WINDOWS 95/98 DIAL-UP NETWORKING:

Setting Up Windows 95 or 98 To Connect To Panix

Windows 95 and 98 come with their own PPP software; it's called Dial-Up Networking, and you need to configure it for Panix before you can use your Internet applications. Here's how.

STEP 1. Confirming that the Required Components are Installed

First, we should make sure the required Windows components are installed. These exist in two places: the Network Control Panel and the Dial-Up Networking folder.

1a. The Network Control Panel
From the Control Panel window (Start-> Settings-> Control Panel), double-click on 'Network'. You should see the following in the network components window:

  • Client for Microsoft Networks
  • Dial-Up Adapter
  • TCP/IP (or TCP/IP -> Dial-Up Adapter if multiple TCP/IPs exist)

If these are present, continue to step 1b.

If these are not installed, you will need to add them. Go to Appendix I at the end of this file to install them, and then return here.

1b. The Dial-Up Networking folder
Double-click on the 'My Computer' icon (or select the Start button, Programs and then Accessories) and look for 'Dial-Up Networking.'

If it's there already, continue to Step 2.

If it's not there, you will need to install it. Go to Appendix II at the end of this file, and then return here.

STEP 2. Creating a Panix Session

To create a working Panix session, you need to make a new Dial-Up Networking connection, and then modify it for Panix.

2a. Adding a New Session
Go to Dial-Up Networking (from Start-> Programs-> Accessories or by double-clicking 'My Computer' and then the Dial-Up Networking icon).

It should start the 'Make New Connection' process by itself, but if it doesn't, just double-click on 'Make New Connection'.

Type "Panix PPP", or some other name you'll recognize, where it asks for the name of the computer you'll be dialing. Click 'Next'.

Enter the Panix dial-in number you've been given, where it asks for the number you'll be dialing. Click 'Next'.

Click 'Finish' to create the new Dial-Up Networking session with your new settings.

This new session will appear in the Dial-Up Networking folder, and will be called 'Panix PPP' (or whatever you called it).

2b. Modifying Your Session for Panix
Now we need to modify this session; to do this, right-click (click the secondary mouse button) on the new Panix icon, and select 'Properties' from the pop-up menu. (Alternately, you can simply click to select it, and choose "Properties" from Dial-Up Networking's File Menu.)

Look for a button or index-tab labeled "Server Type" or "Server Types". Click this button or tab, and the 'Server Types' window will appear with several checkboxes.

"TCP/IP" should be the only box with a checkmark in it. You can also check "Enable Software Compression" if you like, but that will often slow your connection down.

(Most modems use hardware compression, which makes software compression unnecessary.)

If you're modifying a new session, you don't have to enter 'TCP/IP Settings'. If you're checking an existing session that doesn't seem to work, see Appendix III to verify your 'TCP/IP Settings'.

Click 'OK' to save the new settings. (In older versions of Win95, you may have to click 'OK' once more to exit.)

STEP 3. Connecting to Panix!

(You should restart your computer before doing this, the first time: your computer needs to start up with the new settings you've just given it.)

Go into your Dial-Up Networking folder, and double-click on the new Panix icon. A window called "Connect To" will appear.

(You can create a shortcut for this icon and put it wherever you like, of course. Just click-and-drag.)

Put your Panix username (also known as your "login") in the 'Username' field; make sure it's all lowercase. Make sure to use only your login; do NOT include "@panix.com".

Put your Panix password in the 'Password' field. (This will appear as a row of asterisks, for security reasons.)

(Be sure to use the exact password we gave you: our passwords are case-sensitive. If you change the password later, be sure to change it here too.)

Please leave the 'Save Password' checkbox empty, unless you're the only one who uses your computer.

Verify that the phone number is listed correctly; it should appear exactly the way it needs to be dialed.

(For example, if you need "9 for an outside line" or "*70 to turn off call-waiting", those things should appear in front of the number here. If they aren't, you need to set them in "Dial Properties".)

Now click 'Connect'. Your computer should dial, connect and log in automatically, and you should see the 'Connected to Panix...' message within a minute or two. Now you can run your Internet applications, Web browsers, email programs, etc..

When you're ready to log off, just close your Internet applications and click the "Disconnect" button on the same box. (In Windows 98 and newer revisions of 95, this box will shrink into a little "two-computers" icon near the clock. Just double-click the icon to bring up the box.)


APPENDICES:

I. Installing Components in the Network Control Panel
II. Installing Dial-Up Networking
III. A Little Troubleshooting


APPENDIX I. Installing Components in the Network Control Panel

Your computer cannot connect to the Internet without certain system components. Follow the instructions below to install components that your computer does not have.

From the Network control panel, click on the 'Add' button, and do the following:

Client for Microsoft Networks:
Click on 'Client', then click 'Add'. Select 'Microsoft' under Manufacturers, and 'Client for Microsoft Networks' under Network Clients. Click 'OK', and insert any disks it asks you for. It should return you to the Network window, with 'Client for Microsoft Networks' added.

Dial-Up Adapter:
Click on 'Adapter', then click 'Add'. Select 'Microsoft' under Manufacturers, and 'Dial-Up Adapter' under Network Adapters. Click 'OK', and insert any disks it asks you for. It should return you to the Network window, with 'Dial-Up Adapter' added.

TCP/IP:
Click on 'Protocol', then click 'Add'. Select 'Microsoft' under Manufacturers, and 'TCP/IP' under Network Protocols. Click 'OK', and insert any disks it asks you for. It should return you to the Network window, with 'TCP/IP' added.

When you have finished adding these components, click 'OK' in the Network control panel. Your computer will indicate that you need to restart.

APPENDIX II. Installing Dial-Up Networking

Dial-Up Networking is the program that your computer uses to actually dial and connect to Panix. If it's not already present, you'll have to install it.

To Install Dial-Up Networking:

Go to the Control Panel (either from the Start button, Settings and Control Panel or by double-click on 'My Computer,') and select 'Add/Remove Programs.' The 'Add/Remove Programs Properties' window will appear, with 3 index tabs.

Click on the 'Windows Setup' tab. This will bring up a list of Windows components.

Click on the telephone icon next to 'Communications', and click the 'Details' button. This will change to the Communications components.

Click the box next to 'Dial-Up Networking' so that there is a checkmark in it. Click 'OK' to go back to the previous window.

Click 'OK', and insert any disks it asks you for. Now Dial-Up Networking is installed. (You may be asked to restart Windows for it to take effect. Go ahead and do so.)

APPENDIX III. A Little Troubleshooting

If you have trouble connecting, or trouble using the connection once you've made it, your computer may be looking for a WINS server.
Go to the Control Panel folder, then open 'Network'.
Click once on 'TCP/IP' (it might also be listed as 'TCP/IP -> Dial-Up Adapter'), then click 'Properties'.

Go to the 'WINS Configuration' index tab; make sure it's set to "Disable WINS resolution", not "Use DHCP for WINS resolution".

If your computer dials, seems to log in and connect, but stops you with the message "Dial-Up Networking could not negotiate a compatible set of network protocols..." make sure you're using the correct username (all lowercase) and password. Also, make sure the box labeled "Enable software compression" is empty (located in "Server Types".)

Finally, verify your 'TCP/IP Settings', also in "Server Types". The following settings should all be checked:

Server assigned IP address
Server assigned name server addresses
Use IP header compression
Use default gateway on remote network

If you ever have a problem dialing up, give it at least 3 tries; it might be a momentary glitch or phone-company routing error. If all else fails, give us a call at 212-741-4400.


© Copyright 1999 Public Access Networks Corporation

Last modified: June 7, 1999
Send suggestions and bug reports to helpmaster@panix.com

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