1) Close out other programs you may have open.

Conflict for resources, which SiteBuilder uses a lot of, occurs when you have other programs open at the same time as SiteBuilder. So close them!

2) Disable popup window- or ad-killers, certain anti-virus programs, and certain firewall programs while working with SiteBuilder. 

There doesn't seem to be any conflict between SiteBuilder and Norton products, but there is with ZoneAlarm firewall. The first time ZoneAlarm detects Homestead's SiteBuilder trying to connect to the Internet, you will get an error message like, "Homestead.exe is attempting to act as a server. Do you wish to allow this connection?" Either click "Yes" and "Remember this..." or disable ZoneAlarm while you work with SiteBuilder.

3) Clear out your browser's cache.

In Internet Explorer, go to Tools -->Internet Options -->Delete Temporary Internet Files-->check Delete all offline content-->Press OK.

In Netscape, go to Edit-->Preferences-->Advanced-->Cache-->Clear disk cache and clear memory cache-->Press OK.

4) Clear out your Temporary Internet Files in Windows.

In your C: drive, click on Windows. Click on Show Files. Click on Temporary Internet Files. Click on Edit -->Select All or right-click on Select All. Click on Edit-->Delete or right-click on Delete. If you have shortcut buttons on your toolbar, you can use those instead.

This is something you should be doing regularly anyway after surfing the web. This optimizes space on your hard drive as well.

5) Update your Microsoft Virtual Machine. Important for WindowsXP and IE 6 users, but just as critical other Windows users. Doing this allows allows the Java programs within SiteBuilder work at their best.

Windows 95/96/ME/XP users: 

First, try Homestead's link at http://supportdownloads.homestead.com/msjavx86.exe

For Windows NT/2000:

Try http://supportdownloads.homestead.com/Q300845_W2K_SP3_X86_EN.exe

The above links opens a download dialog box. Save the file to your hard drive or desktop. Then click the .exe file to begin installation. You will need to restart your computer after running install to complete the process.

If the above doesn't work, then try Microsoft's websites. For XP users, download the SP1 pack which includes the fix for Java at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/default.asp or simply go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ to get a full analysis of all critical and non-critical updates to download.

To update IE only, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.asp Note: If you use Windows XP and already downloaded and installed SP1 for XP, you do not have to download this product.

If by any chance you're a Windows 98 user, go to the Windows update page at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com   Your system will be scanned and updates for your computer will be suggested. You can choose whichever updates you wish to install.

To update IE to latest version for Windows: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp

To update Netscape to latest version for Windows:

Version 7 http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp Remember, NS6 is not supported and there's no word yet from Homestead whether or not version 7 is supported. If you put this version in a separate folder, you may be able to support more than one version of Netscape on your computer, provided you have enough hard disk space.

Version 6.2X and earlier http://wp.netscape.com/download/archive.html

7) Increase your RAM or at least optimize it with software.

The reason why I list this last is it can cost you nothing or it can cost you some money. The minimum RAM requirement to run SiteBuilder, 64MB, unfortunately is usually not enough.

I had problems with 64MB, so I bought another 128MB card and installed it myself. My end cost with rebate: $79 US. It can run up to $129 for the same. Note: Costs have gone way, way down since I first wrote this.

No cost option with free, downloadable software:

RAM Idle (#1 recommendation in CNet's package of system optimizers)

RAM Booster

For more information on troubleshooting problems, log into your account at Homestead and click on the Resources tab, or click on Help within your offline SiteBuilder.