Hardware and software requirements

All you need to get started at MNOHS is daily access to a Windows computer with a high speed internet connection. See below for the computer hardware and software requirements.

Please note: America Online (AOL) is not recommended.

PC minimum requirements

• Pentium II (233 MHz minimum, higher recommended)
• High speed Internet connection
• Windows 2000, XP, or Vista (NOTE: Windows 98, ME, and NT will not work) 
• At least 512 MB Ram for Windows 2000 or XP.  At least 2 GB Ram for Vista.
• 12x CD-ROM 
• Monitor screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768
• Printer 
• A way to save work to a removable disk (floppy drive, zip drive, flash drive, thumb drive, jump drive, or the capability to write to a CD)
• A sound card and a headset that can be plugged into your computer.
  

To take full advantage of the listening and speaking tools available to online learners, MNOHS is asking students to have a headset with a noise canceling microphone and speaker that can be plugged into their computer.  These do not have to be costly, high-end gaming or music headsets.  Good quality communication headsets can be purchased at most retail stores that carry computer accessories for very reasonable prices.

MNOHS students can also get a headset directly from MNOHS.  To do so, send a check or money order for $8 to Minnesota Online High School, 1313 Fifth Street SE, Suite 227, Minneapolis, MN  55414.  Please note “headset” in the memo line of your check or in an accompanying note of explanation.  If you cannot afford to purchase a headset and you qualify for benefits please send a note requesting a headset with your benefits form.  When you order your headset please be sure to also confirm your preferred mailing address.  Order your headset as soon as you enroll so you will be ready for Orientation!

Software requirements

MNOHS courses are designed by licensed Minnesota teachers, using a palette of free software tools and software provided by MNOHS. If you plan to attend MNOHS, please follow all five steps below to check the software you have installed and to prepare your computer for your courses. Remember, you do not need to pay for any software. In all cases the free download is good enough, so please ignore all ads.

Step 1
Make sure that you are using Internet Explorer (web browsing software) version 6.0 or 7.0 -or- Firefox 2.x or 3.0
Step 2
Make sure that your browser is set-up correctly:
Javascript must be enabled.
Cookies must be enabled.
Popup Blockers must be disabled.
You can test all of these by clicking here. Please do NOT e-mail the results
Step 3
You can check whether you have the free plugins described in this step by clicking on the button to the right.
If you don't have the right plugins, or if you need to update the version you have, you can download what you need by selecting the icon below.
Acrobat Reader 6.0 or higher
Flash Player 8.0 or higher
Shockwave Player 8.5 or higher
Quicktime 5.0 or higher
Step 4
Here are a few more free add-ons that you should get if you don't have them:
RealAudio's RealPlayer
Windows Media Player
(Be sure to download the version of Windows Media Player that is appropriate for your operating system. Version 11 is for Windows Vista and XP; Version 9 will work with Windows 2000.)
PDF Creator by PDF Forge - This program will allow you to turn any document into a pdf file, which can be read by anyone with a computer, even if they do not have the software that was used to create the document.
Step 5
MNOHS courses require students to write in a word processing program compatible with Microsoft Word. Some courses also require a spreadsheet compatible with Microsoft Excel. Some MNOHS instructors also include PowerPoint presentations in their courses. If you have Microsoft Office Suite on your computer, you don't need to do anything under this step. If you do need the software, you can download what you need by selecting the icon below.
If you don't have Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel on your computer, you can download a program called OpenOffice that is very similar to the Microsoft Ofice Suite and will work fine at MNOHS.
PowerPoint Viewer 2007 - PowerPoint Viewer allows for a PowerPoint presentation to be viewed (but not edited) on any computer, even those that do not have PowerPoint installed. If you plan to use OpenOffice at MNOHS, you may also need PowerPoint Viewer to be able to view PowerPoint 2007 presentations. It's a good idea to get it now so you don't have to think about it later.
Questions? Once you are enrolled in the MNOHS Technology Orientation, you can log in to the Tech Support section of the web site for help with these and other online learning tools.