Which plugins are required to run PLATO activities?

Explanation

To run PLATO activities, workstations must have the required plug-ins installed. In order to use the system and run activities properly you must install all the required plug-ins.

With plug-ins not installed you may experience several issues. Some of the most common are listed here:

• What version of Adobe Reader should you install for PLATO Courses • Unable to load Shockwave lessons on Windows 7; you are stuck at loading page • Shockwave Player for Japanese on Windows Vista • How to install the latest version of Player • Mastery tests hang on spinning "Loading" wheel in Essential Reading Skills (reinstall Flash) • ERROR: "Authorware: Unable to display icons KO type, chart e65" when you try to run Biology or Chemistry lesson (reinstall Authorware player) • ERROR: "Cannot insert value NULL into column TimeOnTask table" when launching Biology or Chemistry lesson on Vista or Windows 7 (reinstall Authoreware player) • ERROR: "Error downloading content file. Internal Error: Timeout; error loading, download and install the full version of the Authorware Web • ERROR: "Plugin Launch Application: Access denied" trying to run activity, download and install the full version of the Authorware Web • ERROR: "You do not have Authorware Web Player; install it now?" or "Do you want to run following Authorware file?" trying to run Biology or Chemistry Series • System continually prompts to download Authorware Web player • New windows does not open, window display incompletely; unable to reposition window for certain admin functions (reinstall plug-ins) • Student cannot log in or lesson fails to launch • You log in and are given a message that says your plug-ins are not loaded • ERROR: "Missing or .jnlp file" trying to launch the Tracker Tool (download Java) • Red X in corner when trying to launch Shockwave lessons on Windows 7

ote : Plug-ins need to be installed individually; there is no all-in-one EXE or MSI file that will install all the plug-ins at once.

Resolution

Installing plugins to run PLATO lessons:

Summary of required plugins:

• (http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/) • Player (http://www.macromedia.com/go/getshockwaveplayer/) and Shockwave Xtras (http://www.platoweb.com/Wasatch/preload.asp) : required to run Beginning Reading, Math Expeditions, Basic Skills/Job Skills/Projects for the Real World • Adobe Reader (http://get.adobe.com/reader/): required to view PDF documents • Authorware Player (http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=AWPfull&P2_Platform=Win32 &P3_Browser_Version=MSIE) : required to run Biology and Chemistry Activities (Version 2) • Java (http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp) : Required to run many applications and to view many Web sites. To enable Java in your browser, visit this link: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/enable_browser.xml

NOTE: Apple supplies their own version of Java. Use the Update (support.apple.com/kb/HT1338?viewlocale=en_US) feature (available on the Apple menu) to check that you have the most up-to-date version of Java for your Mac.

Detailed instructions for installing plugins to a single workstation (these apply to both Windows and Mac OS X workstations):

1. In the instructions that follow, clicking on the underlined links will take you to the location where you can download and run the installation of the various plug-ins. 2. If you have multiple computers to be used to run PLATO activities, it is recommended that you install the plug- ins on all of them ahead of time, so that Learners can log on and access learning activities right away. 3. If you are installing plug-ins on a Windows workstation, log in as a local workstation administrator so that you have sufficent permissions. 4. Install the latest version of Adobe Reader to view Portable Document Format (PDF) files, including many offline activities used in PLATO lessons, reports, learner guides, teacher and curriculum guides. Install the Adobe Flash Player (http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/ ) to be able to use the management system learner menu, teacher and administrative functions, and most PLATO lessons. 5. If you will be using Biology or Chemistry activities, install Player (http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/authorwareonly.html) 6. If you will be using any of the following titles, download and install both the (http://www.macromedia.com/go/getshockwaveplayer/ ) and PLATO Xtras (http://www.platoweb.com/Wasatch/preload.asp ) plug-ins:

• Basic Skills for the Real World • Beginning Reading for the Real World (including Skills Inventory) • Job Skills for the Real World • Math Expeditions (including Skills Inventory) • Projects for the Real World

What's Next

Run a plug-ins test to ensure that all plug-ins are installed correctly:

Test Adobe Flash Player Installation http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

Test Shockwave Player Installation http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/

Troubleshoot Shockwave issues: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15508.html

ote : The Japanese Shockwave Player does not work on Windows Vista. Click the link for more information: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/400/kb400291.html