Stanford Center for Professional Development

 

 

Setting up your computer and viewing PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION courses online

 

 

 

 

 

Setting up your computer

Stanford Online streams course videos at 300 kbps.  This data rate requires a

high-speed connection (DSL or cable).

 

  • PC

o        Windows 2000 or Windows XP

o        Windows Media Player 9 +

o        Browser of Internet Explorer 6.0 + (for optimal performance)

 

Authentication

After the completion of the registration process, Professional Education Students receive a confirmation email, from SCPD, which includes:

  • Instructions showing how to download the Windows Media Player
  • A link to the course website
  • A user name, password, and expiration date for access

 

 

Technical Support

Phone: 650-736-0774

Web: Technical Support

Email: tech-support@scpdinfo.stanford.edu

 

 

 

Troubleshooting Professional Education Courses

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

How do I access the video?

 

Demos and previews can be accessed without logins.  However, all Professional Education Programs require registration.  At that time, login and password information will be provided.  If you are registered and your login is not working, contact SCPD Technical Support.

 

 

I click on the video link, but nothing happens.

 

Pop-up blocker software and Internet Security applications can cause this problem.  Temporarily disable the pop-up blocker to launch the video session.

 

 

When I access the course I see the slides, but I do not receive the video.  How do I play the video?

 

When I press “play” on my Windows Media Player, nothing happens.  Why?

 

When I click on the link to access my course, the video screen is black.  Why?

 

We stream our videos via HTTP (port 80), and you should receive the video if you were able to browse the Internet.  Most of the time reinstalling a fresh copy of the Window Media Player will fix Hardware and software problems such as missing Codecs, configuration issues, and whether Windows Media Player is your default player.

 

  • If necessary, reinstall WMP:

o      Go to Start -> control Panel -> Add/ Remove programs. 

o      Click on the Add/Remove windows components, and uncheck the Windows Media Player.

o      Install the latest version of Windows Media Player.

o      Attempt to access Stanford Online content again.

 

  • Determine if the player is configured to optimize Stanford Online content:

 

o        Launch Windows Media Player ( Start menu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Entertainment -> Windows Media Player).

o        Go to Tools -> Options (if you don’t see the Windows Media Toolbar double click on the top of the window activate the hidden menu), and confirm that the player is set up as follows:

 

                  

 

o        Then hit "OK" to close this window, and "OK" again to close the Options window, and try our test video.

If you are not able to see the test video, network or player issues are responsible for disrupting the video stream.  To determine if network issues are causing the problem:

1.      Try accessing the course from another workstation within your network. 

2.      If the problem persists, the network may be configured to block streaming video.  You can speak to your IT department or view the video from a different location (e.g. your home).

 

If you still cannot see Stanford Online content, please submit a Help Request.

 

 

I have the latest Windows Media Player version; however, I believe that I am experiencing firewall issues.  How do I set-up Windows Media Player to work through a firewall?

 

  • Launch the Media Player.
  • Click “Tools” , “Options”, select the “Network” tab.
  • In the “Streaming Protocols” box, uncheck all and leave only “HTTP” checked.
  • In the “Streaming Proxy Settings box, select “HTTP” and click “Configure…”
  • In the “Proxy Settings” box that appears, make sure “Use the proxy settings of the Web Browser” is selected or if you know your proxy settings, enter the proxy address and port.
  • Then, click OK and OK again to close the “Options” box.

 

 

When I select “Click here to get to the course homepage”, nothing happens.  Why?

 

Some of our course pages utilize an HTTP_REFERER Script which requires a user to visit an entry page before passing onto a successive content page.

 

Unlock the security application/cookie control:

Norton Personal Firewall

§         Open Norton Internet Security.

§         Click Options.

§         Click Internet Security (Personal Firewall).

§         Click Advanced Options.

§         Click on the Web tab.

§         Click Add Site.

§         In the new site dialog, enter "http://scpd.stanford.edu" and "http://stanford-online.stanford.edu" for the URL of the site that you want to receive the referrer information and click OK.

§         Click the name of the new site, which appears in the left frame of the Advanced Options window.

§         Click the Privacy tab.

§         Check the "Use these rules for..." box.

§         Change the Referrer from "Block" to "Allow."

§         Click Apply, and then click OK.

§         Click OK to close the Options window.

 

McAfee Privacy Service

·         Right-click the red "M" icon by your system clock.

·         Click "Privacy Service."

·         Click "Options."

·         The McAfee Privacy Service window appears. Click the "Cookies" tab.

·         Enter each website address from which you would like to allow cookies.

·         Click "Add."

·         Once completed, close the window.

 

Zone Alarm Pro

·         Open Zone Alarm Pro by double clicking on its icon in the system tray.

·         Click on "Privacy."

·         Slide the "Cookie Control to Off."

 

 

How do I stop the video interface from displaying “buffering” and display the timecode?

 

Correct this problem by refreshing your browser (hold CTRL key and press F5) or closing the video Window and relaunching the software.

 

 

The video rebuffers when I am viewing my class.  How do I change the buffer time?

 

To change the buffer time:

  • Launch the Media Player.
  • Click “Tools”, “Options”, select the “Performance” tab.
  • Under “Network Buffering” check “buffer”, and enter “30” for “seconds of data”, and “OK.”

 

 

How do I determine why I am not receiving audio during the video playback?

 

Ensure that your machine has audio playback capabilities.

  • If you have headphones or speakers, make sure they are set-up properly.      
  • If you have a CD-Rom drive/DVD player, try inserting a disc and playing it.
  • Try to play a video from another to see if you receive audio.
  • Make sure that “mute” is not enabled on your system or on the Media Player.
  • Make sure the volume is turned up.

If you continue to experience audio difficulties, reinstall your Windows Media Player.

 

 

Why don’t the slides appear or change automatically?

  • Make sure the “Automatically change slides” box is checked in the upper right corner of the video user interface.
  • Slides must be enabled within the Windows Media Player.To enable the slides:

§         Launch the Windows Media Player.

§         Click “Tools”, then “Options.”

§         Select the “Security” tab.

§         Make sure “Run Script Commands when present” is checked.