Downloading Files
Frequently Asked Questions


Q: I don't have any idea how to download files. Help!

A: Let's take this one step at a time...

Before you begin downloading, I would recommend that you create a NEW folder (directory) on your hard drive for TEMPORARY download files. It would be best to create this new folder directly underneath the C: drive and call this new folder DOWNLOAD. This is where you can place newly acquired downloaded files.

So...let's get started...

1) If you are using Windows, double click on the My Computer icon on your Desktop.

2) Left mouse click on your C: drive icon located in the left side panel so that it is highlighted.

3) Choose File from the Main Menu.

4) Choose New, then choose Folder.

5) Name the folder Download


Note: You will only need to create this Download folder once in your life. Once this procedure has been accomplished, in the future you can proceed directly to the following steps:

Once you have created a folder named Download, you can now surf on the Web until you find a file you wish to download. Or, you can just click on the hyperlink below, which has direct link to a popular software program called The Unzip Wizard.

1) Click on this link to download this program.

2) After a few seconds, the following window (or something similar) will appear.


3) Shortly after clicking on this file link, your browser will display a window asking you where you would like to store (or save) this new file.   Make sure the "Save it to disk" toggle is turned on, and then click "OK":


By the way, the name of the file (UNZIP32-201.EXE) will most likely be different since the "201" portion of the filename represents the version of this program, and it is very possible that by the time you read this tutorial, the 201 may be replaced with a new number.  Don't worry if  the message windows (above) displays UNZIP32-666.EXE or some different number.

Note: If you are using a Netscape browser such as Communicator or Navigator, then click here.

Note: If you are using Microsoft's Internet Explorer and the above window does not appear, then click here.

4) Click on the new Download folder that you created minutes earlier. The UNZIP32-201.EXE will then be downloaded (copied) to your C:\Download folder. 


5) Once the download process has completed, simply use Windows Explorer or My Computer to go to the Download folder, and double click on the UNZIP32-201.EXE file.  This will launch the UNZIP32-201.EXE program.  The rest will be self-explanatory.

6) That's it. You should now be enjoying your new download.

Q: I have followed your advice and instructions (see above) and have successfully downloaded a file.   Once the download was completed, I went to the C:\download folder and double clicked on the icon for the program I just downloaded.  This is where my troubles begin.  When I do that, a window appears that asks me, "Which program do you want to run the (name of downloaded program) in?"  The names of some of these  programs are Corel, Explorer, etc. When I click on any of this files, I am given the message that that particular program cannot run my download.  What am I doing wrong?

A: I suspect you have downloaded a ZIP file, which requires an unzip utility.  Read all about ZIP files at:

http://www.pc-shareware.com/unziphow.htm
http://www.pc-shareware.com/unzip.htm

You can be certain whether the file you downloaded is a ZIP file or not by using "My Computer" and navigating to the downloaded file, then by selecting the downloaded file, and then by performing a single RIGHT (not left) mouse click.  A submenu will appear, from which you should choose "Properties".  See what the "MS-DOS name" is.  If the "MS-DOS name" ends with the letters ".ZIP", then you have a compressed ZIP file, and this means that the downloaded file must be unzipped before you can use it.   I suggest that in such a case that you try using The Unzip Wizard (http://www.pc-shareware.com/unzipwiz.htm) if you indeed have downloaded a ZIP file.

Q: I read your tip (see above) and I too am getting this error message window (see right) after I download a file.  However, the file I downloaded is not a ZIP file, but rather it is a file that has the file extension ".max" .  What do I do with this file?

A: I do not know what a .max file is, however, one thing is for certain...  neither does your computer know.  That is why you are being asked to identify the program you wish to use to open this file with.  I can safely say, however, that 9 times out of 10 when this window appears (see right) it usually means that you do not have the necessary program installed on your PC to view the file.  Unless you are an experienced computer user, I would recommend that you click the Cancel button and then contact the person or company that made the file available to you.  They will certainly know what program you need to view these mysterious files.

One other source that you might find useful is the following site that lists over a thousand different file extensions and the program needed to view these file types.  If you don't have a clue what a .DGN, or .Y02 file is, this site will tell you: http://www.whatis.com/ff.htm

 

Q: This is our first time on the Internet and would like to download your shareware.  We were interested in trying it.  However, we were unable to download it because our browser reported that the type of file was not recognized.  Can you help us out?

A: This is normal whenever you are retrieving a PKZIP .ZIP file with a Web browser. When this message appears you should also have a "Save to disk" option or "Save as" button which allows you to redirect/save the file to your hard disk drive. Just give it the same file name that you are trying to retrieve (e.g., WIZBANG.ZIP) and your browser will then retrieve the file and save it to your hard disk.

Q: I just downloaded one of the programs at your software site.  The download appeared to go smoothly, however, I can't find the file I downloaded and therefore can't implement or install it.  Help!

A: You need to be attentive when you download a program.   Downloading a file means that you are transferring a file from an Internet server (a computer located in some far away land) to your computer.  The problem is,... just downloading the file to your hard drive does NOT install the program.  It's like receiving a delivery package in the mail,... Just because the box has arrived at your front door does not mean that the contents of the package have been unboxed.   Obviously you must open the box and take the contents of the package out before it becomes useful to you.  Likewise, YOU must RUN the program (file) after you download it.  It is very important to make a mental or written note as to where you downloaded the file on your hard drive.  Just saying "I saved it to drive C" is like saying to your employer that the lost keys to the filing cabinet are "somewhere in California".  The question is, "WHERE on your C drive?  Which folder did you save it in?  What was the name of the file you downloaded?"

I suggest that you make a temporary directory for all your downloads, and save your downloads there. (See example above)

If all this advice is too late, and you have indeed already downloaded a file but you don't know where you put it, then there is still a possibility you can find it.  If you wish to find your recently downloaded file, and you are using Windows 95 or Windows 98, then click "Start > Find > Files or folders" then type the name of the file you downloaded (if you forgot the filename, then you definitely are making things even more difficult on yourself), and choose "C:\" for the "Look in" location.  This will locate any file on your hard disk.

Q: Why is there more than one file listed for each program?

A: Often we will provide more than one site where you can download our software from. This is done to provide you with an alternative site should a particular FTP server become busy and not allow you to access the file. If you receive an error message from your Web browser when you attempt to download one of the .ZIP files listed for this program then try one of the alternative files instead.

Q: What is PKZIP?

A: A .ZIP file is a single compressed file that contains many larger files. Compressed files are popular because they cut your downloading time in half or even less, and make it possible to fit large collections of files onto one floppy disk.  For more details, check out: http://www.pc-shareware.com/unzip.htm

To decompress a .ZIP file, you need a copy of the Unzip Wizard - an excellent shareware program.

Q: How do I use PKUNZIP?

A: That depends on which operating system you are working from...

DOS: in the DOS directory, type: PKZ204G

WINDOWS: in File Manager, move the PKZ204G.EXE program to the DOS directory if it is not there already. Then double-click on that program to decompress it.

Since PKUNZIP is a DOS application/utility, it is best to run it from a C:> DOS prompt. Click here for detailed, step by step examples on how to use PKUNZIP once it has been installed and decompressed on your hard disk.

If you are a bit overwhelmed by a DOS prompt, then you may wish to check out a Windows utility called The Unzip Wizard that makes dealing with .ZIP files easier.



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