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To assist in your installation of and transition to Windows 95, the World Wide Web contains a large number of Web sites of information related to Windows 95, which I will discuss later. However, first you must be able to obtain a successful dial-up connection to the Internet through your provider on your new Windows 95 operating system.

The instructions that follow are for standalone dial-up PPP connections, where the provider controls the dial-in procedure. Though there are multiple ways to complete some steps, only one way is presented here. For environments other than a standalone dial-up connection, review the Web sources I reference later, or contact a network specialist or your access provider.

Instructions

To configure Windows 95 for your access provider, four events must take place. You must: (1) Verify that "Dial-Up Networking" is installed; (2) Define three network components--Client, Adapter and Protocol--to Windows 95; (3) Reboot the system and define further parameters to Windows 95; and (4) Reboot the system a second time. But before you get started, call your provider and obtain the following information: Your IP address, subnet Netmask, Gateway, and DNS Search Order Type.

1. Verify that "Dial-Up Networking" is installed.
   1. Click "My Computer."
   2. Click "Control Panels."
   3. Select "Network."
   4. If you don't see "Dial-Up Networking,"
      1. Double-click "Control Panel."
      2. Double-click "Add/Remove" programs.
      3. "Windows Setup" tab--Double click "Communications" and put a check in the box next to "Dial-Up Networking."
      4. Click "OK."
      5. Click "OK" again.
      6. Windows 95 may ask you for your installation disks/CDROMs. If so, when completed, reboot your computer.
2. Define Network Components.
   1. If "Dial-Up Networking" was installed above,
      1. Click "My Computer."
      2. Click "Control Panels."
      3. Select "Network."
   2. Select the "Configuration" Tab.
   3. Define Client (Client for MS Networks).
      1. Click "Client for MS Networks."
      2. Click "Properties" button.
      3. Ensure the "Logon" and "Restore Network Connections" radio button is selected.
      4. Click "OK."
   4. Define Adapter (Dial-Up Adapter).
      1. Click "Dial-Up Adapter."
      2. Click "Properties" button.
      3. "Driver Type" tab--select Enhanced Mode.
      4. "Bindings" tab--Ensure that the box next to TCP/IP, and only that box, is checked.
      5. "Advanced" tab--Click "IPX header compression." Under the value heading select "No."
      6. Click "OK."
   5. Define Protocol (TCP/IP).
      1. Click "TCP/IP."
      2. Click "Properties" button.
      3. "IP Address" tab--Ensure that the "Specify and IP address" radio button is selected. In the IP address field, enter the IP Address received from your provider. In the "subnet mask" enter the "Subnet Mask" received from your provider.
      4. "WINS Configuration" tab--Ensure that the "Enable WINS Resolution" radio button is selected. For the "Primary WINS Server" enter the information received from your provider. All other fields should be left blank.
      5. "Gateway" tab--In the "New Gateway" field enter the information received from your provider.
      6. "DNS Configuration" tab--Ensure that the "Enable DNS button" is selected. For "Host," enter your hostname; under "Domain" enter the domain name of your provider; under "DNS Search Order Type" enter the information received from your provider. Click "Add."
      7. "Advanced" tab--MAKE NO CHANGES.
      8. "Bindings" tab--Ensure that "Client for Microsoft Networks" checkbox is selected.
      9. Click "OK."
      10. Click "OK" again.
3. Reboot Your System.
4. Define Dial-Up Networking Parameters to Windows 95.
   1. Double-click "My Computer."
   2. Double-click "Dial-Up Networking."
   3. Click "Next."
   4. Under "Type," enter the name of the computer you are dialing (provider name).
   5. Click "Configure."
   6. "General" tab--Under "Maximum Speed" Select "19200"--If you are using a 14,400 baud modem, select "38400"--If you are using a 28,800 baud modem, select "9600"--If you are using a 9600 baud modem:
   7. "Connection" tab--NO CHANGES.
   8. "Options" tab--Ensure that the "Bring Up Terminal Window After Dialing" box, and that box only, is checked.
   9. Click "OK."
   10. Click "Next."
   11. Enter the area code and phone number of your provider in the Area Code and Telephone Number fields.
   12. Click "Finish."
   13. Move the mouse pointer onto the provider's icon, and click the RIGHT mouse button.
   14. Select "Properties."
   15. Click "Server Type" (in bottom right of window).
   16. Under "Type of Dial-Up Server," select PPP.
   17. Under "Advanced Options," ensure all boxes are checked except "Require Encrypted Password."
   18. Under "Allowed Network Protocols," ensure that the only box checked is TCP/IP.
   19. Click on "TCP/IP Settings" button.
   20. Select "Specify IP Address" radio button.
   21. Under "IP Address" enter the IP Address received from your provider.
   22. Select "Specify Name Server Addresses" radio button. Enter your primary and secondary DNS and you primary and secondary WINS, as applicable. Ensure that the bottom two boxes are both checked.
   23. Click "OK."
   24. Click "OK" again.
   25. Click "OK" a third time.
5. Reboot your computer a final time. You're ready to get on the World Wide Web.

Getting on the Internet

1. Double-click "My Computer."
2. Double-click "Dial-Up Networking."
3. Double-click on your provider icon. You are now ready to log in under your access provider's control.
4. Test out your Internet software including your Web Browser, FTP, email and any other Internet software you have.
5. If you encounter any problems, recheck your work.

As with any other popular topic, there is a massive amount of information available about Windows 95 on the World Wide Web. Topics range from "nuts and bolts" tips to strange Windows 95 stories. I'd like to highlight several one-of-a-kind home pages as well as other pages which are particularly helpful or understandable.

There are a number of home pages that contain numerous links to other Windows 95 home pages. The "mother" of all Windows 95 home pages is the home page for Win95User Magazine. This one-stop Windows 95 site has links to 41 (yes, 41!) other sites with Windows 95 information. Another "metasite" is the Windows 95 On-line Companion from Ventana Press. Its links contain the better sites from the Win95 User Magazine site, as well as a few new ones. It also contains 1001 Windows 95 Tips, a list of useful keyboard shortcuts from Ziff-Davis.

A favorite Windows 95 site of mine is Frank's Windows 95 Page. Containing very practical information, Frank has everything from late- breaking news to very simple tips (see "Really Quick Tips" under "Frank's Bag o'Tips"). Frank's page was selected by Microsoft to be part of ClubWin, a network of Windows 95 information sources. Another "tips-rich" page, Process Software Corporation's Tips and Help with Windows 95, contains shortcuts and time savers spanning everything from "Accessing the Desktop Quickly" to "Cleaning Up Opened Windows."

If you haven't gotten enough information from these metasites and home pages of tips and shortcuts, you can always view the Official Windows 95 Page from Microsoft. What it lacks in free content, it makes up for in design. The Microsoft pages are very pleasing to the eye.

When overload occurs from too much information, go see the Windows Inquirer Page. This tabloid-like page highlights strange experiences with Windows 95. It also contains a form if you want to contribute your own unusual experience.

I hope the information I've provided will assist you in getting over your Windows 95 blues. Now let's get back to the task at hand--exploring the World Wide Web.

Windows 95 Web Resources

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