Troubleshooting Other Issues

Review the following for assistance on troubleshooting other issues.

Trouble playing DVDs/CDs or other Media

ActiveX settings

If your Internet security is at a higher setting, you may have trouble with playing videos and/or DVD/CD-Rom materials.
You will need to change some security settings/ActiveX settings on your computer.

What you should know about active content:
Active content (items like stock tickers, video or animation) relies on either ActiveX controls or computer code called a script to work properly.

ActiveX controls can sometimes malfunction or display content you do not want. It can also be used to collect information from your computer without your permission, damage data on your computer, install software without your consent, or allow someone else to control your computer remotely. Given these risks, you should only install these programs if you completely trust the publisher.

The information above is from the Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer Help information "What is active content and why does Internet Explorer restrict it?" It provides more details about ActiveX controls in your Internet Options, and how to reset the security settings so certain media types can run/play on your computer.

When you encounter a Web page that is trying to run active content on your computer, you will receive a message prompting you to indicate whether you want to allow this. If you want to allow the Web page to run ActiveX controls or scripts, click "Yes" in the message box. By clicking "Yes," you allow the active content to run on the Web page you are viewing, but only on that occasion. If you leave the page and return to it later, expect to receive the message again because you did not change the setting that allows active content to run on your computer.
To allow any Web site to run scripts and ActiveX controls on your computer, follow these steps.

  1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  2. On the Advanced tab, scroll down to the Security section of the list.
  3. Select the Allow active content to run in files on My Computer check box, and then click OK.

To allow any DVD/CD to run scripts and ActiveX controls on your computer, follow these steps.

  1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  2. On the Advanced tab, scroll down to the Security section of the list.
  3. Select the Allow active content from CDs to run on My Computer check box, and then click OK.

Flash Player settings

With the newest version of the Flash player, active content on course DVDs/CDs may require a change in the Flash Player settings. After inserting a course DVD/CD, you may receive an error message stating your Flash settings must be changed. This message should appear in a pop-up window with a Cancel button and a Settings button. Click on the Settings button. You should then see an Adobe Flash Internet window.

Wait for the whole page to load!

When the page is fully loaded, you should see a large box on the right side with tabs inside at the top. It automatically opens to the correct tab for you to change your settings from Always Ask to Always Allow, which is the middle radio button.

If the Global Security Settings tab is displayed, check that your CD or DVD drive - in most cases D: - is listed under "Always trust files in these locations." If not, click on the "Edit locations ..." dropdown box, select "Add location," enter "D:" or other drive designation under "Trust this location," and click "Confirm."

If the Web site Privacy Settings tab is displayed, click on the middle option to always accept.

Close the Adobe window. Reinsert your course DVD/CD and it should play without error messages with the new Flash settings.

Do not try to play DVDs/CDs on the AOL browser!

Course DVDs/CDs may not play properly in the AOL browser window. Minimize or close the AOL window and open Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox before you play the course DVDs/CDs.

If you have AOL and have followed the above instructions but your course DVDs/CDs still do not play, you may need to fix some additional computer settings. Follow these directions:

  • Open an Internet Explorer (IE) browser window
  • Click on Tools in the top text menu list
  • Click on Internet Options
  • Click on the Programs tab

Your settings should be for Microsoft Office applications except the e-mail listing, which would be AOL or your primary e-mail account provider. Click on OK. Then, try to play the course DVD/CD again. It should play correctly.

You can click on the Reset Web Settings to reset them back to the Microsoft Office applications.

Where to go for additional help

If the DVD/CD or other media came with your textbook, contact the publisher's support service. If the DVDs/CDs or other media are borrowed from the Carroll Library, contact Carroll's Media Services at media_requests@carrollcc.edu.  

Tell your instructor you are having technical issues with playing the DVDs/CDs. Use a backup PC or media playing device until you have a solution.