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Service Hints & Tips

Document ID: VLAR-46KMNW

Instructions for downloading and extracting files

Applicable to: World-Wide

Information about files on the IBM site:
Generally, there are two types of files on our site, self-extracting executables (.exe) and readme text files (.txt).

The .exe files contain various files (i.e. INF, EXE, ROM, etc.) that have been compressed into one (easy to download) file that contains fixes or enhancements for your IBM product. Once downloaded, the .exe has to be extracted or uncompressed before the fixes or enhancements can be ran and applied.

The .txt files generally provide instructions about how to apply the fix or enhancement and/or information about what fixes or enhancements will take place. These .txt files are included with the self-extracting .exe file. As a convenience, .txt files are also available on the Web site as a separate file to provide easy access to information about the (.exe) file. For example, the file Tr4ide.txt is the readme for the self-extracting file Tr4ide.exe. This readme file is included in the Tr4ide.exe file and is available when Tr4ide.exe is extracted.

Instructions for downloading file(s):
Prior to downloading the file(s), decide where (on your hard drive) you want the file(s) to be downloaded. As a suggestion, it is often best if you have a directory on your hard drive that's used exclusively for downloading files.

To download text files:

1. Click once on the underlined filename with the right mouse button. A small pop-up window will appear.
2. With the left mouse button, choose "Save Link As" or whatever option is available that allows you to save the file. Once this is done a different pop-up window will appear.
3. In this pop-up window, choose (using the left mouse button) the directory you would like to download the file to and click the "Save" button. A different window will appear and the download will begin and complete without your assistance.

Once the download has completed there may or may not be a message stating that the download completed successfully.

To download non-text files such as .exe files:

1. Click once on the underlined filename with the left mouse button. Once this is done a pop-up window will appear.
2. In this pop-up window, choose (using the left mouse button) the directory you would like to download the file to and click the "Save" button. A different window will appear and the download will begin and complete without your assistance.

Once the download has completed there may or may not be a message stating that the download completed successfully.

After being downloaded the file will need to be extracted.

Instructions for extracting files:
Files ending in .exe, .dsk, and .zip will have to be extracted before they can be used on the IBM product. The extracting process can be initiated using the mouse to double-click the file or by typing in the filename from a command prompt. The method used is simply a matter of preference. Because some files extract directly to the hard drive whereas others extract to diskettes, it's best to create a temporary directory to move the file to before extracting.

Instructions for extracting files using the mouse:
The utility used to access the file is going to differ depending on the operating system being used. Utilities such as File Manager, Windows Explorer, My Computer, etc. can be used. To extract the file:

1. Go to utility of choice and locate the directory where the file was downloaded.
2. Locate the file that was just downloaded and double click it using the left mouse button.

At this point one of three things will happen first:

• The files will begin to extract in the directory where the downloaded file is located.
• A message will appear that asks for a disk to be loaded in drive A:\.
• A licensing agreement will appear.

>If the files extract directly to the hard drive, refer to the readme document and follow the instructions.
>If a message appears asking for diskettes, follow the instructions on the screen. Once the extraction has taken place, refer to the readme for instructions.
>If a licensing agreement appears, read the licensing agreement and follow the instructions. Once the extraction has taken place, refer to the readme for instructions.

Extracting a file from the Command Prompt:
Getting to a command prompt is going to vary depending on the operating system that is being used. The user's manual for the operating system should be consulted. To extract files from the command prompt (C:\):

1. Bring up the command prompt.
2. Simply type in the filename without the extension and hit enter. For example, to extract the file Tr4ide.exe, type in tr4ide and hit enter.

	Search Keywords
	Hint Category	General Information
	Date Created	02-04-99
	Last Updated	03-05-99
	Revision Date	06-05-2000
	Brand	IBM Options
	Product Family	Modems
	Machine Type	14.4, 56K, 9600
	Model	All
	TypeModel
	Retain Tip (if applicable)
	Reverse Doclinks and Admin Purposes