7.3. Manually Plugging in Internet Settings Although the New Connection Wizard does an admirable job of trying to simplify the hairy process of accessing the Internet, it's not always appropriate. Here are a few cases when you may want to arrange your settings manually: -
You already have an Internet account. -
You have a cable modem or DSL connection. -
The New Connection Wizard didn't find any ISPs with local phone numbers for you, but you've heard about a local serviceoffered by your local PC user group , for examplethat sounds just right. -
Your PC is connected to a network through which your company provides Internet service. In each of these cases, you can still use the New Connection Wizard; however, a good deal more typing is required. 7.3.1. Via Dial-up Modem If you connect to the Internet via telephone jack, like most of the world, choose Start  All Programs Accessories Communications New Connection Wizard. Make sure that your computer is plugged into a phone jack. Click Next, "Connect to the Internet," Next, "Setup my Internet connection manually," and Next. Now click "Connect using a dial-up modem," and then Next. On the following several screens, you'll be asked to type in a few pieces of information that only your ISP can provide: the local phone number that connects your PC to the Internet, your user name , and your password. (You can call your ISP for this information, or consult the literature delivered by postal mail when you signed up for an ISP account.) You'll also be offered these three important checkboxes: -
Use this account name and password when anyone connects to the Internet from this computer . This option refers to the Windows XP user accounts feature described in Chapter 12, in which various people who share the same computer keep their worlds of information and settings separate by signing in each time they use the machine. It's asking you: "Is this the Internet account you want this PC to use no matter who's logged in at the moment?" -
Make this the default Internet connection . Some people have more than one way to access the Internet. Maybe you connect your laptop to a cable modem when you're at home but dial out using the modem when you're on the road. Turn on this checkbox if the account you're setting up is the one you want it to use most often.
Tip: You can always change your mind. In the Network Connections window, right-click the connection icon and choose Cancel as Default Connection from the shortcut menu.
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Turn on Internet Connection Firewall for this Connection . Windows XP offers a certain degree of protection from incoming hacker attacks in the form of a personal firewall. Turn this off only if you've equipped your PC with other firewall software. When it's all over, you'll find that you've given birth to a connection icon , as shown at right in Figure 7-3. Once you've correctly typed in all of the necessary information, you should be ready to surf.
Tip: If you carry a laptop from city to cityeach of which requires a different local Internet numberyou may want to create more than one connection icon by plugging in a different local access number each time.
7.3.2. Via Cable Modem, Network, or DSL As noted earlier in this chapter, you're usually spared the hassle of setting up these so-called broadband accounts. The installation person generally handles it for you. GEM IN THE ROUGH
XP's ESP Connection | | Whenever you try to get online, Windows XP automatically hunts for a working connectionwired or wireless. That's a blessing for laptops: when you're at the office plugged into an Ethernet cable, you can use its stability and speed. When you're in some hotel-lobby hot spot, and your laptop can't find the Ethernet cable, it automatically hops onto the wireless network, if possible. And how does the dial-up modem enter into all this? That's up to you. Open Internet Options in your Control Panel, click the Connections tab, and turn on, for example, "Dial whenever a network connection is not present" or "Never dial a connection." |
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