This guide covers installing ICQ 2000b and connecting it to Flamenet on Windows.

Step 1 — Install ICQ 2000b

1. Download ICQ 2000b from archive.org.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
3. Close the Registration Window. When installation finishes, ICQ opens a registration wizard. Do not complete it. Close the window and continue to the configuration step below.

Step 2 — Configure the Flamenet Server Hostname

ICQ stores its server address in the Windows Registry. You need to replace the default hostname with Flamenet's.

1. Open the Run dialog: press Win + R, type regedit, and click OK.
2. Navigate to the key:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mirabilis\ICQ\DefaultPrefs

3. Double-click Default Server Host. Set Value data to icq.flamenet.io and click OK.
4. (Optional) Double-click Default Server Port. Tick Decimal, set Value data to 5190, and click OK. Leave this step out if you have not changed the default port.
5. Close Registry Editor.

Important: Do not attempt to set the hostname inside the ICQ registration wizard. A bug in ICQ 2000b will prevent the client from saving your settings (such as your password) if you do this.

Step 3 — Sign In for the First Time

1. Launch ICQ. When the first-time wizard appears, select Existing User.
2. Enter your Flamenet ICQ UIN and password. (Get your UIN on the ICQ Sign-In page if you haven't already.)
3. Click Next through the remaining screens until the wizard finishes.

ICQ will connect to the Flamenet server. You should see your contact list and status indicator.