Here are Frequently Asked Questions (and answers!) for Respondus LockDown Browser.
Which course management systems does Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) integrate with?
What are the computer requirements for installations of LDB?
Will installing LDB change the existing settings for Internet Explorer or Safari? Is LDB as secure as the browser software currently installed on the computer?
Does LDB require that a WebCT PowerLink or Blackboard Building Block be installed to the server?
We’re running WebCT CE 6 (or WebCT Vista 3.0 or higher) but the setting “Require LockDown Browser” doesn’t appear among the assessment settings.
We’re running Desire2Learn but the Respondus LockDown Browser setting doesn’t appear in the Security Options for a quiz?
If we install the “PowerLink for Respondus LockDown Browser” to our WebCT CE 6 (or WebCT Vista) server, will all assessments require students to use LDB?
Are instructor training materials available for LDB?
Does anything need to be installed to a computer for Respondus LockDown Browser to be used for an online exam?
I'm running Internet Explorer (Windows) or Safari (Mac) and was expecting LockDown Browser to automatically launch
I rebooted my computer while Respondus LockDown Browser was running. Now the Windows Task Manager is grayed out and can’t be used. What do I do?
How do I locate the version number for LDB?
When I start LDB a warning message states “You must close the following programs before starting the browser: [program name]”. Can you explain this?
I want to allow students to use the Windows Calculator during a test/quiz, how can I do this?
I use Respondus 3.x to publish assessments to my online courses. Can I publish the LDB settings along with the assessment?
I’m using Respondus 3.0.4 (or higher) to publish an assessment to WebCT CE 4 or Blackboard. When I try to select the assessment setting “Require Respondus LockDown Browser” a warning message appears...
My copy of Respondus doesn’t display the setting “Require Respondus LockDown Browser”.
Which course management systems does Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) integrate with?
LDB currently integrates with Blackboard 6.3 and higher (Basic and Enterprise), WebCT Vista/CE6, WebCT CE 4, Desire2Learn 8.1.3 and higher, and Moodle 1.9+.
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What are the computer requirements for installations of LDB?
LDB is a “client” application that is installed to local computers. The computer requirements for the Windows version are as follows:
- Windows Vista, XP, 2000, ME, 98
- Internet Explorer (configured to the requirements for the WebCT or Blackboard platform)
- 2 MB of permanent space on the hard drive
The computer requirements for the Macintosh version are as follows:
- Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher
- Safari browser (configured to the requirements for WebCT and Blackboard)
- 2 MB of permanent hard drive space
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Will installing LDB change the existing settings for Internet Explorer or Safari? Is LDB as secure as the browser software currently installed on the computer?
LDB provides a custom interface for the Internet Explorer (Windows) and Safari (Mac) browsers that are already installed on computers. LDB does not modify an existing copy of Internet Explorer or Safari, but rather, installs a separate program that will display the custom interface when it is started. LDB uses the same security features and service packs currently installed for Internet Explorer and Safari. In summary, installing Respondus LockDown Browser won’t modify the current version of Internet Explorer or Safari, yet uses the same security settings and service packs that are installed for those browsers.
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Does LDB require that a WebCT PowerLink or Blackboard Building Block be installed to the server?
It depends. WebCT Vista/CE6+ require a PowerLink to be installed to the server. The PowerLink offers the most robust integration available for LDB.
The integration with the Blackboard Learning System Enterprise Edition (release 6.3 and higher) uses the Respondus LockDown Browser Building Block.
The integration with WebCT CE 4 and Blackboard Basic Edition doesn't require that a PowerLink/Building Block be installed to the server, but instructors will need to use Respondus 3.x to publish the LDB assessment and/or settings to the online course.
See the user guide for more information on all three integration options.
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We’re running WebCT CE 6 (or WebCT Vista 3.0 or higher) but the setting “Require LockDown Browser” doesn’t appear among the assessment settings.
A PowerLink must be installed to WebCT CE 6 or WebCT Vista. If this has been installed, double-check that you are looking in the right place in WebCT for this setting:
- Login to WebCT using a designer password
- Select “Assessments”
- Identify the assessment and select “Edit Settings”
- Select “Security Settings”
The setting “Browser Restriction” should appear within the Security Settings section. If it doesn’t appear here, it either means that the “PowerLink” for Respondus LockDown Browser isn’t installed properly or that the latest service pack for WebCT CE 6 or WebCT Vista hasn’t been applied. (WebCT CE 6 requires Service Pack 1 or higher, WebCT Vista 4 requires Service Pack 1 or higher, and WebCT Vista 3 requires SP 6 or higher.)
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We’re running Desire2Learn but the Respondus LockDown Browser setting doesn’t appear in the Security Options for a quiz?
The Respondus LockDown Browser requires Desire2Learn version 8.1.3 or higher. The Respondus LockDown Browser also needs to be enabled on the Desire2Learn server by the System Administrator. Please contact your System Administrator to enable the Respondus LockDown Browser as documented in the Administration Guide.
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If we install the “PowerLink for Respondus LockDown Browser” to our WebCT CE 6 (or WebCT Vista) server, will all assessments require students to use LDB?
No. LDB is only required for an assessment if the instructor has selected the “Browser Restriction” setting.
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Are instructor training materials available for LDB?
Quick Start Guides for Respondus LockDown Browser are available for both instructors and students. The “Administrator Guide for Respondus LockDown Browser” includes a more comprehensive instructor’s guide (contact the administrator of your LDB license to obtain access to this guide). Demonstration movies for LDB are also available.
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Does anything need to be installed to a computer for Respondus LockDown Browser to be used for an online exam?
Yes, the installation application for Respondus LockDown Browser must be run on the computer. This will place a shortcut on the Windows desktop named "LockDown Browser" (on a Macintosh launch “LockDown Browser” from the Applications folder). Students must start Respondus LockDown Browser rather than starting another browser if they want to access an assessment that requires Respondus LockDown Browser. (Note, it is possible for an administrator to "push" all setup files to a computer using Desktop Management Software such as Altiris or Microsoft SMS. See the administrator guide for additional information.)
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I'm running Internet Explorer (Windows) or Safari (Mac) and was expecting LockDown Browser to automatically launch
Respondus LockDown Browser is a separate application than Internet Explorer or Safari. You must install Respondus LockDown Browser to a computer and then start the Respondus LockDown Browser program before logging into your online course. When the assessment is selected, it will then work as intended.
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I rebooted my computer while Respondus LockDown Browser was running. Now the Windows Task Manager is grayed out and can’t be used. What do I do?
If a computer is powered down while Respondus LockDown Browser is running, the Windows Task Manager will continue to be blocked when the computer is restarted. To remove the blocking, restart Respondus LockDown Browser and exit the program properly (click the "X" in the top right corner).
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How do I locate the version number for LDB?
Start LDB and click the “Information” ( i ) button on the toolbar. The version number will be displayed.
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When I start LDB a warning message states “You must close the following programs before starting the browser: [program name]”.
Over 300 applications, such as screen capture and chat programs, are "blacklisted." This means that you cannot start LDB until the blocked application is exited. When this warning message appears, LDB will offer to close the blacklisted program for you, which is the easiest way to continue. (Note: the license administrator can remove an application from the blacklist using the Control Panel in the administrator area. Applications removed from the blacklist cannot be accessed while running LDB, but this does permit such applications to run in the background.)
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I want to allow students to use the Windows Calculator during a test/quiz, how can I do this?
LDB does not allow switching to any other applications during an assessment, but the Windows version includes its own built-in calculator. See the Instructor Quick Start Guide for how to enable the calculator in your test/quiz.
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I use Respondus 3.x to publish assessments to my online courses. Can I publish the LDB settings along with the assessment?
If an institution is using WebCT CE 4 or Blackboard 6.3+, then the Respondus 3 software (version 3.0.4 or higher) must be used to publish assessments for use with LDB.
For institutions running WebCT CE 6 or WebCT Vista, Respondus can be used to publish assessments that have the LDB settings selected. But the Respondus software is optional because this setting can also be set with a browser in the WebCT course itself.
Respondus 3.0.4 (or higher) can also be used to “update settings” for an assessment that may already exist in WebCT or Blackboard. This allows an instructor to turn on/off the LDB settings for an existing assessment using Respondus. To use this feature, select the “Preview & Publish” menu in Respondus, select “Update Settings” and then follow the steps for selecting the course, assessment and new settings.
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I’m using Respondus 3.0.4 (or higher) to publish an assessment to WebCT CE 4 or Blackboard. When I try to select the assessment setting “Require Respondus LockDown Browser” a warning message appears:
"Before you can publish a quiz/survey that requires Respondus LockDown
Browser, you must first go to the Respondus "File" menu, choose LockDown
Browser, and enter the Institution ID. Contact your server administrator if you
don't know your Institution ID."
The LDB integration with WebCT CE 4 and Blackboard 6.3+ requires that each institution have a unique “Institution ID”. This Institution ID is nine digits and must be entered into Respondus 3 in order for an assessment (that includes LDB settings) to be published to WebCT CE 4 or Blackboard 6.3+. The Institution ID is entered by starting Respondus, selecting “File” from the menu bar, and selecting “LockDown Browser.” The administrator of the LDB at your institution can provide you the 9-digit number that is required.
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My copy of Respondus doesn’t display the setting “Require Respondus LockDown Browser”.
First, make sure you are running Respondus 3.0.4 or higher (go to Help > About Respondus to determine this). Next, from the Start menu in Respondus, make sure you have selected a Course Management System that integrates with LDB. This includes Blackboard 6.3+, WebCT CE 4.0+, and WebCT Vista.
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