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| Troubleshooting | Buy This Issue Table of Contents For This Issue  E-mail
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| October 2000• Vol.11 Issue 10 Page(s) 87-90 in print issue | |
Your Installation Itinerary Avoiding Software Setup Problems Requires Preparation & Follow Up |
 On par with setting up a
network or wading into the Registry, software installation has long been
tinged with a bit of frustration, and with good reason. Each software
package, like each system it is installed on, is different, and although
developers can anticipate many problems and steer you away from them, they
can’t foresee them all. There also is an air of mystery about the whole process. What goes on behind that show of brightly colored installation progress bars? There is usually quite a bit happening during the installation process. The software is probably: • unpacking files • configuring your system to use the program • checking to make sure you have the necessary hardware and files to use the new software • looking for previous versions of programs • creating a folder for the file • adding shortcuts to menus, the Start menu, and the Desktop • adding entries to the Registry • asking you questions to help configure the program Installing software is definitely a more involved process than just slapping a CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory) into the drive. Software installations are processes with a before, during, and after, and if you view them as such, you can avoid the many problems that can suddenly spring up.  Before
InstallationPrior to installing you new software, you need to make sure you system is in an optimum state and that you have a solid understanding of what you are installing and how to install it. System. When installing software, you’ll have fewer problems if you get your system as close as possible to the state in which the developers tested the software. There are several ways to do this, starting with a simple run of Windows’ maintenance programs such as ScanDisk and Disk Defragmenter (or similar third-party utilities). These programs can clear up any minor problems that could balloon with the introduction of new software. (NOTE: See the “Windows Utilities” article in this issue for more information on these built-in programs and how to use them.)
You also should make sure no other programs are running when you install software. Although applications such as Web browsers and word processors are obvious, it’s also important to close any screen savers or virus-protection programs that may interfere with installation. (They may become suspect of the installation activity and try to stop it.) In addition, programs that are running during an installation could be using files the installer will either need to replace or update. If you’re using them, the installer won’t be able to access the files, and the installer will abort the installation or finish the installation even though it is incomplete. When you do go to shut down all running programs, you’ll have to target both background and foreground activity. First, you should stop any program that is running in the System Tray by right-clicking its icon and choosing whatever exit option that program has. Second, you should press CTRL-ALT-DELETE to launch Windows Task Manager and halt all tasks listed with the exception of Explorer and Systray (the System Tray). You don’t need to manually restart software that is shut down for installation, says Tal Bahir, programmer and creator of the name-recognition software SoomSoom. “Do not worry about starting these programs again, as after most installations, you will be asked to restart Windows.”
Finally, it might also be a good idea to back up important files, the Registry, and anything else of crucial importance to you, something you should be doing regularly anyway. Documentation and research. Knowing what you’re doing is key to successful software installation. Educate yourself on what you’re installing; learn what it does, how it works, and what it is going to do to your computer. Although it may seem a waste of time to wade through the documentation that comes with your software, it can save you time when your computer turns into a big blinking paperweight. “Good software companies will document any necessary required maintenance modifications included in the installed release, as well as some of the more important known issues with the current release,” says Susan Barker, quality assurance pioneer for SoDeog Technologies Inc., which creates software for device-to-device exchanges of data. Even if you don’t have time to pore through all the documentation, a quick look through the Readme file that accompanies most installers is a must. It contains some of the most important information you’ll need to successfully install the program, such as whether the software conflicts with recent versions of other programs and general installation tips. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have the serial number and other related materials handy. A company’s Web site also is a helpful source of information, and its information is usually current. “It’s a good idea to check if there are any known patches and fixes to the software before it is installed,” Fallon says. Web sites can also hold additional documentation and FAQs (frequently asked questions). If you’re having a problem, chances are you’re not the first, and an effective Web site will contain answers to common problems. Barker also recommends sizing up a company and its product before you start the installation process. “A person should always try to find out as much as they can about the maker of the software,” she says. “Freeware and shareware do not always go through the same high-quality testing performed by commercial software vendors. This is not to say not to use that software, just be careful.” She also advises that people carefully consider betas before trying them, and that they should find people or sites that recommend the software.
InstallationNow you’re set for the installation. But how should you go about it? One way is with Win98’s built-in Add/Remove Programs tool. To open it, click the Start menu, Settings, and then Control Panel. Next, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. From the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box, you can install programs from CD, diskette, or your hard drive using the Install button on the Install/Uninstall tab. You also can install programs from your Windows installation CD using the Windows Setup tab. When you install applications using the Add/Remove Programs dialog box, Windows adds the program to the list of applications on the Install/Uninstall tab. When you highlight one of these programs, you can easily delete it by clicking the Add/Remove button. (However, it is better to use a program such as CleanSweep to uninstall programs. See the “Troubleshooting Tips” sidebar for more information.) Most applications now come with installation programs, meaning you don’t need to use Add/Remove Programs. Double-clicking the setup program, probably Setup.exe or Install.exe, or the main program icon should launch it. In the event there is no installer (which is rare), make sure all parts of the file get into the same folder. Then look for an executable file with an .EXE or .COM file extension or a file that bares the name of the program you’re trying to install and run the file. Types of installations. At some point in the installation process, particularly if you’re installing a large program, you’ll probably have the chance to perform a custom install, which lets you choose what features you want to include with the program. This lets you control the size of the program. With many companies pushing out new versions that seem to concentrate on bigger at least as much as better, blocking the installation of features you’ll never use will save you drive space. Space isn’t the only consideration in choosing to custom install software. In the case of utilities packages, you can opt not to install monitoring features that can inflict a big hit on performance in the name of, well, improved performance. If you have processor speed to spare, these are great features, but those squeaking by could find their performance slows while using them. Some software modules, particularly those in networking and some Internet software, can increase your vulnerability, particularly if you don’t understand them or aren’t sure how to configure them. Earlier this year, a bug in Microsoft’s Index Server (built into Windows 2000 and offered as an add-on to Windows NT 4.0) left many businesses vulnerable to security breeches, and many businesses had no idea they even had Microsoft’s Index Server installed. That said, if you do deselect items in a custom install, you may wind up trying to use a piece of software with large gaps in its available features. Some packages, such as Microsoft Office 2000, let you install parts as you need them, but most require you to select options at installation. Make sure you weigh the risks and benefits of a custom installation before selecting that route, and make sure you have a good grasp of what you’re doing. (Read the manual that came with the software.) Other Installation
IssuesSome other situations that might arise when you are in the process of installing a program include: 1. Overwriting. “Most software will recognize if a previous version has been installed and ask if the user wants to perform an upgrade or replace the software in the same location,” says David Leacy, configuration manager for So-Deog Technologies Inc. “Replacing the software in the same location is usually the recommended installation option.” Some software will automatically overwrite older versions it conflicts with. 2. Where is it? When installing a program, you’ll generally have a choice of where to place it. Once you install a program, it’s not easy to move it, so wisely choose its location. (If possible, steer the installation to the PROGRAMS folder of your main drive. (This will make it easier to find the program in the future.) To move it later, you’ll probably have to uninstall and then reinstall it. In addition, make sure you install it under a recognizable name. Most installers will prompt you for a name during the installation. 3. Registering software. Many applications let you register the product at the end of the installation process. This is definitely something you should do. “Registering the product gives the software vendor some demographics and contact information that allows them to supply a better product. It also gives them the ability to notify you of upgrades or issues related to your product,” Leacy says. DLLs. If you use Windows, you’ve used and probably had problems with DLL (dynamic-link library) files. DLLs are short programs that applications use to perform some functions. They are widely used in Windows as a way to let several applications perform the same basic function (without taking up any running memory). When installing an application, the installer will check to see if all the needed DLL files exist. If one is missing, the installer will install the DLL. Microsoft Windows certification policies require the installer get permission if trying to install an older file that will replace a newer one, whereas it will let newer files replace older ones without notice. Individual DLLs get changed, updated, and improved, and these changes can cause problems. If you start to have issues with specific applications after installing something, chances are you’ve run into a DLL conflict, where two applications are trying to use a DLL, and only one is getting along with the DLL version. (The DLL is too new or old for one of the applications.) To avoid DLL conflicts, if the installer prompts you to replace a newer DLL with an older one, decline the action and see if the new program will work with the DLL that is already functioning properly in your system. One possible source of information is the Microsoft DLL Help database (http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/dllinfo.asp). You can search the database by product and file name to get more information on DLL files. If you find a DLL problem (it will make itself known through error messages such as Procedure Entry Point Not Found, Invalid Page Fault In Module File name, and Missing Or Corrupt), try the following to rectify it: 1.Keep both copies of the DLL on your hard drive and place them each in separate folders, depending on where each application will look for it. 2.Write a batch file to switch versions of the DLL as needed. (This is beyond the scope of this article, but check the Microsoft Knowledge Base at http://search.support.microsoft.com/ for more information.) 3.Select which program is more important to you and don’t use the other. After Installation
Although taking action before or during installation can avert the bulk of installation problems, you should do several things after the installation. First, reboot your PC. In many cases, the software will prompt you to, but if not, you should do it. Rebooting will not only restart all the programs you turned off but also flush out stray installation code to keep it from creating problems. After you reboot, make sure your antivirus software has restarted. Then, keep a periodic eye on the software company’s Web site for patches, new version information, new add-ons, and other news on the product that might be of value to you. In addition, be sure to let the company know what you think of its product. “Users should offer suggestions to the software manufacturers,” Leacy says. “Good software companies will listen to this feedback and incorporate it to help create a positive out-of-the-box solution.”  by Rich Gray
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