Personal firewall/anti virus software on your computer may prevent your course from downloading. Any home user with a personal firewall should note that some brands of firewall may block certain file types that are used within learndirect courseware. Any home users having problems accessing their online courseware should close all online applications, temporarily disable the firewall, open a web-browser and try to access their courseware once again. If this proves successful, the user is recommended to configure their firewall software to allow data from http://www.learndirect.co.uk before they re-enable the firewall software. Please do not access anything other than the learndirect website and your course whilst the firewall/AV software is disabled. Re-enable the software IMMEDIATELY after testing access to your course.

If you disable your firewall or anti-virus software in an attempt to access your course materials, you do so at your own risk.  Ufi Ltd does not guarantee that such action will resolve the problem.  Nor shall Ufi Ltd be responsible for any damage to your computer system or loss of data that results from such action.   In the event that your firewall or anti-virus software may be blocking your access to course materials, but you do not wish to disable it, you have a number of options under the contract with your course provider as set out in the Terms and Conditions available at www.learndirect.co.uk.  Any guidance provided by Ufi Ltd and Virtual Learning Solutions as to disabling your anti-virus or firewall software should be strictly followed. In addition, any anti-virus or firewall software disabled should be re-enabled as soon you have downloaded your course materials or as soon as it is established that you still cannot access your course materials. Accordingly, Ufi Ltd and Virtual Learning Solutions shall not be liable for your failure to re-enable anti-virus or firewall software if you disabled it for the purposes of accessing your course materials.

"Technical advice given on behalf of Ufi Limited and Virtual Learning Solutions is subject to the limitations and exclusions of liability contained in the Terms & Conditions available at www.learndirect.co.uk.  Please check those Terms and Conditions before using the technical advice provided.

learndirect is used under license to Ufi Ltd

Computer Test

What this page will do: What this page will do, or attempt to do, is to examine some aspects of your computer system and assess their compatibility with learndirect course materials. If something about your computer appears to be incompatible don't worry - most computers can be made compatible, so please contact us for advice.

What this page won't do: What this page will NOT do, or attempt to do, is

·         read any information about you or your computer other than what it reports on this page

·         store anything on your computer, other than a small test cookie which will be deleted immediately afterwards

·         change anything on your computer

·         send any information about you or your computer to us or anyone else

http://www.sulc.org/learndirect/pctest.htm

Security Settings

What do the security settings on my computer do?
Your browser (for example Internet Explorer) has features which will prevent certain things from downloading or running on your computer, in order to protect it from malicious programs which will try to damage your computer or files you've stored on it. Unfortunately, whilst these features are very useful in protecting you from things you don't want, they can also interfere with things you do want - like your learndirect course!

Are these security settings the same as a virus checker?
No. These security settings add another layer of protection to your computer, but they're NOT intended to take the place of anti-virus software. We strongly recommend that you install anti-virus software and keep it updated regularly. (See the 'Viruses' page elsewhere in this Technical section.)

How can I allow my learndirect course to run without allowing the dangerous stuff in as well?
Internet Explorer lets you specify certain websites which you trust, and which you'll allow to run things on your computer, whilst keeping your defences up against all other websites.

Are you sure I can trust the learndirect website?
We believe that it's safe to add the learndirect website to your 'Trusted Sites' list. The website is run on behalf of the Department for Education, and we believe that they make strenuous efforts to ensure that nothing run from their site will damage your computer. Please note, however, that we cannot guarantee that there will never be a problem - nothing is ever completely risk-free.

How do I add the learndirect website to my 'Trusted Sites' list?

1. Click the 'Tools' menu item, then 'Internet Options...', and another screen will appear.
2. Click the 'Security' tab along the top, then the picture of the green circle with the white tick.
3. Click the 'Sites...' button. Another screen will appear, with the green circle and the tick at the top.
4. If there's a tick in the box labelled 'Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone', click the box to untick it.
5. In the box labelled 'Add this Web site to the zone', type www.learndirect.co.uk, then click the 'Add' button. The text you've just typed in should then appear in the larger box below.
6. In the box labelled 'Add this Web site to the zone', type courses.learndirect.co.uk, then click the 'Add' button. The text you've just typed in should then appear in the larger box below.
7. In the box labelled 'Add this Web site to the zone', type www.vlsolutions.org.uk, then click the 'Add' button. The text you've just typed in should then appear in the larger box below.
8. Click 'OK' on that box, which will return you to the 'Internet Options' box.
9. Click the 'Custom Level' button. A new window will appear, headed 'Security Settings'.
10. Go through the list of settings and ensure that everything is set to 'Enable' or 'Low Safety'. In particular make sure that the second and third items in that list ('Download unsigned ActiveX controls' and 'Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe') are set to 'Enable'.
11. Click 'OK' on that box, which will return you to the 'Internet Options' box. Click 'OK' on that one as well, which will return you to the normal browser screen. It's then a good idea to close down all browser windows and re-open Internet Explorer to make sure the new security settings have taken effect.
     

Please Note: If you're using a networked computer using Windows NT, 2000 or XP Professional (probably at work) these settings may be locked so you can't change them, and there are other security settings in the computer which may also prevent your course from working properly. You should ask your system administrator for assistance. You should also be aware that making unauthorised changes to security settings on your work computer may breach your company's IT Policies - again, check with your system administrator before making any changes.

Firewall/Cache

The learndirect system uses W3C standard protocols to deliver the application. The system uses both HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443) protocols.
The learndirect system will use Real technologies in some of the materials, in particular the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP - port 554) for all streamed media content. If a user on a firewall protected network is having problems with streamed audio, please ensure that port 554 is enabled to allow RTSP (the protocol that delivers the streamed audio files) otherwise the audio files will be blocked by the firewall. Technical Information detailing the firewall manufacturers with native Real support and advice on to how to configure firewalls to allow the use of Real can be found at http://service.real.com/firewall/fadmin.html

Security Software

Security software can sometimes interfere with learndirect content coming to and from your PC.  Symptoms of this can be instances of lost progress on your course and inaccurate book-marking.  Your security software can be configured to accept learndirect as a trusted website; please follow the advice below on how to do this.

Security Software Configuration

Outlined below is the information that you may need to reconfigure your firewall and antivirus software to allow learndirect content through as trusted content.  Unfortunately, I am unable to give you specific instructions in relation to your security software; this is because every security program operates in a different way.  To locate information on how to configure your security software, please look in any pre-loaded helpfile or manual that may have accompanied the product.

·         www.learndirect.co.uk                   81.144.222.10

·         images.learndirect.co.uk               81.144.222.11

·         courses.learndirect.co.uk              81.144.222.12

·         conf001.learndirect.co.uk            81.144.222.13

·         webmail.learndirect.net                 195.44.63.117

You may also need to input the Ports:

·         80 (http)

·         554 (rtsp)

·         6970 (udp)

·         6667 (irc)

AOL Users
Using AOL as an Internet service provider (ISP) also involves using AOL's own proprietary browser to surf the Internet. The AOL browser is not compatible with learndirect learning material.
The solution is to minimise the AOL browser and to open up Internet Explorer.
If learners have any problems they may wish to contact the AOL helpline on 0800 376 5432 and ask them to explain how to set Internet Explorer as the default browser.
 

Xebec Course Player Download
With the 208 Xebec Courses, for users with Internet Explorer. The first time a user tries to load a course on the particular machine they are working on, they will be faced with a course wizard which asks them whether they want to download the course player or play from the server.
We are recommending that they download the course player (size 1.2 Meg) to the browser cache (takes approx. 5-10 minutes depending on the speed of the network). THIS WILL ONLY HAPPEN ONCE (although updates to the course player will require additional downloads).
 

 Common Problems

"When I try to get into the course materials nothing happens - no new screen opens or anything."
Is your browser blocking pop-up windows? (See the 'Pop-up Windows' section further up this page.)

"I'm on an Electric Paper (EP) course, when I try to get into the course materials another screen opens but it remains blank."

Have you downloaded and installed the Macromedia Authorware plug-in? (See the 'Useful Downloads' section further up this page.)

Check your browser's security settings

"I'm on a NETg course, when I try to get into the course materials another screen opens but it remains blank."

Check your browser's security settings

If you're using Windows XP you may need to install the 'Java Virtual Machine'. See the 'Java' section further up this page for more information.

"I'm on a NETg course, when I try to get into the course materials another screen opens but all I get is a diamond going backwards and forwards across the screen."
The diamond indicates that your computer is trying to download the 'SkillBuilder' course player. It should only need to do this once, and should only take 1-3 minutes over a modem. If the diamond remains for a long time, then check the following:

Check your browser's security settings

If you're using Windows XP you may need to install the 'Java Virtual Machine'. See the 'Java' section further up this page for more information.

Browser configuration, security and plug-ins
Browsers need to allow the use of Javascript and enable the Download and Run of signed ActiveX components. The Java RTE needs to be enabled. File download and Font Download need to be enabled.

Many learndirect courses require a plug-in called Java to be installed on the computer. For most learners this won't present a problem, as a suitable version is already installed as part of Windows. However, for a small number of learners on certain courses there may be a slight problem.

There are two versions of Java, one produced by Microsoft, and the other by Sun Microsystems, who invented it in the first place. Most learndirect courses don't care which version of Java they use, but a few will only run with one or the other.

The Microsoft version of Java is usually installed automatically as part of Windows 95, 98, Me, NT4, and 2000. However, due to a legal dispute between Microsoft and Sun Microsystems, Microsoft don't ship the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (JVM) with Windows XP, nor is an XP version available from the Microsoft website.

NOTE: This link is provided subject to the Disclaimer at the beginning on page 1. This software should not be installed on computers running Windows 2000.

The Sun Microsystems version of Java is available direct  on their website. NOTE: This link is provided subject to the Disclaimer on page 1.

Before becoming too concerned about Java, please ensure that you've checked your browser's security settings and installed any necessary plugins required for your course (eg Authorware, Flash or Shockwave) as problems with learndirect courses are more likely to be caused by a missing plug-in or a security setting. If you are in any doubt, please contact us for advice.

To check whether Microsoft Java is installed on your computer:

Click your 'Start' button, then click 'Run'

In the window which opens up, type

·               command.com (Windows 98 or Millennium Edition)
-or-

·               cmd (Windows NT 4.0, 2000, and XP)

and click OK.

A black window will open up, with a flashing underscore. Type jview, and press the Enter key on your keyboard.

If Microsoft Java is installed on your computer the black screen will then say Microsoft (R) Command-line Loader for Java followed by a version number and a dozen or so more lines of text.

Some pop-up stoppers or advert blockers can be overridden by keeping the ‘Ctrl’ key pressed down whilst clicking to ‘continue learning’. Others can be 'toggled' on or off by pressing the 'Ctrl' once.

Check Authorware

To check the Authorware software on your computer as below:

1. Click on the link below: -

http://www.electricpaper.ie/products/courseware_demos.asp

2. Select one of the module demos eg Module 1

3. “OK” any ‘Authorware Web Player Security’ boxes that appear.

If the demo loads and you are able to view the topics screen then Authorware is correctly installed.

If Authorware does not load then follow the instructions below:
Remove all existing Authorware files from your computer

1.       Click onto the computer Start button, located in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

2.       Scroll your mouse up to “Settings” and select “Control Panel”, by clicking onto it with your mouse.

3.       When the Control Panel window opens, double click onto the “Internet Options” icon.

4.       When the Internet Properties window opens, click onto the button that is labelled “Settings”.

5.       In the Settings window, click onto the “View Objects” button.

6.       A list of Downloaded Program Files will appear.

7.       Locate the download labelled “Macromedia Authorware”. Click onto it once to highlight.

8.       Go to the File menu and select “Delete”.

9.       Click “Yes” when you are asked if you are sure that you want to delete it.

10.   Close all open windows, shut down and restart your PC.

 

Authorware files may also be stored in other locations, please check to see if any of the files listed below are present and delete them if they are

1.       Right click on the computer Start button in the left hand corner of the screen. Select Explore

2.       Select C:\Windows|Downloaded Program Files

3.       Select and delete C:\windows\system\macromed\ Authorware

4.       Select and delete C:windows\system32\macromed\Authorwa

5.       Select and delete C:\program files\Internet Explorer\plugins\np32asw

6.       Select and delete C:\windows\system32\authorwa\desktop\awplayer (this is mostly for users of XP)

7.       Please empty your Recycle Bin, close all open windows, shut down and restart your PC

If you have upgraded with the SP2

Windows XP Service Pack 2 contains an integrated pop-up blocker to protect users from unsolicited advertising messages. Currently all learndirect online courses are delivered by a pop-up window, therefore you may need to allow pop-up windows from the learndirect domain in order to use their learndirect course.

On the first visit to a website that attempts to launch a pop-up window, service pack 2 presents the user with a notification entitled: ‘Did you notice the Information Bar?’

The information bar is located at the top of the screen just below the Address bar in Internet Explorer. It states: ‘Pop-up blocked. To see the pop-up or additional options click here…’

If you click on the information bar you will have the option to ‘Always allow pop ups from this site’. Alternatively, the pop-up blocker configuration panel can be accessed via Start / Control Panel / Internet Options / Privacy / Pop-up blocker Settings.
 

I have provided some suggestions below for things to check…
 Software required and testing:

All learndirect customers are advised to choose whichever antivirus product they feel will best suit their needs.

www.grisoft.com offer a full featured anti-virus application free to home users. The grisoft AVG is suitable for use with all learndirect products.

The associated links will take you to the website from where you can download each player. Most of these websites will also have a page where you can test the players to see if they have installed correctly.

Flash player download
Flash player test - Click to view Ben & Jerry's icecream flash movie

Shockwave player download
Shockwave player test - Click to load and play shockwave game.

Authorware Web Player - some courses use Authorware version5 to deliver rich interactive content.
Authorware player test - Please choose one of the online modules to test your player installation.

Real player download - Please choose the 'Free Player' using top navigation bar.
Real player test - Please choose an audio/video link to test your player installation.

Java
Java player test - Please choose the FREE web version, then load and run to test your player installation.

Acrobat Reader download

CD and On Line Issues

Microsoft IE6

Microsoft have added a security patch to IE6 which means you cannot access your local drives - hence not able to access the CD and On Line Issues.  You must untick the box marked "requires server verification", therefore allowing you to enter the address http://courses.learndirect.co.uk.

To do this, go to Internet Explorer:
• Click Tools
• Click Internet Options
• Click the Security tab
• Click 'Trusted Sites' and then click the Sites button
• Untick the 'requires server verification' box

Active X

Filters blocking 'ActiveX' (A Microsoft language which learndirect courses use) may be causing the problems you have been experiencing.

To access ActiveX controls on Internet Explorer, please select the following:

1.       Tools

2.       Internet Options

3.       Security

4.       Custom level

The first 5 headings will be in relation to ActiveX controls.  If any are disabled; please change the option onto prompt.  If the remaining are enabled, please leave them as they are.

Firewalls and Antivirus programs may also include ActiveX controls, please consult the help file or manual that accompanies the program for instructions on how to configure these.

After configuring your security software, it will be useful if you clear your cookies, temporary internet files and internet history from your PC; please follow the instructions below to do this.

·     

Cookies, History and Temporary Internet Files (Cache) for Internet Explorer

When you visit a site, a copy of the web page is saved on your hard drive in case you want to view it again at a later time.  A cookie is a message given to a web browser by a web server. The browser stores the message in a text file called cookie.txt. The purpose of deleting cookies and temporary Internet files (cache) and clearing history is to create space and dispose of any stored pages which may contain errors.

Temporary Internet files can be deleted from the 'Tools' or 'View' menu, depending on the browser version.  This can be done on or off line.  If you wish to do this offline then carry out the instructions below before you access the internet, when you select internet explorer select "Yes" to work offline.

1.      Select 'Internet Options'.
2.      Under the "General" tab in the temporary Internet files box click on 'Delete Files'.

It is also recommended that users clear the 'History' folder regularly (within the same window).  It may be useful to change their settings so that the history is deleted every visit to that page.

1.      Go to 'Internet Options'.
2.      Within the 'General' tab, click on Settings in the temporary Internet files box.
3.      Where it states 'Check for newer versions of stored pages' click the option 'every visit to the page'.

To delete your Cookies, please follow these instructions:

1.      Go to 'Internet Options'.
2.      Within the 'General' tab, click on Settings in the temporary Internet files box.
3.      Select 'View Files' , From the 'Edit' menu from the top of your browser click on 'Select All'
4.      Click 'Delete' - this will delete all cookies.

You now need to log off the Internet and shut down your computer before rebooting. Do not select 'Restart', as this does not always clear the problem.

On occasion, a security box will appear while attempting to load your course; you will need to accept this security message to enable the course to load.  Sometimes the security warning box will appear twice in succession; once again you will need to accept the second message to enable the course to load.

Tips to work around instances of data not being saved

To work around any problems you encounter with data not being saved back to the learndirect system, please follow the instructions below:

 Assessment results

To take a screen print of any results, please follow the instructions below.

1.      Firstly please ensure that the window is of an appropriate size so that all the information can be viewed in the single screen.

2.      With all the information visible, please press: 'Print Scrn', this is located to the right of the F12 key.
3.      Then open up program such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works or Paint and create a new blank document.
4.      In the new blank document, either select 'Edit' and then 'Paste' or hold down 'Ctrl' and then 'V' at the same .
5.      Once the shot of the screen shows on the document you can either save or print this document to be handed to be forwarded to your tutor.

 Bookmarking

Please use the contents and course navigation options within the course to enable you to return to the topic you were previously working on.

Course going back to the beginning

If you are finding your course is taking you back to the beginning when you click on “continue my learning” you may find it helpful to click on “see course topics” and choose the course topic you wish to access from this page.

Useful Downloads

Viruses
What is a virus?
A virus is a little program which runs on your computer. Your computer has thousands of programs installed on it, which make it do all the things you want it to do, like write letters or send emails. The browser you're reading this page on now is a program, and Windows itself is a collection of hundreds of little programs which interact together to make your computer work. A virus, however, is a program which is written maliciously, and uses the facilities available on your computer to cause problems.

 

How many viruses are there?
According to the Network Associates website there are currently over sixty-two thousand, and more are being created all the time.

 

Where do viruses come from?
Viruses don't just happen by themselves. They're created deliberately, usually by quite clever people. Sometimes it's for the challenge of being able to outwit the security systems on computers and networks, and sometimes it's just for the fun of causing damage. Why do they do it? It's a kind of electronic vandalism - you might as well ask why people smash up telephone boxes. Occasionally the virus writers get caught - the creator of the Melissa virus, which caused major problems all over the world in 1999, was traced and sent to prison.
 

What do viruses do?
Once a virus installs itself on your computer, it usually tries to spread itself to others. This is why they're called viruses, because they try to spread to other computers, in the same way as a human virus tries to spread itself to other people. Having sent copies of themselves out, they then often try to do something to your computer. Sometimes this can be little more than a nuisance, but sometimes they can delete files from your computer, which either destroys work you've done or damages Windows, making your computer unusable.
 

How do viruses spread?
They can spread through networks, and by other methods, but the most common method of spreading themselves between home computer users is by sending copies of themselves out attached to emails which they send to addresses found in your email address book.

 

How would I get a virus?
Sometimes you can get them from websites, which send them to your computer without you realising, and you can get them from CD's or floppy disks which were created on an infected machine. The most common method, though, is by email. The virus attaches itself to an email which is sent to you, and if you open the attachment the virus runs and installs itself on your computer, then sets about its other activities.

 

It's okay to open an attachment in an email from someone I know though, isn't it?
Not necessarily. The virus may have attached itself to a message they've sent you without them realising. The entire email, with attachment, may even have been constructed and sent by the virus, and your friend may know nothing at all about it. For example, the Melissa virus mentioned earlier infected computers at the Vatican, which then sent infected emails out to other people. (It was particularly embarrassing for them, because the body of the email contained a list of internet porn sites.)
 

How can I protect myself from viruses?
You can protect yourself to some extent by being careful - for example, don't open email attachments unless you know what they are, no matter who they're from or what delights they promise you. The best thing you can do is to install an anti-virus program on your computer. These include, but are not limited to, Network Associates' McAfee, Norton Anti-Virus, and PC-cillin. These programs run in the background all the time your computer is on, and examine anything coming into your computer, either webpages, disks, or emails. They contain a list of known viruses which they recognise if they try to get into your computer, and can block or delete them. The anti-virus program can also be set to scan your computer for viruses which have already got in. You can get anti-virus programs from just about any computer shop, for example Argos, Dixons, or Comet. Typical cost is in the region of £20-£30, but this also includes the facility to keep updating the virus list for a set period, (six months, two years, or whatever it happens to be) so that the software recognises the latest viruses. An anti-virus program could be the best money you ever spend on your computer!

 

If I've got a virus, how can I get rid of it?
Installing anti-virus software as mentioned above can cure it, if you set the software to check your computer's hard disk(s). Some viruses, however, are extremely good at protecting themselves - they will prevent anti-virus software being installed, or attempt to turn it off if it's already installed. Depending on which virus it is and how hard it is to remove, you may need to seek professional advice. (But not, please, from us.)