PC Preparation Prior To Installing Satellite TV4PC Software

This guide relates to all Satellite TV4PC software products for purchase on this site, as well as other Satellite for PC software (TV player) not on this site. The same requirements are standard for all of them, no matter what brand name is used. This guide applies to, all Windows-based OS (operating systems). As for Linux and MAC OS, it’s best to contact the merchant with questions. The first thing for a Windows-based user to do is know his/her computer system. This will ensure your computer meets all system requirements.

The example below refers to Window XP OS. If you have a different OS, the steps will be somewhat different on your computer. But the steps below should help point you in the general direction.

Determining Windows Operating System

1. Click the Start button, then click All Programs.
2. Highlight Accessories, a window appear to the right.
3. Highlight System Tools, another window appears to the right
4. Click System Information.

Write down the following:

• OS Name - For instance, Microsoft Windows 95, 98, Me, Nt, 2000, XP, or Vista.
• Version (look for Service Pack): For Instance, Service Pack 2.
• Total Physical Memory (RAM) - For instance, 1,024.00 MB.
• Available Physical Memory (RAM) - For instance, 237.44 MB.
• Processor - 2992 Mhz.

OR, use the "winver" command will give you an About Windows window that makes it easy to determine which Windows operating system you have installed on your computer. To determine the Windows operating system installed:

1. Click the Start button, then click Run.
2. In the Open: box, type winver, then click the OK button.
3. On the About Windows window, note the version of the Windows operating system installed on your computer.
4. Click the OK button.

A window will pop open with information about your system. You should write down the following information:

• Windows OS - 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, or Vista.
• Service Pack - SP1, SP2, etc.
• Physical memory available (RAM): For instance, 1,047,532 KB or 1,047 MB.

Determining Hard Drive Capacity
With the System Information window still open, do the following:

1. Scroll down, click the plus (+) next to Storage, then click drives.
2. Write down, Free Space - For instance, 30.08 GB (32,296,194,048 bytes).

OR,

1. Click the Start button, then click My Computer.
2. Look for your hard drive icon and right click on it. Generally, this will be Local Disk C.
3. Look for Free space and write it down. For instance, 32,311,308,288 or 30.0 GB.

Determining Internet Browser Version
If you have Internet Explorer or unsure, with the System Information window still open, do the following:

1. Scroll down, click the plus (+) next to Internet Settings.
2. Click Internet Explorer if not opened, then click Summary.
3. Write down, Version (Internet Explorer) - For instance, 7.05730.13 (version 7)

Note: If you have Netscape or Firefox, this information should be in this location. However if you are using a different OS such as Vista, you will have to find all the above information for your computer.

Determining Display Resolution
Again with the System Information window open, do the following:

1. Scroll down, click the plus (+) next to Components.
2. Then click Display.
3. Write down, Resolution - For instance, 1440 x 900 x 60 hertz

Note: If you can’t find the System Information on your computer. Try doing a search for “system information” + name of your OS on the Net for your computer’s operating system. For instance, “system information” + vista - be sure to enter quotes and + symbol.

At this point, you should have all the necessary information needed to see if your computer is compatible to any one of the Satellite TV4PC software. And if you want to make absolutely sure, just email your computer’s system information to tech support. They will tell you whether or not your computer is compatible.

Required Free Software Downloads
The free media player downloads are extremely important for any Satellite TV4PC software (TV player to work). Therefore, choosing the correct software for your OS (operating system) determines whether or not your TV player will work. Review Satellite TV4PC Media Player Not Working to download the free software and get more helpful information. Downloading everything now before paying the small one-time fee a Satellite TV4PC, determines one important thing - knowing whether or not all the software downloads work on your computer. If there is a problem, again you can email the merchant for a solution. But let them know you are interested in downloading his software.

Preventing Problems That Could Occur Prior To Satellite TV4PC Installation

(1) Close Other Programs
There may be programs running in the background (memory) that are interfering with the Satellite TV4PC software ability to access the Internet. Close all unnecessary programs and other browsers on your desktop including hidden (running in background) programs that will be running at the same time your TV player software is running. Graphic and video editors, in particular, take up a lot of memory and resources. Close all communication software as well. Although you can multitask when playing your TV player, for now you just want to rule out this part if an issue were to arise. Again, you can inform the merchant all the things you did on your end.

Keep in mind, all the procedures below can be performed after installing the Satellite TV4PC software. If there’s a problem with the TV player not working correctly--immediately after installation, then follow the procedures below.

To close other programs on Windows Vista, XP or 2000:

1. Right-click the Windows taskbar near the clock, then click Task Manager.
2. Click the Applications tab.
3. Click a program to highlight it, then click the End Task button. Note: If prompted, click the End Now button.
4. Click the Processes tab.
5. Click Image Name to sort the processes alphabetically.
6. Click a process other than the required processes listed below to highlight it, then click the End Process button. Required Programs (DO NOT END):
   
   • explorer.exe
   • services.exe
   • spoolsv.exe
   • svchost.exe
   • system
   • taskmgr.exe
   • winlogon.exe
   Note: If you are unsure what other applications are required for your computer, please contact your computer manufacturer.
   
7. Click Yes.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until each non-required process is closed.
9. Click the "X" button to close the window.

To close other programs using Windows Me/98:

1. Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys on the keyboard, then tap the Delete key once.
   Note: Holding the Ctrl and Alt keys, then tapping the Delete key two times consecutively will restart your computer. Any program(s) which have been closed will restart when the system restarts.
2. Click a program other than the required programs listed below to select it, and then click the End Task button. Required Programs (DO NOT END):
   
   • explorer
   • systray
   • Note: If prompted by a Close Program message, click the End Task button.
   
   
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all non-required programs are closed. Notes: If you have a large download in progress, slow it down or stop it when listening – the player needs a steady stream of data from the internet.

(2)Clear your browser's cache and enable your browser's cookies (applies when TV player is embedded in browser).

(3)Restarting the computer will refresh your computer's resources.

(4)Once you learn which program can’t be running while your TV player is player, you must close it every time you use the player.