FAQ about the remore access - EZproxy
I can neither use the databases and e-journals at home nor at work - what's wrong?
- The web browser?
- The firewall?
- Pop-up?
- Cookies?
- JavaScript?
- Cache?
- Favorite / Bookmark?
- Wrong browser?
Error Messages - what do they mean?
- Page not found, Cannot find server or DNS - or browser waits and waits?
- EZproxy Hostname Error Message?
- MaxVirtualHosts?
Do I have remote access to all LIRU databases and e-journals?
Why can I get into some e-journals without logging in?
What is EZproxy? - answers in Wikipedia
I can neither use the databases and e-journals at home nor at work
Probably the reason has something to do with your web browser and how it is set up - read on!
Browser setup
It is possible that you have issues with your web browser such as firewall, spyware or proxy settings at work / ISP (Internet Service Provider). The problem can be:
- Firewall. If you see "this page cannot be displayed," it usually means a firewall issue on your side:
-
- Port 2048 could be closed at your work / ISP. Contact helpdesk and ask if this is the case and if so whether the port can be open up for you
- If you have installed personal firewall software such as Norton, you need to allow access to hrproxy.hir.is (IP-address 130.208.243.23) per port or add hrproxy.hir.is as a safe site
- Pop-up blocker: Disable pop-up blockers while you are accessing the restricted databases through EZproxy
- Cookies. Check Cookies. EZproxy and some databases send "cookies" when you connect to them to verify that you are an authorized user. If your browser reports an error receiving a "cookie," you have to enable them in your browser settings. The default setting for most browsers will accept EZproxy cookies without a problem. However, if you changed it, you will see a blank page. Change browser options to accept all cookies. Here you find very good information from the Australian Catholic University on cookies
- JavaScript: Check JavaScript. The default setting for most browsers will work well with EZproxy's JavaScript. However, if you changed it, you will need to enable it again in order to access LIRU databases in remote access
- Have you cleared your Cache in your browser. Here you find very good information from Boston University Library on how you do it - both Windows and Mac
- Starting from Favorite / Bookmark? Are you starting your database or e-journal search from a page you have marked as favorite or bookmarked? Please try starting your search from the main library page at www.en.ru.is/databases and click on Remote Access in the quick menu on the right
- To help narrow down the possibilities, you should try using a different browser. For example, if you were using IE, try with Firefox. This test will help determine whether or not the issue corresponds to the browser itself, or to something else (such as spyware, firewall, or your ISP). If you still get error messages contact library@ru.is
Error Messages
The most common error messages that occour in the remort access are:
- Page not found, Cannot find server or DNS or browser waits and waits
-
- Is it possible that your ISP is down. Try again later
- Internet Explorer users - you may get Page Not Found message after you log in. Click on Back and try the link later
- If this does not work - try some of this
- EZproxy Hostname error message. You will get a hostname error page when you attempt to access content on a computer host that is not set up for use in EZproxy. If it happens - copy the page or take a screen shot of it and send the error message to library@ru.is
- MaxVirtualHosts error. Please send the error message to library@ru.is so we can solve the problem
Do I have remote access to all LIRU databases and e-journals?
No - but most of them. Some databases don't allow EZproxy access to their sites.
Why don't certain features or links in the database seem to function when I'm using the remote access
The various database vendors use a variety of programming methods on their database web sites. Some of these methods can make it hard for our server to keep passing information between you and the site. If certain links or other aspects of the site aren't functioning, there are a few primary possibilities:
- EZproxy's configuration for the database needs to be adjusted
- The problem is with vendor's site. Like any information technology, there can be problems on the vendor's end that lead to problems with the database. These problems are generally resolved fairly quickly once the vendor is aware of them
- The problem is with your browser's ability to handle remote site - see above
- Certain content or features are not part of the library's subscription. In a few databases, the library's subscription does not provide access to all features or content on a site. In this case, you may get an error message or login screen - though it may also be that what appear to be links to those features are simply not active
Why can I get into some e-journals without logging in?
Some full text journals are freely available to anyone on the Internet, either for a limited time or permanently.