Support: Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I configure Windows 98 for Solar Winds Online ?
2. How do I send / recieve attachments via email ?
3. Is it true I could get a virus from being connected to the Internet ?
4. What is a Zip file ?

1. Configuring Windows 98
   Please refer to our Windows 98 Configuration Guide for further details
   
   
2. How do I send / recieve attachements via email ?
   If you are using Outlook Express:
   
   Compose a new message as normal.
   Click INSERT then FILE ATTACHMENT
   A browser will appear allowing you to select the file you wish to attach
   Select the file, and its name will then appear on the 'attachments' line in the header.
   
   When you now send this message, the attachment will be included and sent to the recipient also.
   
   If you are using Eudora:
   
   Compose a new message as normal.
   From the message menu select Attach File
   A browser will appear allowing you to select the file you wish to attach
   Select the file, and its name will then appear on the 'attachments' line in the header.
   Ensure the encoding method is MIME (on the pull down menu when composing a message).
   
   When you now send this message, the attachment will be included and sent to the recipient also.
   If somebody sends you an attachment that has been encoded with MIME, then Eudora will display the message: Attachment Converted
   
   Although Solar Winds does not have a set limit on what size of file you can email, we reccommend that you do not send anything larger the 1 megabyte or 1000k. Email is great for sending pictures. :)
   
   
3. Is it true I could get a virus from being connected to the Internet ?
   
   There are many rumours that surface occasionally regarding a number of email messages that apparently infect you with a virus when read. The most infamous of these is the 'Good Times' message, that has the subject: Good Times. According to the rumours, reading this message will infect you will a virus.

   The claims that these rumours and the message make are completely false. There is no way you can receive a virus by just reading an email message. There is also no way you can receive a virus by just being connected to the Internet.

   Where viruses can occur is in the running of Programs. If you are downloading programs from the Internet and then running these programs it would be advisable to check them with a Virus Checker program first. This includes attachments send to you via email. Generally most programs on the Internet have been virus checked before they are allowed to be downloaded but to be perfectly safe we would advise virus scanning any program you download from the Internet before running it.
   
   Something suspicious to watch for is if someone sends you 2 messages together, the first one being a normal message and the second one being a blank message with an attachment. The second message is most likely a program that contians a virus, if you were to run this program then you would possibly become infected.
   When in doubt it is best to err on the side of caution and just delete the attachment.
   
   We reccomend you run and importantly, keep updated, a virus scanner. If you do not keep your virus scanner updated it can not protect you from new viruses.
   
   Some good virus programs are :
   
   Mcafee by Avert - http://www.mcafee.com
   Norton Antivirus - http://www.symantec.com
   
   If you are unsure about installing and configuring a virus scanner your self please contact us at support@internetguys.ca to make arrangements for us to install one for you.
   
   

4. What is a zip file ?
   
   A zip file is a file they may contian a program, picture etc that was compressed to make the file size smaller to make it easier to download, email etc. What do you with a zip file ? You have to unzip it.
   
   You need a decoder to do this.
   
   For windows based machines try : Winzip
   For Macintosh based machines try : UUlite