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Troubleshooting Off-Campus Connection Problems

If you are trying to use our databases or electronic journals from off-campus--a process sometimes referred to as Remote Authentication--and are having trouble making the connection, use this page as a checklist before you call the Library for help:

IP Address Check

It may help us diagnose your connection problems if you can determine what IP address your computer is using to connect to the Internet. To determine that, click on this link to our IP test page. Write down or print out the information from this test page.

Patron status issues

☑ Are you a valid OU patron (i.e., current student, faculty, staff)? Only current members of the Ohio University community are authorized to use these resources.
☑ Is your patron account blocked for any reason, e.g., overdue books or fines over $10? You can find this information by Viewing your Library Record on ALICE.

Browser issues

☑ Can your browser accept cookies? For more information on cookies and other login issues, see OhioLINK's Remote Authentication page.
☑ Is your browser cookie enabled? Check this in the Preferences section of your browser. (OhioLINK has a test to answer the login process on its authentication pages: http://auth.ohiolink.edu/).
☑ Are you using a current browser. These browsers should work well in most cases:
  • Internet Explorer 6.0 or above (Windows)
  • Mozilla 1.5 or above (Windows or Macintosh)
  • Netscape 6.0 or above (Windows or Macintosh)
  • Firefox 1.0 or above (Windows or Macintosh)
  • Safari 1.0 or above (Macintosh)
☑ Are you an AOL user? You cannot use an AOL customized browser for OhioLINK access.

Personal Account issues

When you login for off-campus access be sure to...

☑ ...enter your name according to the on-screen instructions.
☑ ...enter your Ohio University PID number (without the "P")
☑ ...check for typos

Specific problem

☑ If you appear to get authorized but can't get connected to the database, sometimes it helps to back up to the screen where you selected the database and try again.

What to do next...
If you go through all of these steps and still can't get connected, call Alden Library's Reference Desk at (740) 593-2699. We will ask for your name, PID number, and the browser (including its version number) you are using, and then check into the situation for you.
OHIO University Libraries
Athens, OH 45701-2978
Phone: (740) 593-2699		 Last updated: February 27, 2008
This page is maintained by Marne Grinolds.
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