Windows ME

Step 1:  Open the Windows ME Control Panel. The Control Panel is accessible by either

a: double clicking the "My Computer" icon on the desktop or

b: by clicking the "Start" button, then click the "Settings", then select Control Panel.

Step 2: Start configuring Dial Up Networking by double clicking the "Dial-Up Networking" icon inside the Control Panel.

Step 3: Next, double click the "Make New Connection" icon. Enter an appropriate name for the dial up connection. Try to use a name that is meaningful.  If you have more than one modem installed on the computer, you may use the drop down to choose the appropriate modem.

Step 4: Click the "Next" button to continue. Enter the phone number to dial the internet.  Check our getting started page for the dialup number of your location.

Click the "Next" button to continue.

Step 5: Click the "Finish" button to finish creating the dial up connection.

Step 6: Next, to get optimal use of the connection it must be configured.  Right mouse click on the newly created dial up connection and select the "Properties" menu item.

Step 7: Verify that the telephone number and modem are correct.  When finished, click the "Networking" tab.

Step 8: Only two options should be checked.  The "Enable software compression" should be the only selected Advanced option.   The "TCP/IP" setting should be the only selected network protocol.

Step 9: Click on the "TCP/IP Settings" button to verify TCP/IP settings for the dialup networking connection.  Let the Server assign both the IP address and name server addresses.  Select both the "Use IP header compression" and "Use default gateway on remote network" options.  Click the "OK" button when finished.  Click the "OK" button again to return to the Dial-Up Networking folder.

Dial up Networking is now configured and ready for use.

Step 10: As an optional step, you can create a "shortcut" (or a picture icon) on the Windows desktop by clicking the right mouse button over the newly created dial up connection and left mouse click the "Create Shortcut" menu item.

Step 11: Windows ME will inform you that it cannot create the shortcut in this area and ask if you want to place the shortcut on the desktop instead.  Click the "Yes" button to confirm. Now, anytime you wish to connect to the internet, just double click the icon from the desktop.

 Step 12: Double click the newly created dial up connection to start it.

You will need to use the user name and password assigned to you. Also, if you select the "Save Password" option, you will not have to type the password again each time you use the connection. Also, if you choose "Save Password", you can also select "Connect automatically". This option will not prompt for any input, it will simply make the connection.

Trouble Shooting: Windows ME

Step 1: In order to connect to the internet, you must have a modem.  You can Verify that a modem is installed by clicking on the "Modems" icon under the Control Panel. If you do not have a modem installed, you can also add one by clicking on the "Add" button.  You may require additional drivers if the modem is not supported natively by Windows. Typically all necessary drivers are included with modem on either diskettes or CDROM.

Step 2: A TCP/IP networking protocol must also be installed on the machine. You can verify this by double clicking the networking icon inside the control panel.

Step 3: The TCP/IP protocol is normally installed by default with every installation of Windows ME, however, IF the TCP/IP protocol is NOT listed in the network properties, click on the "Add" button. Next highlight the "protocol" option and click on the "Add" button.

Step 4: Next, select "Microsoft" from the list of manufacturers. You will then find the "TCP/IP" protocol and highlight it as the selected option. Click the "OK" button when finished. This may require the original Windows CD.

Step 5: You must also have Dial-Up Networking installed on your computer. You can verify this by double clicking the "Add/Remove Programs" icon inside the control panel.

Step 6: Click the "Windows Setup" tab along the top.

Step 7: Select the "Communications" selection and click the "Details" button.  Verify the check box in front of the "Dial-Up Networking" selection is checked.  Dial-Up Networking is normally installed by default with every installation of Windows ME, however, IF the Dial-Up Networking option is NOT checked click the box until a check mark appears, then click the "OK" button.  This may require the original Windows ME CD ROM.