The Ultimate Program and Driver Install Guide

Downloading programs and drivers off the Internet and installing them on your computer can get a little tricky, especially if you don't know what to do after the file has been downloaded.

This guide provides Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000, and XP users a methodical approach to program and driver installation, without any techno jargon or fluff. Although this article is a bit lengthy, it should be known that Steps 1 and 2 provide much of what is to know, while Step 3 reintroduces the familiar concepts with a few extra twists. With that said, let's get on with it!

A file has been downloaded. Now what?

First things, first. When attempting to install a program or driver which was recently downloaded, you must recognize the file type you're dealing with. There are 3 main file types which define a program or driver which are used in conjunction with Windows:

1. EXE (executable): a file that ends in .EXE

This type of file can be either a Run-Time Executable or a Self Extracting archive. The difference is:

a) Run-Time Executable: This is the most simplest file to install on your system because it runs and installs with minimal user interaction except clicking on a License Agreement and telling it where to install to on your hard drive. Frequently, this type of file is denoted by the name "Setup" and usually has an icon that looks like a computer.

b) Self Extracting: This type of file has a compression program built into it will extract multiple files to your hard drive. Compression programs take many files and squeeze them into 1 small file -- just like Winzip. The purpose of a compression program is to make it easy for you to download programs (and drivers) off of the Internet by taking a series of related files and compressing them into 1 small file.

When a Self Extracting file is executed, it will either ask you where to extract the files, or will extract them automatically to a temporary folder on your hard drive and run the main installation program itself. If it doesn't run the main installation program automatically, you'll have to navigate to where the files were extracted to and run the main install program (run-time executable) yourself.

2. Archived File (Manual Decompression)

These files are like a self extracting file but don't come with the extraction program built in. Typically, files that are self extracting are bulkier in size because they must include the extraction program as well as all the remaining files in the archive. Common file extensions denoting an archived file include: .ZIP, .RAR, .ACE, .TAR, and .LHA.

When faced with a file having an extension like this and it does not open by itself, you will need to obtain the appropriate decompression program to extract it. Example: .ZIP opens with WinZip, .RAR opens with WinRAR, .ACE opens with WinACE, .TAR is commonly used with UNIX (a non-Windows Operating System) and opens with WinZIP. Last but not least, .LHA uses an old DOS-based archiving program called LHarc, but will most likely open with WinZip or WinRAR. LHA isn't really supported much any more.

Once the files have been decompressed, you must manually navigate to the directory and run the main install program, commonly denoted by the name "Setup", which usually has an icon that looks like a computer.

3. Driver

Drivers are little programs that Windows uses to communicate with the hardware connected to your PC. Without a driver, the hardware won't work. Drivers are installed automatically with a run-time executable, or can be archived with self extracting file or may require manual decompression.

a) Automatic Driver Install: Run-Time Executable

These are programs which launch themselves and install on your computer without much user interaction. If successful, the new hardware should be recognized by Windows immediately, or may require a reboot before it is recognized.

b) Archived: Self Extracting or Manual Decompression

Self Extracting

A self extracting driver is exactly the same as a self extracting EXE, except it will either run the main installation program automatically, or leave you with the option of manually installing the driver. In the latter case, see "Running Device Manager and Installing the Driver Manually" (below).

Manual Decompression / Manual Installation

Manual Decompression of a driver is the same decompressing any other file. Included is an extra step, which forces you to locate and run the main installation program, or manually install the driver after all files have been extracted from the archive.

After successful extraction, navigate to the folder where it was extracted to. Look for a main installation program -- typically, the file named "Setup" -- as described above -- is run-time executable. If there is no setup program, you will have to install the driver manually, which is described next.

Running Device Manager and Installing the Driver Manually

Windows 95, 98, NT, and ME users

Installing the driver manually is done by navigating to Device Manager. Go to the Desktop and right-click Computer, select Properties, and click the Device Manager tab and then scroll down to the device you're installing. Double click its icon and then select the Reinstall Driver button under the General tab.

Follow the steps until you get to the point where it says you can Specify Location of the driver, and either type in the directory where you've extracted the driver to or click the Browse button and navigate to the directory. If you're using the correct driver, Windows should pick it up right away and continue with the installation. If Windows doesn't find the driver, you've either not specified the correct directory or the driver isn't meant for that device.

Windows 2000, XP users

To access Device Manager, right-click My Computer and select Properties. Click the Hardware Tab, then select Device Manager. Navigate to the device to be installed, and double click to bring up the Properties window. Click on the Driver tab and select Update Driver. Click on Specify Location and click Next.

Click the Browse button and navigate where you've decompressed the drivers and click OK. If you're using the correct driver, Windows should pick it up right away and continue with the installation. If Windows doesn't find the driver, you've either not specified the correct directory or the driver isn't meant for that device.