Google Toolbar browser plugin causes problems with email and calendar

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 Recommend Twitter

Folks around campus have been experiencing problems with logging into email and calendar because they have the browser extension Google Toolbar installed. We won't got into the nitty-gritty details, but the long-and-short of it is if you have Google Toolbar installed on your browser (this applies only to FireFox and Internet Explorer) you will not be able to access your email, calendar, docs, or other Google services. If you have this extension installed, the browser might just loop back and forth between CSUMB's servers and Google until it finally gives up, and it you just see a white screen.

Google Toolbar is a plugin that puts several consumer Google services into the browser. While it works fine with a regular Google (Gmail) account, it is not intended to be used with a Google account that is hosted for institutions like CSUMB.

Two possible solutions

Remove the add-on

Use the instructions for un-installing extensions for FireFox or Internet Explorer. You can manage FireFox extensions by going to Tools > Add-Ons, and in Internet Explorer go to Tools > Manage Add-Ons.

If you miss the "email counter" feature of the Google Toolbar, there are other solutions (for Mac and Windows).

Use another browser

If you really like the toolbar, just keep open two browsers on your computer - say FireFox with Google Toolbar for your personal account and toolbar, and Chrome for MyCSUMB and email/calendar.