Installing and Learning Software Chapter 3 Installing and Learning Software Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Installing and Learning Software In this Chapter, you will learn: How to install/uninstall new software How to find the instruction manual What a PDF is How to use online help What the paperclip cartoon is for How to contact the software company for help How to download and install software Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Finding the Instruction Manual Software usually comes with several types of documentation Reference manuals contain detailed information about the software features – use like a dictionary when you need information An installation guide will help install the software Readme files contain later information – usually about software changes or updates or solutions to problems Tutorials are interactive lessons used to learn the basics about the software. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Finding the Instruction Manual Locating a Readme file after installation Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

What’s a PDF? Paper documentation has become too lengthy and costly to produce PDF (portable document format file) file types are portable and can be viewed on virtually any PC. To view a PDF, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website. Acrobat Reader displays PDF files like a printed book Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Viewing a PDF document using Acrobat Reader What’s a PDF? Viewing a PDF document using Acrobat Reader Search the document Jump to first, last, next or previous page Change the document size Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Using Online Help The most frequently used help system is called online Help or just Help. It is most often a menu item on the menu bar. Help contains several ways to find information: Contents, lists major topics Index, lists key words and features Search, allows keyword search for specific words Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Using Online Help The question mark is also used to get help Clicking the ? Button changes the mouse cursor into a help pointer. Pointing this cursor at a label or object on the screen displays a pop-up message about the object’s features. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Using the features of online Help Using Online Help Using the features of online Help Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

What is the Paperclip Cartoon For? Microsoft applications often contain a paperclip cartoon character called the Office Assistant. The Office Assistant will take questions and select answers from the online help. The Office Assistant will also provide suggestions about your particular task without prompting. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

What is the Paperclip Cartoon For? The office Assistant will also provide tips to help you use the software more efficiently. The Office Assistant can be closed by clicking the close button. The Office Assistant can be reopened by clicking the ? button on the toolbar Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

What is the Paperclip Cartoon For? The Office Assistant Cartoon Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Contacting the Software Vendor for Help You may need to contact the software company for assistance if: You can’t get the program to install correctly. Your software aborts or hangs up and you think there is a bug in the software. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Contacting the Software Vendor for Help To contact a software vendor: Make sure you checked all available help for the answer Make a note of the serial number of the software Print out any error messages or make a note of the specific problem Determine if the company has a website Contact the company either through their website or by telephone Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Contacting the Software Vendor for Help Using a Website to contact a Vendor Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Installing/Uninstalling Software Adding a software program to your PC is called installing it. Removing software from your PC is called uninstalling it. There are two different types of software you may want to install: A new program not currently on the PC An upgrade (or new version) of a program already on the PC Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Installing/Uninstalling Software A software package that you buy from a store, would usually contain: The system requirements for the software to run optimally A CD (or floppy disks) containing the software Installation instructions Program documentation Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Installing/Uninstalling Software The very large software programs like Photoshop are made up of smaller program modules. The installation process often has options to install only desired modules to save computer space. When you install a program, it’s name is added to the Registry and the programs menu. Some programs use the CD during execution time. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Installing/Uninstalling Software Manually starting the Setup Program Manually starting a program Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Installing/Uninstalling Software Windows has an Add/Remove Programs icon in the Control Panel that makes removing software easy. This process can also be used to install software, but the automatic setup program that comes with most software is easier. You might be cued during the uninstall process about shared program modules. In general they should not be deleted. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Installing/Uninstalling Software The Control Panel method of uninstalling software Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Downloading software to install Many software upgrades, patches and new software products are available on the Internet First you must transfer the program file to your hard drive by downloading it. The downloaded file will install itself if you click on it after the download. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

How to use Windows Controls Downloading and installing the Adobe Acrobat Reader Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Is it legal to install this software? What do you think? Is it legal to install this software? Have you ever used pirated software? Before reading about this issue, did you understand the difference between freeware, shareware, commercial, and demo software? If you discovered pirated software in use at your school or office, would you report it? Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3

Chapter Summary You should now be able to: Find several different ways of getting help if you have a software problem Install new software or an upgrade from a CD Download and install software from the Internet Uninstall software when you are through with it. Practical PC, 3e Chapter 3