Practical PC, 4e

1
Chapter 3 Installing and Learning Software
2
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

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.

4
Finding the Instruction Manual
Locating a Readme file after installation
5
Whats 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

6
Whats a PDF?
Viewing a PDF document using Acrobat Reader
7
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

8
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
  objects features.

9
Using Online Help
Using the features of online Help
10
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.

11
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

12
What is the Paperclip Cartoon For?
The Office Assistant Cartoon
13
Contacting the Software Vendor for Help

• You may need to contact the software company for
  assistance if
• You cant get the program to install correctly.
• Your software aborts or hangs up and you think
  there is a bug in the software.

14
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

15
Contacting the Software Vendor for Help
Using a Website to contact a Vendor
16
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

17
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

18
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, its name is added to
  the Registry and the programs menu.
• Some programs use the CD during execution time.

19
Installing/Uninstalling Software
Manually starting the Setup Program
20
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.

21
Installing/Uninstalling Software
The Control Panel method of uninstalling software
22
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.

23
How to use Windows Controls
Downloading and installing the Adobe Acrobat
Reader
24
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?

25
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.