FindIt - General Information

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use it?
- Anyone on the Colorado State University campus can use the FindIt links that appear in certain databases.
- Current faculty, staff, students and employees may also access library resources from off-campus. For more information, see Remote Access to Library Databases.

What's the password to access this journal/database?
- On campus use of FindIt with databases or electronic journals does not require any password for access.
- Off-campus access may require you to login with your name, CSU ID and PIN to use FindIt with the databases or electronic journals. More information about library PINs.

Why don't I see any FindIt links or buttons?
- Check to make sure that Javascript is not disabled in your Web browser. If Javascipt is turned off, the buttons will not appear. More help with Javascript.
- Sometimes you have to click on the full record to see the FindIt links. FindIt links will appear in different places, depending upon the database.
- Some databases do not work with FindIt.

Why does the number of options in the FindIt window vary?
When you click on the FindIt icon, the system runs through the FindIt database to see what services are available for that item. Only those services which are available for that particular item will be displayed.

When I got back to make a second selection from the FindIt window, nothing seems to happen.
- This is a problem in Internet Explorer. When you first click on an option in the FindIt window, IE opens another browser window on top of the one already open. When you make a second selection, that second browser window remains hidden. To fix this problem, you may need to drag this second window to another portion of the screen so it's not blocked by the FindIt window.

Why am I getting an Internal Server Error message when I click on an FindIt link?
- This error is caused by popup blocking software such as the Google taskbar. Adjusting the popup blocking software, or turning it off temporarily, will fix this problem. If you encounter this problem while inside the library, please contact the staff in the EIC for assistance.

What do I do when I get a "bad URL," an "Error 404" or some other "Not Found" message?
Two possibilities:
- If the article you need is a very recent article from a journal, it's possible the article has not been loaded on the publisher's Web site yet. Unfortunately, in this case you have to wait for the publisher to add it to their Web site.
- It's also possible that our FindIt links are wrong and need to be updated. Please use the "Contact Us" link on the FindIt (SFX) menu so that we may fix the problem.

Why do I end up with a million open windows?
- When you click on the FindIt link, an FindIt window listing all the available services opens. When you select a service such as full-text, then a third window opens.

Why is the FindIt window so big (or so small)?
- The size of the pop-up window is controlled by the database vendor. CSU Libraries cannot change the size of the window.

I click on the FindIt link, but nothing happens and no window opens. Why is this?
- If FindIt windows do not appear when using the Macintosh Safari browser, try disabling the pop-up blocker: Click on the "Safari" pull-down menu and de-select "Block Pop-up Windows." Javascript also needs to be enabled in order for FindIt to work. Go to the Safari pull-down menu, select "Preferences," then select the "Security" icon. Make sure that the box next to "Enable JavaScript" is checked. If you have further Macintosh-related questions, please contact Lindsey Wess at 491-1644.