skip to content
Distance Education
Your Online Classroom Access:    Vista          

Troubleshooting Vista Access

(Print These Directions Now To Use Later In Troubleshooting)

If you are having trouble accessing your online class on the Vista server, the problem could be with your browser, some other program running on your computer, the link between your computer and your ISP (QWEST, ComCast, MSN), the links between your ISP and BCC, the BCC network as a whole, the Vista server, or just some aspect of your particular class. Before you can fix anything, we have to know where the problem lies. Here's how to start troubleshooting.

  • First: Try to access the BCC main website or other pages you may know of on campus. If you cannot access any of these, but can access the rest of the Web, then wait a bit and try again. In the past two years BCC has been entirely cut off from the rest of the web for a short period due to underground cables being cut during construction, a bad router at the CTC, power outages, and several virus/worm attacks. These are rare events and usually clear up within several hours, but they do happen. HOWEVER, if you are able to read this page, then you DO have access at least as far as the BCC network.
  • Second: Check the Server Status page to find out if there are reported problems with Vista. Also check your e-mail inbox to see if there is a message from the Online Student Listserv (if you are a member). If there is a known problem with either server, it should be posted. Very recent outages, however, may not have been posted yet. Check the server status page again after an hour. Note that if you have just registered, your name may not yet have been added to the list of online students and your classes may not yet be listed on the menu page. Online classes become available to students ONLY on the first day of the quarter.
  • Third: At this point, any problems you are having are most likely due either to your browser, another application running in the background on your computer, or involves your ISP, such as ComCast. Before you begin to troubleshoot, shut down your system or reboot and start your browser again. On your browser, go to "Tools | Internet Options" (will be called differently on different browsers) and clear out your cache, cookies, and temp files. Also go to your "Favorites" or "Bookmarks" and delete any old links to Vista classes. Now try to access your classroom at http://vista.bcc.ctc.edu/webct/entryPageIns.dowebct
  • Fourth: If you are not able to log in and you are a new student, you may not have been entered onto the list yet, or you may be using the wrong username or password. E-mail the Distance Education Office or call (425) 564-2438 or 1-(877) 641-2712.
  • Fifth: If you can log in but don't see your course, you may not yet have been entered into your classroom. Contact your instructor by BCC mail, or contact the Distance Education Office at (425) 564-2438 or 1 (877) 641-2712.
  • Sixth: If you can access your classes, but find that things don't work the way they should, your browser may not be a supported one or may not be correctly configured. Here is our guide to help you configure your browser to properly access Vista 4.0..
  • Last: If none of the above helps, contact the Distance Education Office at (425) 564-2438 or 1 (877) 641-2712.

    But remember, for us to help you, you must give us the following information: your registered name, your telephone number, your BCC student ID number, your Vista password, the course name and number, the instructor's name, and a detailed account of the problem(s) you are encountering. Please jot down all that information and have it handy when you call.