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I am having trouble watching the online course videos:

Below are some steps you can take if you are having problems connecting to the streaming media on our site. Work through this checklist. If you ever need to contact us about a problem, we'll need this information in order to help. We've included some notes about each question that might address the problem you are having. We've also included some general information that might be of help to you if you are comfortable checking how your computer is configured (or know someone who is!)

1.) Is at least one of the following true?

• I am running Windows 98 SE
• I am running Windows ME
• I am running Windows 2000
• I am running Windows XP
• I am running Mac OSX

  NOTE: Unfortunately, we cannot support any platforms other than those listed at the present time.

Windows 95 , NT and Mac OS 8.1 and 9.x versions of the Windows Media Player will work for some, but not all, content. If you are using Windows Media Player 6.4 (on Windows NT or 95) you need to download a utility called "Windows Media 9 VCM" so you can view Windows Media 9 content. You can download that software here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/codecs/vcm.aspx

2.) Is at least one of the following true?

• I am running Netscape 6.1 or greater (but NOT Navigator 6) on Windows or Macintosh.
• I am running Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater on Windows or Macintosh.
• I am using Mozilla or Firefox on Windows or Macintosh
• I am using a Macintosh and use the Safari browser.

  NOTE: Netscape 4.7 works in many cases. Netscape 6.0 is not supported, but versions greater than 6.1 are. Netscape 7.1 works very well and is strongly recommended for those who prefer Mozilla-based browsers. Firefox is also a good choice for a Mozilla-based browser.

3.) Is at least one of the following true?

• I am running Windows Media Player 9 (Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98 Second Edition)
• I am running Windows Media Player 9 for Macintosh OSX

  NOTES:

  1. The Windows Media Player is not the same thing as the Real Player or the QuickTime Player. You can get the latest version of the Windows Media player at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp
  2. Windows Media Player 9 or above is required on the Windows platform. Macintosh users must use Windows Media Player for Macintosh Version 9 or above. Earlier versions (including beta versions of the Version 7 Player, the 7.0, and the 7.1 players) are not recommended or supported.
  3. Windows Media Players 6.1, 6.4, and 7.x are no longer recommended or supported. Please upgrade.
  4. There is a more recent version of the Windows Media 9 player than the one that ships with Windows XP. Please install it if you are having problems watching our streams.
  5. If you are using Windows Media Player 6.4 you need to download a utility called "Windows Media 9 VCM" so you can view Windows Media 9 content. You can download the software here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/codecs/vcm.aspx

4.) Are you connecting to the Internet using either a 56k modem or some other faster method?

NOTE: You must be able to answer "yes" to this question. Most of the material we distribute requires at least the possibility of streaming at 37Kb/sec. This is not possible if you are using a 33.6 or 28.8 modem. We strongly recommend the use of a broadband connection (xDSL, Cable Modem, Corporate LAN, etc.)

5.) Is your operating system up to date?

Windows users should go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com to check for any service packs or patches to their operating system.

Mac OSX users should visit http://www.apple.com/support/downloads or use the automatic updating feature built into the operating system.

6.) Is this the problem you're experiencing?

1. "I can hear the audio but I can't see the video." Your Windows Media Player probably needs to download a small piece of software called a "video codec" off the Internet. You must have "administrator's privileges" in order to install this. Administrator's privileges mean you have permission to install software on the computer you are using. See your system administrator if you think this might be what is causing problems.
2. "The picture and the sound BOTH 'stutter' so badly I can't follow what's going on." OR "The player claims to be 'connected', but nothing happens." OR "The file buffers constantly" OR "I have a broadband internet connection, but the player says I'm only playing a file at 37 kilobits per second and the picture is really, really tiny." Following these steps often solves these related problems:
• Open a new Windows Media Player (or make sure that only one player is open).
• In the "Tools" menu choose "Options."
• Select the "Network" tab.
• Unselect the checkbox next to the letters "UDP."
3. "I'm using a Macintosh on a broadband connection and all I see are tiny, blurry images and the player claims the material is playing at 37 kilobits per second. Others I know with PCs see a large image that's much sharper and plays at faster speeds." We don't know if it's a bug or a feature, but there's an issue with the Windows Media Player 9 for Macintosh when trying to play a type of stream called a "multiple bit rate stream." A multiple bit rate stream (of "MBR stream" in the lingo) contains individual sub streams at different bitrates appropriate for different network connection speeds. For reasons that are not well understood, the Macintosh player always chooses the lowest bit rate. There is no known workaround at the present time, but it is known that Microsoft is aware of this issue. We are hoping for a fix in a future release. For the record, we consider it a bug.

General Troubleshooting Information

For Experienced Windows users

Reinstalling Windows Media Player 9 described above solves many, many problems. It's not an elegant solution since the download is large, but it does work in many cases. If this is not possible for whatever reason, some information is provided below that may help you solve the problem you are having.

1. The following file types should be associated with the Windows Media Player: ASF, ASX, WMA, WMX. Windows users can do this by going to the "Tools" menu and choosing "Options." Then click on the "File Types" tab.
2. The MIME-type for each of the above file types is "video/x-ms-asf". Consult your browser documentation or local browser guru about how to use this information.