This information mainly applies to Netscape Versions 2 thru 3. These settings are also applicable to most other Windows 3.1 Internet Software

Basics to Check

Minimun 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.

dir /s winsock.dll

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.

winsock.dll

Start From: c:\

The box should be checked for "Search all subdirectories"

Click OK.

This will find all of the winsock.dll files. Rename all of the winsock.dll files to winsock.old for any files NOT

located in your dial in program's directory (probably c:\netscape if you are using Netscape 2.01/2.02).

To rename files to winsock.old:

Click on the file you wish to rename to highlight it.

Click on File Menu and Select Rename.

Type in the the full path and filename you wish to rename the file.

Ex. c:\aol25\winsock.dll

Rename to c:\aol25\winsock.old

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 executeable 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

EMM386.EXE and HIMEM.SYS

The line containing the himem.sys file should be before the emm386.exe file line. Both of these lines should be near or at the top of the file. The lines should look similar to this:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS

DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS

If the EMM386.EXE line contains any "X=a number or something", do NOT remove them. However, it is always advisable to remove any "I=something" or "WIN=something" portions of the line.

Each of the "X=something" (if you have one) should also be references in a EMMEXCLUDE= in the

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI file under the [386 Enh] section.

If you are not using EMM386.EXE, then you are using another memory manager such as QEMM

(Quarterdeck Memory Manager). Be sure that the memory manager program does not run in some king of dynamic addressing mode (i.e. Stealth Mode with QEMM). If you are not sure of what your memory manager does, consult your manual or use the DOS device lines exampled above.

HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE should be located in the same directory.

FILES=

FILES=99

BUFFERS=

The files line should be BUFFERS=10,0 (or greater) if SMARTDRIVE.EXE is present in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. You should be using SMARTDRIVE.EXE. If you are not, the easiest way to set it up is with the MEMMAKER command at the DOS prompt. See Largest Executable Size above

If your not using SMARTDRIVE.EXE, then should be BUFFERS=40,0

STACKS=

STACKS=9,256 or 18,128

FCBS=

FCBS=4,0

SHELL=

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

TEMP directory

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.

PATH=

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**

Anti-Virus TSRs

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:

LOAD= and RUN=

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=

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.

COMM.DRV=

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 in. 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.