Before beginning any assessment or coaching material, please carefully read the information below in order to ensure your system is properly configured and you use the correct tools to succesfully use ERI's web testing system.

1. You MUST have all pop-up blockers disabled for ERI's web sites.

Click here for more information.

2. PC Users:

You MUST use Internet Explorer (IE) 6.0 or higher or AOL unless you are using a Macintosh computer. Other browsers such as Netscape and Opera will not work with ERI's web testing system.

Click here for more information.

3. Macintosh Users:

If you are using a Macintosh computer, ERI's web testing system will not work with the Safari web browser. The only option currently available is to use Firefox version 2.0 with the User Agent Switcher add-on applied. (It will not work with Firefox version 3.0 or higher.)

Click here for more information.

4. Click here for system requirements.

5. Click here for other recommendations.

Pop-Up Blockers

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST DISABLE ALL POP-UP BLOCKERS while using ERI's web site.

Click here to check your computer for the presence of a pop-up blocker.

Click here for instructions on disabling common pop-up blockers.

Pop-up blockers can lead to an an inability to start an assessment, an inability to proceed from one section to another in an assessment, an inability to score an assessment, an inability to view reports, and other issues.

If the above test indicates you have a pop-up blocker, please click here for a list of common pop-up blockers and how to disable them. In many cases, a pop-up blocker is configurable to allow pop-ups from certain web sites that you specify while still blocking pop-ups on other web sites. If you want to take these extra steps, you will need to configure any such pop-up blocker on your computer to allow pop-ups on the following URLs.

• www.eriworld.com
• www.eriworld.net
• www.eritesting.com
• http://63.76.53.166

If you disable the pop-up blockers for these specific URLs and still experience difficulties, you may need to simply disable them, entirely.

Click here for a list of common pop-up blockers and how to disable them. Common among them are the one that is included with Internet Explorer 6.0 and higher in Windows XP with Service Pack 2, the Yahoo Toolbar, the Google Toolbar, Norton Internet Security, and the AOL toolbar. This list does not include all pop-up blockers and it may not include one that is on your computer.

PC USERS: Non-Internet Explorer /AOL Web Browsers.

You MUST use Internet Explorer (IE) 6.0 or higher or AOL to use ERI's web testing system unless you are using a Macintosh computer. ERI's web testing system will not work with Netscape, Opera, Safari or any other web browser.

If you normally use a dial up service that has its own web browser, you may do so to gain internet access. However, once you have connected to the internet, unless you are using AOL, you should not use that browser on ERI's web site. Instead, follow the instructions below.

1. Connect to the internet. (If you use dial-up access, you may use any dial-up service to establish a connection.)
2. Click the Windows Start button in the lower left corner of the screen.
3. Click "Programs" or "All Programs", whichever menu option is on the Start menu.
4. Look for the Internet Explorer (IE) icon in this menu and click on it. (It is a blue icon).
5. Type "www.eriworld.com" in the address field and press the <Enter> key.

Macintosh Users: Firefox 2.0 with the User Agent Switcher Add-On.

If you are using a Macintosh computer, ERI's web testing system will not work with the Safari web browser. The only option currently available is to use the Firefox version 2.0 web browser with the User Agent Switcher add-on applied. (It will not work correctly with Firefox version 3.0 or higher.) Unfortunately, Mozilla no longer supports version 2.0; but, you can download and install this version from ERI by following the instructions below. If you already have Firefox 3.0 or higher installed on your computer, you will need to uninstall it; then, follow the steps below. With the User Agent Switcher add-on, you can run Firefox 2.0 in Internet Explorer emulation mode. Follow the instructions below to set this up on your computer.

1. If you are not currently running Safari, start it and return to this page. Then, click here to download and install Firefox 2.0.
2. Follow the instructions to install it as they appear on the screen.
3. Once it is installed close Safari, start Firefox, and go to www.firefox.com.
4. Click on the “Add-ons” link in the menu bar.
5. Enter "user agent switcher" in the Search tool on the resulting page; then, press the <Enter> key on your keyboard.
6. Click the “Download Now” button or the “Add to Firefox” button for User Agent Switcher on the resulting page.
7. After it installs, restart Firefox.
8. Click on the “Tools” menu; go to the “User Agent Switcher” menu option; then, click on “Internet Explorer”.
9. Go to www.eriworld.com , sign in, and begin taking assessments.

System Requirements

Requirements Include:

• Internet Explorer® 6.0 or greater · download latest version
  
• Pop-up Blockers turned OFF · check for pop-up blockers
  
• Javascript Enabled · click here for instructions
  
• Java Enabled/Installed · download latest version
  
• MS Windows Media Player® (for video remediation)
  
• Realplayer® Installed (for audio remediation) · download
  
• Downloads for Macintosh Computers:

  - Windows Media Player for MAC (for Videos).

  - Stuffit Expander: The above file requires the expander program, it is the third item listed on page

Click here to determine what is installed on your system.

Other Recommendations

Network/Internet Access Issues and Recommendations:

When using ERI's web based tests, while actaully answering test questions, there is no communication between the computer on which the test is running and ERI's servers. During this time, the internet connection on that computer is idle. The only times the connection is active and the testing computer is communicating with our servers are when the test is initially started, when proceeding from one section of a test to another, and when submitting results at the end of a test to get a report.

Always be aware of anything that could cause a loss of internet access while students are testing on line. For example, some schools have policies that limit the amount of time students can have continuous internet access. If a student is in the middle of a test when this time expires, this may result in a dropped test.

• 100Mbps/1Gbps Wired Network Routed to High Speed Internet Access: This is the most highly recommended configuration for internet access from campuses, businesses, and libraries. As mentioned above, be aware of any policies that limit the amount of time users can have continuous internet access. Also note that the amount of internet bandwidth available for anyone taking a test can be affected by the number of people and the type of traffic on a network sharing a single access point to the internet.

• High Speed Access (e.g. Cable Modem or DSL): This is recommended for access from home. Note that in Windows XP, by default, the USB hub is configured to be disabled after a period of idle activity and "wake up" when activity is requested. If you use a USB cable to connect to your modem, this may be an issue. Routers for home networks to connect to DSL and Cable Modems can also have idle time out settings. As mentioned above, there is no activity on your internet connection while you are actually answering test questions. Activity occurs only when you are transitioning between sections and submitting results for scoring.

• Dial-Up Access: This is generally less reliable than high speed access. Be aware of anything that can cause a connection to drop, such as an idle time out. Idle time outs can occur because of settings in Internet Explorer, your dial-up connection settings, or at your internet service provider's location. As mentioned above, there is no activity on your internet connection while you are actually answering test questions. Activity occurs only when you are transitioning between sections and submitting results for scoring.

• Wireless Network:

  This is the least reliable network configuration for ensuring continuous, uninterrupted internet access. Typically, in a home, a wireless access point connects to a cable or DSL modem via a calble and the computers in the home connect to the access point via wireless network adapters. So, interruptions and drops in wireless access are at issue in addition to the issues with DSL or cable modem connection drops.

  Make sure the signal strength is high. If you are using a laptop, check what happens to the signal strength if the position and location of the laptop is moved. Depending on the locations of the wireless access point, wireless network adaptor, and other environmental factors, moving or repositioning a wireless adaptor can cause a significant change in the signal strength. Note that wireless access points and wireless network adapters are subject to RFI/EMI (Radio Frequency Interference/Electromagnetic Interference). Even if the signal strength is strong at one time, it can change significantly for brief moments or long periods of time due to a variety of environmental factors.

  Make sure you are actually connected to your own wireless access point or the one belonging to the establishment in which you are located. You may turn on your computer and gain internet access without realizing that you are actually connected using a neighbor's wireless access point instead of your own. Your signal strength may be weak because of this.

  Wireless access points, such as wireless routers for home networks to connect to DSL and Cable Modems, can have idle time out settings. As mentioned above, there is no activity on your internet connection while you are actually answering test questions. Activity occurs only when you are transitioning between sections and submitting results for scoring.

  The Wireless G standard has a bandwidth limit of 54Mbps. This could be an issue if too many wireless users access a single access point. This would not usually be an issue in a home environment but could be in a class room, testing lab, or campus library, especially if other users beyond these rooms use the same access point.

Laptop/Notebook Computers:

• Built in Wireless Network Adapters: These computers often have built in wireless adapters. Even if one is connected via a wired cable to a network, which is more reliable, be sure it is actually using this connection instead of the wireless connection. One option is to disable the wireless adapter in this situation.

• Touch-Pads: Most of these computers have touch-pads that serve to control the pointer (mouse cursor). However, the touch-pad can also serve as a clicking device. Bumping the touch-pad is equivalent to clicking the left mouse button. Sometimes, even though a user intends only to move the pointer to another location on the screen, when the touch-pad is initially touched, it is interpreted by the computer as a left-click. If the pointer happens to be over a link or button when this occurs, this can have unintended results, such as moving to another test question before the current one is answered or to another test section before all the questions in the current section are answered. ERI recommends plugging in an actual mouse to the USB or PS/2 port and using that instead of the touch-pad when taking on-line tests.

We are dedicated to help you succeed. If you have any questions, contact our office at 1-800-292-2273.