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HOME » SOFTWARE » WINDOWS 95 AND 98

HOW TO USE WINDOWS 95 AND 98: INSTALLING SOFTWARE

Note: Although, originally written for Windows 95, these instructions will work with all Windows operating sytems (95 -- XP). Some screens and icons may look slightly different in the different operating systems, but the instructions will remain the same.

Downloading and installing
Zipped files
Minimum requirements
Figuring out what you have
What's RAM?
What's a processor?

Downloading and installing

  • Downloading simply means moving a file from one place (such as the Internet) to another place (such as your computer).
  • Installing means loading the software onto your computer's hard drive so you can use it.

So, if you want to get a program from a Web site, first you'll download the program's special installation file. Then you'll run that file to actually install the program on your computer (see Downloading Software from the Web for instructions).

Obviously, if you're getting your new software from a CD, you don't need to download an installation file. The file you need will be there on the CD and either it will start automatically when you start the CD, or you'll click on it to make it run (see Installing Software from a CD for instructions).

Zipped files
Sometimes, when you download a file it will be zipped. Zipping a file makes it smaller so it downloads faster. If you download a zipped program, you'll have to unzip it before you can install it (see Working with Zipped Files for instructions).

Minimum requirements
No matter what software you're installing, you'll need enough storage space on your computer to house it. Most software also requires that you have sufficient RAM and a processor that's fast enough. Some software requires a specific operating system (such as Windows 2000).

All these requirements will be listed somewhere on the outside of the software's box. They'll usually also appear in whatever installation instructions come with the software. Sometimes, the installation program will check for itself to make sure you have whatever it needs. But it's always better to make sure you have all the minimum requirements before you start. If you want to download a program from the Internet and you don't know its requirements, go to the manufacturer's Web site and check before you begin.

Figuring out what you have
Standard Georgetown-issue computers have 128 MB of RAM and Pentium II processors (this should meet almost all software requirements). If you're not sure how much RAM is installed, or what type of processor is in the computer you're using, or how much free storage space you have available, it's a good idea to check before installing software (see Getting Information about Your OS and Hardware for instructions).

What's RAM?
How many things can you keep in your head at one time? A short shopping list? A shopping list and a new phone number? A shopping list, two new phone numbers, and directions to a store you've never been to before? Random Access Memory (RAM) helps determine the number of things your computer can do at one time before it gets confused. Most software has minimum RAM requirements. If you want to check how much RAM you have, see Getting Information about Your OS and Hardware for instructions.

What's a processor?
How quickly can you do long division in your head? Your computer's processor helps determine how fast it can think. Some software has minimum processor requirements. Often there will be a sticker on the front of your computer stating what type of processor is inside. If there's no sticker, see Getting Information about Your OS and Hardware for instructions.
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