-- The Internet Connection wizard could not detect or access my modem
-- The Internet Connection wizard could not detect a dial tone
-- A modem answers but the Internet Connection wizard cannot establish a connection
-- I am using a PowerBook with an external modem and am having trouble
connecting while following the signup process
-- I have signed up for an Internet account, but can't seem to connect using
the Internet software
-- When I try to connect, I get an error message related to the modem
CDROM
--Copyright
--Disclaimer
--Trademarks
--------
OVERVIEW
--------
This readme file accompanies the Direct Connection Internet Software v4 for
Apple Macintosh. This software can be used in three ways:
-- 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.
-- New users can also join Direct Connection by phone, install the software
and enter their new userID and password when prompted.
-- Existing customers will be prompted to enter their userID and password and
have this software configured for them.
If you have any questions about Direct Connection accounts, our sales team can
be contacted on 0800 072 00 00, Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm and 10am to 5pm Saturday.
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 Apple Macintosh systems.
If you are using Microsoft Windows 3.1, or Windows 95/NT you can find software
for these platforms on the Direct Connection CD. If you do not have the CD or
wish to find out more about the software for these platforms, please contact
Direct Connection.
Contents of This Product
------------------------
This product contains the following:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer v4.0, 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.
- Internet Config and any required system extensions.
- Java and web fonts *
- Microsoft Netshow (on Power Macintosh only) *
* These components are not installed with the floppy disk distribution but are
available for download at Microsofts website, http://www.microsoft.com
The following items may be installed should your macintosh not have the
necessary components already installed:
- Open Transport 1.1.1
- OT/PPP1.0
System Requirements
-------------------
- Macintosh computer with 68030 processor or higher
- System 7.5 or higher
- At least 8mb of RAM (12mb or more is recommended).
- At least 12mb of free hard disk space for Internet Explorer.
- At least 8.5mb of free hard disk space for the Java VM, which now includes
support for JDK1.1.4
- 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 details of 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 CD icon on your desktop.
Open this and double-click 'installer' to start the installation.
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 dialing a local call
0845 access telephone number, and allow you to either signup and
create an internet account, or provide details of an existing account to
configure your software.
Once the installation is complete, your system will then prompt you to allow
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 purchase an
account on-line once the installation is complete. Follow the prompts on screen
and once your system has dialed-up and contacted Direct Connection,
choose the option to signup and create an account.
You will need to have ready a choice of 1st and 2nd choice of userID, and a
choice of password. Your Direct Connection userID will be specific to your account, and appears in both your email and Web addresses. Your userID can be between 3 and 8 lowercase letters, and can contain numbers but not start with one. Eg. If you chose "katy" as your userID, your Web address would be: 'www.katy.dircon.co.uk'.
Account costs and choice of payment methods are fully explained on-line.
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
userID 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 your
existing account. Choose the option to enter details of your existing account.
You will need to have to hand your account userID 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 from the Acrobat folder on your CD.
Other users can download the manuals from the Direct Connection website:
http://www.dircon.net/home.html
Extra Software
--------------
An FTP client , 'Anarchie', that can be used to download files from the Internet
and upload files to your free web space at Direct Connection can be found in the
'extras' folder on the CD. Use the following steps to install Anarchie:
1. Drag the Anarchie 2.0.1 folder onto your hard disk
2. Open your hard disk, then the Anarchie 2.0.1 folder
3. Drag the preferences file into your hard disk -> System folder.
To run Anarchie, just double click on the Anarchie icon.
----------------
TROUBLE SHOOTING
----------------
"The Internet Connection wizard could not detect or access my modem."
- Make sure all other programs that might be using the same communications port
as your modem, such as any fax software or a phone dialer, are not running.
- Check the power to your modem by turning it off and then back on.
- Try turning AppleTalk off. On the Apple menu, choose Chooser, and then in the
AppleTalk area, click Inactive.
"The Internet Connection wizard could not detect a dial tone."
- Make sure all cable connections are secure.
- Verify that your phone cable is working by trying it with your telephone or
replacing it with a cable that you know works.
- Your modem might be incompatible with your telephone system if for example
you are using a modem purchased in another country. For more information, see
the documentation that came with your modem. You can also try contacting your
telephone company or your phone-system administrator.
"A modem answers, but the Internet Connection wizard cannot establish a
connection."
- Redial the current phone number. Click Redial a few times to try
redialing the current phone number.
- Check the modem type and settings. In the Could Not Connect screen, click
Modem and try choosing a modem type as specific to your own modem as possible.
"I am using a PowerBook with an external modem and am having trouble connecting
while following the signup process."
- Try this: choose Control Panels from the Apple menu, double-click ConfigPPP
(if you are running Open Transport, double-click Modem), and then choose
Printer-Modem Port from the Port Name menu to make sure that it is selected.
Now, double-click the Internet Connection wizard and go through it again.
"I have signed up for an Internet account, but can't seem to connect using the
Internet software."
- Check your userID and Password. When you signed up for a Direct Connection
Internet account, you chose a userID and password. The wizard should have
entered these correctly for you. Try retyping your new userID and password
making sure they are entered in all lowercase letters.
"When I try to connect, I get an error message related to the modem."
- During installation you will have chosen a modem type you are using. This sets
an initialisation string for the modem in use. Try changing this by going to
Apple menu/Control Panels/Modem. Next to the modem drop down menu change your
modem in use to one that closely matches your own modem. If you still have
problems, try each of the "Dircon" modem string selections.
(c)Copyright 1998 Direct Connection.
Technical Support
e-mail : helpdesk@dircon.net
Tel : 0870 1666111
Fax : 0181 463 9818
9am to 9pm weekdays, 10am to 5pm weekends.
Sales
e-mail : sales@dircon.net
Tel : 0800 072 0000
Fax : 0181 463 9817
9am to 7pm weekdays, 10am to 5pm Saturday.
Customer Services
e-mail : accounts@dircon.net
Tel : 0870 1666000
Fax : 0181 463 9816
9am to 5.30pm weekdays.
-----
CDROM
-----
Information contained within this CD-ROM is subject to change without
notice. While every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and
completeness of this CD-ROM, Direct Connection is not liable for any
errors contained herein or any incidental or consequential damages that
may occur in connection with the use of this material. No part of this
CD-ROM may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means
without the express written permission of Direct Connection.
⌐ 1998 Direct Connection
This software is provided to the user "as is." Direct Connection makes
no warranties, either express or implied, with respect to this software
and/or associated materials provided to the user, including but not
limited to any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular
purpose or against infringement. Direct Connection does not warrant that
the functions contained in the software will meet your requirements, or
that the operation of the software will be uninterrupted or error-free,
or that defects in the software will be corrected. Furthermore, Direct
Connection does not warrant or make any representations regarding the
use or the results of the use of the software or any documentation
provided herewith in terms of their correctness, accuracy, reliability,
or otherwise. No oral or written information or advice given by Direct
Connection or a Direct Connection authorised representative shall create
a warranty or in any way increase the scope of this warranty.
Apple, Mac and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc
Microsoft is a registered trademark in the United States and other
countries and the Microsoft Internet Explorer Logo is a trademark of
Microsoft Corporation. All other product names listed herein are the
