Martin Computing Co. Download Center

Download Tutorial:

Part 1

(Note: This tutorial assumes a basic knowledge of how to use Windows Explorer or File Manager to create and navigate directories.)

What is Downloading?
Downloading means to transfer a file or program from a remote computer to your computer via your internet connection. You can download all kinds of things including programs, pictures, videos and sound files. Most reputable hardware and software manufacturers offer drivers and upgrade patchs that you can download from their websites. Typically files for PC's will be either zipped (filename.zip) or self extracting (filename.exe) for easier transfer. This allows the sender to combine a group of files he chooses into a single file for you to download. Once received, the downloaded file requires you to extract its contents back to their original state. Sort of like opening an envelope and removing what's inside.

Self Extracting files, as their name indicates, can extract their contents themselves. Simply executing the file by double clicking its icon in Explorer (Windows 95) or File Manager (Windows 3.1) causes it to extract, and in some cases, to run an installation program.

Zipped files on the other hand require the use of another utility program to extract them.
WinZip by Nico Mak Computing, Inc. is an excellent tool for managing, extracting and creating your own zip files.

Let's begin the tutorial by downloading and installing WinZip. But first, let's do a little file management. It is important to know where the files you download are being stored so that you can find them and extract them later. It is a good idea to store new downloads in their own folders for extracting purposes. A good way to keep your downloads organized is to create a download directory on your hard drive and then create a new subdirectory for each file you download. Use Explorer or File Manager to create a download directory now. You may also wish to make the WinZip subdirectory at this time.

Read the following download instructions
completely before proceeding!

To download WinZip:

Bookmark this page now so you can return to this tutorial after the download is complete.
You may also want to print this page of instructions before beginning. Use your Browsers Print command.
Click the link or the icon at right to go to WinZip's website.
Click the "Download Evaluation Version" link and read the instructions on the screen.
Select the correct file for your version of Windows. (winzip95.exe for Windows 95 or winzip31.exe for Windows 3.1) Both are self extracting .exe files.

Download
Winzip

During the download process you will be presented with a Save dialogue box similar to the one shown below. Here you must make several choices. First select a drive and directory where you want to store the download on your computer. The file should be stored in a directory by itself for extraction purposes. If you did not do so already, create a subfolder of your download directory called winzip. Use the button to go up one directory at a time until you reach the root directory C:\. Find the download directory you made earlier and double click on it. Click the button to create the new winzip subfolder. Type the name of the new folder and press Enter. Be sure to change to the new directory by double clicking on it. Make a note of the File Name and where you store the downloaded file so you can find it later. Do not change the default File name and Save as type. Click the Save button.

A progress indicator appears as the file is transmitted to your computer.
After downloading winzip95.exe or winzip31.exe to your PC, just run the .exe file. Use Explorer or File Manager to navigate to the folder where you stored it and double click on its filename for complete installation instructions.
Notice that WinZip installs itself to the directory c:\Program Files\WinZip by default. If you downloaded the file into the suggested directory c:\download\winzip then you have the original downloaded file still intact in case you ever need to reinstall the software.
Return to this tutorial page which you bookmarked earlier.

Downloading, extracting and installing WinZip is a typical example of what you will encounter with most self extracting files. Once you have WinZip installed you're ready to continue with the tutorial.

Part 2

Downloading zipped files requires one more step on your part. You must extract them with WinZip. The download process is usually started by clicking an image or text hyperlink. For example, try downloading mcc_dd1.zip by clicking the link or icon below. This zipped archive demonstrates how multiple files of various types, (text, sound, video and graphics) can be combined into a single file, compressed and transmitted via the internet.

Read the following download instructions
completely before proceeding!

To download mcc_dd1.zip:

You may want to print this page of instructions before beginning. Use your Browsers Print command.
Click the link or the icon at right to begin the download process.

Download
mcc_dd1.zip

As in part 1 during the download process you will be presented with a Save dialogue box similar to the one shown below. Again you must make several choices. First select a drive and directory where you want to store the download on your computer. The file should be stored in a directory by itself for extraction purposes. Create another subfolder of your download directory called mcc_demo. Use the button to go up one directory at a time until you reach the root directory C:\. Find the download directory you made earlier and double click on it. Click the button to create the new mcc_demo subfolder. Type the name of the new folder and press Enter. Be sure to change to the new directory by double clicking on it. Make a note of the File Name and where you store the downloaded file so you can find it later. Do not change the default File name and Save as type. Click the Save button.

A progress indicator appears as the file is transmitted to your computer.
Once the download is complete unzip the file and examine its contents. Start WinZip by double clicking its icon. Click the File menu, then click Open Archive. Navigate to the folder where you saved the mcc_dd1.zip file by double clicking on the folders in the Open Archive dialogue box. Double click on the filename to open the archive. You should see the following files:
congrats.wav
A congradulations sound file in wave format. Use Windows 95's Media Player to listen to it.
newlogo2.jpg
The Martin Computing Co. Logo in JPEG format. Use any graphics viewer that can read the JPG format to see this image.
readme.txt
A text file that describes the contents of the archive. Open this file with any editor, such as Windows 95's Notepad or Wordpad.
sts-90.mpg
An MPEG video of Space Shuttle mission STS-90 lifting off. View this video with Windows 95's Media Player.

Uncompressing Zipped Files (filename.zip)

Start WinZip by double clicking its icon. Click the File menu, then click Open Archive. Navigate to the folder where you saved the downloaded file by double clicking on the folders in the Open Archive dialogue box. Double click on the filename to open the archive. You should see the contents of the archive.

This compressed file must then be uncompressed again into its original contents. In the case of zipped files such as this, you need to place the original download in a directory of its own, then (DOS) type the filename at the command prompt from within that directory, (Win95) locate the file in Explorer by navigating to the directory you stored it in when you downloaded it and double click on the file name. A DOS window may appear as the file self extracts. It may be necessary to close this DOS window when the process is finished.

Uncompressing Self Extracting Files (filename.exe)

After the file is extracted you should now see the original file you downloaded and all of the files it contained in your new directory. At this point ALWAYS look for a readme.txt or read.me file for instructions. If such a file exists READ IT! Open the readme file by doubleclicking on its filename in the Explorer window.

Installing Downloaded Programs

After you've unzipped or extracted the file, use Explorer to view the directory where it is located. Always look for a readme file and READ IT if it exists. It may contain instructions on installing the software and other pertinent information. Typically there will be either a SETUP.EXE file or INSTALL.EXE file that you must run. Some self-extracting files automatically launch the installation program when they are extracted. If this is not the case you must run the installation program by using the following proceedure:

Close all opened programs including your internet connection, web browser and any Anti Virus software you may have running.

Windows 95

Click the Start button.
Click Run.
Select the Browse button. Navigate to the directory where you unzipped or extracted the downloaded file by clicking on the folders.
Find the install.exe or setup.exe file and click on it. Click the Open button.
Click ok. The installation program should begin. Follow the instructions on your screen.

If your still confused, try visiting www.zdnet.com/swlib/easyguide/index.html for more information on downloading files from the internet.

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