Frequently Asked Questions
Please select a category:
| 1.0 Usernames and Passwords | 5.0 Cookies |
| 2.0 Web site address | 6.0 Browsers and computers |
| 3.0 Problems logging onto the VLE | 7.0 Links |
| 4.0 Javascript |
To return to this table select the 'return to categories' link.
If you have any suggestions for FAQs please fill in the form on the Comments Page.
1.0 Usernames and Passwords
1.1 Where do I get my username and password from?
1.2 What is my username and password?
1.3 What happens if I have forgotten my password?
1.4 Can I change my username and /or password?
1.5 Do I need a new username and password for every new module I take and/or year of my course?
2.0 Web site address
2.1 What is the web address for my VLE?
3.0 Problems logging onto the VLE
3.1 Why can I not log into my VLE?
4.0 Javascript
4.1 What is Javascript?
4.2 How do I turn it on?
5.0 Cookies
5.1 What are Cookies?
5.2 How do I turn them on?
6.0 Browsers
6.1 What are the recommended browsers for my VLE?
6.2 How powerful should my computer be to use the VLE?
7.0 Links
7.1 When I click on a link why does nothing happen?
ANSWERS
1.0 Usernames and Passwords
1.1 Where do I get my username and password from?
Your username and password will be sent to you either by email or with your learning materials after you have registered on your programme of study.
1.2 What is my username and password?
Your username will usually comprise of your Firstname (Given name) followed by your Lastname (Family name). Your password will be a combination of letters, UPPERCASE (ABCDEF) and lowercase (abcde) and a number. There must be no spaces before or after the username and password, or illegal characters such as: ",^,&,*,@. You will need your username and password to log into your VLE. Both your username and password are case sensitive (they use uppercase and lowercase letters) and so you must type them into the login box exactly as they were sent to you otherwise you may not be able to log in.
1.3 What happens if I have forgotten my password?
If you have forgotten your password or username please refer to your college administrator for a copy of your details.
1.4 Can I change my username and/or password?
No, currently you are unable to change your Username or Password. However if you username has been spelt incorrectly we may be able to change it. Please contact you college administrator if your username is incorrect.
1.5 Do I need a new username and password for every new module I take and/or year of my course?
No, you will use the same username and password throughout the duration of your programme.
2.0 Web address
2.1 What is the web address for my VLE?
The web address should either be emailed to you or be sent with your learning materials in the post. If you cannot remember what it is you can find a link to it from the Introduction page of the VLE help pages.
3.0 Logging on
3.1 Why can I not login to my VLE site?
There are number of reasons why you may not be able to log into your VLE, for example you may be using the wrong web address, an incorrect password, or you may not have your computer set up correctly. To check you have the correct web address please visit the introduction page, where all VLEs are listed. To check your password or your computer setup please visit the Diagnostic Test page. The Diagnostic Test will take you through various checks indicating what you may need to do to your computer, if it is not set up correctly already. If at the end of the tests you are still unable to login, there is a form that you will need to fill out which will be sent to your college administrator.
4.0 Javascript
4.1 What is Javascript?
Javascript is a programming language that is used for many of the features that run within the VLE. If it is not enabled (turned on) in your web browser you may experience problems logging in and/or using the VLE.
4.2 How do I turn it on?
Firstly you need to determine whether Javascript is turned on or not. To do this please go to the Diagnostic Test, which also checks to see if you have cookies turned on (see FAQ below). If JavaScript is not turned on you will see instructions on how to turn it on.
5.0 Cookies
5.1 What are Cookies?
Cookies hold information sent from web pages to your web browser. You will need to enable (turn on) cookies to access your VLE.
5.2 How do I turn them on?
Firstly you need to determine whether they are turned on or not. To do this please go to the Diagnostic Test, which also checks to see if you have Javascript running . To run this test Javascript will need to be turned on (see FAQ above). If cookies are not turned on you will see instructions on how to do this.
6.0 Browsers and Equipment
6.1 What are the recommended browsers for my VLE?
The VLE team recommend that users should use Internet Explorer version 5.5 and above to access the VLE. This is because the VLE has been designed and tested to work on these browsers. You can download the latest version of Internet Explorer from: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en. You may be able to use other browsers such as Opera, Mozilla, Netscape 7.0 and AOL. However these are not currently supported and may limit or cause problems with certain functionality within the VLE. In these cases you will be advised to use one of the recommended browsers.
6.2 How powerful should my computer be to use the VLE?
Below are the minimum and recommended specification set by the VLE team. The minimum specification is the basic requirements to use the VLE, however if your computer is a lower specification than this you may experience difficulties using the VLE. The recommended specification will ensure all functionality within the VLE will run smoothly. You should aim to be using a computer with the recommended specification or higher.
PLEASE NOTE: Your college may require you to have a slightly higher or lower spec than those listed below, if you will be required to use other software during your study programme. Please refer to the minimum spec in your prospectus or speak to your college VLE administrator.
PC SPECIFICATIONS
| Minimum specification | Recommended specification | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Pentium 500 | Pentium 1GHz |
| Memory (RAM) | 128Mb | 128Mb |
| Operating system | Windows 98 | Windows XP |
| Free space on hard disk | 100 Mb | 200 Mb |
| Screen resolution | 800x600 colour | 1024x768 colour |
| CD/DVD-ROM drive | CD-ROM | 24x CD-ROM |
| Modem speed | 56kbps | Broadband |
| Browser | Internet Explorer 5.5 | Internet Explorer 6 |
MAC SPECIFICATIONS
| Minimum specification | Recommended specification | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | G3 | G4 |
| Memory (RAM) | 64Mb | 128Mb |
| Operating system | OS 9x | OS 10x |
| Free space on hard disk | 100 Mb | 200 Mb |
| Screen resolution | 800x600 colour | 1024x768 colour |
| CD/DVD-ROM drive | CD-ROM | 24x CD-ROM |
| Modem speed | 56kbps | Broadband |
| Browser | Internet Explorer 5 | Internet Explorer 5 or latest version of Safari |
7.0 Links
7.1 When I click on a link why does nothing happen?
Some of the links within the VLE have been designed to open in a new browser window. For example if you have a link to the the library, it may open in a new browser window. However if you have a pop-up blocker turned on it will stop the link from opening. A pop-up blocker will block any pop-up windows from opening unless you turn the blocker off or specify it is turned off for a particular site.Often you will know you have a pop-up blocker turned on because you will hear a clicking sound, when you click on the link but nothing will happen. In some cases you may even see a small yellow star shape appearing at the base of the cursor.There are whole variety of blockers available, some may come built into virus checkers, or may come as an extra function with software such as Google, MSN and Windows XP SP2 (if upgrading to Windows XP SP" you may experience problems that were not there before).If you are using a blocker on your web browser then you it may be viewable through your toolbar. Make sure you turn it off or allow pop up windows to open just for your VLE.