Section A.1. Installing and Activating Flash 8

A.1. Installing and Activating Flash 8

As with most programs, before you can use Flash, you need to install it on your computer and activate it. Fortunately, this one-time process is fairly painless. To get started, grab your Flash installation CD and the jacket that it comes in. (You need the jacket because it contains the serial number you need to activate Flash.)

Then follow these steps:

1. Close any other programs you have open .

   Flash demands all your computer's attention during the installation and configuration process, so you don't want any other files or programs open when it installs . Close your Internet connection, too.

2. Insert the Flash installation disc into your CD/DVD drive .

   If you're in Windows, the installation screen appears automatically.

   If you're on a Mac, you have an extra step: On the desktop, double-click the CD/DVD icon; then double-click the name of installation program (for example, FL_Client_Installer). Then the installation screen appears.

   ---

   Note: If the installation screen doesn't appear when you insert your Flash installation disk (and you're running Windows), click Start My Computer and then double-click the drive letter for your CD or DVD drive. The installation discs contentsincluding something called a Setup fileappear in your My Computer window. Double-click the Setup file to start the installation.

   ---

3. Follow the onscreen installation instructions on the next few screens, telling Flash that you want to accept its license agreement (you can't install the program unless you do) and confirming that you want to install the free Flash Player plug-in .

   When you finish, a message appears to let you know you've successfully installed Flash.

   The first time you launch the program, it asks you for your serial number.

4. Launch your newly installed copy of Flash .

   You can use any of the methods described on Section 1.1, like the Start menu (Windows) or the Dock (Mac).

5. Type your serial number, and then click Next to activate your copy of Flash .

   An optional registration screen appears.

6. If you wish to register, type your name, your email address, and the country where you're located .

   Registering your copy of Flash gives Adobe a record of your purchase in case you run into any snags down the line.

7. Click Finish .

   You're good to go.