IE Update Advisory

If you are using IE 6.0 or 7.0 and are experiencing trouble logging in, please read and follow the recommendations in this advisory.

It is a known issue that certain versions of IE will not properly store cookies generated by our Blastwizard site. To alleviate this issue, you must update your IE software by applying all of the latest Service Packs and Hotfixes that Microsoft has released for IE. You may update your browser by visiting Microsoft's Windows Update Site. Once you have updated your browser with the latest Service Pack and Hotfixes, IE should begin working normally with our site.

If you have already installed the latest updates for IE and you still are experiencing this issue, then you will want to make sure that you do not have third party add-ons (Google Toolbar, Yahoo Toolbar, Spyware software, etc) loaded which may be blocking cookies. Also, please make sure that IE is set up to accept all cookies by reviewing the following steps:

• On the IE menu, Click Tools->Internet Options

• Choose the 'Privacy' tab.
• Once in the Privacy panel, click the 'Advanced...' button (not the tab).
• Select 'Override Automatic Cookie Handling'
• Select 'Accept' for 'First Party Cookies' and 'Accept' for 'Third Party Cookies'
• Check 'Always Allow Session Cookies'
• Click 'OK' to close Privacy Panel
• Click 'OK' to close Internet Options Panel

If you continue to have difficulties after updating IE, setting the privacy settings and removing unnecessary add-ons, then there may be extended issues with your IE installation that may be unresolvable by this document. You should contact your Systems Administrator(s) to help further repair your IE and/or Windows installation. Alternatively, the fastest solution is to install and use the latest version of Firefox. You may obtain Firefox at the Mozilla Firefox Website.

Note to Windows 2000 Users

Microsoft has no plans on installing IE7 on Windows 2000 or below. So, if you are on Windows 2000 and continue to experience 'Session Expired' issues with IE even after the above steps, you will either need to repair your Windows installation or you will need to install Firefox.

Note to Windows XP Users

If you are using IE on Windows XP and you continue to experience this issue, then it is recommended that you upgrade your browser to IE7 where this cookie issue is not present. Alternatively, you may install and use Firefox.

Last Updated: October 1, 2007