When installing a new program on your computer, it is a quite straight forward process. Insert the program CD or DVD into your drive, close the drive and automatically the installation process for the program will start.
Every now and again, you will come across a program that will present all sorts of issues. I experienced this myself just recently with a new game purchase. So here are some tips on how to handle these 'issues' and what you can do to resolve them.
I have inserted the disc, but nothing happens ?
Most Windows based computers have what is known as an 'autoplay' feature. This Windows feature will detect the type of disc you have inserted in your disc drive and play the appropriate disc type or program. These are;
Music disc - start the default music player and commence playing music (like a music cd)
Video disc - start the default video player and commence playing the video (like a standard DVD movie that plays on your lounge room DVD player)
Computer Game - start the game if it is already installed on the computer or start the install process.
Program disc - start the default install process and commence installing the program so you can use its features, these are known as data programs, like Accounting or Tax software, Office Programs, Video or Photo Editing software and the like.
When you insert a 'program' (data type) disc, autoplay should commence installing the program.
If autoplay does not start, you have these quick options,
Open My Computer by double clicking on the My Computer Icon on the desktop. When you have a CD or DVD inserted into your drive, double click the CD/DVD drive icon (usually E:\ drive), the program should now commence.
If it still does not work, most likely the disc is faulty, return the product from where you purchased for an exchange of faulty product.
I have the installation process running, but now the program wants a Product Key ?
This is an anti-piracy process, started a number of years ago by Microsoft and a few other companies.
The CD or Product Key is usually found on the back of the CD cover your program came in, on the front or inside the manual supplied with the software, or in the manual that has been supplied electronically on the disc. Occasionally you may find the product key on the disc itself.
Type in the product key as shown, do not worry about Capitalising the letters. Some programs will require a dash like this '-' (without the quotes) between the numbers/letters combination.
Sometimes a program will ask for a product key and you find one was not supplied ! (Like a game I just purchased, grrrr).
What to do !!! Several options here, most programs will have an 1800 toll free phone number you can contact for product support.
Return your product to where you purchased from and ask a salesperson that you product needs a product key and was not supplied. Usually a quick product swap will fix this, but check the software contains a product key before leaving the retail store.
If you have tried the two options above and are still unsuccessful, return the product and ask for an exchange to a similar product or refund.
I have the installation process running, but now the install won't finish because it can find xxxx.dll ?
This can occur for several reasons. Sometimes a program your installing for the first time cannot read the CD/DVD in the drive or the disc itself may be faulty (by not actually having the file the program is looking for) unfortunately this does occur.
It may be that it has misread the disc, if it is asking for a location of the file, a box may have popped up on the screen asking for a file location. Find the file by clicking 'find file' and open the DVD drive and check each folder for the file in question. If it is found, click the file name once and click open, this should continue the install process.
I have the finished installing the program, I double click the new icon on my Desktop, but the program wont start ?
Did the program ask you to restart Windows ? If so, some programs will not operate until you have restarted Windows.
Did a message appear with something like 'cannot start X program as the file xxxx.exe is not found or missing'. This can appear if a program has been put on your computer but there was an issue with the program on release and you will need to download a 'patch' from the program manufacturer's website to run and update the program before you can start using it.
Also, you will see on occasion a program will say it installed successfully, but actually, it reached 99% of install. Simply go to your Control Panel and in Add/Remove programs (in Windows XP) or Programs and Features (in Windows Vista) un-install the program, restart your computer and install a second time.
I want to run my program, but it is asking to insert the disc ?
Most programs will be able to operate on your computer after you have once installed the program from a disc. Some programs, especially games, will not allow you to operate the program unless you have the original disc you installed the program in the cd/dvd drive.
This is another anti-piracy measure and is standard for some program types, so don't be alarmed.
Hopefully some of these tips provided here have shed some light on a few common problems yo may experience when installing new software from a program disc.
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