Set up Dial-Up Networking

Why do I want to do this?

When you sign up with an Internet Service Provider, either for the first 
time or when you want to change, they usually provide a software bundle to 
make their lives easier. It saves their tech support hours on the phone 
getting people set up. That is a good thing, for new computer users, but it 
has drawbacks. Often it installs customizations to your web browser and 
makes changes in the registry that seemingly cannot be undone by changing 
settings within the browser. For example, many ISP's make changes such that 
you get a dialogue box asking you if you want to disconnect after X minutes 
of inactivity. Other ISP's even go so far as to install software that 
monitors keyboard and mouse inactivity. (one that I subscribed to 
previously actually, but at the be.g.inning I unknowingly avoided that 
because I always manually set up my ISP accounts. It wasn't until I read 
their Terms and Conditions that I learned of it). 

If you are running Windows 98 or 95, you have all the software you will 
need to connect to the internet, surf the web, send and receive mail and 
participate in Usenet News Groups. There is really no need to install the 
ISPs custom software - just configure what you already have. 

Only if you have a really old version of Windows 95, then you might need to 
install the ISPs software at least temporarily, so you can download a newer 
version of Internet Explorer. Windows 95 original comes with version 1.0 
which is antique by today's standards and won't be able to perform a lot of 
the functions required from a browser. 


First Step - Talk to your ISP on the Telephone

After you have made the decision on which ISP to use, get all of the 
connection information from them. Tell them you know how to set it up 
yourself and that you need to know:

The phone number you will be using to connect. Make sure it's a local 
number to avoid paying long-distance charges. 

Your username and password (and how to change the password after they've 
assigned you a temporary one) 

Your e-mail username and password (if different from above), the POP3 mail 
server for incoming mail (e.g.. mail.domainname.com), the SMTP server for 
outgoing mail (if different from POP3...e.g.. smtp.domainname.com) and... 
don't forget the address of your ISP's News server (e.g.. 
news.domainname.com). They might not provide this unless you specifically 
ask for it, as many customers have never even heard of Usenet Newsgroups. 

The primary and secondary DNS (Domain Name Servers). Even if it's not 
necessary (server assigned) it's a good idea to enter the values, as it may 
speed up the process of resolving addresses. Ask them for the numeric IP 
addresses to enter in the fields. (you'll see what we're talking about soon 
as you follow the tutorial) 

Any additional miscellaneous settings. For example, most ISP's do not need 
the "log onto network" box checked, which is by default checked when you 
set up a DUN account. That function will drastically slow down your login 
if it's not required. Also, you need to know if your IP address is server 
assigned or whether it has to be specified at your end (most ISP's are 
server assigned). You can always call back if you've forgotten something, 
but it's best to get all the info the first time as you may have to wait on 
hold if calling back. 

That pretty much covers the info you'll need to get from your ISP. The next 
step is to install Dial-Up Networking (DUN), the Dial-Up Adapter, the 
Networking Client and the TCP/IP protocol. These are the pieces that make 
Internet access possible. And there is a good chance that these items will 
already be installed, especially if you are running Windows 98.


First: A Quick Check to see what is Installed

First thing to do is to double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop 
and see if Dial-Up Networking is there. If it is there, go to the Network 
icon in Control Panel and see if there is a client (e.g.. Client for 
Microsoft Networks or Windows Family Logon (Windows 98), Dial-Up Adapter 
and TCP/IP protocol installed. If all of these items are there, you can 
skip to the next part of the tutorial about connectoids. Otherwise you must 
install them. When Windows 98 is installed, it is ready for you to create a 
Dial-Up Networking connection, but in Windows 95 you'll have to install 
these items, if you've never had it set up for the Internet previously. 

Install Dial-Up Networking

Open Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs and click the Windows 
Setup Tab. Double-click the Communications Category (or single-click to 
highlight and click the Details button). Put a check mark in the box beside 
Dial-Up Networking and click OK, and click Apply or OK again. You will be 
prompted to insert the Windows CD and after Dial-Up Networking is 
installed, you will be prompted to reboot your computer. 

Install Client, Dial-Up Adapter, and Protocols

Now, after rebooting, go back to Control Panel and double-click the Network 
icon. Click the Add button, choose Client and click Add. Choose Microsoft 
from the list on the left to see available clients in the right pane. In 
Windows 95 add Client for Microsoft Networks if you want DUN to be able to 
save your Dial-Up password. (You can change the Primary Network Logon to 
"Windows Logon" later if this causes any annoyances). In Windows 98 (this 
will already be installed but if for whatever reason you are 
installing/reinstalling it...) choose Windows Family Logon as the client. 
If it prompts you to reboot either do it (personally I would) or you can 
just say no and proceed. 
Next, in the Control Panel Network applet, click the Add button and choose 
Adapter and click Add. Select Microsoft from the list on the left (scroll 
down to find it), then on the right, choose Dial-Up Adapter and click OK 
and allow it to install. Reboot if prompted (or, once again, say no if it 
really bugs you). 

Finally, we need to install TCP/IP protocol. If the only networking you are 
going to be using is Dial-Up Networking then TCP/IP is the only protocol 
you should install. Once again, double-click Network in Control Panel and 
click the Add button and choose Protocol and click Add. Choose Microsoft 
from the list on the left and then TCP/IP from the list of protocols on the 
right and install it. Now you should reboot for sure, because we are 
finished installing. 

The next step is to create a Dial-Up Networking Connection. 


What is a Connectoid?

When you create a Dial-Up Networking connection, the icon that you'll see 
in Dial-Up Networking in My Computer represents the connection profile 
you've created. This profile (information stored in the system registry) is 
known as a Dial-Up Networking Connectoid. (I wonder who makes up these 
words?) 

Creating the DUN Connectoid

Double-click the My Computer icon on the Desktop and then double-click 
Dial-Up Networking. Double-click Make New Connection to launch the wizard. 
In the name field, type a name for your connection, usually the name of 
your Internet provider, call it whatever you want. In the Select a Device 
field, choose your modem from the drop down list. (Note: If Windows does 
not know about your modem yet and has not detected it yet, it will at this 
point prompt you to install it.) Click the Next button and enter the area 
code and phone number of the computer you will be dialing. After entering 
the number and choosing a country code from the drop down list, click the 
Finish button and the connectoid will be created. 

Configuring the Connectoid

Now the fun begins. It is time to enter some of that info that you received 
from your ISP. Right-click on your new connectoid in Dial-Up Networking and 
choose Properties. On the general tab, you will see the telephone number 
that you entered. Uncheck the box "Use Area Code and Dialing Properties" 
(unless you are going to be dialing long distance where a country code is 
needed). You will see the area code and country code fields grayed out. Now 
is the time to edit the field with the telephone number, if you need to 
dial an area code for a local call simply enter it in the telephone number 
field itself. If you have call waiting you should disable it here as well. 
Enter the appropriate code before the phone number. For example, *70 in my 
locality. Look at the little booklet that came with your phone to see what 
codes to use to disable extra features. Here is an example of what the 
telephone number field should contain (if you have call waiting and need to 
dial an area code for local calls)

*70,5125551234

*70 to disable call waiting, a comma for a short pause, then the ten digit 
local number - hyphens not needed

You can also configure your modem for the connection from here. Click the 
Configure Modem button and you can select which COM port it's going to use. 
The modem should already be configured at this point, but the settings are 
there. When finished with the General tab, click the Server Types tab. The 
type of connection should be Windows PPP (by default that's what will be 
selected). Your ISP should have told you on the telephone if it is to be 
anything different. Uncheck Log onto Network (unless your ISP said 
otherwise when you asked) and check "Enable Software Compression". If your 
ISP doesn't support that, checking that box won't affect anything (most all 
do though). In most cases, that is the only box you need checked in that 
section. Now, below that in the Allowed Protocols section, chances are the 
only protocol you should allow is TCP/IP, unless you plan on NetBEUI 
fileshares or perhaps IPX/SPX Internet Gaming. (That protocol is normally 
used for Novell Netware networking, but some internet games use that 
protocol...in which case you'd have to have it installed in Network in 
Control Panel). 
Now, the next thing to do is still under the Server Types tab; click the 
TCP/IP Settings button. Select Server Assigned IP Address unless you have 
been told otherwise. This means that every time you connect to the ISP, 
they will assign you an IP address for that online session. Once you hang 
up, they'll re-use it because you have no use for the IP while off-line and 
there are only so many IP addresses. And the next time you log on, you'll 
get another one. This is called Dynamic IP. 

A static IP would be if your ISP assigns you one IP when you sign up and 
you get to keep it for as long as you are subscribed to their service. This 
is usually only the case when you have a type of Internet service that has 
you connected 24/7, like a cable modem or DSL. And if you have one of 
those, then you don't need Dial-Up Networking because you're connected all 
the time and probably wouldn't be reading this tutorial. 

Next, your ISP should have provided you with the Primary and Secondary DNS 
when you asked them. If not, select Server Assigned Name Server Addresses. 
Otherwise Select Specified Name Server Addresses and enter the values given 
in the fields. Leave the WINS fields blank, they are for a different type 
of address resolution; a Dial-Up service provider isn't likely to use WINS. 
Leave the two boxes Use IP Header Compression and Use Default Gateway on 
Remote Network (important!) checked unless otherwise told. You'd have to 
enter gateway addresses in TCP/IP properties in Network in Control Panel 
otherwise...and you'd have been instructed accordingly. 


Connect to your ISP for the first time!

Now that you have created your connectoid, you need to double-click it. 
Enter your username and password in the fields (note, at first your windows 
login name will be in the login field, you MUST change it to your ISP login 
name). After entering your password, check the box "Save Password" and with 
any luck, it will save the setting and you won't have to enter it next 
time. Note that you must successfully connect for the setting to be saved. 
Once connected it will verify your username and password on the server and 
when it's completed it will show you that you are connected. In the newer 
versions of Dial-Up Networking it will automatically minimize to the system 
tray area. In old Windows 95 you will have to minimize it yourself to the 
taskbar. That's it, you are now connected to your ISP and you can open your 
web browser and surf and configure your email client. There is, however, 
one last thing we should do. Go back to My Computer and double click Dial-
Up Networking. Right click on your connectoid and choose Create Shortcut. 
It will tell you that a shortcut cannot be created here, would you like to 
create it on the Desktop instead? Choose Yes. Now, next time you want to 
connect to the internet just double-click the icon on the desktop. 

This is how some prefer to do it, dial their connections manually every 
time they want to connect to the Internet. Others would prefer to have the 
Web browser dial the connection automatically when you open it. If this is 
you, read on! 


Auto-dial with Internet Explorer
Open IE and go to the Tools menu and choose Internet Options and click the 
Connections tab. In IE5 you will see checkboxes "Never dial a connection", 
"Dial whenever a network connection is not present" and "Always dial my 
default connection". Choose whichever of those suits your situation. Now, 
highlight your ISP in the field and click Settings. Look down near the 
bottom and you will see an Advanced button. Click it and make sure that the 
boxes "Disconnect if idle for..." and "Disconnect when connection may no 
longer be needed" are checked. That will rid you of a serious 
annoyance...being prompted to disconnect. 
If you are using IE 4 the procedure is similar, only you won't have as many 
options. You'll see "Connect to the internet via LAN" (LAN = Local Area 
Network) and "Dial default connection". If you want IE to auto-dial then 
choose the latter. If you do not want it to auto-dial choose "via LAN". 


Netscape Communicator and other Winsock Apps
Netscape doesn't have a Dial-Up function of it's own. Unfortunately, if you 
want to auto-dial when opening Netscape you need to have used the Internet 
Connection Wizard to set up a Dial-Up account. If you do that, and select 
the option to "Connect to the Internet as Needed", then launching any task 
that requires an Internet connection will invoke Dial-Up Networking. Click 
the Start Button, choose Programs, Accessories, Internet Tools and select 
the Internet Connection Wizard. Follow the steps in the wizard, it is self 
explanatory. After following this tutorial it will be very easy. 
That's it, you're set. You've successfully installed and configured Dial-Up 
Networking. Even though it might have been a little more work than just 
installing the software provided by the ISP, not only did you avoid 
installing unnecessary software on your PC, you also learned a lot about 
how Dial-Up Networking and got to configure it to your liking. 


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