Installing Quick Time, Quick!

Written by:  Dan Daily 

Hi Gang!

Welcome back.  A couple of columns ago, we discussed how to install "Real Player."  Today, we'll finish the series with the Quick Time Installation.  As you know, Quick Time is used on all my sites as the music player of choice.  You must have it to view the "Easter Page," as it's also a video player:  The "Easter Page" has a Quick Time movie imbedded in the page.

Fortunately, unlike "Real Player," Quick Time isn't spyware, and it doesn't try to take over your computer on you.

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Quick Time has become the defacto Internet Player.  The advantages is offers is much better sound quality, (it uses it's own midi synthesizer) a volume control on the control bar, (far left) and a non intrusive look when the player is included on the actual web page.  This is why I use it.  Slowly, I'll be replacing all the player spaces, only for the Quick Time player.

Quick Time is a free program made by Apple.  And, because Apple is strange, so is the installation of Quick Time.  LOL

After reading this; you'll want to go to the printer friendly version of this page.  Print it out, (use monochrome, to save the color ink) and use it for the step by step.

It's easy Gang!  So Let's go!

OK; the first thing we need to do is go to the Quick Time site.  You can go to keyword "Quick Time" on Aol, or just Click Here  Or better yet, just take if off your "Danny's Junk" CD!

Note:  For downloaders; if you don't already have Quick Time, the first thing you'll notice is the site telling you it's installed wrong, and offering you a link for download.  So, just click it.  If not, just click on the "download" tab on the top row.  The viewer we're looking for is version 4.1.2  The 5 preview is out, but forget it.  When it's released, that's something else, but let's stick to what we know works.  LOL

The strange thing about the installation that's about to happen:  You're first download is not Quick Time at all; it's the installation program.  Don't ask me why they do it this way, but hey, Apple is strange.  There is a free standing download available on my CD to avoid the download at all.  The first thing you want to do if using the CD, is get offline.  Your chances for success is much greater this way.

Quick Time is finicky, it may take two attempts before it runs correctly.  Also, make sure all your other plug in's are already installed.  If "Real Player" is installed last, it cancels out the Quick Time installation.  I don't know why this is so, but in my experience, it is.  That's why we did the "Real Player" installation first, and Quick Time last.

OK, if you downloaded it, make sure you download the installer somewhere you can find it.  It's called: "Quick Time Installer.exe" original, huh?  When you double click on it, make sure you are still online.  When the installer is running, that's when it actually downloads the Quick Time files.

But First Things First

Almost forget:  The first thing you must do, is to shut down "Zone Alarm," and shut down "Ad Subtract."  They will both try to interfere with this installation.  Like I said, this installation is finicky, you don't want to go through the download, only to find out it didn't take.  So shut them down now.

Let's Go Get It!

So run the installer now:  The first thing you get is the usual; "You must agree to this and that," and such.  Just tell it yes to everything.  Lastly you come to a screen that asks about the actual install, giving you choices for the installation.  For our purposes today, we'll stick with the minimum installation if you're downloading it.  That's 3.37megs.  The nice thing about Quick Time:  If you're on the web, and you come to something you don't have, Quick Time will pop up and automatically download the addition for you; it installs it, and poof!  Presto; you haven't even left your page.  So, there really is no advantage to downloading the entire 9 megs.  chances are, you'll never need anything at all.  The basic player is pretty complete, and it's the default.

A few screens later, you come to the sections that explain what browsers the installation is for.  If you only have IE on your computer, only the IE will be checked.  If you have both IE, and Netscape, both will be checked.  Don't change it, unless it's not correct.  

The next screen is a registration screen.  This is for the "Pro" users who pay for the pro version.  Just leave it blank, and click next.  The next screen searches for installed components, and the next asks about a proxy server.

The proxy Server Screen

If you're running Ad Subtract, you see it there, with the check mark already checked on the box.  Ad Subtract actually acts as a server on your computer.  That's how it can block ads, and cookies before it even gets to your computer, so leave this setting alone.  But, if I were you, I'd start over and shut down Ad Subtract.  I already said that.  LOL

Even though AOL is itself a proxy server, it is not considered one for these purposes, it is considered "The Server," so leave the box blank if you're not running Ad Subtract for this session.  THIS IS IMPORTANT!  Many installations don't go through for this reason.  If only on AOL, DON'T CHECK THE PROXY SERVER BOX!

And That's It!

From there, Apple takes over, it downloads Quick Time, and automatically installs it.  It doesn't even call for a reboot, but hell; reboot it anyway.  I always do after installing a new program, if it asks or not.

So That's it Gang!  Easy Huh?

Yup, really!  No talking it out of doing things you don't what it to do.  It's all set.  Now you can really enjoy music on the Internet, and hey, don't forget to visit my Easter Page, and see what that blank Box really is!

I hope this helps you on your road.  Your Road?

Yes, Your Road To Computer Sanity

(talk about one major oxymoron.  LOL)

                              Danny