PC Format Disc Help & Support

Here's a guide to get the most from your CD-ROM

Starting the PC Format Disc

If you're using Windows 9x, Me or NT, the PC Format disc should start itself automatically when you put it in your CD-ROM drive. If you have closed the interface and want to restart it, you can do so by double-clicking the CD-ROM in My Computer. If you have Autorun disabled, open your CD-ROM drive by double-clicking on it and double-click again on the program 'PCFormat'. There is also an html page, 'start.htm', in the same place - opening it in Internet Explorer 4 or 5 will launch you into the PC Format disc.

If you are using Windows 3.1, simply choose Run from the Program Manager File menu, and type D:\PCFormat, where D is the letter of your CD-ROM drive.

If you are running Linux, opening 'start.htm' will redirect you to the Linux pages, if they are on this CD. The linux software is always found in the /linux directory, and the Linux pages are found at /linux/index.html.

Installing Software

Installing software from the new PC Format disc is easy. Click the familiar setup icon - like the one on the left - and the program installation will launch. But before you do, please make a note of any serial numbers or registration codes you will need for the installation. They are always given just above the setup icon. Also, always read the information in the magazine and PC Format disc - often we've unearthed important information about the installation. Reading it will save you having to call support!

An ActiveX control called IntraLaunch enables you to run files directly from the PC Format disc - something no browser can do without a series of confusing prompts and warnings. The first time you encounter a page with an install button on it, it may take slightly longer than usual to load, but after that you should not even notice it.

Sometimes we include non-executable files on the PC Format disc, such as ZIPs, Adobe Acrobat files, spreadsheets or example program files. If you want to copy these to your hard drive, follow the instructions we give with them.

Why can't I use Netscape?

Well... you might just be able to. There's an undocumented feature in Netscape which allows you to execute programs, such as the installers on this CD, from their current location. Because of browser security concerns, we can't recommend it. But see the Netscape page for more details if you're interested. There's some exciting work going on with the Open Source Mozilla Project that will yeild a longer term, ActiveX solution soon.

If you have access to the internet, send an e-mail to the support address below. This will automatically reply with a FAQ listing any common problems and solutions - you may well find your question answered there. If not, there will be details at the bottom of the FAQ explaining how e-mail the support desk for individual problems.

Another valuable online resource is the software manufacturers' Web sites. Where possible we give a link to the relevant support pages in the 'Product Details' section of the program's page.

You should also take a look at the various PC Format newsgroups online. The PC Format disc forum contains questions relating to software on the PC Format discs and Helpscreen contains postings of a more general nature. Your question may well have already been answered by another reader or member of the PC Format team. If it hasn't, post your question - if it's a common problem, others will benefit from the replies it generates. We do, however, urge you to practice good 'netiquette' - see the FAQs that get posted in all the newsgroups from time to time for guidelines.