If you've purchased a new computer
If you've purchased a new computer with Windows 98 & a modem pre-installed,
then TCP/IP & Dial-Up Networking should be
installed by default. You then can skip some
of the steps referred to below. Your situation may vary. It is advisable
to read
through the steps as closely as possible to verify the correct settings.
There are a few considerations
to make when purchasing a modem for the purpose of connecting to a network.
The first of which depends on the type of computer that you will be installing
the modem on. In general it is best to purchase the fastest modem that
you can afford for your system. This speed is given in Kilobits Per
Second (Kbps). If your PC is a 486 or is a non-name brand, and
you decide to install an external modem, you will need to check your serial
port card to verify that your UART chip on that card is 16550 compatible.
This can be verified in windows by clicking on Start / Settings / Control
Panels / Modems: then click on the COM port associated with the modem that
you have set up and then the diagnostics tab and More Info. Even if
the modem is not set up correctly and will not respond, the COM port with
show its UART chip type. If you find that your serial card has an older
8250 UART chip, then you will need to replace this card or you will not be
able to connect above 9.6 Kbps (very slow). As a rule, it is easier
to install an external modem as you are not required to configure IRQ's and
other internal parameters and settings.
Currently the fastest analog
modems have a theoretical transmission speed of 56 Kbps. A software
upgradeable modem is preferable, however this feature generally drives the
cost of the modem up. You should remember that the speeds given will
vary depending upon any number of factors including the age of the wire you
are connected to, the phone companies local switch and many other factors
of which there is not sufficient space to note in this document. A good
rule of thumb for a "good" connection is a transmission rate of about 85%
or more of your modems theoretical throughput capacity. If money is
not a consideration and you need a high speed reliable connection, then ISDN
is recommended and is covered in another document.
There are two ways in which you can physically connect a modem to your PC. A modem can be connected to a PC via the PC's serial or COM port via a modem cable. This type of modem is termed an External modem. A modem that is place inside the PC's chassis connected to the motherboard via an 8 or 16 bit ISA slot is termed an internal modem. Considerations for choosing between the two types are based on the type of PC you have and how technically knowledgeable and comfortable you are with your system. In general, the easiest to install and configure is an external modem.
Installing an internal
modem will require that you have an available ISA slot in your PC (not available
on laptop machines, laptops usually require PCMCIA or external modems), some
knowledge of your PC's IRQ resources, knowledge of the CMOS system and some
luck.
There is a parameter that
is separate from the modems theoretical throughput speed and is related to
the serial ports throughput to an external device such as a modem and not
the speed with which your data traverses the phone lines. This should be set
according to the speed of the external modem that you are connecting. Check
the modem manufacturers information provided with your external modem for
verification.
An external modem will require a serial cable that is not included with the purchase of a modem as a rule. These cables are available from most computer stores or from mail order houses if you purchase your modem via direct sales clearing houses. You will need to verify what type of connector is provided on your PC's serial port. There are 3 types of connectors,
On the newer computers,
the communications (COM) ports or serial ports are usually numbered as COM1
and COM2 or Serial 1 and Serial 2. When the modem cable is plugged into one
of these ports, you will need to note which is used for the external modem
as you will be required to provide this information later on during software
configuration.
When installing internal
modems that are not Plug and Play compatible in most system you will be required
to disable one of the COM ports and use an IRQ that is not utilized by some
other system hardware. Most systems without a mouse bus port use a serial
port, generally COM1 to connect the mouse to the computer. If this is
the case with the computer that you are trying to install the modem on, you
will need to disable Com2 on your systems motherboard, CMOS or serial card.
Check with the system technical documentation that came with your computer,
manufactures technical support, or the manufacturers web site for your system
to find out how this is accomplished on your PC as it will vary from machine
to machine. PCMCIA card modems are used mainly in laptop computers.
Most of these adapters are plug and play and will be recognize and configured
by Windows 98. If you insist on purchasing an PCMCIA modem, it is recommended
that you get a name brand such as Diamond Supra, Zoom or other Plug and Play
devices.
If you insist on installing
an internal modem, and your systems has an open ISA slot, it is highly recommended
that you purchase a good quality name brand Plug and Play compatible modem.
In most cases, Windows 98 will find the modem, install the appropriate drivers
and allocate system resources correctly. If you are installing
a Plug and Play modem, be it internal or external, Windows 98 should find
it and configure your PC's system resources if they are available.
Once the modem has been installed,
you should test its connectivity with the windows modem diagnostic software
located in the control panel as shown below. Once you have chosen the modem
icon you will need to highlight the port that has your modem then choose diagnose
to check the modems connectivity. If Windows 98 can communicate with the
modem then proceed to the next section.
Dialup Network Software Installation
Windows 98 requirements for Dialup Networking
Dialup networking requires
that a modem be properly installed and functional and that Windows 98 software
be installed to accommodate connecting into an IP network. The software is NOT
installed by default during a standard Windows 98 installation. In most cases
you will be required to install this software after you install the modem and
the modem is functioning properly. Below is an annotated step by step tutorial
for installing this software. You can also use the Windows 98 help function
located under the Start menu for additional help.
If a modem was in the PC
before Windows 98 was installed, it is likely that the correct software pieces
are already installed. If not then follow the instructions below for installing
the software. You may need the Windows 98 CD or Diskettes to install the software
if the machine was not shipped with Windows 98 or the disk has been reformatted
since it was delivered from the factory. NOTE:
If you don't have the Windows 98 CD available, you 'might'
find the installation files in "C:\windows\options\cabs" directory" (Unless
you're using a laptop PC).
If all goes well, the dialup
networking software should now be installed. In some instances, particularly
if you have attempted to install the program previously, you may get messages
asking if you wish to install over an existing file. A good rule of thumb is
never overwrite a file that is newer
than the one you already have on your PC.
Installing the Network Protocol
First click on the Start button and choose Settings / Control Panels as shown below
Choosing and installing the correct protocol
From the next set of windows, you will choose to add the TCP/IP protocol. Since you will configure the protocol parameters in the dialup networking configuration, you will not need to do anything more here than install the network protocol.
This window allows you to Select the Network component that you
wish to add. You will want to choose Protocol.
Next, choose the Microsoft TCP/IP protocol from the list
as shown, then click OK.
Back out of the rest of the menus by clicking OK in all of the
windows that follow.
You will have to restart the computer in order for the changes
to take effect.
Configuring a Dialup Connection
Now that the modem is installed and working correctly and you have verified or installed the network software you will have to build a connection profile to connect to the network. The Network connection profile is built and accessed in the My Computer icon on the desktop.
Click Make New Connection
| Type in the area code and phone number for the dialup router that you will connect to in the appropriate fields as shown below. |
| If you live outside the 713 area code (281 or 409), enter the area code & phone number in the field labeled "Telephone number:" as shown below. |
Now click next and finish.
Once the connection is built you must configure the connection type and parameters
for how the PC and modem should handle authentication and IP addressing.
This is accomplished in the connection properties by RIGHT clicking
the connection you have just built in the My Computer desktop icon and then
choosing properties. The properties windows is shown below. You
will have to manipulate two items, Server
Type and TCP/IP Settings.
First click the Server Type button shown above and the windows shown below should appear . You should mark the check boxes to match those in the picture below. This tells the PC how to log into the router, what kind of authentication to use once the physical link is established and what IP frame type protocol to use (PPP). Make sure that TCP/IP is checked.
NOTE: If
you will be accessing a Novell Netware network, you will also need to check
IPX/SPX compatible also.
Click OK for all of the screens to back out of the configuration
menus.
To test this connection profile, you must go back to My Computer / Dial-Up Networking and double click on your new connection profile. In place of <my userid> type in the userid that you were given and the password. Configure the connection to save your password and then click Connect.
Note that the connection
window shows the actual baud rate (24 Kilobits per second), the duration of
the connection as well as the protocol used to connect into the network. This
is also the window that you can use to disconnect from the network when you
are finished.
If you get this far without
an error and still cannot connect, check the userid and password
to make certain that they are correct in content and case, then try again. If
you are still having problems, you will have to contact OAC
to trace your connection as you dial in to diagnose the problem further. Windows
98 supplies 5 TCP/IP client programs: Telnet, FTP, Tracert, Winipcfg and
Ping. You can use Ping and Winipcfg as
a fast way to test the network connection. All of these programs
are located in the default windows directory once the IP protocol is installed.
Below is a command line showing a successful ping and response. Ping can
also be run from within Windows 98 by clicking on Start >Run
and typing Ping oac (in this case the host name OAC correlates
with its numeric IP address 129.106.30.1)
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| (713) 500-4848 |
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The following link
is for the technically challenged user who wishes to have their PC configured
for Dialup Access:
Fee
for Service PC Configuration