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This information mainly applies to Netscape
Versions 2 thru 3
Note:
These settings are also applicable to most other Windows 3.1 Internet
Software
Basics to
Check:
Minimum
System Requirements:
- DOS Version
5.0 or Later
- Windows 3.1
or 3.11
- 8Mb of RAM
- 6Mb of Hard
Disk Space
Search for
Winsocks
From Dos:
Type cd \ and press the Enter Key.
Type dir
/s winsock.dll and press the Enter Key.
If you find
a winsock.dll other than where your dial in program (such as
c:\Netscape),change directory to the appropriate locations and
rename the winsock.dll file to winsock.old
Command:
rename winsock.dll winsock.old
From Windows:
Run File Manager. Go to the File Menu and select Search.
Largest
Executable Program Size
All programs require
a certain amount of base or conventional memory to run properly
in DOS or Windows. To determine how much memory you have go to a
DOS Prompt and type: mem /p /c (and press Enter).
The largest executable size should be greater than 520K. If you
have less than this amount and are running DOS 6.0 or later type
MEMMAKER (and press Enter). Choose the express method to optimize.
This should free up more conventional memory and therefore increase
the largest executable program size.
Checking
the CONFIG.SYS file:
The config.sys
file is located in c:\ directory or root directory. This
file can be edited in DOS or Windows. Be VERY CAREFUL when editing
this file, since a successful boot requires this file.
To edit in
DOS: Type in edit c:\config.sys
To edit in
Windows: Use Notepad to open the file c:\config.sys
or Run from
Program Manager sysedit
STACKS=9,256
or 18,128
FCBS=4,0
(or greater)
SHELL=C:\COMMAND.COM
C:\ /P /E:2048
Watch out for
those slashes and make sure they are the correct direction. Other
settings
can cause problems.
Checking
the AUTOEXEC.BAT File:
The AUTOEXEC.BAT
file is located in c:\ directory or root directory. This
file can be edited in DOS or Windows. Be VERY CAREFUL when editing
this file, since a successful boot requires this file.
To edit in
DOS: Type in edit c:\autoexec.bat
To edit in
Windows: Use Notepad to open the file c:\autoexec.bat
Make sure that
there is a line indicating the following: SET PATH=C:\TEMP
This may be
set to another directory other than C:\TEMP. That is OK.
Make sure that
this directory stays clean. Use File Manager or thru the DOS prompt
to go into
the TEMP directory and delete all files in that directory.
What ever software
program you are dialing up with, make sure that the directory in
which it resides
is in the PATH statement.
If Netscape
is your software (Outlook 2.XX) then:
PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\MOUSE;C:\NETSCAPE
You may have
a longer list of paths.
**Note: the
PATH line must be on only one line**
TSRs are
Terminate and Stay Resident programs. TSRs are loaded into a computer's
memory typically
thru the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, but can be loaded via the
CONFIG.SYS,
WIN.INI, and/or the SYSTEM.INI file.
Antivirus programs/TSRs
are known to cause installation problems with all types of
programs. Remove
any TSRs (like Antivirus TSRs) especially if you experience problems
installing
a program.
Checking
the WIN.INI file:
To edit in
DOS: Type in edit c:\windows\system.ini
To edit in
Windows: Use Notepad to open the file c:\windows\system.ini
As mentioned
above about TSRs, the LOAD= and RUN= lines load in programs or TSRs
automatically.
It is best to disable them from loading (at least temporarily) if
you have any
type of problem.
To disable the LOAD= and RUN= lines. Place a ; in front of
those lines.
A semicolon
prevents those lines from being executed.
;LOAD=
;RUN=
Checking
the SYSTEM.INI file:
SHELL=PROGMAN.EXE
If your shell
line does not look like the above, you will need to uninstall the
program that is located
on that line.
Norton Desktop and Tabworks are two such programs. Consult your
software manual
for how to
uninstall these programs. PROGMAN.EXE is Microsoft's Program Manager.
For all cases
except laptop/notebook computers using PCMCIA cards and desktop
computers using
RPI
based modems the line should read:
COMM.DRV=COMM.DRV
Checking
the Virtual Memory (Swap File):
From the Window's
Program Manager, go to the Control Panel and open
it (double-click it). Once the Control Panel is opened,
double-click the icon labeled Enhanced. Click on the Virtual
Memory button.
Check the current
swapfile settings: LOCATION should be an uncompressed drive. TYPE:
should be PERMANENT.
The general
rules for the size of the swap file are:
Less than 12Mb
of physical RAM in your computer means your swap file should be
equal or greater than three times the physical RAM.
12Mb - 24Mb
of physical RAM in your computer means your swap file should be
equal or greater than two times the physical RAM.
Greater than
24Mb of physical RAM in your computer means your swap file should
be equal or greater than the physical RAM.
Video Mode
Check the video
mode. In the Main program group, double click the Windows
Setup icon. Read the DISPLAY line. If you are not running on
a laptop, and there is something other than VGA listed, go to the
Settings menu and select Change Options. Be sure to remember what
this setting is. Select the down arrow to the right of the display
setting field. Scroll down the list and find the option labeled
simply VGA. Select that option and choose OK. You will then have
to restart windows.
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