The Shockwave Player Browser: MS Internet Explorer

Transcription

1 The Shockwave Player Browser: MS Internet Explorer For the Gizmos on ExploreLearning.com (EL) to operate successfully, Shockwave v10.0 or higher is required. However, we strongly recommend using the latest version [v11.5.x.xxx FULL as of the writing of this document] for its improved functionality and security. If you are reading this document, then EL Support has established that you do not yet have Shockwave installed on your system, you are using a SLIM version of Shockwave, or you are using an outdated FULL version of Shockwave. (For a discussion of SLIM vs. FULL Shockwave, see the end of this document.) To upgrade to the latest FULL version of the Shockwave Player, you must first remove your current version. The initial steps will lead you through the process that we have discovered is the cleanest, most complete method of removing Shockwave. Note that it does not use the Microsoft Add or Remove Programs facility. If this is your initial install of a Shockwave Player, then there is no need to follow Steps # Use your MS Internet Explorer browser to download the Shockwave Player Uninstaller utility. Go to the following webpage: 2. Select the Shockwave Player link. You will be redirected to the proper section on the webpage.

2 Page 2 of Select the SHOCKWAVE PLAYER UNINSTALLER. 4. The next webpage should produce a Windows dialog box entitled File Download Security Warning, asking you to confirm that you wish to run the Adobe Shockwave Uninstaller software. Select the Run button. Alternatively, select the Save button if you would like to save the Uninstaller application for use at a later time and/or on another computer.

3 Page 3 of The next view might produce another dialog box, asking you to once again confirm that you wish to run the Adobe Shockwave Uninstaller software, despite the fact that the publisher could not be verified. Adobe is a trustworthy enterprise, so select the Run button. 6. After being asked to select the language to be used during installation, you will be presented with another dialog box. Up to this point, you have simply downloaded the Uninstaller application; now, you are about to actually run it. the Follow Uninstaller software s instructions and close all other applications including your browser. When ready, select the Next button.

4 Page 4 of You will be asked once more to confirm that you would like to remove Shockwave. Select Next if you are ready to move forward with the uninstall. 8. If you use more than one browser with Shockwave installed as an add-on/plugin, you will be presented with the following dialog: Select Uninstall to proceed. 9. Congratulations! You have removed your current version of the Shockwave Player. Proceed to the next steps to install the latest version of Shockwave.

5 Page 5 of After a successful removal of your version of Shockwave, select TOOLS INTERNET OPTIONS from the menu bar within MS Internet Explorer browser. the 11. In the subsequent Internet Properties window, find the Browsing History section beneath the General tab. Select the Delete button.

6 Page 6 of In the resulting Delete Browsing History window, check the following checkboxes: Temporary Internet Files Cookies History Select the Delete button. This will completely clear the temporary memory of your Internet Explorer browser, as this is often the cause of downloading problems. 13.Use your Internet Explorer browser to download the latest version of the Shockwave Installer utility. Go to the following webpage: First, select your operating system from the two options in the first dropdown field: Windows Macintosh OS X. Then choose the FULL Installer Type from the second dropdown field. Press the yellow Download now button. To enjoy ALL of the Gizmos offered by ExploreLearning, we strongly suggest you install the FULL version of Shockwave.

7 Page 7 of 10 Note that you can always access the webpage above by selecting the GetAdobe button found at the bottom of every ExploreLearning webpage. 14. When presented with the yellow bar at the top of the browser pane (as shown to the right), choose Click here for options and select Download File from the resulting command list. 15. Select the Run button to confirm that you wish to download and install the Shockwave Installer utility. At this point, you have simply installed the Installer utility. Now, you must execute the utility to actually install the Shockwave Player.

8 Page 8 of When this window is displayed, close your browser. Then select the Run button to confirm that you wish to install the Shockwave Player. 17. While Shockwave installs, you may be asked if you wish to download another program (e.g. a Norton Security product). This is not necessary to complete the install, so feel free to un-check the Include Norton Security Scan checkbox. After the installation completes, the third dialog box above is displayed. Select the Close button to complete the installation.

9 Page 9 of Reopen your Internet Explorer browser, then return to explorelearning.com At the bottom of the webpage, find and select the gray System Test Page button. At the center of the resulting page, select the Run System Test button. Your results should look similar to this: Note that the Shockwave Player is a FULL version. 19. If this screen indicates that your Shockwave Player is still not installed, check your Add-Ons Configuration ( TOOLS MANAGE ADD-ONS from the browser s menu bar ) feature to confirm that the Shockwave ActiveX Control is enabled. Re-run the System Test. If enabling the Add-On does not return the above results, then consider rebooting your computer, reopening your browser, and rerunning the ExploreLearning System Test.

10 Page 10 of In the unlikely event that you continue to encounter problems after confirming you have a FULL install of the Shockwave Player, then turn your attention to your security software. Even with all of the extra functionality that distinguishes SLIM and FULL versions of the add-on, the FULL version may still be trying to access its home servers. Therefore, due to the design of Shockwave you may need to configure your security software to allow access to both and Congratulations! The gizmos on ExploreLearning.com should now be able to take advantage of the latest version of Shockwave. If you continue to have difficulty installing Shockwave or running our Gizmos, please contact our Tech Support staff at: ExploreLearning.Support@explorelearning.com For schools with network or group policies for installing add-ons: As a reminder, if you have a group policy for add-ons and extras, make sure that Shockwave is enabled for all users. Please also note the following: A commonly-encountered problem with Gizmos centers on whether a computer s version of the Shockwave Player is considered SLIM or FULL. SLIM versions -- the default version installed by Adobe -- contain a limited number of units of functionality called Xtras. Adobe assumes that if applications require Xtras not included in the SLIM version (as some of our Gizmos do), then the plug-in can simply download them from the Adobe servers. However, this approach does not take into account the fact that many school's security configurations do not universally allow their computers to dynamically access the Adobe servers. Therefore, we recommend installing the FULL version of Shockwave v.10.0 or higher (although we strongly recommend using the latest version for its improved functionality and security) so that all of the Shockwave Xtras are available to every Gizmo, greatly improving the launch and performance reliability of our collection of Gizmos. Instruction courtesy of ExploreLearning.com Updated on 5 November 2010