Overview

You can can view this information in several ways.

This page has a text overview of the steps you need to go through, with links to pictures that will help you visualize what to do.
• Through the contents, there are links to individual pages with both text and pictures.
• There are companion modules on troubleshooting (NG34w) and on Apple Macintosh computers (soon: NG33a and NG34a). If you'd like a background on what's happening, you can use the series overview link page (NG30).

What you need

• For all computers: standard telephone cable (RJ-11)
• For desktop models:
• Modem and power adapter
• RS-232 Serial modem cable
• For laptop models:
• PCMCIA Modem Card

1. Installing a Desktop PC External Modem

1. Choose a serial cable - check the back of the modem and of the computer for number of pins and connectors:

There are 9-, 15- and 25 pin male (with pins sticking out) and female (with holes for pins) connectors.
2. Connect the male end of the serial cable to your modem, and the other end to the computer.
3. There are most likely 2 jacks on the back of the modem, one to connect to the wall jack, the other an optional phone:

Plug an RJ-11 telephone cable into the wall jack, and the other end into the plug marked Line.
4. Plug the power cord into a surge protected outlet strip.
5. Switch on the modem's and computer's power.
6. Move on to configuring the modem.

2. Installing a Laptop PC External Modem

1. Plug the PCMCIA card into one of the two PCMCIA slots on the side of the laptop computer:

there are two models of cards - a pop out jack, or an extension jack - connect the phone cable to the jack.
2. Plug the phone cable into the wall phone jack.
3. Switch the computer's power on.
4. Follow the configuring the modem instructions below, but click the PCMCIA modem card option button during step b.

3. Configuring the Modem

Many modems are "Plug-n-Play", so the com port, IRQ, and port address will self configure under Windows 95. Windows 95 will automatically detect a new hardware device - just follow the on-screen directions to identify the modem and install the drivers provided on the manufacturer's disk.
To manually configure your modem:

1. Left-click Start | Settings | Control Panel | then double-click Modems
2. Click Next if you want Windows to detect and install your modem and go to step 4. Or if you have an installation disk included with your modem, check the "Don't detect my modem,,," box, and click next.
3. Either select the modem from the list and click next, or click Have Disk to use the manufacturer's disk and select the location of the files (usually a:\ for a 3 1/2" floppy or d:\ for a CD).
4. Type your area code in the Area Code text box. The modem will dial an area code only when the required area code is different from yours.
5. Use the When Dialing from Here section to specify what number is needed to dial an outside line (usually 9 for local or 8 for long distance from a business), or to specify a Calling Card for long-distance.
6. If you have a rotary phone system, click pulse dialing, instead of tone for touch-tone phones.
7. If you have call waiting, you must place a check mark in the To Diable Call Waiting box, and enter the number required to diable it (usually *70) - or incoming calls will disconnect your internet connection.
8. Click OK
9. Double-click the modem icon again, click the installed modem, and click properties.
10. Click the Connection tab and use these settings:
1. Set the modem speed at the highest value supported by the modem
2. Set the port protocal at "8, No, and 1" which means: 8 bit, no parity, and 1 stop bit.
3. Click the "Wait for Dial Tone" box.
4. Use hardware flow control
11. Click OK

4. Network Configuration

1. Click Start | Settings | Control Panel
2. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs.
3. Click Windows Setup tab.
4. Double-click on Communications to display the Communications window.
5. If the box is not checked, click on Dial-Up Networking to check it.
6. Click OK | OK - Insert your Windows 95 Setup diskette when you are prompted.

5. Installing Dial-Up TCP/IP Support

1. Click Start | Settings | Control Panel
2. Double-click on the Network icon.

3. Click Add... | Protocol | Microsoft | TCP/IP | OK - Insert Win95 Setup diskettes when prompted.

6. Making a New Connection

1. Click Start | Programs | Accessories | Dial-Up Networking
2. Double-click Make New Connection.                   
3. Select the modem, if not already selected.
4. Type a name for the connection (i.e. WCC) and click Next.
5. Type the phone number you want to dial (489-2200 for Ann Arbor) and click Next.
6. Click Finish after the message indicating that a new connection was created successfully.
7. In the Dial-Up Networking window, right-click on the icon you just created, Select Properties.
8. Click Server Type..., and deselect the following:
1. Log on to Network
2. NetBEUI
3. IPX/SPX Compatible

7. Customizing the TCP/IP Settings

1. Double-click My Computer and double-click Dial-Up Networking.
2. Right-click the icon you created (WCC) and select Properties.
3. On the My Connection window, click Server Type to display the TCP/IP Settings Window.
4. Click Specify name server addresses and enter the following numbers:
1. 198.108.130.5 in Primary DNS
2. 198.109.36.3 in Secondary DNS
5. Click OK.

8. Connecting

1. Double-click your new connection icon (WCC).
2. Enter your user name (i.e. sstrong) followed by @email.wccnet.org
3. Click Connect..
4. Happy Surfing!

Audience:

Objectives:

• Install an external desktop modem by connecting the correct cables to the modem & computer.
• Install an external laptop modem (PCMCIA card).
• Prepare a modem for connectivity - dialing into an Internet Service Provider such as Merit.
• Successfully dial into the Merit Network for access to the Internet.

Module NG33w:

Author:

Jonelle Conom, Rebecca Hageman, Crystal Wood

Editor:

Laurence J. Krieg

Institution:

Department of Computer Information Systems, Washtenaw Community College

History:

Original: March 1999

Copyright:

Copyright © 1999, Jonelle Conom, Rebecca Hageman, Crystal Wood

Instructors: You may point to this file in your Web-based materials.
Students: you may make a copy for your personal use.
All other uses: contact the editor, Laurence J. Krieg for permission.