From the File menu select "Select Server...". That will take you to the "Servers" page of mIRC options.
From the list of "IRC Servers" choose the "StarChat" folder and click the "Select" button. That will take you to the "Connect" page of mIRC options.
Check that everything on that page looks correct for your Nickname. Double check that the it says Server:StarChat: Random server. Check "New Window" if desired. Click the "Connect" button.
Once connected type "/join #oncomputers" to join the On Computers room or "/join #icug" to join the ICUG room, omitting the quotation marks.
The generic connect instructions are as follows:
If you have an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client, connect to StarChat by opening the client and typing "/server irc.starchat.net" omitting the quotation marks.
Once connected type "/join #oncomputers" to joing the On Computers room or "/join #icug" to join the ICUG room, omitting the quotation marks.
To connect to the StarChat java chat open your browser and type "http://www.starchat.net/channels.php" into the address bar. Look at the list of rooms and find "oncomputers" or "icug" Click on the name of the room to join the java chat for that room.
It is a good idea to register your nick when using StarChat. The instructions from Star Chat as to how to do that are as follows:
If after you log on you are asked to identify your registered nick type in "/msg nickserv id password" without the quotation marks and your actual password instead of "password". Please be careful to make sure others do not see your password.
If you are not on AOL, Compuserv, Prodigy, or Wal-Mart Connect as your Internet Service Provider, connect to StarChat and type:
/msg nickserv register [your E-mail address here] [create your own password here]
Example: /msg nickserv register star@starchat.net twinkle
Use your real E-mail address as StarChat mails you an access number to complete registration. Once you receive that number, follow the directions in the E-mail to activate the nickname. You need to activate your nickname in 24 hours after you register, otherwise the registration will expire and you will need to register again.
You can find the complete StarChat help page here: http://www.starchat.net/help.htm
And you can find more advanced information here: http//www.starchat.net/services/index.htm
If you need further help with StarChat you can "/join #StarChat" which is the irc.starchat.net official help channel.