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If you are having problems connecting, or if you
experience "disconnects", there are a number of things you can try.
Here's a brief list. You will need your Windows 95/98/2000 CD for
some of these steps, so have it handy.
If your system used to work but now it doesn't, the first step in problem solving
is to ask yourself: "What's Changed?" Did OIP reconfigure? Did you install new
hardware? Did you install new software? Did you physically move your computer? In
general, figure out what's changed and you'll be able to solve the current
problem.
If nothing's changed, contact us for assistance. There are several reasons why
your dial-up may not work - the most common reasons are: (1) we have a problem on
our end or (2) we have suspended your account for simultaneous usage or non-payment.
General Setup [ Top ]
First, you may have misconfigured your setup, or you may have a software
or hardware conflict. Here's the rundown of things to look for:
- General Setup specific to OIP
- UserID and Password are Case Sensitive;
- Phone# is incorrect. Refer to your sign-up sheet to determine the
correct number. If you subscribe to our "Network A" (150 hour limited),
the current phone list can be retrieve at Network A.
If you subscribe to our "Network B" (unlimited), the current phone list can be
retrieved at Network B;
- DNS is dynamic, so you should not specify anything for DNS;
- Mail Server for both POP3 and SMTP is "mailhost.oip.net";
- *70 to disable call waiting, if you have call waiting (modem
properties)
- "9" to access an outside line, or not (modem properties)
- If you are dialing a local phone number, disable "Area Code and Calling Rules",
and "blank" the area code.
- Access the Windows control panel (through "My Computer/Control
Panel" or "Start/Settings")
- To access Network Settings, access "My Computer/Control Panel/Network"
- To access Modem Properties (how your modem communicates) access
"My Computer/Control Panel/Modem" and then "Properties"
- To access Dialing Properties (how your modem dials), access
"My Computer/Control Panel/Modem/Dialing Properties
- To access your dialup setting, access "My Computer/Dialup Networking",
right click on the Dial Up icon (e.g. "OIP"), and then select
properties. Server settings are on the "Server Types" tab, and
TCP/IP settings (the DNS number) are on the "TCP/IP settings"
button.
- Conflict with other programs: if you have other programs installed
that use the modem (and you get "Unable to open port" error, or
something similar), chances are the other program is running and
has taken control of the modem. This is common with Fax programs,
like Symantec WinFax -- if WinFax starts when you start your computer
AND is configured to "automatically receive", it will lock up your
modem.
You Can't Connect (new account) [ Top ]
There are actually several reasons why this might happen.
- You have connected to the wrong modem (you have defined more
than one modem in the past, and selected the wrong one when you
were setting up). You should delete the modem(s) that are no longer
installed in your computer. One way is to delete ALL of them, reboot,
and have Windows auto-detect the correct modem and reinstall it.
- You input the wrong phone number
- You input your userID or password incorrectly. They are case
sensitive, and must be exactly as specified when we set up your
account
- Your network software is incomplete. Access My Computer/Control
Panel/Network and be sure that you have both a "Dial Up Adapter"
and a "TCP/IP" entry. If not, you must add the one that's missing
(usually TCP/IP).
- Your network software is corrupted. (a) Access My Computer/Control
Panel/Network and REMOVE the "Dial Up Adapter" and "TCP/IP" entries.
(b) Reboot. (c) Add the "Dial Up Adapter" (adapter) and "TCP/IP"
(protocol) software from "Microsoft".
You Can't Connect (existing account) [ Top ]
What's changed? First, determine what has changed. Recently, OIP upgraded
modems - if your dialup worked before but doesn't work now, there's
a good chance that you need to work with your modem settings (see
below). Otherwise, something changed at your end, and you need to
figure out what that might be.
- You just installed new hardware: chances are, your hardware configuration
is wrong OR your modem is not compatible with our modem pool (see
below).
- You just installed new software: some software changes the dialup
up networking settings, so you need to access your settings and
make sure they are still OK.
- You moved your computer: make sure your phone cable is connected
to the "telco" or "line" input jack on the modem; make sure all
of your cabling is correct; if your phone system requires that you
dial "9" to get an outside line, make sure that's specified, or
if your phone system no longer requires "9", make sure that it's
absent.
You get disconnected during a session [
Top ]
If you are being disconnected during an active session, there are
two possible reasons: (1) there is excessive "noise" on your phone
line, or (2) there is a slight incompatibility between your modem
and ours. You can't do much about your phone line, so you will have
to make adjustments to your computer.
- Change your computer's connect speed: My Computer/Control Panel/Modem/
- Change your computer's setup string.
- Upgrade your modem's driver - if possible, access the modem manufacturer's
website and download/install the newest driver.
Your modem connects at less than optimum speeds
[ Top ]
The solution to this is often elusive. You can update your modem's
driver or fiddle with your modem's setup string. If it's your phone
line, there's very little your can do.
Changing your modem's setup string [ Top ]
First, access one or both of the following sites on the internet:
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