---------------------------------------------- README for Direct Connection Internet Software For Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT March 1998 ---------------------------------------------- (c) Copyright Direct Connection 1998 ------------------------ HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT ------------------------ To view this file on screen in Notepad, maximize the Notepad window. To print this file, open it in Notepad or another word processor, and then use the Print command on the File menu. -------- CONTENTS -------- OVERVIEW -- Contents of This Product -- System Requirements -- Notes on Telephone Charges HOW TO CONNECT TO DIRECT CONNECTION -- Installation of software -- 'Sign-up' and create an account -- Existing cusomters -- Getting futher information TROUBLESHOOTING -- The modem does not dial or make a connection -- When I bring up the 'Connect to' box, the 'save password' option is greyed out -- Issues concerning Existing users of IE4.0 -------- OVERVIEW -------- This readme file accompanies the Direct Connection Internet Software v4 for Windows 95/NT4. This software is intended for both new users to Direct Connection, who can install the software and follow the on-screen prompts to 'signup' and create an Internet account with Direct Connection, and also for existing customers who will be prompted to enter their username and password and have this software configured for them. The software provides you with a web browser, electronic mail reader and usenet news reader. Extra programs are also included on the CD. These programs allow you access the popular resources of the Internet. This version is intended for users of Microsoft Windows 95/NT4. If you are using Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Macintosh you can find software for these platforms on the Direct Connection CD. If you do not have the CD of wish to find out more about the software for these platforms, please contact Direct Connection. Contents of This Product ------------------------ This product contains the following: - Windows 95/NT4 Dial-up networking configuration - Microsoft Internet Explorer v4.01, a browser that enables you to browse and view HTML documents, either locally or on the World Wide Web. - Microsoft Outlook Express, an email and usenet news program that allows you to send and receive electronic mail messages, and read and post to newsgroups. Additional programs are provided by Microsoft in the full installation option of Internet Explorer 4.01. These extras, including NetMeeting, FronPage Express and Chat are NOT supported by Direct Connection. If you choose to install these programs, you must use the Microsoft documentation for technical assistance. System Requirements ------------------- - A personal computer, 486-DX33 processor or higher (e.g. Pentium) - Microsoft Windows 95 or NT4 operating system - For Windows 95, at least 8mb of RAM (16mb or more is recommended). For Windows NT4 at least 16mb of RAM - Windows NT4 users must have Service Pack 3 installed. - At least 90mb of free hard disk space. - A properly installed, functioning modem (internal or external) with a speed of at least 9,600bps. Notes on Telephone Charges -------------------------- To help keep the overall cost of Internet use as low as possible, Direct Connection provides an 0845 nationwide dial-up access number that is billed at the local call rates by all telephone companies. However, this rate will vary according to your telephone provider. Please check with your telephone provider for detailsof local call rates and off-peak periods. ----------------------------------- HOW TO CONNECT TO DIRECT CONNECTION ----------------------------------- Installation of software ------------------------ Starting the installation of this software will vary depending where you received this software from. If you have received this software from the Direct Connection CD, inserting the CD will present you with the menu system, allowing you to choose 'Install Internet Explorer 4.0'. If the menu does not appear, you can run it manually, from the 'Start' button, select 'Run' and enter: d:\setup (replacing d: with the letter of your cd-rom drive.) If you have received this software via another method, such as on a magazine cover disk, please see the editorial in the magazine on how to start the installation. Before starting the installation procedure, please see the 'Trouble shooting' section for important information. The installation will take you through the necessary steps to provide you with the Internet software to access Direct Connection. Once the software is installed, your system will contact Direct Connection by dialling a local call 0845 acecss telephone number, and give you the option to either signup and create an internet account, or provide details of an existing account to configure your software. During the installation you may be required to replace the software cd with your original Windows 95 installation cd. The installation will also restart your computer once or twice, depending what components need to be installed. *** Important: If you already have Internet Explorer 4.0 installed on your system, please read the trouble shooting section at the end of this document. Once the installation is complete, double-click the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop. This will then prompt you allow your system to contact Direct Connection and give you the option to create an account, or provide details of an existing one. 'Sign-up' and Create an account ------------------------------ If you are not currently a customer of Direct Connection, you can sign-up for an Internet account once the installation is complete. Follow the prompts on screen and once your system has dialed-up and contacted Direct Connection, you can choose the option to signup and create an account. You will need to have ready a choice of 1st and 2nd choice of username, and a choice of password. If installing from a magazine cover disk you will need the registration code supplied by the magazine. You will also need to have payment details to hand, for payment by credit card (visa, mastercad, american express) or Switch. You can also request to pay via Direct Debit. Follow the on-screen prompts to sign-up for your new account. Once all details have been requested and confirmed, your account will be created and software configured for use with your new account. Existing Customers ------------------ If you have already joined Direct Connection and have received details of your username and password then you can also use this software and have it configured for use with your account. Once the installation is complete, the software will contact Direct Connection and give you the option to create a new account or enter details of you existing account. Choose the option to enter details of your existing account. You will need to have to hand your account username and password. Enter your details as requested. Once your details are verified, your software will be automatically configured for use with your account. Getting Further Information --------------------------- Full manuals for using the supplied Internet software, and a general guide to the Internet are available in Adobe Acrobat format. If you have installed from the Direct Connection CD you should have options to install the Acrobat reader and view the manuals on the initially presented menu, upon inserting the CD. Other users can download the manuals from the Direct Connection website: http://www.dircon.net/home.html ---------------- TROUBLE SHOOTING ---------------- "The modem does not dial or make a connection." - Check that the modem is switched on and correctly connected to the telephone line. Ensure no other software is running such as fax programs which could be attempting to use the modem port. - Open Control Panel and select Modem. Check that your make and model are displayed in Installed Modems window. If the window shows a generic setting such as "Standard 14400 modem" for instance, Windows 95/NT has does not know about your particular modem and has loaded a set of basic default settings. Contact your modem manufactuer or reseller to get a configuration file specifically for your modem. "When I bring up the 'Connect to' box, the 'save password' option is greyed out'. - Go into Control Panel and select Network. Make sure you have 'Client for Microsoft Networks' listed in the window. If not use the 'Add' button to include it in the list. This will activate your local password file. Issues concerning Existing users of IE4.0 ----------------------------------------- Please read the following important information if you already have Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 installed under Windows95 or Windows NT4.0. A number of problems can arise when installing our version of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 over an existing version. To avoid problems, please use the following guide to configure a connection to Direct Connection using your current version of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Checking for The Connection Wizard To configure a connection for Direct Connection you will need to ensure you have installed the 'Internet Connection Wizard'. You can check this by clicking on you 'Start' button, then going into 'Programs' followed by 'Internet Explorer'. If you have 'Connection Wizard' listed in there, you can skip to the section "Configuring Connection". Updating IE4.0 and installing ICW The Direct Connection CD-ROM contains version 4.01 of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. You can upgrade to this version if you have a earlier version from the CD-ROM, and also install the 'Internet Connection Wizard' needed for configuring a connection to Direct Connection using the following method. Insert the Direct Connection Installation CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. If the Direct Connection Internet Explorer Setup Screen appears, then close it down. From the 'Start Menu' select 'Run' and type in the following command: D:\win95\addon\addon.htm You may need to replace D with the drive letter corresponding to the CD-ROM drive on your system. Click on 'OK'. This will start Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and open a web page on the Direct Connection CD-ROM which will allow you to update and install extra components for Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. Allow the page to detect the version of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 on your machine, and upgrade/install components at your leisure. However please ensure that in the section 'Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0', you put a check in the box labelled 'Internet Connection Wizard' Then follow the on screen instructions to install the selected components or upgrades. Configuring Connection Once you have the Internet Connection Wizard installed, you can now configure you existing IE4 for use with Direct Connection. Insert your Direct Connection cd-rom and once the menu appears, select 'Configure your Connection'. (c)Copyright 1998 Direct Connection. Technical Support e-mail : helpdesk@dircon.net Tel : 0870 166111 9am to 9pm Weekdays, 10am to 5pm Weekends. Sales e-mail : sales@dircon.net Tel : 0800 072 0000 Fax : 0181 297 0399 9am to 7pm Weekdays. Customer Services e-mail : accounts@dircon.net Tel : 0870 1666000 9am to 5.30pm Weekdays.