Getting Started With PLATO Web Learning Network

Launching lessons

1. Download and install plug-ins

PLATO® Courses require plug-ins to be installed in order to launch and run lessons successfully. Always choose “yes” when you are prompted to download and install a plug-in from PLATO Learning. Many courseware lessons will not run unless you have the appropriate plug-ins installed.

In order to download and install plug-ins successfully, you must have administrator privileges to your computer. (Log in to your computer as an administrator user.)

Download plug-ins now

2. Disable or configure all pop-up blockers

Before you launch lessons, you must make sure any pop-up blockers you have on your computer are either turned off or configured to accept content from PWLN. If you don't turn off or configure your pop-up blockers, you won't be able to launch lessons.

256 - Unable to launch lesson; "Please wait...Click here when your lesson or test is complete...Popup blocked..."

3. Configure your personal firewall if you have one

If you have a personal firewall installed on your computer, you'll need to configure it to allow content from the PWLN web site. Otherwise, you will be unable to launch lessons.

Instructions for how to configure your firewall to “allow” or “permit” a web site can be found in the documentation that came with your firewall. See the instructions in your firewall's user guide or Help files. Help files are typically available under Help > About in your firewall program's menu.

You may also find the following knowledge base articles helpful:

2997 - Can't launch lessons on XP Service Pack 2 workstation

325 - ERROR: "The Web page you are viewing is trying to close the window. Do you want to close this window?"

544 - ERROR: "Unable to connect to CTX.PLATOWEBxx.COM" when launching lesson w/ Norton Firewall installed

543 - ERROR: "iplato22.exe is attempting to access the Internet. What do you want to do?"

4. Download the Keypress Reference

Some PLATO courseware requires you to use special keys to calculate or input answers. The keypress reference tells you the key combinations to enter symbols or perform operations in PLATO Courseware.

Symbols and Special Key Combinations in PLATO Courseware (PDF 556K - 8/8/05)

Online Support

If you have any issues with downloading or installing plug-ins, or with launching lessons or running courseware after installing plug-ins, visit the PLATO® Support Center (http://support.plato.com) for help. The PLATO Support Center provides step-by-step instructions to help you diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve issues that are common to many users.

To search for a resolution to an issue, just go to http://support.plato.com and enter your search words in the search engine powered by Google™.