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Appendix A: Installation

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Downloading Impulse

To download & install Impulse, there are two options:

Impulse Client (Web Installer) - is a smaller file (7+ MB), that will download the rest during installation.

Impulse Client (Full Install) - is the full install of Impulse (apprx. 26 MB).

The file sizes may change as new features and changes are made to Impulse. After the initial install of either version, Impulse may download an additional update.

Installation Instructions

On Vista if you get the Security Warning, "Do you want to run this file?", click Run. (Click Cancel or X to abort.)

Do you want to run this file?

If Vista asks "A program needs your permission to continue", click "Continue". On the Impulse - "InstallAware Wizard" Welcome to Setup Wizard screen, click Next to continue. (Click Cancel to abort.)

Welcome to Impulse install.

After reading the "License Agreement", check the box for "I accept the terms of the license agreement" and click Next to continue. (Click Back to return to the previous screen or Click Cancel to abort.)

Impulse license agreement.

For "Destination Folder", either click Next to accept the default path. (Or click Change to select a different folder, then click Next to continue.) (Click Back to return to the previous screen or click Cancel to abort.)

ination folder for Impulse.

The next screen will start the actual installation, with a status bar and messages as it installs Impulse on your computer. If you are installing the "Web Install", some of the messages will say 'downloading files', while the "Full Install" will say 'installing files' from the file you downloaded. (Click Cancel to abort.)

Installation progress.

Once installation is complete, you will see the following message. By default, the box is checked for "Run Impulse now". (If you want to run Impulse later, uncheck the box.) Click the Finish button.

Install Completed.

 

Creating a Login

When running Impulse for the first time, you will see the Impulse splash screen appear.

Impulse splash screen - first thing you see when it runs.

Then the login screen will appear, asking you to create a new account. the options are as follows:

Impulse login screen - create new account.

  • Login with me existing account - if you already have a Stardock.Net, WinCustomize.com or GalCiv2.com account there is no need to create a new Impulse account. Just click on this option and logon with your existing account.
  • Create new account - type in the desired login name as the "Account name", this can be a shortened version of your real name or an alias of your choosing. Then create and verify your password by re-typing it, then click Next. (Click Back to return to the previous screen. Click Cancel or X to abort.)
  • I forgot my account information - if you already have an account (i.e. Impulse, Stardock.Net, WinCustomize.com, GalCiv2.com), but forgot your username and/or password, select this option & type in the email address for the account. Your account information will be emailed to that address.

Create Account - real name and email address.

The next screen is the Terms of Service which you must agree too by clicking I Agree. (Click Back to return to the previous screen. Click Cancel or X to abort.)

Impulse Terms of Service.

The last screen is the Congratulations screen which means you have finished the setup of your Impulse account. Impulse sends a verification email to the email account you gave. You must open that email & click the link to verify your account before you can use any of the Community features. Click the Launch button to run Impulse. (Click Cancel or X not to run Impulse.)

Impulse account created - look for verification email sent to you.

Running Impulse

When running Impulse for the first time, you will see the Impulse splash screen display & disappear.

Impulse splash screen - first thing you see when it runs.

Then the actual Impulse program will appear, displaying the "Explore" tab. Impulse will flash status messages as it logs in and checks for updates via the internet.

Initial Impulse screen - Explore (store) tab.

Status messages are displayed in the lower, left-hand corner of the Impulse window. The messages will flash by as Impulse checks with Stardock for any updates, messages may include: Retrieving latest information, Downloading Impulse update, Impulse update ready, and other messages may appear.

When an Impulse update is ready to apply, you will be prompted to restart Impulse. This will not restart your computer, only the Impulse application. Click Yes to restart Impulse & apply the update(s). (Click to No keep Impulse open. The update(s) will not be applied until you close & restart Impulse.)

Impulse update ready - please restart Impulse to apply update.

After restarting Impulse, you will see the familiar splash screen, with status messages inside the small box. Impulse will then be displayed and is ready to use.


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