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This page explains how to download and install Netscape browser products on Windows, Mac OS, and Unix platforms. You should also read any Read Me files and release notes that come with the Netscape software.

Contents:

Note: Server installation is more complicated. If you're downloading server software, please see the Read Me file that accompanies the downloaded software.

Installing on Windows

You may want to print these instructions. When you are ready to install, return to the Netscape Products download page.

Part One: Download Your New Software.

  1. On the Netscape Products download page, click the link or button for the product you want to download.

  2. Follow the instructions to choose a language, operating system, and any other choices that are presented.

  3. When you are done making choices, click the Download link or the Download Now button.

    Note: You may see more than one window, including ads, that contain Download Now buttons. Be sure to click the Download Now button for the product you want to install.

  4. Do one of the following:
    • If the software is downloaded automatically into a default folder, you see a Netscape SmartDownload progress dialog box. Make a note of the directory (folder) and filename for the software you are downloading. For instance, if you are downloading Netscape 6, the dialog box contains this line: "To: C:\My Download Files\N6Setup.exe". This means you are downloading into the "My Download Files" directory, and the file you are downloading is named "N6Setup.exe".

    • If a "Save As" dialog box appears, choose a folder and filename for the software you are downloading. Be sure to remember the folder and filename you choose.

Part Two: Install Your New Software.

  1. After downloading is complete, you may see a "Download successful" dialog box. If you see this dialog box, click Install and go on to step 3. Otherwise, continue with step 2.

  2. (Skip this step if installation has already started) Open the folder the new software was downloaded into, and double-click the file you downloaded. For instance, if you downloaded Netscape 6, double-click the file named "N6Setup.exe".

    Depending on what you're installing, you may see InstallShield(r) dialogs.

  3. When the Netscape Setup Welcome screen appears, read the information and click Next.

  4. Read the instructions on each screen. The screens vary depending on what you're installing, but in general you are asked to do some or all of the following:

    • Read and agree to a license agreement. If you decline, installation will not continue.

    • Choose a type of Setup or installation, such as "Typical," "Custom," "Recommended," or "Full."

    • Choose a destination directory (folder). This is the location where the new software will be installed, normally C:\Program Files\Netscape. If you install your new software into the Netscape folder that contains your current version of the software, your current version will be overwritten, but you can still use your existing bookmarks, preferences, and settings. If you wish to keep a copy of the old version as a backup, simply choose or create a new folder for the software you are about to install.

    • Choose preferences, including specifying that you want Netscape to be your default browser. This means that Netscape will open automatically when you double-click files that can be displayed through a browser.

    Note for Windows 3.1 users: You will be asked if you want to continue using your existing netscape.ini file. Answer Yes if you want to continue using your existing bookmarks and preferences; otherwise the netscape.ini file will be overwritten and existing settings will be lost.

  5. When you see the prompt telling you that installation is complete, click Restart.

Important: During installation, if an earlier version of the software is currently open, you see a message similar to this: "Setup has detected that an instance of Communicator is currently running." If you see this message, follow these steps:

  1. Click Cancel.
  2. Exit from the earlier version of the software.
  3. Open the folder the new software was downloaded into, and double-click the file you downloaded. For instance, if you downloaded Netscape 6, double-click the file named "N6Setup.exe".

After you restart your computer, go to the folder where you installed your new software. Double-click the Navigator icon to launch your new browser. You can also start Netscape from the Start menu or from the Netscape icon on your desktop.

Installing on Mac OS

You may want to print these instructions. When you are ready to install, return to the Netscape Products download page.

Part One: Download Your New Software.

  1. On the Netscape Products download page, click the link or button for the product you want to download.

  2. Follow the instructions to choose a language, operating system, and any other choices that are presented.

  3. When you are done making choices, click the Download link or the Download Now button.

    Note: You may see more than one window, including ads, that contain Download Now buttons. Be sure to click the Download Now button for the product you want to install.

  4. Do one of the following:
    • If you see a message similar to this: "Will open with Stuffit Expander," this means that the file you downloaded, which is compressed (in .bin format), expands automatically. Go on to Part Two..

    • If the file does not expand automatically, you will have to expand it using a program such as Stuffit Expander. You can obtain Stuffit Expander at http://www.aladdinsys.com. (To expand the downloaded file using Stuffit Expander, drag the file to the Stuffit Expander icon.)

When downloading and expanding the file is completed, you will have the following items on your desktop:

  • A .sea file, designated by a diamond-shaped icon with four arrows. This is the compressed file that you downloaded. (You may also have a file with ".bin" at the end of its filename.)
  • A Netscape folder named (for example) "Netscape 6 Installer" or "Communicator 4.75 Complete." This is the expanded installer and related files.

Part Two: Install Your New Software.

  1. Open the new folder and double-click the Installer icon or the "Start Here" icon.

  2. Click Continue if you see a Netscape splash screen with a Continue button.

  3. Read the instructions on each screen. The screens vary depending on what you're installing, but in general you are asked to do some or all of the following:

    • Read and accept a license agreement. If you decline, installation will not continue.

    • Choose a type of installation, such as "Recommended" or "Easy."

    • Choose a destination directory (folder). This is the location where the new software will be installed, normally C:\Program Files\Netscape. If you install your new software into the Netscape folder that contains your current version of the software, your current version will be overwritten, but you can still use your existing bookmarks, preferences, and settings. If you wish to keep a copy of the old version as a backup, simply choose or create a new folder for the software you are about to install.

    • Choose preferences, including specifying that you want Netscape to be your default browser. This means that Netscape will open automatically when you double-click files that can be displayed through a browser.

  4. When you see the prompt telling you that installation is complete, restart your computer.

After you restart your computer, go to the folder where you installed your new software. Double-click the Navigator icon to launch your new browser.

Installing on Unix

Important: Netscape 6 is supported on Linux machines only.

These instructions assume that you have an intermediate knowledge of Unix command syntax and experience installing applications on Unix. If you have any problems, please contact your system administrator or Netscape technical support.

You may want to print these instructions. When you are ready to install, return to the Netscape Products download page.

Part One: Download Your New Software.

  1. On the Netscape Products download page, click the link or button for the product you want to download.

  2. Follow the instructions to choose a language, operating system, and any other choices that are presented.

  3. When you are done making choices, click the Download link or the Download Now button.

    Note: You may see more than one window, including ads, that contain Download Now buttons. Be sure to click the Download Now button for the product you want to install.

  4. In the Save As dialog box, specify a directory and filename for the software you are downloading. The downloaded file is a gzip compressed tar archive.

Part Two: Install Your New Software.

  1. Uncompress and extract the tar file. This extracts the files to your current directory).
    gzip -dc filename | tar -xvf -
  2. Open and read the Read Me file for the software you downloaded. Instructions for installing the software vary depending on which product you've downloaded. Instructions for Netscape Communicator and Netscape 6 also appear below.

Installing Netscape Communicator:

  • When the file is uncompressed, a Bourne shell script called ns-install is created. To run it, type:
    ./ns-install
  • When prompted, either press Return/Enter to accept the default, or enter the path to the installation directory of your choice. You will be notified if you do not have permission to install in the directory specified or if the directory does not exist.

  • To start Communicator, change directory to the directory where you installed it, and type:
    ./netscape

Installing Netscape 6:

Important: Netscape 6 is supported on Linux machines only.

  • When the file is uncompressed, change to the "netscape-installer" directory:
    cd netscape-installer

  • Run the Netscape 6 Installer with the run script:
    ./netscape-installer
  • To start Netscape 6, change directory to the directory where you installed it, and type:
    ./netscape
     


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