Introduction

Windows 95 PPP installation requires that several key hardware and software components to be configured correctly to be fully operational and functional. This involves the following:

• The modem needs to be setup and working correctly with Windows 95 and with the Twmba.net modem banks. Modem setup is explained in [A] Setting Up Your Communications Hardware

  
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• Three network components, Dial-Up Networking, Dial-Up Adapter and TCP/IP need to be installed on your system explained in [B] Dial-Up Networking Installation and [C] Installing TCP/IP Protocol and the Dial-Up Adapter.

  
  

• An icon to initiate a connection to UQ has to be created and appropriately configured detailed in [D] Setting Up the Connection to the Internet.

  
  

• Using the connection icon to dial up and get connected in [E] Making the Connection to Twmba.net.

Not everybody will be required to do all steps as most will have their modem already configured and some network components installed by default. If this is your case it is recommended that you verify the appropriate steps to ensure that they are in fact configured correctly for your particular system.

[A] Setting Up Your Communications Hardware

From the taskbar on your screen

[1] Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Modems

This will bring the Modem Properties screen showing modems installed in your system.

[2] If a modem has not been installed, select Add and follow the instructions on screen. If a modem already exists skip to step [3]. At this stage make sure

• if the modem is externally attached, that it is turned on.
• that no programs are using the modem at this time.

If this is the first time the modem is being configured, auto-detection is recommended. Auto-detection of modem might take a few minutes. If Win95 recognizes the manufacturer and model of your modem it will prompt you to continue. If the model is not recognized, Win95 will default to using a 'Standard Modem' selection. If this is incorrect you have the option to manually select a model type using the Change button.

Once the modem is successfully installed it is recommended that you verify the Modem Properties that Win95 has chosen. Under most circumstances you will not have to change any of the default settings.

Bring up the Modem Properties screen again using step A[1] if necessary.

[3] Select the installed modem if not already done so.

[4] Go to Properties of the selected modem

[5] Make sure that the Port option is selected on the right communications port for your modem. COM1, COM2, COM3 etc. If unsure leave as current default setting.

[6] Ensure the speed is in the appropriate range for the speed of your modem. For a 14400 baud modem Maximum speed should be set between 19200 and 57600 and, for a 28800 baud modem between 38400 and 115200. This selection depends on the serial port capabilities and the speed of your computer. 57600 is a good choice for most modems on older hardware.

[7] Select the Connection tab in the Modem Properties to display connection details of your installed modem. (previous screenshot)

[8] Select Port Settings to bring up the Advanced Port Settings screen, and ensure that Use FIFO Buffers is ticked if you are certain that the system is equipped with this feature. If unsure, leave as default. The presence of this feature can be determined by selecting the Diagnostics tab in the Modem Properties screen as in A[1], selecting the COM port to be tested, and selecting the More Info button. The UART type under Port Information in the resulting screen must have the string '16550' for the Use FIFO Buffers option to be used. A string containing '16450' or '8250' indicate your system does not have this feature.

[9] From the Connection screen once again select Advanced to display Advanced Connection Settings. Ensure that the Use Flow Control option is ticked and that it is on Hardware(RTS/CTS). In the Extra Settings box the initialisation string for you modem should be entered.
If however your modem fails to operate satisfactorily in the absence of a specific initialisation string, contact support to obtain one for your particular type of modem.

[10] Select OK in all screen to ensure your options get saved for future use if any changes are made. This concludes the modem configuration section for Windows 95.

[B] Dial-Up Networking Installation

[1] Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. If you do not see a Dial-Up Networking Icon , then follow the steps below. Otherwise go straight to [C] Installing TCP/IP Protocol and the Dial-Up Adapter.

[2] Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and select the Windows Setup Tag.

[3] Select Communications from the list of components, and then select Details to bring up the list of communications details.

[4] Tick Dial-Up Networking, and select OK. Files will be copied from your Windows 95 CD ROM or Disks. If you are prompted for your computer name and workgroup, enter appropriate names for them. This concludes the Dial-Up Networking installation.

[C] Installing TCP/IP Protocol and the Dial-Up Adapter

[1] Go to Start ->Settings -> Control Panel -> Network .

This will bring a screen showing any network components installed in your system. For PPP operation two components are required, the Dial-Up Adapter and TCP/IP. If these already exist on your system go straight to C[4]. If not select Add. (previous screenshot)

[2] Select Protocol from Network Component Types, and select Add again.

[3] Select Microsoft from the Manufacturers list, and then select TCP/IP from Network Protocols. Select OK. This will install a number of client network components such as Client for Microsoft Networks, Client for Netware Networks, Dial-Up Adapter, IPX/SPX-compatible Protocol and TCP/IP.

[4] Windows 95 PPP only requires TCP/IP and the Dial-Up Adapter, hence it is recommended that you remove all other network components EXCEPT TCP/IP and the Dial-Up Adapter unless you know otherwise. Exception to this would be if your system was equipped with a network card and was operating on a Local Area Network. To remove the other components, click on a component and click on Remove. Do this to every component that needs to be removed. (screenshots on following page)

[5] After removing the unnecessary components but leaving TCP/IP and the Dial-Up adapter installed, select the Dial-Up Adapter and Properties.

[6] Select the Bindings tab, and make sure the TCP/IP check box is ticked, Select OK twice to make changes effective and bring back your desktop.

[7] If prompted - RESTART YOUR COMPUTER. The newly installed components do not become effective until you do so. This concludes the network component installation.

Note: When you install TCP/IP, it is bound to all of your adapters by default. If you have a network card and don't use TCP/IP with it, you should go to properties for your network card, click on the bindings tab, and then remove TCP/IP. As mentioned previously we recommend that you remove all but TCP/IP and the Dial-Up Adapter components from your installed network components unless the others components are required. This will minimise the chances of misconfigured components causing problems later on.

[D] Setting Up the Connection to the Internet

[1] Go to My Computer -> Dial-Up Networking , and double click on Make New Connection . If this is your first Dial-Up Networking connection, you'll be prompted automatically.

• Type in a name for the connection, e.g. My Internet Connection
• The modem selection should have the current installed modem for your system already selected. Refer to [A] Setting Up Your Communications Hardware on setting up your modem correctly. Select Next to continue.

[2] Enter the area code 07 and the telephone number. Country code to Australia (61).


Select Next to continue and Finish to confirm.

[3] Using your right mouse button, click on the connection icon which has just been created , and then select Properties from the resulting menu.

[4] Select Server Types, and make sure the Type of Dial-Up Server is set to 'PPP' and that the other check boxes are as shown on the screenshot. Untick 'Log on to network', 'Enable software compression', NetBEUI and IPX/SPX Compatible as shown below.

[5] Next, select TCP/IP Settings, and select Server assigned IP address. It is not necessary to specify your IP address as the server will automatically determine this from your username.

[6] Select Server assigned name server addresses

[7] Untick Use IP header Compression but leave Use default gateway on remote network ticked. All these settings are shown in the following screenshot.

[8] Select OK until you get back to your normal desktop.

[9] Select the "My Internet Connection" connection icon from Dial-Up Networking which has been created and configured, and drag it to the desktop with your left mouse button to create a shortcut. This will simplify access later on. That concluded setting up the connection icon.

[E] Making the Connection to the Internet

[1] Double click on the "My Internet Connection" connection icon on your desktop, this will bring up the 'Connect To' window. Confirm the following points are entered:-

• username (This is your username not your actual name)
• password (The "save password" box may be ticked if you do not wish to enter your password each time you connect)
• phone number (Check that the phone number you are using is correct, then click on "Connect")
  
  

  
  

  [2] You will normally hear the modem dial and begin to send connection details. The graphic shown below will appear to confirm that the modem is dialling.
  
  After your details are sent the system will check these details, as indicated by the "Verifying username and password" window.
  

  

  [3] When you have connected you will see a small icon adjacent to the clock at the bottom right side of the screen. Shown here circled in pink. This is known as the Connection Icon.
  
  At this stage you are connected to the internet. You can now open your Web Browser eg ( Netscape or Internet Explorer ) or your email program or other internet software depending on your requirements.
  
  When you wish to disconnect from the internet, double click the Connection Icon and then click on disconnect in the window that appears.