE windows, restart IE and try the library databases again.

Internet Explorer 7:

Go under Tools > Internet Options.
At the General tab, under Browsing history, click Delete.
On the following screen, click Delete files, Delete cookies, Delete history (or just click Delete all) and follow the prompts.
Close all open IE windows, restart IE and try the library databases again.

For more information, please see WebTycho's Internet Explorer help page.

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Need a browser upgrade?

Some database vendors do not support earlier versions of Netscape or Internet Explorer. We currently recommend IE 6+ or Firefox. To update your browser:

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Using AOL?

The AOL browser may or may not work with some databases. If you are an AOL user and experience difficulties, you may want to use AOL to get online but then use another browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox, to access the databases.

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Using another institution's proxy server?

If your browser is set to use another institution's proxy server, it may interfere with logging into UMUC resources. Here is how you can check.

Internet Explorer:

Go under Tools > Internet Options.
Click the Connections tab, then click the LAN settings button.
UNCHECK the option to Use a proxy server for your LAN and click OK.

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