Before you begin setting up your Consolidated Communications Internet account, please have your Internet Access Information and your Local Dial-up Numbers sheets in front of you. Please contact our Internet Help Desk if you have any questions.
Table of Contents
• Configuration for Windows '95/'98/'2000/ME/XP
• Configuration for Windows Vista/7
• Configuration for Macintosh OS 10.X
• Dial-up FAQs
Dial-Up Configuration for Windows '95/'98/'2000/ME/XP
Step/Action
1. Click on the Start Button and then click on Run.
2. Delete any text in the open box. Now type INETWIZ and click OK.
3. Put the dot in Connect using my phone line. Click Next.
4. Put the dot in Create a new dial-up connection. Click Next.
5. Enter the phone number found on the Consolidated Communications Local Dial-Up Numbers.
- Make sure there is no check in the box Use area code and dialing rules. Click Next.
6. Enter in your User name, found on the Internet Access Information Sheet, in the User name box.
7. Enter the Password, also found on the Internet Access Information Sheet, in the Password box. Click Next.
8. Delete the information in the Connection name box, and enter Consolidated Communications. Click Next.
9. Move the dot to No. Click Next.
10. Click Finish, and you are finished.
11. To browse the internet click on Internet Explorer, or Firefox.
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Dial-Up Configuration for Windows Vista/7
Step/Action
1. Click on the Start Menu and select Connect To.
2. Select Setup a dial-up connection.
3. In the blank next to Dial-up phone number, enter the number from the Consolidated Communications Local Dial-Up Numbers.
4. In the blank next to User name, enter the user name found on the Internet Access Information Sheet
5. In the blank next to Password, enter the password. This can also be found on the Internet Access Information Sheet.
6. Click the Dialing Rules link.
7. Enter the area code of the customer in the Area Code blank.
- Make sure it is dotted to tone dialing
- Now click OK.
8. Click the Connect button.
9. Click the Dial button.
10. To browse the internet click on Internet Explorer, or Firefox.
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Dial-Up Configuration for Macintosh OS 10.X
Step/Action
1. Click on the Apple Menu, and scroll to Location. Click on Network Preferences.
2. Select Automatic in the Location box.
- Select your modem under Show (Most Macintoshes will use an Internal Modem. If you have an External Modem you may need to select Modem port, USB port or Printer Port. Consult your modem manual for guidance.).
- Now Click on TCP/IP tab. Select Using PPP in the Configure box. Clear the Domain Name Servers, and Search Domains boxes. Now click on PPP tab.
3. Type Consolidated Communications Internet in the Service Provider box.
- Enter the Telephone Number from the Consolidated Communications Local Dial-Up Numbers Sheet.
- Enter in your User name, found on the Internet Access Information Sheet, in the Account Name box.
- Enter the Password, also found on the Internet Access Information Sheet, in the Password box. Click Save.
4. Click on Internet Explorer, or Firefox or Safari.
5. Click Connect/Dial. You are now finished with the setup.
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Dial-up FAQs
Why is it asking for my username and password?
Sometimes the password file sent to our server gets corrupt and needs to be recreated. To do this, verify you are typing the correct username and password, and re-enter both of them. To verify the username and password please see the Internet Access Information Sheet provided with this Dial-up packet. Also, check to make sure your Caps lock key is not turned on.
Why can’t I find the Internet site http://www.example.com?
This can be because of a few things. The address of the website you are trying to go to is typed incorrectly in the 'address' or 'location' bar.
The web site you are trying to go to may be down for maintenance or are no longer in existence. The site may have been moved to a different address or domain. Try going to another web site to make sure that you are actually connected. Then verify you have the current address for the web site.
There is no usable connection to the Internet, you may want to reboot the computer and see if that changes things.
Is the computer asking to connect to the Internet? If it is asking to connect please click the 'dial' or 'connect' button and then try to go to the webpage. If it is not asking to connect reboot the computer and see if that changes. If the computer is still not asking to connect follow these instructions:
For Windows computers:
1. Click on the Start button, highlight Settings, and then click on Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel folder Double Click on an icon called Internet or Internet Options.
3. In the window that now appears, click on the Connections tab and place a dot in Always dial a connection. Click the OK button at the bottom of the window.
For Macintosh 8-9.x computers:
1. Click on the Apple menu icon, highlight Control panels, and click on TCP/IP.
2. In the TCP/IP window make sure the Connect via option is set to PPP and the Configure option is set to Using PPP Server.
3. The text boxes under the headings Domain Name Servers and Search Domains may be left empty. Now that the changes have been made click the Save button and close the window.
For Macintosh 10.x computers:
1. Click on the Apple menu icon, highlight Location, and click on Network preferences.
2. Towards the top of this window in the selection box next to Location, select Automatic.
3. At the top in the selection box next to Show, select Internal Modem.
4. In the TCP/IP menu in the selection box next to Configure, select Using PPP. The text boxes under the headings Domain Name Servers and Search Domains may be left empty. Now that the changes have been made click the Save button and close the window.
Check any firewall settings to make sure access is allowed to the program(s) you are using. You may also want to experiment with temporarily allowing all traffic through the firewall to verify the firewall is not blocking. For information on how to check your firewalls settings or to allow traffic, please consult any manuals with the firewall or a network specialist.
Why is the Internet slow?
There are a few reasons for a poor quality connection that will result in a slow service.
1.) Spyware and adware. Have you been seeing pop-up ads? If so you may want to review the information in "Why am I seeing pop-ups".
2.) Some software on the computer is downloading files. If you are running any file sharing software turn it off and see if that helps. If windows update is running or if your antivirus software is updating, wait until they have finished and then try again.
3.) The modem your computer has may not be compatible with the modems we use. This may be fixed by updating the software (driver) your computer uses to control its modem. To learn more on updating a driver you should consult a PC technician.
4.) If there is excessive noise or distortion on any of your phone lines, your modem will "step down" to the fastest speed it can attain under those conditions.
- Any devices, such as splitters, answering machines, or low-quality surge protectors between your wall jack and your computer may also cause slow connection speeds. Remove all devices from your phone line, so that there is nothing else attached to the line between your wall jack and your computer, and try to connect again.
- Check all other jacks throughout the house on the same extension for similar devices. Sometimes older cordless phones, answering machines, satellite TV receivers or bad wiring/frayed cords on other extensions have been known to interfere with your telephone line quality.
Why am I getting disconnected?
There are a few reasons for a poor quality connection that will result in getting disconnected:
1.) Spyware and adware. Have you been seeing pop-up ads? If so you may want to review the information in 'Why am I seeing pop-ups'.
2.) The modem your computer has may not be compatible with the modems we use. This may be fixed by updating the software (driver) your computer uses to control its modem. To learn more on updating a driver you should consult a PC technician.
3.) If there is excessive noise or distortion on any of your phone lines, your modem will "step down" to the fastest speed it can attain under those conditions.
- Any devices, such as splitters, answering machines, or low-quality surge protectors between your wall jack and your computer may also cause slow connection speeds. Remove all devices from your phone line, so that there is nothing else attached to the line between your wall jack and your computer, and try to connect again.
- Check all other jacks throughout the house on the same extension for similar devices. Sometimes older cordless phones, answering machines, satellite TV receivers or bad wiring/frayed cords on other extensions have been known to interfere with your telephone line quality.
There are only two reasons our server would end the connection with your computer:
1.) Our No activity policy - If you have been connected for a consecutive 15 minutes with NO data travel, the connection will be ended by our server. Data travel includes browsing web pages, downloading files, sending/receiving email. Reading email does not require data travel.
2.) Our No camping policy - If you are connected for a consecutive five hours our server will end the connection regardless of data travel.This is to ensure that other dial-up customers are able to receive a connection to Consolidated Communications with few busy signals. You are more then welcome to reconnect at any time.
Why does it tell me there is no dial tone detected?
Check the following things with a working telephone:
1.) Reboot the computer and/or modem and see if it still says there is no dial tone.
2.) Check to see if you have dial tone in the house. If there is no tone, use a neighbors phone to call your phone provider.
3.) Modems often have two jacks on them. One for the line and the other to plug a telephone into. Verify the telephone cable your computer is plugged into the right jack on the modem. This jack may have a picture of a box or the word ‘line’ next to it.
4.) Plug a telephone into the wall jack the computer is using and listen for dial tone. If there is tone on that jack it will need to be fixed by a service person.
5.) Plug the modem for the computer into a different wall jack. Try reconnecting and see if it still says no dial tone.
6.) Plug a telephone into the cord the computer is using and listen for dial tone. IF there is no tone replace that cord.
7.) If all of these steps have been checked then it may be possible you need to have a PC technician look at the modem your computer is using.
Why does it tell me the line is busy?
- This is probably because the number the computer is dialing is not right in some way. Double-check the number the computer is trying to connect to; this should be the same one supplied on your Consolidated Communications Local Dial-up Numbers sheet. You should NOT be placing your own telephone number in this area.
- Make sure that the connection profile is not configured to dial the number as long-distance, or with an area code.
- If you have your connection profile configured to use prefix *70 and you do not have call waiting service on that phone line, it will give you a busy signal. Remove this setting from your connection/modem profiles.
- Pick up one of your telephones and try dialing the number with the head set away from your ear. If you do not hear a modem or squeal call our help desk for further information (1-855-368-3684).
Why is my computer unable to detect the modem?
- If you have an external modem, make sure that the modem is turned on and the power supply is plugged in. Make sure the cable to the PC is connected, or try reconnecting it.
- If you have an internal modem, you may have configuration problems; try rebooting the computer and/or modem.
- If the computer is still telling you it cannot find the modem, it may be possible you need to have a PC technician look at the modem your computer is using.
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