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Do You Have a Problem with your Computer?

In our experience the way a computer is set up can sometimes affect access to our resources.

Troubleshooting problems when logging in from off campus

  1. Temporary internet files and cookies
  2. Browser - are you up to date?
  3. Firewall
  4. Privacy settings / cookies / pop-ups
  5. Security settings
  6. Webcache
  7. Accessing electronic resources from your place of work

1. Clear your temporary internet files and cookies

  1. Make sure you have only one browser window open.
  2. Go to a webpage that doesn't require a login (eg www.google.co.uk).
  3. From your browser menu, select "Tools / Internet Options".
    Temp files
  4. Click the 'Delete Cookies' and 'Delete Files' buttons.
  5. Close down Internet Explorer, re-open it and try logging in again.
  6. If you are using a browser other than Internet Explorer, there will be similar options available. Consult the documentation for your browser.

2. Browser

3. Firewall

If you have a firewall, other than the standard Windows XP firewall, (eg Norton Internet Security), this can cause problems; you may need to disable this to get the login to work..

  1. If you have Windows XP, close down all your applications (your open windows).
  2. Enable the Windows XP firewall for your internet connection
    1. Go to Start, Control panel
    2. Either 'Network & Internet Connections' / 'Network Connections'
      Or, 'Network Connections'
    3. On the Left hand side of the screen, select "Change windows firewall settings" under the general tab, check the 'on' radio button. In the advanced tab, ensure all your internet connections are ticked.
    4. Press OK.
    Firewall

    PC-Setup Firewall 
  3. Close down your personal firewall.
    This will vary depending on the firewall software you are using. Often you will have an icon in the task bar (near to the clock at the bottom, right of the screen).
    If you hover the mouse over these icons, it should display the application name.
    Right click on your firewall icon and select 'close' or 'disable'.
    If you can't find how to close your firewall, consult the documentation that came with the firewall.

     NOTE: We regularily test our services with Windows XP firewall in place with no problems.

     REMEMBER: do not disable all of your firewalls. It is not adviseable to browse the internet without using a firewall

  4. Try logging in again.

4. Privacy Settings / Cookies / Pop-Ups

  1. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options.
  2. Select the third tab along "Privacy".
    Here, you can block or allow sites to set cookies and use pop-ups.

  3. To allow sites to use cookies, click the 'sites' button.
  4. Here you can add in websites that you want to allow to set cookies. (eg ScienceDirect, Ebrary etc).
  5. Enter the address of the website that you are having trouble accessing, and select "Allow". When you have added all the sites you require, press 'OK'.

    Privacy 2
  6. To allow sites to use pop-ups, click the 'Settings' button (see first section 5 screenshot).

     PC-Setup Pop-Up-Blocker
  7. Add the address of the trusted website in the top text box and click "Add".
    (Note: if you have a different pop up blocker installed, for example, Yahoo, or Google pop-up blockers, you may also need to edit the settings in these. Refer to the software documentation for more information).
  8. When you have added the site, click on the close button.
  9. Press 'OK' on the Internet Options screen.

5. Security Settings

  1. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options.
  2. Select the second tab along called "Security".
  3. Click on the green tick icon called "Trusted sites"
    Here, you can set security settings which are specific to the websites identified in this section
  4. Click the 'sites' button.

    security 1
  5. Add in websites to give the reduced security to (eg Athens, Ebsco etc)
  6. Make sure the 'Require server verification (https)... is NOT TICKED
  7. Add the website domain ... to allow access to the entire domain, add a star infront of the domain name
    (eg, instead of www.emeraldinsight.com type in "*.emeraldinsight.com".)
  8. Press OK.
  9. Set the slider to Medium.

    Security 2

6. Webcache.

This service allows you to login to the University Webcache through your internet connection.

It allows you to use the internet as though you are on campus, so bypassing the need to login to resources using your University login (student account) as your Institutional or Shibboleth login.

Instructions for setting up this service can be found on our web cache page. You will need your University login username and password to use this service.

7. Accessing Electronic Resources from your place of work.

We have had problems with users trying to access resources from their place of work. Often, workplaces have secure networks and firewalls in place which prevent you from logging into services such as our databases, e-journals or Ebrary.

We advise that you contact the IT department at your place of work as they will be better placed to assist you in these matters.

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