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Access Problems

Configuring Your Browser

Please try these troubleshooting tips if you are having problems connecting to our databases. If you are still not able to connect to the databases, please contact us for further assistance.

• For best results, we recommend using Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5+, or Netscape 7+.
• Enable JavaScript (enabled by default). If you disable JavaScript, some interface features will not operate properly.
• Make sure your browser's security is set to medium or medium low.
• Make sure your computer has a valid computer system date.
• Make sure your personal security software is set to an appropriate level.
• Install Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Accept cookies.

The following instructions will guide you through the steps needed to configure these browser options.

Install Adobe Acrobat Reader

Most databases provide article page images in Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format) format. To view these articles, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system. If you do not have it, you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.

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Accept Cookies

Cookies are a general mechanism that allows the server side of a connection (the database) and the client side of the connection (your computer) to maintain information about a particular session. By using cookies, the database can keep track of your pending article retrievals and your display and search options for the current session.

Cookies are not used to collect marketing information or for any other purpose other than to make using our products as easy and efficient as possible.

Most browsers provide an option for alerting you when cookies are used. If this option is checked, you will see an alert dialog when using some databases. To prevent the alert dialog from displaying every time cookie information is transferred, you should disable this alert mechanism and allow our server to accept cookies.

If using Netscape Navigator 4.75 and higher:

1. Click Preferences on the Edit menu.
2. Click the Advanced category.
3. Clear the check box next to Warn me before accepting a cookie.
4. Click OK.

If using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x and higher:

1. Click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click the Custom Level button.
4. Scroll to the Cookies section.
5. Select Enable under Allow cookies that are stored on your computer.
6. Click OK.
7. Click Apply.
8. Click OK.

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Set Your Browser's Security to medium or medium/low

If using Microsoft Internet Explorer:

1. Click Internet Options on the Tools menu.
2. Click on the Privacy tab.
3. Ensure that the Privacy Slider is set to Medium or Low. If it isn't slide it to one of these levels and close Internet Explorer and re-launch the site.

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Correct your computer's system date.

1. Click Start in the lower left corner of the screen.
2. Select Control Panels (if you are using Windows 98 or XP, select Settings and then Control Panels).
3. Double-click Date and Time.
4. Make sure the date is correct.
5. Click OK.

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Disabling Anti-Virus or Firewall Software

If you have anti-virus software (e.g. Norton AntiVirus) or firewall software (e.g. ZoneAlarm) installed on your computer, the software can interfere with the authentication that allows you to access the Library’s databases. You may need to temporarily disable the software in order to access the databases. Remember to re-enable your security software once you have finished searching the databases.

Please refer to your software's user guide or manual for steps in disabling anti-virus or firewall software.