If you do not get a box that asks for you to select "Practice" or "Test" when you hit the button above, you probably have one or more pop up blockers turned on. See below for more information.

This game runs best on Internet Explorer, and now also works on Mozilla (Firefox/Netscape).

Google Chrome, Safari, and Safari mobile (iPhone) works best using the Internet Explorer version. If the game doesn't run in your browser, please try a different one. If your browser is detecting the wrong version, use the direct links at the bottom of the page. Thank you.

ATTENTION VISITING TEACHERS: If you would like to use Rainbow Matrix for your students, visit www.chemgames.com for information about how you can subscribe to Rainbow Matrix. The game will email graded results directly to your inbox! ChemGames.com also features online virtual laboratory experiments for introductory general and organic chemistry.

 

Problems with Pop-up Blockers

Popup blocking software blocks annoying pop up ads. This seems like a great idea, but these programs often block useful javascripts too.

Rainbow Matrix is an example of a beneficial implementation of Javascript. It uses javascript the same way that popup ads do. When you have popup blocking software installed, you may not be able to access test mode or set options within the game. Some popular pop-up blockers include:

• Internet Explorer Pop Up Blocker
• Yahoo! Companion/Toolbar
• Google Toolbar
• MSN Toolbar
• Norton Internet Security
• Stop-sign
• E-Anthology Manager
• Comet Cursor
• Search Bar
• AdZapper
• Zone Alarm
• plus many more....

Disable Pop-Up Blockers

In Rainbow Matrix, the game mode, instructions, email configuration, email submission, and even the game itself all opens up in a new window. Some pop-up ad blocking software will treat those new windows as pop-ups and block them. If you click on the button above, and the game comes up but does not offer you a choice of "Practice" or "Test", or the game does not come up at all, the cause is most likely a pop-up blocker. You will need to disable it in order to play the game. Or, you might try using another browser (but not Firefox!). Sometimes pop up blockers are installed on one browser and not on others. Many pop-up programs will let you temporarily disable them by clicking on the System Tray Icon. You can right click on them to disable and re-enable them later.

Internet Explorer
Most recent versions of Internet Explorer have a built-in pop up blocker. From the 'Tools' menu select 'Pop-up Blocker > Allow from this site' (temporary or always)

Google Toolbar
You can disable pop-up blocking for a particular site by simply clicking the pop-up blocker button on the Google toolbar after you reach this page. It usually tells the number of pages blocked on the button itself. Click here to learn more about the Google pop-up blocker...

Yahoo Toolbar
You can disable pop-up blocking in the menu, but it has been my experience that it continues to block pop ups even if it says it's turned off. The only way I've found to stop it from blocking is to uninstall Yahoo Toolbar.

Norton Internet Security
To disable Pop-up blocking:

Open Norton Internet Security.
Double-click 'Ad Blocking'.
Disable 'Turn on Pop-up Window Blocking'.
Click 'OK'.
Restart your computer.

Other pop-up blockers
Some programs require that you remove them. You may want to remove them anyway, since they are using your system resources.

How to Remove the programs

If you are sure you want to remove one of these programs instead of disabling it, you can remove it using Windows' Add/Remove Program tool. Here's how.

• Click on the Start Button > Settings > Control Panels > Add/Remove Programs (or on Windows Vista "Programs and Features")

• Look for the name of the program installed (i.e. AdFilter)

• Select the program name and click Remove or Uninstall

• Follow any instructions you are given, then close the Control Panels

 

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