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CONTENTS
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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 customers
-- Getting further 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
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OVERVIEW
--------
This readme file accompanies the Direct Connection Internet Software v4 for
Windows 95/NT4. 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.
This version is intended for users of Microsoft Windows 95/NT4.
If you are using Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Macintosh please contact our Sales Team
Sales
e-mail : sales@dircon.net
Tel : 0800 072 0000
Fax : 0181 463 9817
9am to 7pm Weekdays.
Contents of This Product
------------------------
This product contains the following:
- Windows 95/NT4 Dial-up networking configuration.
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.
- Internet Explorer 4.0 (or 3.02) installed.
- Internet Connection Wizard installed (normally part of Internet Explorer 4.0).
- 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
------------------------
From the front end menu, click on 'Purchase Account and/or Configure Software'.
Then follow the on screen prompts.
This process may require your Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT4.0 Installation
CD's to install the required network components.
'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 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
user-id 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 user-id 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
---------------------------
Users can download the manuals from the Direct Connection website:
http://www.dircon.net/home.html
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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 manufacture 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 IE4.0
-----------------------------------------
Please read the following important information if you already have
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 installed under Windows95 or Windows
NT4.0.
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".
Installing IE4.0 and ICW
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 can be installed from the PCPRO CD. Follow
the instruction provided in the magazine. Internet Connection Wizard will
be installed as part of Internet Explorer 4.0 Standard or Maximum install.
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 'Purchase Account and/or Configure
