Welcome to the PC User Offline CD
Disclaimer
About our
CD-ROM
System
requirements
Installation
Installing software on the CD
What to do when things go wrong
Playing it safe
Problems with Internet connections
Tech support, broken discs etc
Before using the CD please read the Terms of Use.
The PC User CD-ROMs run entirely from a Web browser. You do not have to be on the Internet to use a Web browser and therefore view the contents of the CD and install the CD's software.
However, If you already have Internet Explorer 4.0x installed on your computer we recommend you open the file INDEX.HTM in the OFFLINE folder on the CD, and add this to your Favourite Places. You can then use this for all our cover discs. You may follow the following instructions to install icons for the Readme and Contents text files, but you can remove the PC User Offline Icon that is installed.
Wherever possible hotlinks are provided that allow you to install or run the software directly from the browser interface -- if you are using a recent version of Microsoft Internet Explorer (unfortunately, Netscape Navigator currently does not allow this).
You can also go to PC User Online or one of the many other Web sites hyperlinked on the CD for the latest information (if you have an Internet connection, of course).
The PC User CD-ROM will run on any computer that reads DOS discs and has a CD-ROM drive.
However, to run the PC User CD comfortably you need at least a 486DX2/66 with 8Mb of RAM, a double-speed CD reader, video running at 640 by 480 or 800 by 600 resolution at least at 256 colours (16-bit or 24-bit colour is recommended), and running Windows 3.1x or 95.
The Web pages on PC User Offline are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 or later, and have also been tested with Netscape Navigator 3.0. Best viewing is with a Java-enabled browser (which all of the above are), though it will still function perfectly well if your browser is not Java capable. We cannot guarantee it will look good in any other browser.
Individual programs and demos included on the disc have their own system requirements, which may be higher.
Windows 95/98/NT users
If you already have Internet Explorer
3.x, 4.0x or 5.x or Netscape Navigator 3.x, 4.x installed as the default browser on your computer our
Home page off the CD should have autorun. If it did not we recommend you
open the file INDEX.HTM on the CD, and add this to
your Favourites. You can then use this for all our cover discs. You may
follow the following instructions to install icons for the Readme and
Contents text files.
You can then navigate our Web pages by clicking on our menus and many other highlighted words and graphics. Whenever your mouse cursor turns into a pointing finger you can click on that item to go to a relevant page, either on our CD or -- where you see a full Internet address -- on the Net (if you have Internet access, of course).
While browsing the different parts of the CD, if you come across a file you would like to try, then follow these instructions:
If the file has the extension EXE, all you have to do is run the file. Some of the EXE files MUST be run directly from the CD for the installation to work.
If it is a ZIP file, you will need a copy of WinZip (click here) to extract the program files. You can install WinZip from the CD. Just go to the Utilities section and scroll down to WinZip. The WinZip program itself is a self-extracting file. Once you have WinZip you can open any ZIP file and unzip it. The unzipped program will usually have a setup or install file. Run the setup file and you'll be set.
What to do when things go wrong
We've done our best to minimise the possibility of problems with this CD. Nonetheless, any time you have software, computers and the Internet in the same sentence there are bound to be problems of some sort.
Unfortunately, CDs are are a physical product, and a small percentage suffer from mishandling during transit and delivery, and occasionally mishaps in production.
If you do ever experience a faulty disc, however, you can rest assured that we will do everything possible to diagnose the problem and get you a replacement as soon as possible.
You should regularly back up any important files on your system, and virus-check all software before installing it.
While we take every precaution to ensure that only virus-free and uncorrupted files are provided on the CD, you can never be too careful. Before installing any software, follow this checklist:
Virus-check: Virus-check your system and any software to be installed. Keep your virus-checker up-to-date.
Read the documentation: Read all README files and associated documentation
Backups: Back up important files before installing software, and approach all pre-release software cautiously.
Licences: Carefully read and abide by any licence agreements, copyright notices or restrictions on usage.
Research: If possible, visit the developer's Web site to find out more about the product.
Problems with Internet connections
Please contact your Internet service provider for help with Internet connections.
Tech support, broken discs etc
What we can help you with
We are happy to provide written
technical support for the software on the CD that is created by Australian
PC User, but unfortunately we cannot provide telephone support or any
support for the third-party software on the disc, including Netscape
Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. PC User software includes the
PC User Offline Web pages, our Startup program, and the files in the PC
User Interactive section.
Third-party software
If you need technical
support for any of the third-party software you will need to contact the
developer of that program. You will find details about the developer
either in the program's Help menu or a document file (usually named
Readme) accompanying the program.
Damaged discs
We will, of course, exchange damaged discs. Just
send the disc and a note with your name and postal address, to PC User
Disc Exchange, GPO Box 4088, Sydney NSW 1028.
Contact information
For suggestions and technical support of PC
User software, contact our Electronic Publishing Assistant
E-mail Josh Rodriguez jrodriguez@acp.com.au
Fax Josh Rodriguez (02) 9267 4909
Post to Josh Rodriguez , PC User, GPO Box 4088, Sydney NSW 1028.
Please include full details about your system and any error messages you have encountered while running our disc.
© Australian Consolidated Press 1999. All rights reserved.