Instructions for Using the Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)

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The Application Note below, "Microsoft Download Service (MSDL) Instructions" (GA0604), describes the MSDL and gives instructions for downloading files and offers troubleshooting tips.

You can obtain this Application Note from the following sources:

• Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet
• The Internet (Microsoft anonymous ftp server)
• The Microsoft Network (MSN)
• Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
• Microsoft FastTips Technical Library
• Microsoft Product Support Services

THE TEXT OF GA0604

  Microsoft(R) Product Support Services Application Note (Text File)
        GA0604: MICROSOFT DOWNLOAD SERVICE (MSDL) INSTRUCTIONS

                                              Revision Date: 9/95
                                                 No Disk Included

 INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT AND ANY SOFTWARE THAT MAY
 ACCOMPANY THIS DOCUMENT (collectively referred to as an Application
 Note) IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER
 EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED
 WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
 PURPOSE. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and
 the use of this Application Note. This Application Note may be
 copied and distributed subject to the following conditions:  1) All
 text must be copied without modification and all pages must be
 included;  2) If software is included, all files on the disk(s)
 must be copied without modification (the MS-DOS(R)  utility
 diskcopy is appropriate for this purpose);  3) All components of
 this Application Note must be distributed together;  and  4) This
 Application Note may not be distributed for profit.

 Copyright (C) 1995 Microsoft Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.
 Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of
 Microsoft Corporation.
 America Online is a registered trademark of America Online.
 Crosstalk is a trademark of Digital Communications Associates, Inc.
 Hewlett-Packard, HP, and LaserJet are registered trademarks of
 Hewlett-Packard Company.

WHAT IS THE MSDL?

The MSDL operates like any MS-DOS-based computer bulletin board system (BBS). The MSDL contains Application Notes from Microsoft Product Support Services (PSS), as well as driver files and other types of support files for download. To use the MSDL, you must have a computer with a modem and a terminal package. Any terminal package, such as Microsoft Works, Windows Terminal, Procomm, or Crosstalk(TM), will work with the MSDL. If you experience difficulty while you are working with the MSDL, try calling a local BBS so you can avoid paying long- distance charges while you try to determine the cause of the problem.

Please note that technical support is not available for the MSDL.

How to Connect to the MSDL

The MSDL supports 1200, 2400, 9600, and 14,400 baud rates (V.32 and V.42), with 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. Make sure the terminal software is configured to operate with these settings. After you have chosen these settings, you can begin the session as follows:

1. Call the MSDL at (425) 936-6735.

2. Enter your full name and the location you are calling from.

   The MSDL will list some basic instructions and information and then display the Main menu:

         ******************************************
         ****    Microsoft Download Service    ****
         ****             Main Menu            ****
         ******************************************
   
             [1] Download File
             [2] File Index (Find a file)
   
             [3] Instructions on Using This Service
             [4] Other Information & Options
         ------------------------------------------
   
             [L]ength of Call
             [E]xit - Logoff the System
             [H]elp - System Instructions
   
         Command:
   
   

How to Download Files

If you already know the exact name of the file to download, follow the steps below. If you do not know the filename, see the following section "How to Search for Files."

1. At the Main menu, press 1 for Download File.

2. Press D and then press the ENTER key.

3. When asked for the filename, type the name of the file you want to download. Be sure to include the correct extension (usually .exe); also, be sure to differentiate between the letter "O" and the number 0 (zero) in filenames.

   Hint: If you see a "-More-" prompt at the bottom of the screen, you can press the SPACEBAR to see more files.

4. When asked which protocol you would like to use, enter any protocol supported by your terminal package (check your software manual for more information). If you are unsure, press X for Xmodem.

5. The MSDL will then display the "Please start the download in your communications program" message. When you see this message, start the download process with your terminal software. For example, if you are using Windows Terminal, choose Receive Binary File from the Transfers menu.

   If you don't start the process, the transfer will fail, and you'll need to start again at step 2.

6. After your transfer is complete, you can quit the MSDL by pressing E to choose Exit.

How to Search for Files

If you do not know the exact name of the file to download, or if you simply want to find out what files are available, do the following:

1. At the Main menu, press 2 for File Index.

2. Press F for File Search.

3. You will be prompted to enter the text to search on. For example, if you want to search for a Hewlett-Packard(R) (HP(R)) LaserJet(R) printer driver, type "hp laserjet" (without the quotation marks) and press the ENTER key.

   The matching filenames will be displayed in a list.

   Hint: If you see a "-More-" prompt at the bottom of the screen, you can press the SPACEBAR to see more files.

   If you don't find what you are looking for, see the following section, "How to Use the File Index," for instructions.

4. After you see the file that you want, write down the filename so you can download the file later.

5. Press the ENTER key to quit the search option.

How to Use the File Index

1. At the Main menu, press 2 for File Index.

2. In the next screen (the File menu), choose the number that matches the application you are looking for.

3. Continue to select the appropriate number from the menus that appear until you see a list of files displayed on the screen.

   For example, if you are looking for a Windows 95 printer driver, do the following:

   a. At the Main menu, press 2 for File Index.

   b. Press 1 for Windows and MS-DOS.

   c. Press 1 for Windows 95 files.

   d. Press 4 for Windows 95 device drivers.

   e. Press 1 for Windows 95 printer drivers.

4. A list of files will be displayed on the screen. Read through the list to see if the file you need is displayed.

   Hint: If you see a "-More-" prompt at the bottom of the screen, you can press the SPACEBAR to see more files.

5. After you locate the file, write down the name. Press the SPACEBAR until you see the following at the bottom of the screen:

         <D>ownload, <P>rotocol, <E>xamine, <N>ew, <L>ist, or <H>elp
         Selection or <CR> to exit:
   

6. To download the file, press D, then follow steps 3-6 in "How to Download Files" on page 2.

How to Use the File After It Is Downloaded

You now have your file. If the file has an .exe extension, run the file by typing its name at the MS-DOS command prompt. The .exe file will extract its contents and the resulting files are then ready to be installed. Please refer to any text files that have been extracted for exact instructions about using the downloaded file or files.

CUSTOMER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE FOR THE MSDL

You may encounter one or more of the following problems when using the MSDL:

• Your connection fails.
• Your connection succeeds but results in garbage characters on the screen.
• The MSDL line constantly rings but does not answer.
• Your attempt to download a file results in the message "Please start the download in your communications program."
• Your attempt to download a file fails.

Your Connection Fails

If you cannot connect to the MSDL, or if you have connected but nothing happens, try the following steps in order:

1. Check your communications protocol software and make sure data bits is set to 8, parity to none, and stop bits to 1--(8,N,1).

2. Select a lower baud rate. Doing this will result in slower data transfers, but it may allow you to get the files you need. If you still cannot connect or must use a higher baud rate, try step 3.

3. Disable modem data compression, specifically V.32bis and V.42bis, and try connecting again. There are different types of data compression, so make sure you disable all types on your modem.

   Data compression is intended to allow higher data transfer rates, but most MSDL files are already compressed. In fact, the transfer rate can be slower if your modem instructs the MSDL-side modem to compress files that are already compressed before sending them.

   To disable data compression, you must modify your terminal software Originate string. For example, most Courier modems require the addition of "&K0" to the Originate string. In Windows Terminal, choose Modem Commands from the Settings menu, and modify the Originate string ATQ0V1E1S0=0 to read ATQ0V1E1S0=0&K0. Data compression will be disabled the next time the modem is dialed.

   If you do not have a Courier modem, or if you are unable to determine exactly how to disable compression for your modem, see your modem manufacturer's documentation for instructions. If you disable all compression and still cannot connect to the MSDL, proceed to step 4.

4. Disable error correction. There are different types of error correction, so make sure you disable all levels. To disable error correction for Courier modems, add "&M0" to the terminal software Originate string. If you do not have a Courier modem, see your modem manufacturer's documentation for instructions.

5. If none of these steps corrects the problem, try a different modem.

Your Connection Succeeds but Results in Garbage Characters on the Screen

1. Make sure the number you are dialing is (425) 936-6735.

2. Make sure that data bits are set to 8, parity to none, and stop bits to 1 (8,N,1) in your communications program.

3. Use the troubleshooting tips under the section titled "Your Connection Fails."

The MSDL Line Constantly Rings but Does Not Answer

If calling the MSDL results in constant ringing, try calling again later in the day. This problem is caused by the failure of one or more modems to reset correctly after a user has hung up. Generally this problem occurs when the MSDL is extremely busy. This situation is usually corrected soon after it is detected.

Your Attempt to Download a File Results in the Message

"Please Start the Download in Your Communications Program"

To correct this problem, you must start the Receive File process in your communications software. For example, in Windows Terminal, choose Receive Binary File from the Transfers menu. The MSDL cannot send data until it receives this signal.

This information is also listed in the MSDL Main Menu under Help.

Your Attempt to Download a File Fails

If your download attempt fails, try these procedures:

1. Make sure you have selected the same protocol in your communications software and from the MSDL.

2. Switch to a different protocol.

3. Disable data compression on your modem. (See step 3 in the "Your Connection Fails" section.)

4. Try a lower baud rate or connect to the MSDL again. This often corrects problems caused by bad phone connections or noisy phone lines.

TO OBTAIN THIS APPLICATION NOTE

You can find GA0604.EXE (size: 17685 bytes) 
                       , a self-extracting file, on the following

• Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet

        On the www.microsoft.com home page, click the Support icon.
        Click Knowledge Base, and select the product.
        Enter kbfile GA0604.EXE (size: 17685 bytes) 
                               , and click GO!
        Open the article, and click the button to download the file.
  
  

• Internet (anonymous FTP)

        ftp ftp.microsoft.com
        Change to the Softlib/Mslfiles folder.
        Get GA0604.EXE (size: 17685 bytes) 
  

• The Microsoft Network

        On the Edit menu, click Go To, and then click Other Location.
        Type "mssupport" (without the quotation marks).
        Double-click the MS Software Library icon.
        Find the appropriate product area.
        Locate and Download GA0604.EXE.
  

• Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)

        Dial (425) 936-6735 to connect to MSDL
        Download GA0604.EXE (size: 17685 bytes) 
  

   ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
   TITLE     : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online
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