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Explore the World of Soft…e: Engineering & Science
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Explore_the_World_of_Software_Engineering_and_Science_HRS_Software_1998.iso
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install.txt
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1997-04-01
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5KB
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94 lines
HELP ON INSTALLATION
WHY COMPRESSED PROGRAMS ?
Today's shareware programs have grown dramatically not only in
sophistication but also in file size. While just a few years ago 2
megabytes was a good sized shareware program, many of today's
game programs are 20 megabytes and larger ( non-game programs
are generally smaller so we can include more of them on a CD-ROM ).
The maximum capacity of a CD-ROM is around 600 Megabytes, yet many
current Explore The World of Software CD-ROMs actually contain several
Gigabytes of programs. Therefore, in order to include many programs
on this CD-ROM and to ensure compatibility regardless of your computer's
configuration, the files have been compressed. Our Easy Menu System
makes it easy to use the programs, by providing automatic decompression
and copying to the directory of your choice. You just need a bit of
basic knowledge about how files and directories work in the operating
environment which you are using ( ie. Windows '95, 3.1, or DOS ).
( In Windows '95, a directory is called a folder which is
the same thing ).
HOW TO INSTALL AND RUN THE PROGRAMS
To decompress and use the programs, simply click on the Unzip
button and the files will be decompressed and copied into either the
default directory, or you can type in a directory drive and name of your
choice. The program directory and files will then appear in your Win '95
Explorer or Windows 3.1 File Manager or, as well as in your DOS file
directory. The program can generally be run by double clicking its
executable file ( generally the file with .exe, .bat or .com extension )
directly from Windows '95 Explorer or Windows 3.1 File Manager.
From DOS you would type in the executable file and hit enter.
SOME PROGRAMS REQUIRE 2-STEP INSTALLATION
When you Unzip the program, it is possible that you may not see an
executable file in its directory, but instead a setup file such as install.bat
or setup.exe. This means that it requires a 2-step installation, and you
will have to execute this setup or install file. The final program will probably
appear in a different directory, but as the setup routine progresses, it will tell
you this. You can then run the program from its executable file in the new
directory. This 2-step installation system is common with the larger game
programs. Also check the specific program description in the Explore The
World of Software Menu System which may contain brief steps for complex
or 2-step installations.
RUNNING DOS PROGRAMS
Many of today's top action games are still designed to run from
DOS. If it is DOS program which does not require Windows, you have
the option of switching to the program's directory in DOS and then
typing its executable file. This is the best way to run most DOS
action games, although many of them will also run from Windows '95
which automatically open a DOS window and tries to run the DOS program.
However, some DOS programs will not run directly from Windows '95
and you will have to exit to the DOS prompt to run the program.
When running a DOS program from Windows 3.1, you should always
exit Windows and run it from the DOS prompt.
PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION
You can read or print the program documentation
files ( generally with .doc or .txt extensions ) from any word
processor, or even more simply, just double click on the
documentation file in Windows 3.1 File Manager or Windows '95
Explorer and you can read or print it directly from Windows Notepad.
SOUNDCARD CONFIGURATION
When you are looking at the program files, check if there is a
soundcard configuration file such as setup.exe or similar. Before
running the program, double click on this file to configure the game
for your soundcard, otherwise you may have no sound when using
the program.
RUNTIME MODULES
We have also included the most popular Windows runtime modules
which are required by some programs, please read the program
description to see if it requires a runtime module, and if so click on
the runtime modules button in the Explore The World of Software
menu system and install the required module. Many programs will
install the runtime modules automatically as part of the program
installation.
HELPFUL HINTS
It is important to always read the program description for requirements
to run the program. Before running a new program for the first time,
it is a good idea to reboot your computer in case of any conflicts with
previously run programs. In case of difficulty running a program, always
reboot your computer and try again before making too much effort to
diagnose the problem, as this may very well correct the problem. Also
refer to the "Help on Troubleshooting" section in this menu system.
PROGRAM STARTUP ICONS
You can of course easily create your own Windows '95 or Windows 3.1
Icon for any program ; to do this, please consult your Windows 3.1 or
Windows '95 manuals or click on Windows 3.1 or Windows '95 Help.
Some programs create the Icons automatically when you install them.