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Tip #3 - Changing your Web Browser's Java, Active X, and Other Misc. Settings

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As time goes on, the eBay website has become rich with new features and enhancements meant to make navigating and using the site easier. Many of these new features incorporate and rely on either Java, JavaScript, ActiveX controls or "cookies." 

In order to take full advantage of these eBay enhancements, your web browser must be configured properly.

Some eBayers experience difficulties using eBay Picture Services (iPix), the eBay Sign In feature, or other features at eBay.  Before you contact eBay Customer Support,  you should first try making a few simple changes to some of the settings in your web browser. In most cases, changing a few browser settings will eliminate the problem.

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There are two popular web browsers in use today: Internet Explorer versions and Netscape versions. (A third model web browser, Opera™, though excellent, is not yet popular enough for me to include it in this section but that could change...)

Changing Settings for Internet Explorer (Version 6.0 and higher)

1. With an Internet Explorer window open, click on Tools on the menu bar and then select Internet Options... (Fig 1.)

Fig. 1

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2. In the Internet Options window, select the Security tab on the top of the page and then click the Custom Level... button. (Fig 2.)

 

Fig. 2

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3. In the Security Settings box, you'll find a scrollable window. This window contains selectable options for various settings. (Fig. 3)

Fig. 3

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4. Make sure you have selected the options for each section as noted below.

ActiveX controls and plug-ins

Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt 
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disable
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disable
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Enable
Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting: Enable

Downloads

File Download: Enable

All of the other settings you may leave as they are. Click the OK button to return to the Internet Options window and then select the Privacy tab (Fig. 4):

Fig. 4

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5. Click the Advanced... button. (Note: Your Privacy Tab window may look different than Fig. 4. Ignore the difference and click the Advanced... button.)

Make sure the setting options for Advanced Privacy Settings are as follows (Fig. 5). 

Fig. 5

Click OK to return to the Internet Options window. 

(You may set "Third Party Cookies" to Block if you so desire. You will not need third party cookies in order to use eBay effectively.)

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6. Select the Advanced tab at the top of the Internet Options window to open the Advanced tab view (Fig 6.)

Fig. 6

There are many options here - we are concerned with only a few and most of these will have been properly set by default. Begin by scrolling down the window down and checking each section as noted below:

Under Browsing section, make sure that the option for "Always send URLs as UTF-8" is checked.

Under Microsoft VM section, make sure that the options for "Java console enabled" and JIT compiler for virtual machine enabled" are both checked.

Under Multimedia section, make sure that the option for "Show pictures" is checked. (Although not crucial, I also like to make sure that the option for "Enable automatic image resizing" is not checked.)

Under the Security section, make sure that the options for "Use SSL 2.0" and "Use SSL 3.0" are both checked.

Click Apply then click OK. Your settings have now been changed for optimal eBay use. 

If you are experiencing difficulties with eBay Picture Services, you should now go to: http://www.unclegriff.com/ipix-changes.html and follow the instructions from there.

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