The MyMathLab foible page

1. When trying to register ... as a new user, the "No, I'm a new user" button must be checked.
2. When trying to register ... if, for your mother's maiden name, you type in a number you'll get an
error (with no explanation).
3. If, when trying to do an exercise, you get a blank screen with a small red X in the top left hand
corner of the window, MyMathLab doesn't explain what you need to do, namely: Install the plugins.
The most important plugins to install are Quicktime, Adobe Acrobat, and MathXL.
4. When doing an exercise, and entering an answer in the answer box, if you press the backspace
button many times, you might get kicked out of the exercise and lose your work! It is only safe to
modify something you typed by clicking the "undo" button on the keypad (to the left of an exercise),
or highlight what you want to delete with the mouse, and then hit the backspace button.
5. MyMathLab only works properly with the Internet Explorer web browser (not Netscape, Mozilla
or Firefox). The problem is with the MathXL plugin, used when doing an exercise. However, the
"Blackboard" functionality works (e.g. checking the gradebook) with Netscape, Mozilla or Firefox.
6. MyMathLab does not work with the iMac operating system. With an iMac it is possible to get
around this by buying Virtual PC, with Windows XP included, for about $250 at the Online@VCU
store. Virtual PC emulates Windows on an iMac, and will work with any Windows software (like
MyMathLab) that is not CPU intensive. Alternatively, you could buy Virtual PC, without Windows
XP included, for about $130 at the Online@VCU store, and install an old version of Windows (e.g.
Windows 98, 2000, ME) onto it.
7. MyMathLab does not work with the Linux operating system (mainly because Linux does not use
the Internet Explorer web browser).
8. There is a rare intermittent problem with MyMathLab when taking a test based on homework
exercises. The questions completed don't get updated, and a window pops up saying something like
"Access violation in module DELTAC~1.OCX". I've been in touch with MyMathLab Tech Support
to try and resolve this, but because the problem is intermittent, and they could not reproduce the
problem, they have not been able to fix it as yet. The only solution I know is to take the test later!
9. In Chapter 8, Sections 1 and 2 (i.e. 8.1 and 8.2), of Rockswold's "Precalculus with modeling
and visualization", regarding the standard labelling of a triangle: in the "Help Me Solve This" and
"View an Example" explanations in the software, you'll need to put the vertex C at the top of the
triangle in order for some of the explanations to make sense. For the textbook, or the solutions
manual, you can let any of the vertices be vertex C.
10. Your access to the MyMathLab website (mymathlab.com or coursecompass.com) lasts for one
year from the time you register the access code. However, it only lasts for a year if you're using the
same textbook. If you want to use MyMathLab with a different textbook you'll have to reregister with
a new access code (i.e. you'll have to buy a new access kit).

If you know of another foible that you think should be here, please let me know.
This page does not reflect an official position of Virginia Commonwealth University. Webmastered by rbreams@vcu.edu