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 home> support > faqs > technical support
Technical Support

What are the system requirements for using ALEKS?
How do I install and enable Java on my computer?
I have tried the steps above, and still cannot use ALEKS.
I receive an error message when using ALEKS.
When I use ALEKS, my browser closes or freezes.
Why can't I print the pie charts from my report?
What if I have the SonicWALL firewall, and it won't let me use ALEKS?

What are the system requirements for using ALEKS?

The system requirements for ALEKS are:

ALEKS for K-12

  PC Macintosh
Operating System Windows MacOS 10.2+ 1
Processor 166+ MHz any
RAM Memory 32+ MB 32+ MB
Browsers Explorer 6.0+, Firefox 1.0+,
Netscape 7.1+, Mozilla 1.6+

OS 10.3+: Safari, Firefox 1.0+

OS 10.2: IE 5.2 1

Screen Resolution 800x600 2 800x600 2
Modem Speed 28+ kbps 28+ kbps

1. Except for QuickTables which requires MacOS 10.3+: Safari, Firefox 1.0+
2. Except for Chemistry which requires 1024x768

ALEKS for Higher Education Mathematics, Higher Education Behavioral Sciences

  PC Macintosh
Operating System Windows MacOS 10.2+
Processor 166+ MHz any
RAM Memory 32+ MB 32+ MB
Browsers Explorer 6.0+, Firefox 1.0+,
Netscape 7.1+, Mozilla 1.6+

OS 10.3+: Safari, Firefox 1.0+

OS 10.2: IE 5.2

Screen Resolution 800x600 800x600
Modem Speed 28+ kbps

28+ kbps

ALEKS for Higher Education Business, ALEKS for Higher Education Science

  PC Macintosh
Operating System Windows MacOS 10.2+
Processor 200 MHz any
RAM Memory 64+ MB 64+ MB
Browsers Explorer 6.0+, Firefox 1.0+,
Netscape 7.1+, Mozilla 1.6+

OS 10.3+: Safari, Firefox 1.0+

OS 10.2: IE 5.2

Screen Resolution 1024x768 1024x768
Modem Speed 28+ kbps 28+ kbps

Java

To use ALEKS, your browser must have Java enabled. View instructions for installing and enabling Java on your computer. 

ALEKS Plug-In

To use ALEKS, you must have the ALEKS plug-in installed on your computer. If your computer lab has security safeguards in place, your LAN administrator, system administrator, or lab technician must install the ALEKS plug-in.

Troubleshooting

To check your current configuration and to get answers to the most common questions, view our troubleshooting page.

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How do I install and enable Java on my computer?

You can install Sun Microsystems' Java VM from our Web site at http://www.aleks.com/support/sun_jvm.

Then, enable Java using these steps:
(For Internet Explorer):

  1. Click on Tools
  2. Click on Internet Options
  3. Click on the Advanced tab
  4. Scroll down about halfway until you see Java (Sun)
  5. Make sure that the box "Use Java 2" is checked
  6. Close your browser and restart your computer before using ALEKS
(For AOL):
  1. Click on Start (bottom left corner of Desktop)
  2. Click on Settings
  3. Click on Control Panel
  4. Double-click on Internet Options
  5. Click on the Advanced tab
  6. Scroll down about halfway until you see Java (Sun)
  7. Make sure that the box "Use Java 2" is checked
  8. Close your browser and restart your computer before using ALEKS

 (For Netscape 7.x):

   1. From the menu bar, choose Edit --> Preferences
   2. Select the Advanced category
   3. Check the box labeled "Enable Java"
   4. Click OK to save your preference.

(For Firefox 0.8 and Up):

   1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser or restart it if it is already running.
   2. Select Tools > Options.
   3. Dialog box: Options
   4. Click Content > Select Enable Java

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I have tried the steps above, and still cannot use ALEKS.

If it still does not work, use Firefox to access ALEKS. If you do not have Firefox installed in your computer, click on the link below to install the latest version:

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/

To ensure that Java is enabled on Firefox, follow these steps:

   1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser or restart it if it is already running.
   2. Select Tools > Options.
   3. Dialog box: Options
   4. Click Content > Select Enable Java

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I receive an error message when using ALEKS.

I receive this error message when using ALEKS: "The installer is not allowed to write files in your Java plug-in lib/ext directory: You need to be logged on to the operating system as administrator".

You are receiving this error message because of a problem with a Java program installed in Windows. To use ALEKS, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your system as a Windows administrator. Please remain logged in as an administrator while following these steps.
  2. Uninstall any Sun Java version and follow these instructions.

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When I use ALEKS, my browser closes or freezes.

  1. Restart the computer at the beginning of your ALEKS session
  2. Ensure that no other programs are running
  3. Be sure that you have the most recent ALEKS plug-in.
If problems occur during a session, you can:
  1. Click the "A" located at the upper right of your ALEKS screen OR
  2. Click your browser's "Reload" button OR
  3. Restart your browser OR
  4. Restart your computer.

 

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Why can't I print the pie charts from my report?

If you are able to see the pie charts displayed on the "print preview" screen that comes up when you click on "Print," but do not see them on your printed copy, then your printer driver software may need to be upgraded.

  1. Ensure that Java is installed and enabled on your computer.
  2. The following are links to a few of the most common manufacturers' sites. The newest drivers will be available for free on the manufacturer's website for your printer.

Hewlett Packard: http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html

Canon: http://www.usa.canon.com/html/conCprTSIndex.jsp?app=download

Lexmark: http://downloads.lexmark.com

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What if I have the SonicWALL firewall, and it won't let me use ALEKS?

If your system makes use of SonicWALL and you are running ALEKS on MacOS X, then the following procedure will be needed to ensure full access to ALEKS.

  1. Log in to SonicWALL via your web browser: Navigate your browser to http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/diag.html (substituting your firewall IP address or DNS name for xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx).
  2. Scroll down and uncheck "Enforce Host Tag Search with for CFS."
  3. Click "Apply" at the top of the page.

If this procedure does not resolve your problem, please contact ALEKS Corporation Customer Support at support@aleks.com or (714) 245-7191 x201."

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