System Requirements

Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements listed here. If your computer doesn�t match up to most of these requirements, you may have problems using the contents of the CD. You must have:

• A PC with a Pentium or faster processor.
• Microsoft Windows 95 or later.
• At least 16 MB of total RAM installed on your computer. For best performance, we recommend at least 32 MB of RAM installed.
• At least 130MB of hard drive space available to install all the software from this CD. (You need less space if you don't install every program.)
• A CD-ROM drive.
• A monitor capable of displaying at least 256 colors or grayscale.
• A modem with a speed of at least 14,400 bps, preferably 33,000 or 56,000.
• A sound card for PCs.

If you need more information on the basics, check out the following:

• PCs For Dummies, 7th Edition, by Dan Gookin
• Windows 95 For Dummies, 2nd Edition, by Andy Rathbone
• Windows 98 For Dummies, also by Andy Rathbone
  (all published by IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.).

A few words about shareware: Shareware programs are available to you for an evaluation period (typically, anywhere from 30 to 90 days). If you decide that you like a shareware program and want to keep using it, you're expected to send a registration fee to its author or publisher, which entitles you to technical support and notifications about new versions. (It also makes you feel good.)

Because most shareware operates on an honor system, the programs continue working even if you don't register them. It's a good idea, however, to support the shareware concept and encourage the continued production of quality, low-cost software by sending in your payment for the programs you use.

If you don't know the letter of your PC's CD-ROM drive: Most PCs assign the letter D to a CD-ROM drive. Here's how to find out which letter your CD-ROM drive uses:

• If you use Windows 95 or Windows 98, double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop. A window appears that lists all your drives, including your CD-ROM drive (which is usually represented by a shiny disk icon), and shows you the letter of each drive. When you're done examining the My Computer display, exit by clicking the window's Close button in its upper-right corner or choosing File-->Close from its menu.