Database Access FAQs

Remote access to the University's electronic resources has been set up via a dedicated proxy server which will enable you to access the resource you require using your current Webmail username and password. To minimise access issues, the Help Tips below have been provided to allow you to trouble shoot common access problems, please read these before contacting the Library.

If you are still experiencing difficulties accessing a resource please fill out the Database Access Support Form. (315KB)

Please note that the Library does not guarantee that all online resources will be accessible from all remote computers and networks. This may be due to variations in the setup, configuration and the security software associated with these computers and networks.

How do I access the University's electronic resources?

If you are a currently enrolled student or staff member at Notre Dame then you will have access to the electronic resources that the University subscribes to. These include individual electronic journals and databases. The databases provide electronic access to full text journal articles; indexing & abstracting services (information on what has been published, not the full text article); and information on materials published in books, magazines, journals & newspapers.

You can access these resources one of three ways.

  1. By going directly to the A-to-Z Journal Search located on the e- Resources page in the Library Catalogue and performing a title search for the electronic journal you require. If accessing off campus you will be required to log in at this point using your Webmail username & password.

  2. By going to the e-Resources page in the Library Catalogue and clicking on the link to the database you require. If accessing off campus you will be required to log in at this point using your Webmail username & password.

  3. Or by performing a title keyword or serial title keyword search for the electronic journal or database that you require access to in the Library Catalogue then clicking on the 'Go to electronic version' link in the catalogue record. If accessing off campus you will be required to log in at this point using your Webmail username & password.
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Unable to log in using you Webmail username and password?

Forgotten your Webmail username and password or receiving an invalid username message when attempting to log into a resource?. This may mean there is a problem with your Webmail username and password, to confirm this, try accessing you Webmail account and if you encounter problems here please contact the IT Helpdesk to have your Webmail username and password reset. Please include your name, DOB & student number (if relevant) in the body of your email. Passwords that are reset will revert back to the initial password you received.

If there are no associated problems accessing you Webmail account please submit a Database Access Support Form and include as much information as possible, so that we can endeavour to assist you with your access problem.

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Have you enabled Java and "cookies" in your browser?

Many online resources require Java and "cookies" to be enabled in your web browser. If they have not been enabled the database or catalogue may not work at all, or may not work correctly.

To enable Java

Firefox

  1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser or restart it if it is already running.
  2. Select Tools > Options .
  3. Dialog box: Options
  4. Click Web Features > Select Enable Java

Netscape Navigator

  1. Click Edit > select Preferences on the menu bar.
  2. Click on the word Advanced .
  3. Click to check mark Enable Java on the right hand side of the screen.
  4. Click OK .

Safari

  1. Open Safari
  2. Click on the Safari menu
  3. Select Preferences
  4. Choose > Security menu
  5. Check > Enable Java box
  6. Click OK

Contact your network service provider for further assistance.

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To enable Cookies

Firefox

  1. Go to the Tools menu.
  2. Select Options > Select Privacy icon in the left panel >Check the box corresponding to Allow sites to set cookies.
  3. Click OK to save changes.

Internet Explorer 5.x

  1. Select Internet Options from the Tools menu > Security tab > Custom Level button. Scroll down to the Cookies section.
  2. To enable >set Allow cookies that are stored on your computer > Enable . Set Allow per-session cookies > Enable.
  3. Click OK.

Internet Explorer 6.0+

  1. Select Internet Options from the Tools menu.
  2. Click on the Privacy tab.
  3. Click the Default button (or manually slide the bar down to Medium ) under Settings.
  4. Click OK.

Netscape

  1. Select Preferences from the Edit menu.
  2. Click on the arrow next to Privacy & Security in the scrolling window to expand >Under Privacy & Security > Cookies > Enable all cookies
  3. Click OK

Safari

  1. Click > Safari -menu in Safari
  2. Click > Preferences... item in the menu - a new window opens
  3. Click > Security icon near the top of the window.
  4. Under Accept Cookies the Always or Only from sites you navigate to must be selected.
  5. Click Ok

Contact your network service provider for further assistance.

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Are you using your network provider's proxy server?

Most web browsers are configured to use the proxy server of your network provider. Some proxy servers cause problems when using some online resources. For example, a search of an online resource which takes several minutes to display, is likely to be a proxying problem.

If possible, you should try to bypass the proxy and connect directly to the Internet. Note that some network providers do not permit bypassing of their proxy servers.

Contact your network service provider for futher assistance.

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Are you using a cable modem?

Access via a cable modem may cause problems when logging in and accessing some online resources. If possible, you should bypass your Internet Service Provider's proxy server and connect directly to the Internet.

Contact your network service provider for further assistance.

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Are you using personal firewall or anti-virus software on your computer?

You may be unable to access some databases when running firewall or anti-virus software. You may need to disable these programs to connect to some databases. If you are blocked by a workplace or network firewall you will need to contact your network service provider for further assistance.

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Are you using a computer at your workplace?

Most workplace networks use firewalls, proxy servers and other security measures that may affect some online resources. For this reason many library databases may not be usable from your workplace.

Contact your network provider for further assistance.

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Database specific problems

Some electronic resources are not available via this proxying service. To access these resources, see the Library Passwords List available via the Student File Server.

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Going directly to an online resource

Always connect to a database via the e- Resources page in the Library Catalogue. Going directly to the web page for a database may not work from off campus.

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I can access a database but it takes several minutes to display a page

If you experience this problem often, it usually indicates a problem with your network provider's proxy server - see notes above.

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I get an error message "Connection refused"

A message that your connection is refused usually indicates that you are being blocked by your network firewall. This usually happens when you try to access a resource from a workplace network, but may also happen when using an ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Contact your network provider for further assistance.

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What do I do if I get the error message "Cannot find server or DNS?"

This message usually indicates that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is not recognising the University's proxy server.To over come this problem you will need to contact your ISP & confirm with them that they have updated the configuration for our proxy server to the following two lines:

ipacez.nd.edu.au

*.ipacez.nd.edu.au

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Why do I have to log in again when I click on the browser's 'home' button?

Clicking on your browser's "Home" button will take you out of the the University's proxy server "loop". To reconnect to the proxy server, you will need to return to the Library Catalogue and re log in to the resource you require.

In some cases, clicking on an "Exit" button of a particular database will also take you out of the proxy server loop. Follow the instructions above.

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What is an embargo?

Some publishers of journals place restrictions on access to the current year's content, this is called an embargo. You can view any potential embargos for the title that you intend to access by going to the A-to-Z Journal Search and performing a title search for the journal. Please note, this A-to-Z Journal Search lists every title the University has a subscription to or titles that are freely available on the web. Titles that you may come across by searching across publisher's web sites are not necessarily subscribed to by the University.

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HOT TIP - Bookmark your most frequently used databases

To enable quick access to the databases you most frequently use save these to your favourties/ bookmarks once you have logged in to them.

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Why am I unable to connect to an article from a citation I saved/emailed?

If you cannot connect to a full text article that you saved or emailed, it is possible that the Library's proxy prefix has been omitted from the link. To link to the article, enter the URL into the field below and click submit:

Enter the URL to proxy:

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