1. Install the necessary network software (i.e. Dial-Up Networking, Dial-Up Adapter and TCP/IP Protocol).

2. Configure the network software you just installed.

3. Set up the Connection icon.

All of the steps taken to achieve the three sections above are outlined in detail in this document. It takes some work but I guarantee you, if we could have made it any easier we would have.

INSTALLING THE NETWORK SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS 95/98

1. To verify that Dial-up Networking is installed, go to the Add/Remove Programs Icon from the Control Panel. You can find it by going to the following directory:

Start Button -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs

2. Double click the Add/Remove Programs icon.

3. Select the Windows Setup tab, then click the Communications option and press Details....

4. Verify that the Dial-up Networking option is checked. If it is, go on to the next step. If it isn't, select it and click OK. Windows 95 will attempt to install the needed drivers, so make sure you've got your Windows 95/98 installation disks or CD-ROM handy. Now that Dial-Up Networking is installed, proceed to the next step.

5. To verify that the Dial-up Adapter and TCP/IP Protocol are installed, go to the Network Icon from the Control Panel, by going to the following directory:

Start Button -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network

6. Double-click the Network icon. Make sure the Configuration tab is selected. If both the Dial-Up Adapter and TCP/IP are present, then you're ready to proceed to the next step. If they are not present, continue below.

7. Add the Dial-Up Adapter by selecting the Add... button, double-click Adapter, scroll down the list on the left hand side and select Microsoft. On the right hand side, choose the Dial-Up Adapter and click OK.

8. To install TCP/IP, click the Add... button, double-click Protocol, on the left hand side, select Microsoft, and on the right hand side, select TCP/IP, and click OK.

CONFIGURING THE NETWORK SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS 95

1. Now your Network dialog box should contain both Dial-Up Adapter and TCP/IP. Select Dial Up Adapter, click Properties..., click Bindings, and verify that the TCP/IP box is checked. Click OK.

2. Select the TCP/IP protocol and click the Properties... button. You should get the TCP/IP Properties box. There are six sections in this dialog box. We'll deal with them in order.

· IP Address - Select the Obtain an IP address automatically option.
· WINS Configuration - Select the Disable WINS Resolution option.
· Gateway - Make sure nothing is typed in here.

· Bindings - No changes needed are from the default settings.
· Advanced - No changes needed are from the default settings.
· DNS Configuration - Select the Disable DNS option. Make sure that nothing is typed into any of the fields here.

3. When you're done setting these options, press the OK button. Then press the OK button in the Network dialog box. Windows 95/98 will ask you to reboot. Press Yes and run to the fridge for a quick snack. You're almost done!

SETTING UP THE CONNECTION ICON FOR WINDOWS 95

1. Open up My Computer from the desktop and double-click the Dial-Up Networking icon. Double-click the Make New Connection icon if it isn’t automatically opened. This will walk you through the Make New Connection wizard.

2. Type in VCS Internet Connection for the name of the icon you're about to create. Your modem (which should have been configured when you installed Windows 95) should be shown in the Select a modem: area. Press the Configure button.

3. In the General section, set your modem speed appropriately. If you have a 14.4kbps modem, set the maximum speed to 19200. If you have a 28.8kpbs modem, set the maximum speed to 38400. DO NOT select Only connect at this speed. This will let your modem adjust as the connection needs.

4. The default settings in the Connection section should be fine.

5. Click the Next > button from the Make New Connection wizard.

6. Enter in the appropriate phone number for VCS, without the area code if it is a local call.

Barrhead 674-6852, Whitecourt 648-2037, Swan Hills 584-3927

7. If you have call waiting, you may want to put a 70#, (with the comma) before the dial-up number. This will disable it for this call only.

8. Click the Next > button, and press the Finish button and your icon will be created.

9. Select your newly-created VCS connection icon with the right mouse button and choose Properties...

10. Press the Server Type... button. Verify that PPP: Windows 95, Windows NT 3.5, Internet is selected in the Type of Dial-Up Server section.

11. The Log on to network in the Advanced options should not be checked. Also, make sure that Enable software compression in Advanced Options and TCP/IP in the Allowed network protocols are the only options checked. Make sure to remove the checkmarks beside NetBEUI and IPX/SPX Compatible Protocols Press the OK button.

12. Click the OK button in the remaining dialog box, and you're almost ready to dial!

13. You should configure your dial-up sessions to automatically redial if they encounter a busy signal. From the Dial-Up Networking folder, select the icon for the VCS internet connection. Select the Connections... menu item, then select Settings... Indicate the number of times to attempt connection, 10 is usually more then enough.

14. To make a shortcut connection icon on your desktop, select the VCS Homepage connection icon with your left mouse button and hold the mouse button down, drag the icon off the Dial-Up Networking window and onto your desktop, release the mouse button.

15. Windows 95/98 will give you a message saying that you can't put the icon there unless you wish to create a shortcut icon. Click Yes and the shortcut icon will appear on the desktop.