Technology Troubleshooting

If you are unable to log in to the Blackboard system, it may be for one of the following reasons:

• You have entered an incorrect SouthArk Username
• You have entered an incorrect SouthArk Password

Username 

FFFLLL#### - Combine first three letters of first name, first three letters of last name, and last four digits of student ID number.

Password 

SA*777999999 - SA* followed by your 9-digit student ID number. 

If you you cannot remember your password or if you need a new password, you may request your password to be reset here

If you are using the correct SouthArk Username and a currently active password and are still unable to log in to Blackboard, please fill out the Academic Support Form and someone will respond promptly within normal business hours. 

Taking a Test with the Respondus LockDown Browser

The Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment for tests taken in Blackboard. If your faculty requires that you use the Respondus LockDown Browser for your test in Blackboard, you need to download and install the browser, and use it to log in to Blackboard to take the test.

Download Respondus LockDown Browser Link

While you are using Respondus LockDown Browser, you will be unable to copy, print, access other applications, visit other websites, or close the test until it is submitted. LockDown Browser functions much like a standard browser, but some options have been removed or work differently. 

For example, the toolbar is modified to only include Forward, Back, Refresh, and Stop functions. Students cannot enter a web address to go to another site, and they cannot open other tabs (unless a link to another site is included within a test question). The browser is displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized, resized, or exited until the test is submitted. In addition, all printing, keyboard shortcuts, screen capture, function keys, and right-click menus are disabled. 

If your faculty has enabled it, you may be able to access a calculator in the toolbar during your test. Any hyperlinks within your test will work, so that you can access the web page you need for the test, but you will not be able to navigate to other pages within the website.

Respondus LockDownn Browser is NOT currently compatible with smart phones.

Best Practices for Using Respondus Lockdown Browser in ULTRA View Courses:  

1. Close all programs on your computer before logging into Blackboard to take your quiz or exam using Respondus Lockdown Browser.
2. Click and open your course where you need to complete your exam that requires Respondus Lockdown Browser.
3. Search and click to open your test.
4. If Respondus Lockdown Browser prompts you to close and open program choose YES to close any open programs.
5. Click and save your test answers.
6. Click the Submit button to submit your test.

Best Practices for Using Respondus Lockdown Browser in ORIGINAL View Courses:

1. Close all programs on your computer before opening Respondus Lockdown Browser. 
2. Once all the programs on your computer are closed, open the Respondus Lockdown Browser by clicking the Respondus Lockdown Browser Icon that looks like a padlock on your desktop. 
3. If Respondus Lockdown Browser prompts you to close an open program choose YES to close any open programs. 
4. Once Respondus Lockdown Browser opens it will automatically navigate to the SouthArk Balckboard website.
5. Login to Blackboard.
6. Click and open your course where you need to complete your exam that requires Respondus Lockdown Browser. 
7. Search and click to open your test.
8. Click and save your test answers.
9. Click the Submit button to submit your test.
10. Close the browser opened by Respondus Lockdown Browser. 

If you are having troubles, make sure that you have already downloaded Respondus Lown Browser to your computer. Also, check to make sure to follow the steps depending on if your course is an Ultra View course or not an Original view course. 

Note: If you are in an Original Course View, if you are having troubles and being asked for a password to open Respondus, it is because you have opened it in your web browser. You need to click on the Respondus Icon ON YOUR DESKTOP and then proceed to BlackBoard. 

Chrome Books and Mobile phones are NOT compatible with Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor, which is software used for taking proctored exams at SouthArk. If you do not have an alternative, you can always use the computer labs on campus in the Library and the Administration Building. 

While you can access Blackboard from the browser on your mobile device (phone or tablet), we do not recommend it. Some features of Blackboard will not work on a mobile device due to the device's limitations. Instead, you should use the free Blackboard Student App for iOS, Android, and Windows devices. 

Check your browser Settings Here 

Under Status, you should receive all Green check marks indicating Pass.  If not, see below. 

Your browser settings should be set at the following:

• Accept all cookies
• Clear Your Cache
• Security Level set at Medium
• Enable Java and JavaScript
• Disable pop-up blockers

While you can access Blackboard from the browser on your mobile device (phone or tablet), we do not recommend it. Some features of Blackboard will not work on a mobile device due to the device's limitations. Instead, you should use the free Blackboard Student App for iOS, Android, and Windows devices.

Some Basic Computer Maintenance is the following. See below on how to remedy each item. 

• Try Clearing Your Cache and Cookies 
• Disable Pop Up Blockers 
• Set Security Level at Medium
• Enable Java and JavaScript  
• Install necessary updates 

Try Clearing Your Cache and Cookies  
When you use a browser, it saves some information from websites in its cache and cookies. Clearing them fixes certain problems, like loading or formatting issues on sites.

Clear Cache and Cookies in Chrome  

Clear Cache and Cookies in Mozilla Firefox 

Clear Cache and Cookies in Safari  

Disable Pop Up Blockers 
Blackboard utilizes pop-up windows for various content viewing. Thus, pop-ups need to be allowed for optimal use.  

In Chrome

In Mozilla Firefox 

In Safari 

Set Security Level at Medium

Enable Java and JavaScript  

Install Java Plugin
Be sure to uninstall old versions prior to install.  

Install necessary updates 

Update Chrome 

Update Mozilla Firefox 

Update Safari 

Commonly used virus protection software products, like McAfee or Norton, should not interfere with accessing Blackboard.

If you access Blackboard at home and you use firewall protection, you might encounter occasional problems while using Blackboard. To resolve such problems, you will need to make changes to your firewall settings. If you experience similar problems at work, contact the technical help desk for assistance.

Free anti-virus software

Avast

Free spyware protection 

Malwarebytes

CCleaner

Glarysoft

If you are enrolled in a course at SouthArk, you will be able to view your courses upon logging into Blackboard under the My Courses module. Please note that some Blackboard courses are not available until after the first few days of the semester have passed.

The instructor of the course is responsible for making the course available and unavailable. Once your instructor has made the course available, it will show up in Blackboard. Instructors usually make the course available within the week of the Class start date. 

You will need to contact the instructor of the course. The instructor of the course is responsible for making the course available and unavailable to students.