Installing fldigi on windows is very simple. Simply execute the installer program and both fldigi and flarq will be installed in the default programs directory structure for the specific Microsoft version that is being targeted. Desktop icons and desktop menu items will be created. An uninstaller link will be created on the desktop menu.

Click on the desktop icon to start the application. If this is a new installation you will be guided through the inital configuration with a new install wizard.

Resize the main dialog to suit your screen. Adjust the Rx/Tx divider to your liking. Then set up the operator and sound card configuration items; configuring fldigi. When you have fldigi receiving and decoding signals you can exit the application which will allow you to save your configuration settings.

Now open up the following folder using your windows file explorer if you do not have a login name and password:

On XP	C:\"Documents and Settings\<urlogin>\fldigi.files"
On W2K	C:\"Documents and Settings\<urlogin>\fldigi.files"
On Vista/Win7	C:\User\<urlogin>\fldigi.files

where <urlogin> is the name with which you log onto the computer.

All of these files were generated by fldigi when it first started. The files with the extension pal are palette definition files. The file "macros.mdf" contains the macro definitions which you can change using the macro editor. fldigi.prefs and fldigi_def.xml are used for storing the application state and configuration items respectively. With the exception of the location of this folder the operation of fldigi on windows is identical to linux. In all instances where the help files make reference to $HOME/.fldigi you should be substitute the appropriate directory for XP or Vista/Win7.

Please take the time to read and reread the on-line help file. Better yet download the Adobe Reader file so that you can view the help locally without needing access to the internet. Fldigi is a large complex program with many ways for the user to customize its operation to his or her hardware environment.

Special Note for Vista/Win7 from user!

I am trying to install the latest and greatest version of FLDIGI and FLARQ on a new Toshiba laptop computer that runs Vista/Win7 / Win7. The main screen of FLDIGI comes up ok and it says that no call sign has been set and down in the bottom center right there is an error message about there not being the sound card that it thinks it should see. I understand the messages as the program needs to be configured. The problem is that when I click on 'Configuration' the main screen grays out and it seems to go off into never never land and not comeback or put up the configuration window. At that point the only thing that works on the main screen is the close button. What am I missing?

I solved the mystery! Cockpit error, kind of! I tried installing MULTIPSK and got the "no sound card error" also. Went into the Control Panel to see what was going on. When I looked at sound input it said there was NO microphone plugged in. Then the light came on and I remembered that you MUST have a microphone plugged in when using the Vista OS or it doesn't think there is a sound card in the computer!!! Well this is my first encounter with Vista and how am I suppose to know or remember that little quark on an OS I've never used before??

Once I plugged a mic into the sound card input both programs worked just fine.

Vista/Win7 requires either a microphone or a line-in device actually plugged into the 8 mm audio jack before the sound driver reports that there is an audio capture device.

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Special Note for Vista/Win7 from user!