MAELSTORMM HELP PAGE

* Make sure you have the latest version of Internet Explorer from Microsoft. That's the only browser I know that has a full 100% compatibility with my site. Netscape should be able to run everything, but I haven't tried so I can't say for sure. For PC's goto http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en and look for Internet Explorer 6 service pack 1. For Mac's goto http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/internetexplorer/internetexplorer.aspx?pid=internetexplorer and go through the download for the relevant OS. When selecting the file to download, pick *.hqx for OS8-9, or *.bin or *.dmg for OS10

* Occasionally you should empty your temporary internet files. On a PC, goto into your control panels then select Internet Options (If you are on WinXP and in XP view then goto Network and Internet Connections, then pick Internet Options). In the middle of the window you should see a DELETE FILES button, press it and check off the box for ALL OFFLINE CONTENT then hit OKAY. When that's done, if you have the latest IE browser there will also be a button for DELETE COOKIES press that one too. On a Mac, goto EDIT then goto PREFERENCES and look through the menus until you find it (Sorry I can't remember off the top of my head which one from there).

* If you are still having problems then you can check on the following things in internet options, but these are only general choices, your ISP my have different ones. On a PC Under the SECURITY tab make sure the internet's default level is set to MEDIUM. Under the CONNECTIONS tab, go into the LAN SETTINGS button and make sure that only AUTOMATICALLY DETECT SETTINGS is selected. From the ADVANCED tab click on the RESTORE DEFAULT button, then hit the OKAY button. On Mac's goto EDIT then PREFERENCES and sadly you'll need to hunt through there because I can't remember the tab names.

* Make sure you have the latest version of Macromedia Flash for PC's from http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash and also the latest version of Shockwave http://sdc.shockwave.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?&P5_Language=English for Mac's/Linux go here http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/alternates/

* Keep your Javascript up to date here... http://java.com/en/index.jsp

* If flash programs are running slow, then Try RIGHT-CLICKING on the movie and select low quality. If they are still running slow then close all other programs including your ISP's connection one if possible. If it's still running slow and you know it's not your hardware then try some of the steps below.

* GET AN UP TO DATE Machine. This is the biggest cause of problems I see. I know not everybody can have a brand spanking new computer, but try to upgrade the existing one at least to a 800mhz processor and 128mb's SD-Ram. PC wise, Windows 95 is dead, and Windows 98 & NT are scheduled to be dead by the end of the year so make sure your using WinME or Win2000 if you want support. Mac wise I believe they only support OS8.5+ now. Ideally have the latest OS's of either system.

* Try to keep at least 20% of your primary hard drive free.

* PC's Run the Disk Defragmenter tool about every month or two. It's a program that helps keep your files organized in a way that they can be accessed quicker. To access it (system depending) goto Your START menu > PROGRAMS folder > ACCESSORIES folder > SYSTEM TOOLS folder > then pick DISK DEFRAGMENTER. It'll probably take a few hours for it to run. Or go into MY COMPUTER > RIGHT-CLICK on your LOCAL DISK C: or whatever your primary drive name is, and pick PROPERTIES > goto the TOOLS tab and DISK DEFRAGMENTER Should be there too.

* Keep only the programs you need running. On PC's if you look down by the clock in the corner and see more than 8 things when your machine first turns on then you are probably wasting resources. Go into the properties for the programs and disable the unwanted programs startup option. For the most part the only things you should initially have active when the PC turns on are Your Firewall / Anti-Virus / Volume Control / Time&Date manager / LAN connection / and maybe another protection program or 2.

* Get a spyware removal tool. Spyware is a dirty type of program that sneaks onto your system and can trigger popup adds, browser freezes, and slow performance overall. Some of the really evil ones attatch themselves as a toolbar to your browser. The best free spyware program I know of off the top of my head is Ad-Aware from Lavasoft. Go here if you want to look at it... http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ or goto www.download.com and find another one, just do a search for spyware.

* If you have a metric ton of things starting up on your PC, then goto START MENU > RUN > now type in msconfig (lower case) and select OKAY. Then goto the STARTUP tab. Everything that's checked off is something that's told to run when your PC turns on. ONLY turn off ones you KNOW aren't a system process. If you're unsure, contact your OS maker!!!

* If you visit lots of sites that flame you with Popups, then look at a popup blocker. I personally like Google's one... http://toolbar.google.com/ it's free, gives you a google search line, and blocks the popups! Sometimes you may need to override it though to use certain links (Usually just hold down Control or Shift). If you have no luck with this one then try looking for one on www.download.com

* If you have the time/money, then a system cleanup tool like System Mechanic can also do miracles for your PC. http://www.iolo.com/sm/

* Have an anti-virus and keep it up to date! There are a ton of maggots out there that have nothing better to do than hurt others. If you don't have an anti-virus, but want to do a scan then use one of the online scanners such as Norton's... http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

I Hope that helps. Remember, if you are unsure about something DON'T do it! Contact your computer's maker and/or your ISP! That's what they get paid for.