After downloading mIRC you will need to set up the proper server and add the room to get to the right chat channel.

Open mIRC and look for the options folder, it has a hammer next to it.

After opening the options folder you will be at the connection window; here you can add your nickname and email address plus the server. To add the server click on the add button. You will then come to a new window to add the server. In the top two boxes type in irc.icq.com. You must add it to both boxes. You do not have to worry about the other boxes.

After you type irc.icq.com in the boxes click add. You have now added the server you want to connect to. To connect to the server make sure the server boxes say all and irc.icq.com then click on connect to server.

In the status window it will show you connecting to the server. After you are connected to the server a new window should pop up. If it does not open the channel folder: it is yellow and has #+ on it. In the top box type in #ghostrecon then press add. Some versions of mIRC may open a second window. If it does type in #ghostrecon in the channel box and press add again. You will return to the channel folder.

To connect to the chat room scroll down until you find the room you just added and highlight it then click on join. It will take you directly to the room. You have just completed the set up of mIRC.

When you want to return to the room again all you have to do is connect to the server. You may have to scroll down the server list to the bottom to find irc.icq.com. It always must say all and irc.icq.com in the server window before you click on connect to server. To rejoin the room the channel folder will open or you may have to open it your self but you will not have to add the room again, just scroll down the channel list and highlight the room then press join and you will be there.

Appendix

What is IRC?

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is one of the most popular and most interactive services on the Internet.

Sure, the Web is nice for finding info and E-mail beats snailmail hands down, but when you've been wondering 'where the others are?', then IRC is what you're looking for. IRC is the net's equivalent of CB radio. But unlike CB, Internet Relay Chat lets people all over the world participate in real-time conversations.

IRC is where the Net comes alive! Using an IRC client (program) you can exchange text messages interactively with other people all over the world. Some of the more popular chat clients are mIRC, Pirch, and Virc for Windows and Homer or Ircle for Mac's. What program you use doesn't really matter; all of them connect to the same chat networks.

When logged into a chat session, you "converse" by typing messages that are instantly sent to other chat participants. IRC is great fun and you'll sure meet lots of interesting people and find nice spots to hang out! But, IRC is not something that you should just jump into without first reading up on it. You could feel very lost if you do not know some basic commands before you enter IRC, and you might not even know how to get out of IRC after that :o) So, we suggest you read some documentation (help files, readmes, FAQs etc) before you get connected to an IRC server, or it can be very frustrating for you when you get stuck.

No worries, all info you need is available on mIRC's web pages and... mIRC makes things really simple!