Fun With Freeware 1

 Introductory notes console

 


HOW TO INSTALL PROGRAMS


If you have never installed software for yourself before, you will find it much easier than you may have thought. Here we will explain how to install programs that you have placed in Windows\Temp by selecting that folder as the destination for files you download from the Internet when given the opportunity to do so. At this stage, it is wise to ensure that you have a recent recovery diskette at your disposal, have backed up your registry (saved a copy of it so that you can return the computer to its current state - see System Safe Gold in the Fun with System Management category if this is uncharted territory for you), made copies of any important documents and images and placed them outside the computer (using floppy disks, a Zip drive or CD writer) and are in no hurry. Many computer disasters can be traced to trigger-happy users, clicking wildly when caution would have been advisable... Don't be too alarmed, it is rare that installing new software causes havoc and we have tried hard to ensure nothing mentioned on these pages is likely to be problematic but we can only go by our own experiences.

First, close down all the programs that you are running (exit from them) and, if the program you are planning to install performs the same function as one that has an icon in the system tray, exit that icon from the System Tray as well.

Once your desktop is empty of any open windows and you have checked the System Tray (if it came with Windows you need not worry about any application with an icon there, it is only programs installed afterwards that may be potential sources of conflict and only if they perform the same function or use the same resources as the one you are about to install. 

Left clicking on the start button produces this menu, as you know. Left click on Run and you will produce a small window. 


If you want to type in the instructions, you can - C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\ (where C is the letter assigned to your hard drive, as is usual) and then add the name of the folder containing the installation file and the name of the file (usually, but not always, install.exe or setup.exe).

Let us say we want to install BallMaster. Type in the details. Now all you have to do is click OK and the installation will start.


This is fine if you remember the name of the file and are happy to type your command in (do remember that you must be absolutely accurate when typing, because any mistake will stop you getting what you want.

If you prefer, you can browse to the correct file. Click on Browse... and, unless you have used Run recently, it will come up with a window like the one on the right just above these words.
Programs is the default entry for Files of type (default meaning what the computer will dish out if you do not ask for anything different). Programs is just what you want, so there is no need to alter that.

Slide the scrollbar along until you see the folder marked WINDOWS and double click on it. Now you have opened the Windows directory, where the folder marked TEMP is.


Scroll along until you find the Temp folder and double click on that...

Now scroll to the folder you want and double click on it:

The folder will open to reveal the executable file(s), including the one you want:
Now, a single click on the file name will place it in the little window:

You are ready to go. Just click OK! The installer will open and will guide you through the steps needed to arrive at a successful installation.

 

Program notes console Introductory notes console

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