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 95/98, 3.1, or DOS ). ( In Windows 95/98, 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 95/98 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 95/98 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 95/98 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 95/98 or Windows 3.1 Icon for any program ; to do this, please consult your Windows 3.1 or Windows 95/98 manuals or click on Windows 3.1 or Windows 95/98 Help. Some programs create the Icons automatically when you install them.