Proxy Service Home Page

Proxy Server Setup Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Known Service Problems
(Macintosh users, IE 4 or IE 5 users please read)

Troubleshooting Checklist

Resources that are unavailable through the Proxy Server

Proxy Server Problem Report Form


UC Berkeley Library Proxy Server Service

Known Service Problems


Laptops with static UC Berkeley IP addresses

Laptops which are configured with a static UC Berkeley IP address have problems using the proxy server. If you plug your laptop into the UC Berkeley network on campus, and you're not using public docking stations (the LIPS service), then you probably have a static UC Berkeley IP address.

If you're using Windows, you can check by going to Start > Control Panel > Network > TCP/IP > Properties. Look under the IP Address tab to see if there is an IP address specified there.

Please let us know about problems by using our Problem Report Form. Please include the fact that you're using a laptop with a Berkeley IP address.

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Incompatibility between Macintosh and Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer for the Mac does not support "automatic proxy configuration". We recommend you install Netscape or the current Mozilla to use the Library's Proxy Server.

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Macintosh Crashes with Netscape 4.x

Netscape 4.x crashes on the Macintosh (but only on the Macintosh) when configured to use the proxy server. The cause for this seems to be an unpublished limitation on the size of the proxy server automatic configuration script in the Macintosh implementation of Netscape 4.x. Evidently around July of 2001 the number of resources listed in our automatic configuration script (from URL http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu/proxy.pac) caused the size of this file to exceed this unforeseen limitation.

If your Macintosh runs MacOS 8.6 or later and has at least 64MB of memory (RAM), you can avoid this problem by installing Netscape 6.x or the current Mozilla.

If your Macintosh is not capable of running the more modern browsers, you can continue to use Netscape 4.x by configuring it to use a shortened version of the automatic configuration script at URL

http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu/small.pac

(for the conventional PIN-authenticating proxy server) or

http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/small.pac

(for the CalNet-authenticating proxy server). If the resources you need are not available via these shortened configuration scripts, please submit the Proxy Server Problem Report Form and we'll try to accommodate your needs.

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Problems with Internet Explorer 4

Some versions of Internet Explorer 4 may not work with the Proxy Server. Versions known to have problems are 4.71.2106.8 and possibly version 4.71.1712.6. You can find out the exact version you have by selecting Help, then About.

You should upgrade to a newer version of IE. Machines running Windows 98 or higher can run IE 6, otherwise we recommend IE 5.5 SP2. They can be downloaded from Microsoft (for Microsoft Windows only).

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Problems with Internet Explorer 5

There is a bug in some versions of Internet Explorer 5. Versions that may have problems are 5.00.2314.1003 (commonly known as the "Office 2000" version) and 5.00.2614.3500 (the version supplied with Windows 98 Second Edition). You should use version 5.00.2919.6307 or later. You can download the latest version from Microsoft (for Microsoft Windows only).

There is also a bug with IE 5.5 (5.50.4134.0600) on Windows 95/98/NT when you use a dial-up connection. You may wish to rectify this by downloading and installing the following patch. This replaces the WININET.DLL file. You should make a backup before you install the patch. Reboot your machine after the install.

However, if you are using one of these older versions of IE, we recommend installing Internet Explorer 6 if your operating system is new enough (at least Windows 98) or, if not, Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2.

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Problems with Netscape 4.01a

Netscape 4.01a's Automatic Proxy function does not work properly in some configurations. Please upgrade to a later version of Netscape.

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Using the Proxy Server with AOL

AOL uses a proprietary browser that cannot be configured to access the Library's proxy service. You should install Netscape, and configure that browser for the Library's Proxy Server.

To install Netscape for AOL:

  1. run the America Online Program
  2. keyword: netscape
  3. click on Click Here!
  4. click on Download Netscape
  5. follow the prompts to load and install Netscape

When the installation is finished:

  1. start Netscape, and select Edit
  2. select Preferences
  3. click on the '+' to the left of the Advanced option
  4. click on Proxies
  5. click on the Automatic proxy configuration button
  6. enter in the Configuration Location (URL): http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu/proxy.pac
  7. click Reload and OK

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Other Problems

If your problem isn't covered in this document, please use the Problem Report Form and let us know.

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Copyright (C) 1999-2001 by The Library, University of California, Berkeley. All rights reserved.
Document maintained on server: http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu/
Last update 4/12/2002. webmaster@proxy.lib.berkeley.edu