Setting Up a Dial-Up Networking Connection
Configuring Your Dial-Up Connection
Connecting to Your Internet Service Provider
Troubleshooting Your Dial-Up Connection

If Your Modem Does Not Dial
Your Modem Dials, but The Other Modem Doesn't Answer
The Other Modem Answers, but the Connection Fails
Internet Applications Don't Work

In addition to the built in capability to connect through a local area network (LAN), Windows 95/98 and Windows NT/2000 both include built-in software that allows your computer to connect to the Internet using a modem. You don't need additional software to connect your system to the Internet via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) so that you can use Internet applications such as Web browsers.

In order to connect to the Internet using the Windows 95/98 dialling software, you will need to set up your modem as a network interface. In addition, you will configure the network software to dial your ISP and connect your computer to their network.

The Windows 95/98 dial-up networking supports most of the connection protocols required by ISPs, including the Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP),SLIP with compression, the Point to Point Protocol (PPP), the Password Authentication Protocol (PAP) variation of PPP, Netware connect, and the Windows NT Remote Access Protocol (RAS). In addition, the windows 95/98 dialing software has the ability to automate the connection process using dialing scripts.

After you have installed the Dial-Up Networking support in Windows 95/98, you are ready to set up your networking connection to your ISP. In order to set up your connection, you should obtain the following information from your service provider.

• The type of connection supported (SLIP, PPP, RAS, etc.)
• The telephone number to dial
• Your IP address (if it is permanently assigned)
• Your full Internet domain name
• The IP addresses of all DNS servers
• The IP address of the service providers' gateway machine
• Your login name and password

Generally, your Internet service provider is experienced in helping you set up your dial-up connection; your provider should be able to quickly provide you with the information you need.

To set up a dial-up connection, open the Dial-Up Networking folder found in the My Computer folder on your desktop. This folder (shown in Fig. 1.1) contains the Make New Connection wizard, which leads you through the steps necessary to create a new dial-up connection.

Start the Make New Connection wizard by double-clicking on the wizard. This brings up the first page of the wizard, shown in Figure 1.2. On this page, you can name your dial-up connection (which makes it easier to remember which system you are connecting to if you have several different systems you use regularly) and specify the modem you will be using to connect.

On this page, you can also configure your modem settings for this connection by clicking on the Configure button. This brings up the Properties dialog box for your modem. On the General tab (shown in Fig. 1.3) you can set the volume of the speaker on the modem and the maximum speed that your modem will support. Pick the highest speed from the list that your modem supports (if your modem speed is not listed exactly, such as 14,400 baud, you can safely pick the next highest speed; for example if you have a 14,400 baud modem, pick 19,200 baud). If your modem supports it, you also have the option to force your connection to be made at a particular speed (by checking the Only connect at this speed box).

The Connection tab on the modem properties (shown in Fig. 1.4) allows you to set up options such as the number of data bits, parity, and stop bits for the modem. Unless your Internet service provider tells you otherwise, or you encounter problems with your connection, you can simply leave these settings at their default values.

FIG. 1.4 Setting the connection modem properties.

The settings listed under Call preferences are useful, however. You should generally leave the Wait for Dial Tone before dialing box set, but if you have a very long telephone number to dial (for example, you use a calling card or long distance service) or your service provider takes a particularly long time to answer, you may need to change the Cancel the Call if not connected within settings. Either lengthen the time limit or uncheck this option to entirely disable this feature.

The final option on this page allows you to automatically disconnect your dial-up connection if the connection is idle for a period of time. This is useful to prevent running up long telephone bills if you forget to terminate your connection.

On the Options tab (shown in Fig. 1.5) you can set up your connection to bring up a terminal window either before or after the phone number is dialed (or both). Bringing up the terminal window before the number is dialed is useful if you need to set special options in your modem before you connect.

Bringing up the terminal window after dialing allows you to manually type the commands necessary to log in to your ISP and start your connection. This option will be discussed further in the section, "Connecting to your Internet Service Provider."

Another option on this page allows you to specify manual or operator assisted calling. This feature is useful if you have to go through an operator to make your call; choosing the option causes the system to wait for you to click the "connect" button before continuing your call.

The final option allows you to display the modem status indicator on your taskbar. This indicator shows up as a small modem with status lights that blink when sending or receiving data.

Now that the configuration options on the modem have been set, you can continue to set up your dial-up connection. Click the Next button to go on to the next page of the Make New Connection wizard, shown in Figure 1.6

This page allows you to set the area code, telephone number, and country code for this connection. This is fairly self-explanatory; fill in the full telephone number for your Internet service provider (the number in the figure is just an example - used by PTC Zimbabwe). Click the Next button to continue.

The final page of the wizard confirms that your connection is set up with the name you gave it. Click Finish to complete the setup process.

Your new connection appears in the Dial-Up Networking folder, as shown in Figure 1.7.

After doing the initial setup of your connection, you will have to set several options to specify the type of connection you are making with your Internet service provider. This configuration is done through the property sheet for your dial-up connection. Bring up the properties sheet by right-clicking the icon for your connection in the Dial-Up Networking folder and choosing Properties. This property sheet is shown in Figure 1.8.

The property sheet lists the important options for your connection on the main page, including the telephone number, area code, and the modem to use. Clicking on the Configure button brings up the modem configuration sheets described previously.

Clicking the Server Type button brings up the Server Type's dialog box, as shown in Figure 1.9. This dialog box allows you to set up the type of server you are connecting to, the network protocols that will be used over this connection and several advanced options.

The types of servers that are available to select from are:

• CSLIP: UNIX Connection with IP Header Compression (this option is only available if you install SLIP support)
• NRN: NetWare Connect
• PPP: Windows 95, Windows NT 3.5, Internet
• SLIP: UNIX Connection (this option is only available if you install SLIP support)
• Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT 3.1

Pick the appropriate connection for your Internet service provider. Most of the time you will pick either PPP or SLIP

Depending on the server type you select, you will be able to set different advanced options. Checking the Log On to Network option tells Windows 95/98 to try to log onto the network when you connect, using the user name and password provided in the connection page.

Selecting Enable Software Compression allows Windows 95/98 to compress the data going through your modem, which allows more information to flow through the connection. This option will only work if your modem and the remote modem support compression.

Selecting Require Encrypted Password ensures that your computer will only send out passwords that are encrypted when logging in to remote computers or services. This option only works when the remote computer or service supports encrypted passwords, but using this option decreases the chance that someone may intercept your password.

Under the Allowed network protocols, you should select only those protocols that you will use over this connection. Most of the time, you can select just the TCP/IP protocol to use Internet applications. If you are going to be using any of the other protocols, you should select their options.

Clicking the TCP/IP Settings button brings up the dialog box shown in Figure 1.10. This dialog box allows you to specify your IP address, DNS servers, and WINS servers if your ISP assigns static IP addresses for your machine or these servers. For most connections, you can select the Server assigned options, which means that your Internet service provider's software will send these values to you when you connect.

If your Internet service provider supplies specific settings for your IP address, DNS servers, or WINS servers, enter them on this page.

Once you have your connection set up, you can test your connection to your service provider. How the connection proceeds depends on the type of computer or service you are connecting to. This section provides you with some notes on connecting to different types of computers.

Start the process of connecting to your ISP by double-clicking the icon you created in the Dial-Up Networking folder. The Connect To dialog box appears as shown in Figure 1.11. When the dialog box first appears, Windows 95/98 enters your default username. You'll need to change the User Name to the User ID you need to use to log onto your ISP's computer. Also enter your Password (which will appear as asterisks for security). If you're not concerned about the security risk of recording your password, you can check the Save password option to instruct Windows 95/98 to record the User name and Password entries so you won't have to re-enter them each time you connect. Click Connect to dial the remote computer.

When you connect to a remote computer, your system first dials the number you specified in the connection properties. When the remote computer answers, your modem first establishes settings (such as connection speed and error correction) with the remote modem.

Next, your computer's software attempts to talk to the remote software to log on and establish the connection protocol (such as PPP, SLIP, or NetWare Connect). How this connection is established depends on the type of remote computer and the protocol. ISPs rarely use NetWare Connect. If your service provider uses this protocol, the system administrator will instruct you on the required log in procedure.

Using the PPP protocol, Windows 95/98 can automatically negotiate the connection to the remote computer and log on using the User name and Password you supply in the Connect To dialog box. You'll see status messages as Windows 95/98 verifies your ID and password and establishes the connection. Then, a message appears confirming the successful connection and showing what speed the modems are operating at.

If your service provider requires CHAP but you have not selected this option, you will be asked to confirm the use of the encrypted password when you connect.

Some Internet service providers use systems to provide SLIP and PPP access that require you to type a login name and password at a terminal screen before allowing access to their system. After you are logged in, you often type a command (such as "slip") to start the protocol your connection needs. After these commands are processed, your protocol is established and you can use the connection.

When using this type of connection, you can use the option to bring up a terminal window after dialing (as specified on the Options tab of the modem properties). The terminal window allows you to see prompts from the remote system and manually type in your username, password, and the command to start your connection.

At this point, the service provider may display a message giving you the IP address assigned to your computer for this session. You should write this address down, because you may need it in a minute. After the protocol is established, you can click the Continue button (F7) to start using the protocol. You may see a dialog box asking you for the IP address assigned to you; if so, type in the number you just wrote down.

NOTE After you have made sure your connection works correctly, you can automate the connection process by using dial-up scripting. Using a dial-up script allows you to automatically enter your username, password, and any commands.

If you are connecting to a Windows NT server (using the Remote Access Service, for example), you won't need to perform any manual input in order to establish your connection. The Dial-Up Networking software automatically passes along your username and password and establishes the protocol for you.

Dial-up connections are harder to troubleshoot than connections through a local area network, because there are more things that can go wrong with the connection. A problem with your modem, telephone line, Internet service provider, or connection setup can all cause your connection to fail or work poorly. This section gives you some things to check if your connection is not working correctly.

If your modem does not dial at all when you try to connect to your Internet service provider, you should first check to make sure that you have the correct modem configured for your system. Open the Modems control panel and verify that the modem type and COM port connection reported is the same as the actual modem installed. When you installed the modem, the wrong modem may have been detected; reinstall the modem support with the correct type of modem.

Once you have confirmed that the modem is the correct type, check that the modem is working with the system correctly. Open the System control panel, select the Device Manager tab and select the modem under the Modems item. Click Properties to open the properties sheet for the modem. Make sure that the sheet indicates the modem is working correctly. If the sheet indicates a problem, check your modem and communications port settings.

If the modem is reported as working correctly, check your phone connection to make sure the modem is connected to the phone line. You can also try dialing your modem manually using the Phone dialer application found in under Start, Programs, Accessories on your Start Bar.

First, try the connection a second (or third) time to make sure that the problem wasn't only a temporary one. Make sure that you are dialing the correct number for this connection. Verify the area code and any access codes that may be added to the phone number are correct, also. Depending on phone conditions (for example, if the phone system is particularly busy), you might need to add extra time after getting an outside line. Most modems allow you to add a pause by putting a comma (,) into the telephone number.

If the telephone number is correct, check with someone at the remote site to make sure their system is on and the modem is working correctly.

This is one of the most difficult situations to diagnose, and this is where most problems with dial-up connections happen. The first step is to verify that all your connection and modem settings are correct, especially the settings for the remote server type. Most Internet service providers have information packets for users of Windows 95/98 systems that list all the correct settings for connections to their systems. Matching these settings is critical! Small details such as selecting hardware or software flow control in the Modem's Advanced Connection Settings dialog box can cause problems, even if you've successfully connected using those settings before.

If the settings are correct, turn on the option to display a terminal window after dialing the modem (This option is found under the properties for the dial-up connection). This terminal window allows you to see what is happening after the modems connect; any error messages or problems will usually be immediately obvious (such as an invalid user name, password, or server type).

If your connection starts up, but your Internet applications (such as a WWW browser or FTP program) don't work, you should first check your TCP/IP settings to make sure that they are correct.

An easy way to check your TCP/IP settings is to run the program "winipcfg" (found in the Windows directory). This program displays all the information about your current TCP/IP setup, including your IP address, DNS servers, and other network settings. You can easily verify that your TCP/IP settings are correct.

If you cannot connect at all to any Internet service, make sure your IP address is set correctly. This is often a problem when you have to enter the IP address manually during the connection process. If your service provider automatically sets up your IP address when you connect, make sure that your TCP/IP settings for your connection are set up to automatically set your IP address (and DNS servers if applicable).

If you can connect to an Internet service using an IP address but not by using an Internet host name, your DNS servers are set up incorrectly. Check with your service provider for the addresses of their DNS servers so you can manually set them up in your TCP/IP settings.

If you can connect to some Internet services (in particular, ones that are local to your service provider) but not to Internet hosts outside of your local service provider, your gateway address is probably incorrect. Check with your service provider for the address of their Internet gateway machine so you can enter it into your configuration.