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When I download a Word file from a classroom management database, why won't Firefox open the file without me having to save it?

tgiles
tgiles
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I have been using Firefox for many years with Blackboard products. In the last six months or so, when I try to download a student's file that is a Word .docx, it won't let me open it without saving it. Word .doc files work fine. I don't have this problem with Internet Explorer, but of course IE is clunky, slow, and doesn't fill in forms. Any help would be appreciated. Let me know if I can supply more details.

I have been using Firefox for many years with Blackboard products. In the last six months or so, when I try to download a student's file that is a Word .docx, it won't let me open it without saving it. Word .doc files work fine. I don't have this problem with Internet Explorer, but of course IE is clunky, slow, and doesn't fill in forms. Any help would be appreciated. Let me know if I can supply more details.

All Replies (1)

the-edmeister
the-edmeister
  • Moderator
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Two possible problems.
1. BlackBoard never supports the latest version of Firefox, for a few reasons. Some schools don't run the latest version of BlackBoard Vista or Campus Edition. Also, BlackBoard upgrades seem to be tied to the "school year" cycle, the changes they make to improve and update their software seem to be rolled out for the fall term so that changes aren't being made during the normal "school year" and possibly causing problems for the schools. That also may be a function of their contract / payment cycles with the schools that use their programs.

http://www2.blackboard.com/tuneup/viewpage?name=tuneup_browser_tuneup_windows_firefox
Select the link for the version of WebCT Vista or Campus Edition (version info is usually at the bottom of each page, in the footer) that your school is using, then see which version of Firefox is compatible.

Depending upon which version of WebCT your school is using, you will have to use Firefox 3.6.x, Firefox 3.5.x, or Firefox 3.0.x when accessing the Blackboard site.

My advice is to install the Firefox Portable version that you need for Blackboard on your computer, and use that installation only for Blackboard. Continue to use 4.0.1 for all other web browsing.
http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable/localization#legacy

2. Firefox uses a Plugin ( you have Office Plugin for Netscape Navigator installed) to open files that aren't "internet files", like word processing documents. 

I can't help you directly with Office, as I use Open Office, but there should be a preference for that Plugin within your Office preferences or options under something like Internet, to have those files Display documents in browser.

Or see this to make sure you have your "file type" set correctly.
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing+file+types