Web Browser hangs in test

[dnpict]

Running the 2007 test today - only 1 machine gave up but almost all failed to initialise the "web page" for Task 1. The results were variable; some pupils got the page eventually, some never, so got the page but could not click past question 1.
Hell of a way to run a test when 1/3 of the task is inoperable.

Any similar experiences out there?
Any fixes to suggest?
Hello?

[kingswood]

Ran it today and several students had issues getting to question 2.

To kick off the day we found out that our school key didn't work! A call to RM resolved this except the bod at RM didn't know about us and found it hard to hear what our postcode was successfully. Once we got past that little hurdle he admitted that RM had gotten lots of calls about school keys "expiring". It was resolved within an hour with a reset.

Apart from that (as if that wasn't enough), we had no real problems with it and consider it a *small* blessing that it went so well.

So it's all part and parcel of that magnificent thing we call the KS3 Test. Welcome ;-)

[_Bob_]

dnpict,
The test uses IE components to render the 'internal' web bits, so if you are using a program or script to restrict internet access you may hit those sort of issues.

[dnpict]

Thanks Bob. We use BrowseControl. I'll try it with all stops off!

[russdev]

Do you get an standard html error page as there was an issue while back with file needing to be registered.

Also saw had internet issues when .net got corrupted.


Russell

[dnpict]

The error occurred in the first section of the test only when an email link is supplied to go to the first batch of questions. Clicking on the link in the email produced an empty web browser. No error codes or messages.

We found that if pupils went onto the next task and left the web browser open, they might get the page later - much later.
Those that got that far sometimes managed to get one of the linked question pages but not all.

All other links to web pages elsewhere in the test all worked fine.

In some downtime, I tried one of the practice tests and had a similar fault although it varied according to which level I was entered for!


In previous posting I mentioned Browse Control. I removed this from one room's PC for the afternoon. It made no difference in a practice test.

[bossman]

So far so good, had 4 sessions 2 per day yesterday and today, got 2 each day for the rest of the week then OCR Allen tests next week and the week after (me an webman having a whale of a time).

Teachers are showing a little initiative (they have used the flight deck quite intuitively, well ok they have been able to get the exams underway with some serious coaxing erm sorry support from IT support) but all seems to be running well.