Virgin Net Internet Software V3.1 - Release notes ======================================= What’s on your CD? -------------------------------- This Virgin Net CD contains two versions of our Internet software. When the installation starts, it checks your computer to see what sort of processor it uses, and how much memory it has. Based on this, it will choose one browser for you, and set this as the default. Sometimes the program will not be able to tell what sort of computer you have, and will "play safe" by selecting Netscape. If you think your computer will be powerful enough to run IE4, you can select it before continuing the installation. * Netscape Navigator 3.1 based software will be installed on older machines (those with slow Intel 486 processors or less than 16MB of memory). * Internet Explorer 4.01 SP1 will be installed on newer machines. In a standard installation, the following software will be installed on your computer: * Outlook Express - E-mail software (IE4 only) * Global Chat - IRC chat software * RealPlayer - Internet video software * Shockwave - Multimedia web browsing software Better safe than sorry ---------------------------------- Before installing any new software on your computer, make sure you have backup copies of all your important documents. Important Information ---------------------------------- If you already have a Virgin Net account (e.g. you currently are using a previous version of our software), you should provide your current username and password when prompted. You do not need to create a new account. If any of the following apply to you, please read the relevant section below: * You are already using Internet Explorer 4 provided by another ISP (Internet service provider). * You computer is connected to a local area network (LAN) (e.g. in an office). Known Issues ---------------------- * RealPlayer is not installed on Windows 98. The latest version can be installed from the "Extras" folder on the CD. Click "Explore CD" on installation menu. * After installing Virgin Net, the Channel Bar may be hidden. You can bring it back by using the "Internet Options" panel (on the View menu in IE4, or the Internet icon in the Control Panel). On the "advanced" tab, tick the box labelled: "Show channel bar at startup (if Active Desktop is off)". * If you install Virgin Net on a computer running Windows 95, then upgrade to Windows 98, you will need to re-enter the e-mail passwords for each user. You can look them up in the multiple e-mail section of the web site. * If you have Outlook Express running at the time you "Update my computer" with new e-mail addresses, you will have to close it and restart OE for before it will recognise them. Multiple e-mail address support ------------------------------------------------ In order to make setting up your computer as easy as possible, Virgin Net has included software to automatically configure Outlook Express with your settings. This software runs automatically when you choose "Update my computer" on the web page showing your e-mail addresses. Please note that we can only update Outlook Express in this way. If you use any other e-mail program (including Microsoft Outlook 97/98), you will have to manually configure its settings. Not everyone is happy with the way in which Outlook Express handles multiple e-mail addresses. There are two ways you can use it; you either have to restart Windows to change users (if you want more privacy), or everyone can see everyone else’s e-mail (if you prefer ease-of-use). Although we have tried to make it as easy as possible to use, we know this is not perfect. We are working with Microsoft on the next version of Outlook Express to try to improve the situation. Information about Internet Explorer 4 --------------------------------------------------------- Virgin Net installs IE4 as a web browser only. We do not install the "desktop update" which you may have heard about. The "desktop update" changes the way your computer looks and feels to make it more like a web browser. Some people prefer the new look, other prefer the desktop they way it was. Our aim is to make using the Internet as simple as possible. We do not install the desktop update so you can concentrate on using the Internet without having to learn a new interface for using your computer. - Internet Explorer 4 provided by other ISPs When you install software from an ISP that includes a customised version of IE4, you will not necessarily re-install IE4. If it is already installed on the computer, only those components that are missing or newer than those already on the system will be installed. This means there is only ever one copy of IE4 on your computer. This can sometimes lead to confusion. If you have installed Virgin Net more recently than your other provider, Internet Explorer windows will say "provided by Virgin Net" and have the Virgin logo in the corner. This does not mean you are connected to Virgin Net. When Virgin Net was installed, any "branding" from other ISPs was replaced by that from Virgin Net. The software will still act in exactly the same manner. - Using Outlook Express with other ISPs As with IE4, only one copy Outlook Express (OE) is normally installed. You can have a number of e-mail accounts in OE. For example, one for your Virgin Net e-mail address, and one for your other ISP. When you click the "Send & Receive" button, OE will check for e-mail on each account. It may offer to disconnect you from Virgin Net in order to read e-mail from your other e-mail address. Each account has an option labelled "Include this account when doing a full Send & Receive". To change this, choose Tools->Accounts from the menus, select the account you wish to change, and press the Properties button. If you already have an Internet Service Provider --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Windows 95/98 supports a feature known as Auto-Dial. If this is enabled then as soon as any program tries to access the Internet, Windows will use your modem to connect to your service provider. Most Internet service providers (ISPs), including Virgin Net, enable this feature when you install their software, and specify their own dial-up connection as the one to use. However, as only one connection at a time can be specified, this will normally replace whatever was there before. Virgin Net ensures that whenever you double-click the icon on the desktop, the computer will call Virgin Net. However, many other ISP’s do not do this. You many find that when you start your other ISP’s software, it tries to dial Virgin Net. To change this: * Click the right mouse button on the Virgin Net icon on your desktop. Choose "Properties" from the menu. * Click on the "Connection" tab at the top of the dialog box that has just appeared. * Press the "Settings..." button. * Choose the dial-up networking connection for your other ISP from the list. * Press the OK button. Note that whenever you start Virgin Net, it will be changed back again. Using Virgin Net on a Local Area Network ------------------------------------------------------------------ Virgin Net is designed for use on computers that are not connected to a local area network. It can be installed successfully but you should be aware of the following network issues: * Installing Virgin Net enables the Windows 95/98 auto-dial feature. Every time your computer tries to access the network, it will try to dial with the modem. You can turn off auto-dial with the Control Panel’s Internet settings (on the "Connection" page). * Whenever you double-click the Virgin Net icon on the desktop, auto-dial will be turned on again. This is to ensure proper functioning of the Virgin Net software. If you wish to use Internet Explorer when connected to your LAN, use the Explorer icon on the desktop to open a window. * If you normally access the Internet via your local area network, and you are connected to Virgin Net, Windows 95 will use the modem connection in preference to the local area network. Only if a site cannot be found will Windows 95 use your local area network.