Learn@UW Utility Knowledgebase

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Learn@UW - Problems Accessing MathCad Files

This document explains how to resolve any of the following problems accessing a Mathcad content file on your machine:

1. You cannot launch the Mathcad application.

   • You must have Mathcad 8 or later installed on your machine. (Mathcad 11 or later is preferred). Mathcad has been frozen at version 6 for Macintoshes, so you need the Windows version to access MathCad items.
   • If you are using a browser other than Internet Explorer, such as Firefox, the browser must be configured to open Mathcad files containing a .mcd extension, with Mathcad.
   • If you are using Internet Explorer (6 or 7), Windows must be configured to open Mathcad files containing a .mcd extension, with Mathcad.
     1. Open Windows Explorer on your Windows machine.
     2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
     3. Click the File Types tab.
     4. In the Registered files type list, select .mcd .
     5. Click on Change by "Opens with".
     6. Browse to the Mathcad application and then click OK.
     7. Click on Advanced.
     8. Mathcad should open in a separate browser window. If necessary, un-select the Browse in same window check box and then click OK.
     9. Click OK to exit Folder Options.

2. The Mathcad interface is incomplete and you do not have access to all Mathcad functions.

   • Mathcad files must be configured to open in a separate browser window:
     1. Open Windows Explorer on your Windows machine.
     2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
     3. Click the File Types tab.
     4. In the Registered files type list, select .mcd .
     5. Click on Advanced.
     6. Click to Un-select the Browse in same window check box and then click OK.
     7. Click OK to exit Folder Options.

3. You cannot download a Mathcad file.

   • You cannot download a content file by right-clicking it and selecting Save Target As or Save Link As. Refer to Learn@UW - Options for Downloading Content from a Course for instructions on how to download content. Alternatively, open the Mathcad file by left-clicking it and select File -> Save As in the MathCad interface to download the file.

4. You receive the message "The page cannot be found" even though the Mathcad file resides in a course folder.

   • The MIME type is not registered on your site for Mathcad (.mcd) files. If you are at UW-Madison, please contact the DoIT Help Desk for assistance with this problem. Otherwise, contact your campus help desk.