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- Download Netscape Communicator (includes N Navigator, N Messenger, and N Composer) here (http://home.netscape.com/computing/download/index.html). Clicking on this link will open up a new window so you can read these instructions while downloading. It will take quite along time to download the communicator, at least 30 minutes depending mostly on your connection speed and how busy the servers are. Downloading and installing Netscape Communicator is very easy and Netscape gives pretty detailed instructions themselves about the download, but I will help with instructions anyway in the following paragraphs.
- On the page, ignore everything but the text in the middle of the page under the header: "Download the New Netscape Communicator x.x". X.x will be replaced by numbers representing the latest version of Netscape Communicator, which is the version we want to download. Under the first sub-heading; "Full Download of Communicator x.x", click on the link "Windows 95/98/NT".
- This will take you to a page where they tell you to use a program called SmartDownload to download the new browser version. We want to download the Communicator without using SmartDownload however, for simplicity's sake. Below "Step 1" and "Step 2"there is a link to do this called "Download Communicator x.x without using SmartDownload". Click on that link and wait for a "Save As..." window to open up.
- The "Save As..."-window will ask you where you want to save the program and what you want to call it. Their default name of the file is cc32exx, where xx is replaced by the version numbers (currently 461 for version 4.61). To remember the file name easier, you may want to rename it "Netscapexx" or something similar. It doesn't matter in which folder you download the install file to as long as you remember the name of it and in which folder you save it . Otherwise you will have troubles finding the file later on when you want to install it. Usually Windows has a folder called "My Downloaded Files" or "Downloaded Files" already set up for downloading files, which can be handy to use*.
- Now you just need to sit down and wait, read, do whatever. You may want to keep track of your internet connection however, so it doesn't disconnect automatically. If you have an older version of Netscape's browser, you can spend the waiting time to copy and save your bookmarks, addressbook, inbox, newsgroups, and preferences into a different folder (i.e. not the Netscape folder). You can do this in "My Computer" under C:/Program Files/Netscape.
- Ok. You have downloaded Netscape Communicator, now you need to install it. If you have an older version of Netscape, you need to delete it completely before you install the new one. You do this by doubble-clicking on My Computer/Control Panel/AddRemove Programs, choosing Netscape Communicator from the list of installed programs and click the Add/Remove-button.
- You want to print this page now because you can't have any other program running while you install a new one.
- Then restart your computer in order to clear the computer's memory of all traces of any old Netscape versions. Uninstalling older Netscape versions is a very important step; if you install Netscape over an older version it won't run very well; java and javascripts won't work and you will get many more error messages than when older versions are uninstalled before newer ones are installed.
- When the computer is restarted, make sure you have no other programs running in Windows, find the folder in which you downloaded Netscape's install program and double-click on the icon called cc32exx (or whatever you named it).
- This will open up the Install Shield. The Install Shield will start extracting the files needed to install the new Netscape version. When done with that, the screen turns blue and have the header Netscape x.xx Setup. A small window will pop up on the screen with the user agreement. Read it and click the yes button.
- Now you will be asked what kind of installment you want, typical or customized. Choose typical.
- In the next window you have three choices to make.
Check the boxes you wish to check and click next.
- Do you want to make Netscape your default browser?
If you choose yes, Netscape will be the browser that automatically opens when you connect to the internet and in which all files with the extension .htm or .html will open up in. Note that you can still use Windows Explorer to surf, but it won't open automatically when connecting to the internet. If you choose no, Explorer will keep being the browser to open up when you connect to the internet.- Do you want to make Netscape Netcenter your home page.
If you choose yes to this Netscape Netcenter page will be the first page the browser will show when you connect to the internet. This is easy to change later in your Preferences, so it isn't an important decision. Choose as you wish!- Do you want to use Netscape Navigator to surf the web?
It means that Netscape will provide a useful panel on their Netcenter page where you can search the web through several of the most popular searchengines.
- Now it will tell you that Setup will add a folder to the program menu and the name assigned (Netscape Communicator x.xx). You can change the name if you want to, but I don't recommend this since it is easiest to remember if you leave it as it is. Click next.
- This is the last window in the setup. It will tell you that Setup is ready to install Netscape Communicator x.xx and list setup type (typical), what components it is going to install:
It will also list target directory (path and file name: C:\Program Files/Netscape etc) and name of the program folder (Netscape). If you are satisfied, click install. Otherwise, go back and change what you want to change.
- Communicator x.xx
- Import Utility
- Address Boom Palm Synchronizer
- RealPlayer 5.0
- Mulitmedia Support
- Audio/Video Playback
- Shockwave Flash Plug-in
- Beatnik Stub Plug-in
- Perhaps other depending on Communicator version
- Perhaps other depending on Communicator version
- Wait for a little while, like a few seconds up to a minute, while the communicator is installed.
- When it is done installing Setup will ask you if you want to read the ReadMe file. Click yes because this textfile contains important information on this Communictor version and things you might need to know to use the program. You can read this file later by going to the Netscape folder in Program Files.
- After you have read the file Setup will proclaim that setup is complete and that you can open Netscape communicator x.xx by double-clicking on its icon. Click OK.
- Now you will be asked if you want to restart the computer right away or if you want to restart it later. You need to restart it for the new Netscape version to work. However. if you don't want to use Netscape right away you can choose not to restart it right away. Next time you start up your computer, Netscape will be ready to use.
- Copy back your address book, bookmarks etc if you have used an older Netscape version previously. You want to replace the files in C:\Program Files/Netscape/Users/*usernamefolder*.
- To run Netscape, double-click on the icon on the desktop or click on Start/Programs/Netscape Communicator/Netscape Navigator.
Please e-mail me at the address on the bottom of this page if you have any further questions. Also tell me if you are interested in a tutorial on how to set up your Netscape Messenger to open your e-mail with or a tutorial on how to set up your preferences in Netscape Navigator.