DOWNLOADING

Beginners:
Please look where you save the file. Your browser will not automatically save your files to a 'correct' folder, you have to sometimes go up and down the folders in "Save As"-window, until you have found the one where you want to put them.

The latest versions of Windows usually try to place the file in 'My documents' or 'Desktop' where they are easy to find.

Error messages
Sometimes a download link does not lead to a file download but you will see various error messages instead, like 'this page cannot be displayed', or 'cannot connect to server'. Most of these problems are of temporary nature due to server or connection problems. Please try again later on.

VIRUS CONTROL

Always scan downloaded files BEFORE opening them. Remember to update your anti-virus program regularly, otherwise it will not be able to protect you from the latest viruses. Registered users will be notified of the latest updates.

Do not let the fear of viruses to stop you using the wonderful resources available on the Net. Most current viruses now arrive by email.

INSTALLING THE FILES

After installation go to Control Panel -> Display Settings - (or simply click with right mouse button on the desktop and choose 'Properties') and choose Screensaver tab. Select your new screensaver's name in the drop-down list, check the settings (sometimes you can change speed, number of characters, use a password etc). Attention: all screensavers don't work in Preview mode. Also sometimes you need to restart Windows to be able to use the screensaver. If you are installing several screensavers just after each other, you might get error messages. Restarting Windows solves most problems.

ZIP-files
Some downloaded files are compressed zip-files and you will need an unzipping program. Windows XP and Vista can open zipped files without problem (by double-clicking on them) but for earlier Windows version you will need a unzipping program.

(Windows default settings will not show you the file type. If you can't see the file extension, you need to go to file view options and clear the box telling "hide extensions for known file types").

Double-click on the downloaded zip-file. Winzip-window will automatically open with the contents of the file visible.

If "Install"-button is visible in the menu bar of the WinZip-window, simply click on it and follow the instructions. If there is no "Install"-button visible, check the list of unzipped files. There should be a readme-file. Double-click on it to see the instructions. Usually you have to move the scr-file with the other files to Windows directory. Sometimes exceptionally you are instructed to extract all the files to a specific directory and to click on the setup- or install-file only once there. There is a special button in Winzip-window for "extract"-option. If you find only a scr-file, move it to Windows directory. Remember to close the Winzip-window when you have finished with installation.

SCR-files
If the downloaded file is of 'scr' type, you need to move it manually to c:\windows unless author's instructions tell you otherwise (sometimes needs to go to c:\windows\system (Win95/98/ME) or c:\windows\system32 (Win2000/XP). Installation problems
Sometimes during installation, you can get a message : "this file is corrupted - application cannot be installed" or "this file is not a valid DOS- (Windows-, Win 32- or ZIP-) file" (or something similar). This means that something has gone wrong during the downloading. There is only one thing to do: download the file again. If after several downloads the file still doesn't work, it is evident that original file in the server has become corrupted. Fortunately this doesn't happen very often. Notify the author of the screensaver about the problem.

DISPLAY PROBLEMS

Some screensavers do not tolerate energy saving features. If you notice that a screensaver crashes when the PC is left alone for a longer time, try disabling low-power standby and monitor shut-down.

UNINSTALLING SCREENSAVERS

If you could not find your screensaver in the two locations mentioned above, it is time to have a closer look in the c:\windows, c:\windows\system, or c:\windows\system32 in WIN2000/XP. All files ending with scr will show on your screensaver list. Delete those you do not want anymore. This method does not necessary get rid of all installed files but at least it gets rid of the main file and the name on the list. Be very careful not to delete anything else, as removing a system file might render your PC unusable.

If this manual method seems too complicated or scary to you, there exists an excellent tool that will look for any scr-files in your system and you can simply tick off those you do not want any more: Screensaver Deletion Tool. This tool deletes the scr-files only and thus might leave any additional files in the system.
It is very important though that you first check that an uninstall option does not exist in 'Control Panel' -> 'Add/Remove' programs, or 'Start' - > 'Programs' list. These cannot be used after you have removed the scr-file.

Good luck and enjoy the screensavers!