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4-2 Installation and Troubleshooting Guide
The software installation routine assists users in transferring the appropriate program
files to the computer's hard-disk drive. Installation instructions may provide details
about how to configure the operating system to successfully run the program. You
should always read the installation instructions before running a program's installation
routine.
When you run the installation routine, you should be prepared to respond to prompts
for information about how the computer's operating system is configured, what type
of computer you have, and what peripherals are connected to the computer.
Using Software
The following subsections discuss errors that can occur as a result of software opera-
tion or configuration.
Error Messages
Error messages can be produced by an application program, the operating system, or
the computer. Chapter 3, “Messages and Codes,” discusses the error messages that
are generated by the computer. If you receive an error message that is not listed
there, check the operating system or application program documentation.
Input Errors
If a specific key or set of keys is pressed at the wrong time, a program may give you
unexpected results. See the documentation that came with the application program
to make sure that the values or characters you are entering are valid.
Make sure that the operating environment is set up to accommodate the programs
you use. Keep in mind that whenever you change the parameters of the computer's
operating environment, you may affect the successful operation of the programs.
Sometimes, after modifying the operating environment, you may need to reinstall a
program that no longer runs properly.
Program Conflicts
Some programs may leave portions of their setup information behind, even though
you have exited from them. As a result, other programs cannot run. Rebooting the
system can confirm whether or not these programs are the cause of the problem.
There are also programs that use specialized subroutines called device drivers that
can cause problems with the computer system. For example, a variation in the way
the data is sent to the monitor may require a special screen driver program that
expects a certain kind of video mode or monitor. In such cases, you may have to
develop an alternative method of running that particular program—by creating a start-
up file made especially for that program, for example. Call the support service for the
software you are using to help you with this problem.
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