WSCLL uses the tools based upon the Windows XP operating system. We do not recommend attempting a distance education course if you rely upon an Apple Macintosh computer as your sole available system*, and, for all others, the following are our basic hardware and software recommendations.

Software:

• Microsoft® OS (XP® Preferred)
• Word processor able to write to Microsoft® Word 6.0+ format
• Internet browser. Microsoft Internet Explorer® 5.0+ / Netscape® 5.0+ with Internet access (broadband connection preferred)
  Important Note: Internet Explorer must be selected as your default browser to view the media files on your CD ROM / DVD ROM disks. To learn how to set IE as your default browser, CLICK HERE.
• Powerpoint 2003® recommended but not required
• Email program able to send and receive email attachments
• Acrobat Reader 5® and Windows Media Player® 9.0 or above

Hardware:

• Pentium® IV computer (or equivalent)
• 48X CD ROM or faster
• Sound card and speakers
• 512 MB RAM (preferred)
• Adequate free disk space on your hard drive to allow for efficient
  operation of programs

* Note: While our CD ROM courses are not designed for operation on Macintosh® brand computers, some students have successfully completed courses, though with limitations to full course functionality. Contact WSCLL for more information.

Problem: On occasion a file may appear be missing from your course disk.

Solution: There are two possibilities:

The File Exists; the Link is Broken
Broken links happen. Using Windows Explorer, search the disk for the "missing" file, or browse the contents of the disk folders. Normally required files are in a Documents folder or similarly entitled directory. We would ask that you then click here to report the problem so that we might correct it on future disks.

The File is Missing
Click here to report the missing file, providing information as to the course title, session number, module number, and filename (if known). If possible, we will email the file to you and correct future disks. If the file is too large, we will send you a new disk with the file in place.

Problem: If you are running the disk from your CD ROM drive, you may find that the video skips or stutters from time to time. This is typically a problem not of the disk itself, but of your drive's ability to access the video data and display it as designed. Because of the video compression we use, this should only be a problem on older machines.

Solution: Clearly, one option is to upgrade your computer or CD ROM drive. An easier solution for most people with larger hard drives is to load the entire disk onto your computer and view the files from your much faster hard drive. You can then either keep the contents on your disk as you continue through the course, or remove it when it is time to switch disks and load the new files to your system.

We will need you to do some analysis on this one for us by answering the following questions:

1. What system are you trying to run the course on?
2. What happens when you try to load the disk?
3. Are you able to browse the contents of the disk using Windows Explorer? If yes, have you tried to run the disk directly by double-clicking on the file welcome.htm (new courses) or WS_home.htm (older courses) in the main directory?
4. Are you able to start the course, and view the HTML files, but are unable to play media?
5. Are you able to view the media files but there is no audio?
   
   

Problem: When you insert the disk into your CD ROM / DVD ROM drive, it spins but nothing comes up. Then when you view the contents of the disk, the files are clearly present.

Solution: The courses are designed to benefit from the Windows autorun feature. On occasion that feature either has been disabled or, for whatever reason, simply refuses to work. We will not discuss enabling or disabling autorun on a WIndows XP machine, but you can still access the content of the disk by:

• Opening WIndows Explorer
• Double-clicking on Your CD ROM drive (it should show the name of the course in the disk name)
• Double-clicking on the welcome.htm or WS_home.htm file.
  
  

Problem: You are able to access course HTML files, but when you try to click on the video links, nothing happens.

Solution: Our courses typically require that you are using Internet Explorer 5.0 and above (or Netscape 7.0 and above), and that you have Windows Media Player installed. If you have the former, but not the latter, click on the link below to install the newest version of the Windows Media Player.

Please note that this will require online validation of your operating system. This is a secure, non-invasive process that simply verifies that you are running a legitimate copy of Windows.

Problem: You are able to view the video, but you can't hear the audio track.

Solution: Several factors may be at play here. Check your computer and audio system for:

1. Is the volume control on your Windows taskbar set to mute? To view your volume setting, simply single-click the speaker icon in the lower right portion of your Windows screen (near the clock). If the volume is muted (box under the slider is checked, uncheck it.)
2. Is your volume set too low? As in number one, single-click the speaker icon. If the slider is set low, use your mouse to raise the volume level until you hear the sound.
3. Are your speakers plugged in properly (can you hear other media sources), and are they turned on (if powered).
   
   

Problem: You are enrolled in a Learning Center classroom that includes a syllabus file, but it does not match the syllabus on disk.

Solution: This one has three parts.

1. If you are in a Learning Center class or cluster with an online syllabus, that syllabus always takes precedence. Ignore any and all other versions.
2. If you are not in a Learning Center class and have a link that takes you to the web for your syllabus, use that syllabus. Any syllabus that might have found its way onto the disk itself is no longer operable.
3. If you are not in a Learning Center class, and your syllabus link takes you to a disk-based syllabus, that is the governing syllabus.

If you have any questions at all as to what syllabus to use, please contact Jon Raibley in the WSCLL offices for clarification.

Problem: You are trying to run a WSCLL course on a Macintosh computer and it doesn't work.

Solution: Our courses are designed for use on a computer running Windows XP. That is the only platform we support...a commitment that is reflected in all our statements of system requirements.

We have, however, had students complete courses on a Mac, yet without all course features. To learn how, click here for step-by-step instructions.