Chat

To Chat with a counselor, you will need to install ICQ, then contact your counselor via email to setup a chat session.

What is ICQ?

ICQ ("I Seek You") is a program that lets you find your friends and associates online in real time. You can create a Contact List containing only people you want to have there, you can send them messages, chat with them, send files, configure ICQ to work with external applications and more.

Downloading ICQ

To start working with ICQ, you'll need to download the installation file.
To download ICQ, go to http://www.icq.com/download/, and follow these steps:

  1. Select your Operating System (this guide is for Windows 95/98/NT 4.0)
  2. Click the download link
  3. When the file starts downloading, save it to a temporary folder on your computer.
  4. Wait until the download is complete.

Installing ICQ

To install ICQ, follow these steps:

  1. Browse your computer to the location you saved the installation file in.
  2. Double click on the file (icq99a.exe or icq99a_nomfc.exe).
  3. Read the Installation Wizard instructions on your screen
  4. Wait for the installation to complete.

* First time ICQ users:

When done installing, ICQ will prompt you to make sure your database is in the ICQ 99a format. Click the OK button to continue.

* Veteran ICQ users:

After you click the OK button, ICQ will launch the ICQ Database Converter. Select which owner (ICQ#) to convert, and continue. When done, ICQ will launch and you will be able to use it as before.

Registering ICQ

When the installation process is complete, ICQ will automatically launch the Registration Wizard. If this is the first time you're installing ICQ on your computer, select "New User". If you already had ICQ installed and registered, select "Existing User".

Follow the online registration instructions. If you need any assistance, please refer to the ICQ technical support page, or view and follow the Registration Troubleshooting page.

ICQ - Main Window (Contact List)When you first open the ICQ program after installation, the program appears in simple mode (by default).
As you can see in figure 1, you get the following:

  • Instructions Button
  • To Advanced Mode button
  • Find Random Chat Partner button
  • Add Users button
  • System Tray
  • Availability (Online/Offline)

Each button has it's own purpose. The Instructions button brings you to this page. The Second button, To Advanced Mode, prompts you to switch to Advanced Features Mode. Find Random Chat Partner enables you to look for a random chat partner on a subject by choice. The Add Users button enables you to search for users on the ICQ Networks. The System Menu tray contains sections we will talk about in the next few pages. The Availability button, also known as the Status Menu, enables you to connect or disconnect to and from the ICQ servers.


Adding Users

ICQ - Add Users window - reduced sizeOnce ICQ is up and running you can add friends, associates and other ICQ users to your Contact List. Click on the Add Users button to launch the following dialog:

You can search for ICQ users by:

  • Email - insert an Email address of a user into this field
  • Nickname, First name, Last name - enter any of the fields
  • ICQ number - if you know the user's ICQ#, use this field

Using the More options will enable you to find a random chat partner, or invite a friend to join ICQ.

The Help section will bring you to this page, helping you understand the wizard better.


The ICQ Menu

  • ICQ - Main MenuInvitation Wizard - A special wizard for inviting friends and associates to join ICQ.
  • Advanced Features - Once you have mastered Simple Mode you can switch to Advanced Features mode.
  • Add/Change Current user - Add or Change the user on this specific ICQ Client. (Up to Seven people can register their own number on the same computer).
  • Security & Privacy - ICQ offers many security and privacy features so that users can enjoy the level of security they desire.
  • Preferences - ICQ comes with an array of tabs so you can configure ICQ to work according to your needs.
  • Help - ICQ comes with a special online help file within the program
  • Sleep Mode - Close ICQ without shutting down the program. ICQ will wait in this mode until you connect to the internet again.
  • Shut Down - Shut down ICQ completely.

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