Recommended Configurations for usiung the LSU Libraries databases through the proxy server:

BROWSERS

LSU Libraries strongly recommends using a recent version of an Internet browser. Newer browsers not only have newer features, but have more secure features when it comes to Internet security.

The Tigerware web site information about downloading Internet browers.

JAVASCRIPT

You must use a browser that supports JavaScript and have JavaScript enabled.

Enable JavaScript for Netscape
  1. From the browser's menu bar, select Edit.
  2. Click Preferences.
  3. Click Advanced.
  4. Click the Enable JavaScript box to select JavaScript. Note: If the box has a checkmark, JavaScript is already enabled. Complete step 5 to exit.
  5. Click OK.
Enable JavaScript for Microsoft Internet Explorer
  1. From the browser's menu bar, select Tools.
  2. Click Internet Options.
  3. Click the Security tab.
  4. Click Custom and then click Settings.
  5. Scroll down to Active Scripting.
  6. Click Enable to select it. (If the radio button is already selected, JavaScript is enabled. Complete the remaining steps to exit.)
  7. Click OK.
  8. Click Yes.
  9. Click OK.
Enable JavaScript for Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0
  1. From the browser's menu bar, select View.
  2. Click Internet Options.
  3. Click the Security tab.
  4. Click Custom and then click Settings.
  5. Scroll down to Active Scripting.
  6. Click Enable to select it.(If the radio button is already selected, JavaScript is enabled. Complete the remaining steps to exit.)
  7. Click OK.
  8. Click Apply.
  9. Click OK.


COOKIES

Many of the Research Databases use cookies. You will need to have them enabled to use the Research Databases.

To check your browser in Internet Explorer 4.x, click View menu option at top of the browser. Select Internet Options, then select Advanced tab. Scroll down to Cookies section. Client must accept cookies for security, so check either "Prompt before accepting cookies" or "Always accept cookies." Click OK.

To check in Netscape Communicator 4.5, click Edit menu option at top of browser. Select Preferences. Under Categories, click on the word Advanced (not the + or - next to it). In the right side of the panel select the "Accept all cookies" or "Accept only cookies that get sent back to originating server." Click OK.

To check in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, from the browser's menu bar, select Tools. Click Internet Options. Click the Security tab. Click Custom and then click Custom Level. Scroll down to Cookies. Click Enable to select "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" Click Enable to select "Allow per-cookies (not stored)" Note: If the radio button is already selected, Cookies are enabled. Complete the remaining steps to exit. Click OK. Click Yes. Click OK.

To check in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, from the browser's menu bar, select Tools. Click Internet Options. Click the Privacy tab. Click Advanced. Make sure the "Override Automatic Cookie Handling" is checked. Also, make sure that "First-Party Cookies" and "Third-Party Cookies" are checked for "Accept." Lastly, make sure that "Always allow session cookies" is checked. Click OK. Click OK.

JAVA

Some databases use Java, therefore you might be required to enable Java. However, our proxy server does not require this. Below are instructions for enabling Java.

Enable Java for Netscape

  1. From the browser's menu bar, select Edit.
  2. Click Preferences.
  3. Click Advanced.
  4. Click the Enable Java box. Note: If the box has a checkmark, Java is already enabled. Complete step 5 to exit.
  5. Click OK. You may have to reboot your PC.

Enable Java for Microsoft Internet Explorer

  1. From the browser's menu bar, select Tools.
  2. Click Internet Options.
  3. Click the Security Tab.
  4. Click the Custom Level button.
  5. Scroll down to java permissions.
  6. Select any option other than "Disable Java".
    Note: If the "Disable Java" box is not checked, Java is already enabled, complete step 9 to exit.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Click Yes.
  9. Click OK.
PAWS

Accessing our databases through PAWS causes a cookie error in some browsers. If your PAWS desktop is open on the left side of your screen, please close it or open the Libraries' web site in a new window.

Click here to open the page you were looking at when you clicked to the troubleshooting guide, in a new window.

NETZERO

The NetZero HiSpeed service works with proxy by hostname using port 80, but it does not work with proxy by port and may not work with proxy by hostname using ports other than 80.

In most instances, an icon has appeared in the system tray in the lower-right corner of the screen which contains an option to disable HiSpeed. Using this option enables service for most users.

There have been reports of users for whom this did not work. For those users, the following instructions have provided a work-around:

  1. Launch Internet Explorer
  2. Go to Tools | Internet Options...
  3. Click on the Connections tab
  4. Scroll through the Dial-up settings to locate NetZero, then click on NetZero and click Settings...
  5. Under Proxy Server, click Advanced...
  6. In Exceptions, scroll to the end of the list, then type a semi-colon (;) followed by just the host name of the EZproxy server (ezproxy.lib.lsu.edu). All the other sample entries have an asterisk (*) in front, and although it won't hurt, that isn't required for this entry. Do not include the port number.
  7. Keep hitting OK until all the windows close and you are back in Internet Explorer. At this point, access to EZproxy should be restored.

OFF-CAMPUS MAC USERS

Mac users who cannot click past the security certificate: do not use the Internet Explorer (IE) browser:

Netscape 7.02 works with Mac OS 8.6 and higher and with the LSU databases that we have been able to test. See the Netscape site at http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/

GOOGLE ACCELERATOR

Google Accelerator may cause the Libraries indexes and databases to stop working for on campus users. If this happens, turn Google Accelerator off while accessing the Libraries' databases.

VPN TO LSU CAMPUS

A VPN connection to the LSU campus may cause the Libraries indexes and databases to stop working. If this happens, turn the VPN connection to LSU campus off while accessing the Libraries' databases.

NETLIBRARY: MAC OS X PDF plugins and configuration

The PDF files used by NetLibrary are compatible with most supported web browsers using the Schubert|it PDF Browser Plugin, a third-party plugin that supports in-browser viewing of PDF files.

Adobe Reader 7 also works to view this NetLibrary content in most browsers, but will usually display the content in a separate window (rather than in the browser window); its use is discouraged. Version 10.2.2 of Mac OS X is required to use Adobe Reader 7.

Adobe Reader 6 cannot support NetLibrary's PDF content due to limitations of that version of Reader and an incompatibility with Mac OS X.

For OS 9, it is reported that Adobe has plugins available that work, but this is untested by LSU Libraries.

SCHUBERT|IT PDF BROWSER PLUGIN

Mozilla, Firefox, Camino, Opera, Netscape, and Internet Explorer seem to work best with the Schubert|it PDF plugin. This is available at http://www.schubert-it.com/pluginpdf/ and is simple to install.

Install it by opening the .dmg file you download, and then copy PDF Browser Plugin.plugin to the Library/Internet Plug-Ins folder of the hard drive. Once installed with that method, it should just work with Mozilla, Firefox, Camino, Opera, and Netscape without additional configuration. The plugin does not seem to work with Safari; Internet Explorer needs additional configuration; see below. If problems are encountered in Firefox, see the configuration section for that browser, below.

SAFARI

Safari worked with Adobe Reader 7 until early spring of 2005. Now the content will briefly flash on the screen and then it will disappear; other times you just see a blank page and no flash of the cover photo or text.

Firefox configuration details

When first using NetLibrary on a Macintosh with Firefox, Firefos may not be configured properly to handle the content. If a working PDF plugin is not installed or properly configured, a dialog box with these options will appear:

O O O Opening nlReader.dll
You have chosen to open
[] nlReader.dll
which is a: Windows DLL
from: http://www.netlibrary.com

What should Firefox do with this file?

O Open with (Choose...)
O Save to Disk
[] Do this automatically for files like this from now on.

(Cancel) ( OK )

Make sure the Schubert|it plugin or a current verion or Adobe Acrobat Reader is installed. If so, click the Choose button and navigate either to the Library/Internet Plug-Ins folder and choose PDF Browser Plugin.plugin or navigate to the Applications folder in the hard drive, then navigate into the Adobe folder and select the Adobe application. Click OK. If you are using the Shubert|it plugin, it will open in the same browser window in Firefox, but if you are using Adobe Reader 7 the document will open in a separate window.

REDIRECT REMOVER

This add-on to Mozilla Firefox will cause the browser to bypass our proxy server, interfering with off-campus access. Currently the only known solution for this problem is to uninstall the Redirect Remover add-on. Other possible solutions may be found here.