Blackboard Student Support FAQ

BLACKBOARD STUDENT SUPPORT GENERAL FAQ

General FAQ

What is my username and password?

If you are a student at RIC your login is exactly
the same as your Network/Email Account.

Student Network Account Example:

EXAMPLE :
Name: John Smith
Birthday: August 22, 2003
Student ID Number: 1234567
SSN: 000-00-1234

Your login would be :

Blackboard ID : jsmith_4567
(first initial, last name, and last four digit of your Student ID number)
Password : aug221234
(first 3 letters of the month you're born, day of birth, and last four digits of your SSN)

How do I log-on.

Click here to download the instructions.

How do I get started with Blackboard (Introduction)

video - Win MAC

Having Trouble Logging In?

Make sure you are officially registered for the class.
Make sure you are typing in your ID and password correctly (Blackboard is case-sensitive).
If you are officially in the class and you can't log in, you need to reset your password. Resetting your password will reset your student Network/Email password as well. Go to https://passwordstation.ric.edu and follow the directions.

Note: If you have trouble with password station (ie. it will not accept your social etc.) you need to go to the front desk at Horace Mann. If it notes that your birthdate is incorrect you can try jan01XXXX (last for digits of your social). If nothing works, the helpdesk will help you reset your password or submit a report if there is a problem.
If you are getting an "access denied message" when you try to login,
you probably have spyware on your computer blocking your access.
Go to the "I can't log in" page to find directions on how you can remove the offending software.
Still having trouble? Call the helpdesk at (401) 456-8803 and ask them to put in a work order for you.

Why can't I log on the Blackboard?

- You see: "Could not login. Valid authentication credentials were not provided."
Solution: Blackboard passwords are case sensitive. If you use the wrong case, you will not be able to log-on. If you have forgotten your password, please reset your password using PASSWORD STATION. This will change the password for NT\Email as well. Go to https://passwordstation.ric.edu and follow the directions. If nothing works, please go to the Helpdesk in Horace Mann or Whipple where a staff member can help you.

- You see: "You are not authorized to view this page"
Solution: There is most likely something that is blocking your access to Blackboard. Adware and Spyware can cause you to not be able to log into Black board. There is software available that will allow you to remove Spyware. Two recommended programs for this are Spybot (Search and Destroy) and Ad-Aware. Please be advised that Rhode Island College neither endorses nor supports these products.

- You see: nothing
Solution: This might be caused by a firewall or popup blocker you might be using. You might have to disable them in order to get into Blackboard. Please reference your owners manual's for these programs to disable them.

- Please check the previous list of operating systems and browsers supported by Blackboard to make sure you can view Blackboard properly.

Can I change my username and/or password?

A Blackboard user can change their password but not their username. PASSWORD STATION allows you to change your password. Click on the password station link to be taken to the site and follow the directions. Please note resetting your password will also reset your NT\Email accounts.

I have changed my password but have forgotten it. How do I reset it?

The best way to reset a password if you are on campus would be to visit the lab assistant desk located in the Horace Mann Tech Center. If you are off campus please contact 401-456-8886 and someone will be able to assist you with this issue.

What operating systems and browsers are recommended for using Blackboard?

Click here to download information about the recommended browsers and OS.

I can't see the course menu in my Blackboard course?

By default the Blackboard Course Menu will be seen in the left pane of your screen in less it's being hidden.

white paper

I can't see the Blackboard content in IE?

white paper video - Win MAC

When I try to access a document on Blackboard, why do I get a "404 - File not found" error?

This normally caused by an "illegal" character in the file name of the document. Some examples of illegal characters are $, (, ", !, @, as well as others. The person who uploaded a file with illegal characters should be notified to have the name changed. A file that is uploaded with illegal characters is not recoverable and must be uploaded again with a different name. Click here to download a white paper about special characters in file names.

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