For off-campus or remote access to licensed Library resources, the Portland State Library uses a system called EZproxy to make sure that users are current Portland State students, faculty, and staff with valid Odin accounts. Occasionally, however, there are errors or problems encountered. Following are some common problems and their resolutions that may help you gain access quickly.

1. What type of browser should I use?
2. I am getting past the login screen, but then I see an error message, "User not authorized for..."
3. I'm receiving a cookie error.
4. I'm able to access the resources, but pop-up windows are blocked. What should I do?
5. I get past the EZproxy login page, but when I click on links nothing seems to happen.
6. I'm seeing an "EZProxy administrator" or "hostname" error message.
7. I'm getting a "forbidden" or "user not authorized" message.
8. I live in one of the Portland State residential buildings and I used to be able to access the Library's resources automatically, but now, I am having trouble.

Firefox,Netscape, or Internet Explorer. The latest version of a browser is recommended for security reasons.

• In Internet Explorer 7, go to the Upper right-hand of the screen > Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > then set the privacy slider to Mediume or lower or select Advanced for additional cookie control.
• In Internet Explorer 6, go to Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > then set the privacy slider to Medium or lower or select Advanced for additional cookie control.
• In Internet Explorer 5, go to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Internet > Custom Level > Cookies > Enable.
• In Netscape 7 or Mozilla, go to Edit > Preferences > Privacy & Security > Cookies > Enable all cookies.
• In Netscape 4, go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Accept all cookies.
• In Opera 7., go toTools > Quick preferences > check "Enable Javascript" and "Enable cookies."
• In Mozilla Firefox 1., go to: Tools > Options > Privacy: > click on "Cookies" and check box to "Allow sites to Set Cookies"

4. I'm able to access the resources, but pop-up windows are blocked. What should I do?

Please disable pop-up blockers while you are using our licensed databases and journals. You can always go back and enable this again later.

• In Firefox, does a yellow bar appear at the top of the page? If you click on the yellow bar and follow the instructions it will allow the pop-up window. Once you have done this for the site, it should not ask again and will automatically allow the pop-up windows to open. You may also use the Firefox menu options "Tools," then "Options," then "Web Features," and then uncheck "Block Popup Windows."
• In Internet Explorer on a Windows XP (Service Pack 2) computer, turn off the pop-up blocker by choosing Internet Explorer's menu options "Tools," then "Pop-up Blocker," then "Turn Off Pop-up Blocker."

• In Internet Explorer 6 go on Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level.
• In Netscape 7 or Mozilla go on Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Scripts & Plugins and select Enable JavaScript for Navigator.
• In Netscape 4 go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Enable JavaScript.

Error Report form to send us details, preferably copying the text of the error message. We apologize for the inconvenience.

7. I'm getting a "forbidden" or "user not authorized" message.

If you are not a current Portland State student, faculty, or staff member, then you are not eligible to access the Portland State Library's licensed databases and journals from off-campus. You are welcome to use these resources within our Library, however.

If you are a current Portland State student, faculty, or staff member, you must obtain a valid Odin account to access the Library's licensed resources from off-campus.

If you believe that you have a valid Odin account and still aren't being recognized by the EZproxy system, there may be a problem with your Odin account, your password may be incorrect, or there may be systems experiencing trouble at Portland State. Please contact the OIT Help Desk for assistance.

8. I live in one of the Portland State residential buildings and I used to be able to access the Library's resources automatically, but now, I am having trouble.

If none of these common resolutions help, please submit an Error Report or Ask Us!

 

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