Online Class Requirements

Minimum computer system requirements for students taking online courses and classes.

System Requirements

• Windows Users
• Windows 2000, XP, or Vista
• 64 MB RAM
• 28.8 kbps modem (56K recommended)
• Soundcard and speakers
• Internet Explorer 7.0

• Mac OS Users
• Mac OS X or higher (in classic mode)
• 32 MB RAM (64 recommended)
• 28.8 kbps modem (56K recommended)
• Soundcard and speakers
• Safari 3.0

Screen Resolution

We recommend setting your screen resolution to 800 x 600 pixels. If you currently see a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of your screen and would like to eliminate this, you can do so by resizing your screen. If you need help with your screen settings, please see our instructions for resizing your screen.

Browser Requirements

If a browser is not listed below, it has not been tested on our online platform. Users risk running into problems with the course software if they choose to use a non-supported browser. Browsers listed below have been validated with the course platform.

• Windows Users
• Recommended:
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0
• Mozilla Firefox 3.0
• Supported:
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0

• Mac OS Users
• Recommended:
• Safari 3.0
• Mozilla Firefox 3.0
• Supported:
• Safari 2.0
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0

Feature Requirements

These commonly-used plugins may be required depending on the course or program. You will be able to access your course without them; however, you may not be able to access the specific feature.

• Windows Users 
• ClassLive 
• 256 MB RAM
• 20 MB free disk space
• Sun's Java 2 SDK (Java 1.5 or Java 1.6)
• Microsoft JVM (Windows XP SP1 only)
• Class Live Audio 
• 56K kbps or higher modem*
• Windows Media Encoder 7.1*
• Soundcard with speakers and microphone or headset*
• Windows Media Player 9**

*Instructor-only requirements for audio encoding.
**Required for students only if instructor is using live audio. 

• Supported Browser Plug-ins 
• RealPlayer 8 Basic Player
• Macromedia Flash Player
• Macromedia Shockwave Player
• Windows Media Player
• QuickTime Player
• Assistive Technology 
• JAWS 5.0
• Window-Eyes
• Third-party CoursePacks 
• Your instructor may choose to include a CoursePack (for example, a collection of readings, articles, video clips). Because actual CoursePack content varies, you may or may not have additional system requirements. Check with your instructor or with the third-party CoursePack provider for specific requirements. 

• Mac OS Users 
• ClassLive 
• 256 MB RAM
• Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5
• G4, G5 or Intel Processor
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.5
• Mac OS Classic Java (MRJ 2.2.5)
• Class Live Audio 
• Soundcard with speakers and microphone or headset
• Windows Media Player 9*

*Required for students only if instructor is using live audio.

• Supported Browser Plug-ins 
• RealPlayer 8 Basic Player
• Macromedia Flash Player
• Macromedia Shockwave Player
• Windows Media Player
• QuickTime Player
• Third-party CoursePacks 
• Your instructor may choose to include a CoursePack (for example, a collection of readings, articles, video clips). Because actual CoursePack content varies, you may or may not have additional system requirements. Check with your instructor or with the third-party CoursePack provider for specific requirements. 

Additional Information

E-mail Account

• You will need a personal e-mail account to receive communications from your course instructor. If the school does not provide an account, you may sign up for one with any third-party e-mail system (e.g., Yahoo, Google, Hotmail, Comcast, etc.). We suggest you avoid using special characters (+, &, $, etc.) in your e-mail address, as they can cause problems with some systems and make it difficult for messages to reach the intended mailbox.

Avoiding Inactivity Timeout

• When an ISP’s internal browser is not in use, the ISP will consider the user inactive and will disconnect the user after a period of time. To remain active and avoid being disconnected, return to the main page of the ISP (every half hour or so) and click on a link or check e-mail. This will reset the ISP’s "inactivity timer” and allow you to continue working in your online course. 

Note: Courseware cannot be accessed using MSN TV (formerly Web TV).

Satellite and Cellular Internet Connections: If this is the only connection you have access to, please note that you may experience sporadic issues while working in your online courses. If you report these problems to the helpdesk, we will attempt to address them with your satellite or cellular connection provider.

Wireless Routers/Connections: While working in your online courses via a wireless router or wireless connection, you may experience problems such as various error messages. If you contact the online helpdesk, please be aware that part of the troubleshooting process may be to have you bypass your wireless router or connection. If bypassing the wireless router resolves the problems you are experiencing, you will either need to continue to bypass the router or contact the router's manufacturer's support to further diagnose the source of this problem.

If you would like to contact the Everest College Phoenix campus directly, please call 602-942-4141 (Phoenix) or 480-830-5151 (Mesa).