Login Instructions for Vista Courses at SPSU
(not for eCore or WebBSIT students)

 

Login:

1. Open a browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox, etc.)
   
   
2. Navigate to the following URL: http://spsu.view.usg.edu
   
   
3. That brings you to the login page. (All students have to run the "Check Browser" program before they begin their classes.)
   
   
4. Your Login ID or User ID will be the same as your SPSU Mail prefix (usually first initial of first name followed by last name or the email designation assigned to you). You do not put in the @spsu.edu part of your email). Your BANNER PIN number will be your initial Vista Password. Banner PINs are usually a 6-digit number, such as your birthdate in MMDDYY format..
   
   
   1. If login fails, check your caps lock and try again.
   2. Try running the browser checker again. For more browser checker options, visit: http://www.spsu.edu/webct/BrowserCheckers.htm
   3. Visit the Online Support Center for troubleshooting options. http://help.view.usg.edu
   4. Call the IT HELP desk at 678-915-4357 (HELP)
   5. Call Distance Learning at 678-915-3713
      
      
5. Once you are logged into Vista, you need to check and reset some of your browser features. Click on "Check Browser" at the upper right of your MyWebCT page. This is a fast process and if you receive “No errors” then you can go ahead. If you do receive errors, follow the instructions and links, or try the Georgia Perimeter checker below, or go to http://www.webct.com/tuneup to perform your tuneup with more images of the steps.
   
   
6. To enter any course, click on the title of the course in the middle column of MyWebCT labeled "Course List."

 

Checking your browser:

IMPORTANT: using one of the browser checkers available to you is extremely important. In some cases you will have to do the check before Vista will allow you to log in. Changing the settings in your browser is not difficult, but very few people have ever changed them. Therefore, take you time and run through one of these programs. Do not wait until classes start. If you can do it with a friend or someone who has already done it, that is an even better idea.

NOTE: you will have to run the browser checker for every machine you use for your Vista course and for each browser if you plan to use more than one. It is recommended from the Office of Distance Learning that students and faculty have more than one browser on their computers. Internet Explorer, Netscape and Mozilla Firefox are all fine choices.

TIP: When you are trying to take an online quiz or submit a project or do some other crucial action and your browser begins to act peculiarly (and they will), then switch browsers immediately and finish your task. After your task is completed is the time to try to diagnose the browser problem.

Besides the browser checker linked directly into Vista, here are two others that are recommended. Some people will find the GPS checker easier to understand.

Georgia Perimeter has an excellent browser checker at:
http://gpc.edu/webct/analyzer/index.htm

For MacIntosh users there is a special checker at WebCT.
http://www.webct.com/tuneup/viewpage?name=tuneup_mac_browser_tuneup

Know your help resources and how to find them any time of day or night. Go to: http://eu.spsu.edu/distancelearning/support.html where you will find technical support as well as other resources.

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