FAQ for Java Applets

Q: I cannot access the HC Messenger (HCM), all I see is a gray box. What's up?
A: To access the chat, you will need to have Java applet (scripting) support installed and turned on for your browser. Click Here for instructions on setting up your browser. You also need to download and install the latest Java VM for your operating system.

NOTE TO WINDOWS XP USERS:
If you are running Windows XP, you may NOT have the Java plug-in by default. Internet Explorer should prompt you to download the Java VM if you do not have it. If not, Click here to download Sun's Java VM

Installing/Upgrading Java: You can install or upgrade your Java Support within Windows in one of several ways:

To get the latest Java support from Sun, Click here to download Sun's Java VM , then click the "Get it Now" button to download the latest Java VM.

WINDOWS ME/2000/XP Users: Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (or Start / Windows Update), press the "Scan for Updates" button and then install the following security update (which is the Microsoft Java VM):

Windows 98/NT4: Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (or Start / Windows Update), select "Product Updates" and then install the "Microsoft VM" update.

Internet Explorer: Install/Re-Install/Upgrade Microsoft Internet Explorer (http://www.microsoft.com/ie) . During setup, select the "Custom Installation Option" (not Typical Installation) and select the "Microsoft Virtual Machine" option.

Note: For those of you wanting to use Sun's Java Support. It is possible to use Sun's Java VM, Click here to download Sun's Java VM , then click the Download Now. It's free! link to download the Java VM.

Q: I cannot access the HCM? I receive a "Login Failed" box. Why is that
A: This is caused by your computer's inability to access the Java port that this chat is using. You must have rights to access the remote port 18001 from behind your firewall.

When this occurs, it is usually from a business owned PC behind a business owned firewall. If you are at a business computer, contact your IT staff or helpdesk to help you. Please note, your work place may prohibit you from using these type of services during office or after-work hours

Enabling cookies for this site in your browser

To use HoustonConnect.com, your browser needs to support cookies and JavaScript. To enable your browser to support cookies, review the section below and find the information that applies to your browser version. Then follow the instructions. We recommend that you print this page so that you have the information available when you configure your browser.

If you are an AOL user, please click here to get instructions on how to enable your browser cookies.

Internet Explorer 6.x users

To enable cookies for this site, follow these steps:

1. Select Internet Options from the Tools menu. The Internet Options dialog opens.

2. Click the  Privacy tab. You'll then see a screen like this:

3. Locate the Web Sites section.
4. Click the Edit button in the Web Sites section. You'll then see a screen like this:

5. Enter www.houstonconnect.com  into the box labeled "Address of Web Site"
6. Click the Allow button, this will allow our site to use cookies no matter what your other cookie settings are.
7. Click OK to close the  Privacy Settings dialog.
8. Click OK to close the Internet Options dialog.

Internet Explorer 5.x users

To enable cookies and JavaScript, follow these steps:

1. Select Internet Options from the Tools menu. The Internet Options dialog opens.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Locate the Custom area of the Security tab, and click the Custom Level button. The Security Settings dialog opens.
4. Scroll down to the Cookies section of the Settings window. To enable support for persistent cookies, select the Enable radio button under Allow cookies that are stored on your computer.
5. Scroll down to the Scripting section of the Settings window. Your browser must support JavaScript and Java. You must select the Enable radio button under Active Scripting.
6. Click OK to close the Security Settings dialog.
7. Click OK to close the Internet Options dialog.

Internet Explorer 4.0 users To enable cookies and JavaScript, follow these steps:

1. Select Internet Options from the View menu. The Internet Options dialog opens.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Locate the Internet zone area of the Security tab, select the Custom (for expert users) radio button, and then click the Settings button. The Security Settings dialog opens.
4. Scroll down to the Scripting section of the Security Setting dialog. Select the Enable radio button under Scripting of Java applets.
5. Click OK to close the Security Settings dialog.
6. Click the Advanced tab.
7. Scroll down to the Security section of the Settings window. Your browser must support non-persistent cookies. To enable this support, select the Always accept cookies radio button under Cookies.
8. Click OK to close the Internet Options dialog.

Internet Explorer 4.5 for Macintosh users

To enable cookies and JavaScript, follow these steps:

1. Select Preferences from the Edit menu. The Internet Explorer Preferences window opens.
2. Select Java from the Web Browser menu.
3. Select Enable Java from the Java Options window that appears in the right-hand window pane.
4. Scroll through the Internet Explorer Preferences menu until you see the Receiving Files option. Click Cookies.
5. From the right-hand window pane, locate the When Receiving Cookies menu.
6. From the drop-down menu, select Never Ask and click OK.

Netscape Communicator users

 To enable cookies and JavaScript, follow these steps:

 1. Select Preferences from the Edit menu. The Preferences dialog opens.
 2. Select Advanced in the Category window. The right pane displays a set of advanced options.
 3. In the top section of the right pane, select the Enable Java and Enable JavaScript check boxes.
 4. Your browser must support persistent cookies. To enable support for persistent cookies, select the Accept all cookies check box.
 5. To save your changes and close the Preferences dialog, click the OK button.