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How to Install Software

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Note: This page provides detailed instructions on how to install Netscape's browser suites on Windows, Macintosh, and Unix platforms. Unix users should see the read-me file that accompanies the download software. If you need installation instructions for servers, please consult the read-me or release notes for the individual servers.

Server installation is more complicated. If you're downloading server software, please see the read-me file that accompanies the downloaded software.

Windows Users

  1. As you download your Netscape product, be sure to note the folder to which you are downloading the software.

  2. Find the folder the file was downloaded into and double-click on the file. At the dialog box asking whether you want to install the software, click Yes. You will be taken to the installer program.

  3. In the installer, you will see a series of setup screens. Be sure to read and follow the instructions on each screen carefully. You will be asked to read and agree to a license agreement, choose a location in which to install the software, and choose or create the folder name for the program.

    If you install your new software into the Netscape folder that contains your current version of the product, your old version will be overwritten, but you can still use your existing bookmarks, preferences, and settings. If you wish to keep a copy of the old version as a backup, simply create a new folder for the software you are about to install.

    Note: Netscape Navigator for Windows 3.1 will ask if you want to continue using your existing netscape.ini file. Answer Yes if you want to continue using your existing bookmarks and preferences; otherwise the netscape.ini file will be overwritten and existing settings will be lost.

  4. Once you see the prompt telling you that installation is complete, go to the folder where you installed your new software. Double-click on the Navigator application icon to launch your new browser.

Macintosh Users

  1. As you download your Netscape product, be sure to note the folder to which you are downloading the software. The default location is your Macintosh desktop. You can change the default download location by opening the Options menu, selecting General Preferences and then Applications, and clicking the Browse button to select a folder. We do not recommend downloading your new product into the same folder as your current product.

  2. The compressed file (in .bin format) that you download should expand automatically. If it does not, you will have to expand the file using a program such as Stuffit Expander. If you do not have Stuffit Expander, you can obtain a copy by visiting http://www.aladdinsys.com.

    To open a file with Stuffit Expander, first double-click the Stuffit Expander icon. Choose the Expand command from the File menu; then select the file that you downloaded. Click the Expand button. A dialog box will appear as the file is expanded into the same folder as the original encoded file (or onto the Macintosh desktop, if you didn't alter the default setting).

  3. Install the software:

    • Communicator downloads only: Once the file has been expanded, you will see a diamond-shaped installer icon with four arrows. Double-click on this icon to extract the pieces you will need to install your software from the single file that you downloaded. At the first dialog box, click Continue. At the second dialog box, choose or create the folder you want to place the separate pieces into. You do not need to rename the file. Click the Save button. When you see the dialog box saying "UnStuffing was successful," click the Quit button.

      Then find the folder you put the extracted pieces into. Double-click the Netscape Installer icon. Click Continue at the product name. The next screen is the license agreement, which you should read carefully before continuing. Click Agree if you agree to the terms of the license. Following the license agreement, you will see a screen with up-to-date information about the product, including links to release notes and other useful hints. Click Print to print a copy of the notes. Click OK to continue with the installation. You will be taken to the installation screen.

    • Navigator downloads only: Find the folder the file was downloaded into. Double-click on the installer file that you downloaded. Click Continue at the product name. You will be taken to the installation screen.

  4. At the installation screen, choose the location where you'd like to install your new software. If you install your new software into the Netscape folder that contains your current version of the product, your old version will be overwritten, but you can still use your existing bookmarks, preferences, and settings. If you wish to keep a copy of the old version as a backup, simply create a new folder for the software you are about to install.

  5. When you see the prompt telling you that installation is complete, you will need to restart your computer.

Unix Users

These instructions assume that you have an intermediate knowledge of Unix command syntax and experience installing applications on Unix. If you have any problems, please contact your system administrator or Netscape technical support.

Follow these steps to install Communicator:

  1. Download the gzip compressed Communicator tar archive.

  2. Uncompress and extract the tar file (Note: this will extract the files to your current directory) :
    gzip -dc filename | tar -xvf - 

  3. When the file is uncompressed, a Bourne shell script called ns-install will be created. To run it, type:
    ./ns-install 

  4. When prompted, either press Return/Enter to accept the default, or enter the path to the installation directory of your choice. You will be notified if you do not have permission to install in the directory specified or if the directory does not exist.

  5. To run Communicator after installation type:

    cd the_directory_you_just_installed_to
    ./netscape

If you do not wish to use ns-install, or want to perform a custom installation, please consult the README.install file.



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