Tutorials

 Logging In to webCafé

You can use webCafé anywhere that you have an Internet connection and one of the following Web browsers:

Incompatible browsers include IE 5.x or earlier, MSN Explorer, Opera and Opera Mobile 8 and earlier versions, Camino, Konqueror, and AOL's built-in browser or Netscape browser (although you can use IE or Firefox in a separate window while connected through AOL).  If you have installed software to block cookies, you must configure it to allow all cookies from webcafe.wharton.upenn.edu - see our privacy policy for details on why this is safe. Similarly, software that blocks pop-up ads (e.g. AdSubtract) or personal firewall software (Norton Internet Security, ZoneAlarm) will need to be configured to allow access to webcafe.wharton.upenn.edu as a "trusted site."  You may need to clear your web browser's cache after making changes in any of the above software. Visit our Help & Support/FAQs if you would like to search additional articles about compatibility of firewall and ad-blocking with webCafé.

To reach a webCafé room, you may use the link (if any) included near the top of this message; navigate to the room's title or course section on our home page; or access your personal My eRooms page, which lists "electronic rooms" (eRooms) webCafé in which you have membership.

The first time you visit webCafé on a computer that uses Windows, before you can log in you may be prompted to choose one of the following interface options:

For quickest access the first time -- or if you are at one of Wharton's public computers (labs, classrooms, group study rooms, or other computers on a School campus that do not belong solely to you) -- leave the default "Just the web browser" selected, then press OK. Choose "eRoom plug-in software" if you want to add features such as drag-and-drop of files and folders between your own personal computer (not a public computer) and webCafé, as well as spell-checking and formatting features (boldface/colors/hyperlinks) in comments, notes, and announcements. Other than those features, webCafé works the same way with and without the plug-in.

If you choose "eRoom plug-in software", you will be prompted to download the plug-in, and then it will automatically install itself, asking you for permission at various points. See our plug-in tutorial for more details on this option. The plug-in is not available for Macintosh and may not be available with the "also compatible" browsers shown above or with certain "locked-down" corporate computer configurations. If your corporate firewall requires a login for downloading files or other activities, you can add the username and password to the plug-in as shown in this Help & Support article.

Next, you'll be prompted to login. Enter your Wharton username (without "WHARTON\" or "@wharton.upenn.edu") and password for access. Next, don't click the help link beneath the password entry blank; instead, press the OK button higher up on the page, above the word Login. (You can also press the Enter key after typing your password.)

You may be asked to confirm your current time zone; just press OK if it is correct, or make changes if needed.

At this point, if your login was successful, the webCafé room will appear (unless you started the login process at My eRooms, in which case a list of your currently-accessible eRooms will appear).

 What to do if your login is unsuccessful

The error message for an unsuccessful login may vary depending on whether the underlying problem is related to accounts, passwords, overall access or membership in a particular webCafé room. If you encounter an error message, here are some troubleshooting resources:

• For questions about Wharton accounts or passwords:
  • Any non-Wharton student registered as of yesterday for a Wharton class in the current semester may apply for a Wharton computing account online. Please allow up to 6 hours after obtaining or picking a new account for your webCafé access to begin working. If you are not currently taking a Wharton class, your Wharton account may have been disabled or deleted. Students having difficulties should contact Wharton Computing Student Support.
    
    
  • Faculty and staff should contact the computing support representative for their academic or administrative department.
    
    
  • Unfortunately, the webCafé team has no way to issue a new Wharton account or reset a Wharton account password, but we do offer more detailed information on obtaining account support here. Password resets are available through Wharton Challenge-Response (provided you had established "password questions" previously) or by visiting or calling Wharton Computing Student Support during their office hours.
    
    
• For problems with general webCafé access if your account works with other Wharton resources or works with webCafé on other computers, see the Logging In (overall access) folder of Help & Support/FAQs for more information.
  
  
• For problems with visiting specific webCafé rooms, see the Membership (room access) folder of Help & Support/FAQs for more information. Logging in at My eRooms will show the rooms in which you currently have membership (or will show a "Login failed" message there if you do not have overall access to the site).
  
  
• The webCafé Help & Support/FAQs includes a Troubleshooter that can assist you with narrowing down a problem.

eRoom software © 1997-2008, EMC Corporation.  All rights reserved.
webCafé enhancements © 1998-2008, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.