Internet Explorer 7 Settings

Some users of Internet Explorer 7 have noticed that the countdown timer for timed tests is not displaying at the bottom of a Blackboard exam or quiz.  Some students have also had trouble with pop-up boxes to allow for text to be copied to the clipboard. This is usually caused by the default security settings in Internet Explorer 7. The simplest way to eliminate this problem is to add our Blackboard server to your list of “Trusted” sites.  Follow the steps below: 

1. Login to My CVTC as you normally would and open one of your Blackboard courses.
2. Click the Tools dropdown arrow in the upper-right side of the screen.
3. Click Internet Options.
4. Click the Security tab.
5. Trusted Sites green check mark.
6. Click the Sites button.
7. In the “Add this website to the zone:” box, you should see http://bbprod.cvtc.edu. 

Note: if the box is blank and http://bbprod.cvtc.edu is already in the “Websites:” window, the Blackboard server is already a trusted site.  You may have another issue with your browser or the exam. Contact the CVTC Help Desk or your instructor for further assistance. 

8. Click the checkbox to uncheck Require server verification…
9. Click the Add button to the right of the “Add this website to the zone:” box. The Blackboard server address should now be in the “Websites:” window.
10. Click the Close button.
11. Once again, select Trusted Sites zone.
12. Click Custom level… button near the bottom of the page.
13. The security settings window for trusted sites now opens. Scroll down to the Scripting section near the bottom of the list.
14. Look for the Allow Programmatic clipboard access option and change the option from Prompt to Enable. Prompt will cause the popup to appear (default setting) while enable will not.
15. Click Ok twice to exit from Internet Options.  Choose Yes in any Warning! Pop-up boxes. 

Since Bb is a trusted zone allowing access to the clipboard is a safe option. DO NOT enable this setting in the general “Internet” zone options.  This would open the clipboard to all external sites.

The timer should now appear for you in timed quizzes or exams, and you should not receive pop-up boxes about copying to the clipboard.  Please be aware that these settings may need to be set for each computer you use with IE 7.