Hooking up to the Internet used to be a privilege afforded only to universities and corporations. Now, it's an essential part of owning and using any PC, and it's available to virtually everyone.
In this chapter, you will find information about choosing an Internet service provider (ISP), making the connection through a modem or other link, installing and configuring your system, and making it safe and secure. This chapter tells how to select an Internet connection technology and connect a single computer to the Internet. However, this isn't your only option. You can take any one of several routes:
If your computer is part of an existing local area network (LAN) with Internet access, you can skip this chapter entirely because Internet access will come along as part of your Windows XP installation. In fact, if you are part of a corporate LAN, it is probably a violation of your company's security policy to establish your own independent connection. (If it's not, it should be!)
If you are setting up a LAN for your home or office, you can provide Internet access to the entire LAN through one connection. You should read Chapter 19, “Connecting Your LAN to the Internet,” and decide whether you want to connect your LAN. Use the instructions in this chapter to set up the initial connection; Chapter 19 will tell you how to share it with the rest of your workgroup.
If you want to use your existing ISP account and connection technology, you can skip the introductory sections of this chapter and go right down to “Installing a Modem in Windows XP,” or, for broadband connections, “Installing a Network Adapter.”
If you need to make a clean start with the Internet, read on!
NOTE
The built-in Windows Firewall—actually, all aspects of Windows Internet security—were significantly improved in Windows XP Service Pack 2. It's essential that you use this updated version of Windows. The Internet used to be a congenial, trusted community designed to permit easy collaboration and open communication. But now, spammers, con-artists, hackers, and other bottom-feeders have infested its every nook and cranny, and you have to protect yourself against them.
The procedures in this chapter assume that you have Service Pack 2 installed. To see if Service Pack 2 (or higher) is installed on your copy of Windows XP, open Windows Explorer and click Help, About Windows. If the version number doesn't say “Service Pack 2” or higher, see Appendix A for instructions on obtaining and installing this critical security update.
Not long ago, you had one choice to make for your Internet connection: which brand of modem to buy. Now, options abound, and you can choose among several technologies, speeds, and types of Internet service providers. A huge technology shift is taking place, as high-speed digital (broadband) connection services are being deployed worldwide.
Let's take a look at the basic Internet connection technologies appropriate for an individual user or workgroup. After describing each one, I'll show you roughly what they cost to set up and use.
Standard, tried-and-true dial-up modem service requires only a telephone line and a modem in your computer. The connection is made when your computer dials a local access number provided by your Internet service provider (ISP). The downside is that this ties up a telephone line while you're online. Furthermore, if you have call waiting, the “beep” that occurs when someone calls while you're online can make the modem drop its connection. To avoid these hassles, many people order an additional line just for the modem, and this adds to the monthly expense.
NOTE
Some modems and ISPs provide a service called Internet Call Waiting. The modem detects the call-waiting beep and notifies you via a pop-up window that a call is coming in; you can ignore it or suspend your Internet connection for a time while you take the call. This requires a modem supporting the V.92 standard and a participating ISP. The service costs upward of $8 per month, if it's even available, so it's not a big win as far as I can see.
Modems transmit data at a top speed of 33Kbps and can receive data at up to 56Kbps (56 thousand bits per second). In real life, you will usually obtain download speeds of 40 to 50Kbps. This speed is adequate for general Web surfing—that is, reading text and viewing pictures. However, you will find it woefully inadequate for viewing video or for voice communication.
To use standard dial-up service, you'll need a modem and a telephone cable. Modems come in internal, external, USB, and PC-Card varieties from dozens of manufacturers. Most computers made for home use come with one pre-installed. On business computers, they're usually an extra-cost item.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a special digital-only telephone service that can carry two independent voice or data conversations over one telephone wire. ISDN service is actually a different type of telephony; you can't plug ordinary telephones into an ISDN line. ISDN modems can carry data at 64 or 128Kbps, depending on whether you use one or two of its channels to connect to your ISP. Thanks to the worldwide spread of cable and DSL service, ISDN's star is fading rapidly. Still, IDSN is a good interim solution if you need higher speed than an analog modem can provide, and DSL and cable aren't yet available.
To use ISDN service, you'll need an internal or external ISDN modem, or an ISDN router device and a network adapter. Your ISP can help you choose compatible equipment. In addition, you'll need the special ISDN telephone line wired into your home or office.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service sends a high-speed digital data signal over the same wires used by your telephone line, while that line is simultaneously used for standard telephone service. This means that you can get DSL service installed without needing an extra telephone line. The most common DSL service is called asymmetric or ADSL because it receives data at 128Kbps to 1200Kbps and sends at a lower rate. (This is fine, because most Web surfing involves sending out a very small request and receiving a large amount of data back.)
NOTE
DSL varieties include Asymmetric, Symmetric, High-Speed, and DSL-over-an-ISDN-line, so you'll see the acronyms SDSL, ADSL, HDSL, and IDSL, or the collective xDSL. For this chapter, these distinctions are unimportant, so I'll just call it DSL.
DSL service is not available everywhere yet, but it's spreading rapidly. However, DSL has at least one Achilles heel in that its availability is restricted by your distance from the telephone company's central office, and isn't available when the distance is more than a couple miles (as the wires run, not as the crow flies). DSL's reach can be extended by optical fiber lines and special equipment, but this is expensive for the telephone companies to install. DSL might never make it into rural areas.
NOTE
U.S. readers can see reviews of various DSL providers and check for DSL service availability at http://www.dslreports.com.
DSL modems come in two varieties: External units connect to your computer through a network adapter or a USB cable. Internal units plug right into your computer. If your ISP uses external adapters, before you buy a network adapter, check with your DSL provider as they often include one in their installation kit. Also, before you decide to pay extra to get service for multiple computers, read Chapter 19 to see how you can share a single connection with all of your computers.
Cable modem Internet service is provided by your local television cable company, which sends high-speed data signals out through the same distribution system it uses to carry high-quality TV signals.
Cable modem service has none of the distance limitations of ISDN or DSL. One criticism of cable service is that data speeds can drop during high-use times like the early evening, because everyone in a given neighborhood is sharing a single network “pipe.” Recent surveys show, however, that cable subscribers on the average get 2.5 times the download speed of DSL subscribers.
Note
→ For more information on ISDN, xDSL, and cable modem service, see Chapter 19, “Connecting Your LAN to the Internet.” That chapter describes these technologies with a focus on using them to connect a LAN to the Internet, but you still might find the information helpful.
Cable modems generally are external devices that connect to your computer through a network adapter or a USB cable. Before you buy a network adapter, though, check with your ISP as they may include one in their installation kit. Some ISPs charge extra to lease you the modem. The price of a cable modem has dropped to the $60 ballpark, so leasing one from your cable company isn't as good a deal as it once was. Also, before you decide to pay extra to get service for multiple computers, read Chapter 19 to see how you can share a single connection with all of your computers. This is especially important for cable users. Multiple-computer cable service has some serious problems that I'll discuss in Chapter 19.
Satellite Internet service uses microwave signals and small (roughly two-foot diameter) dish antennas to connect to an orbiting communication satellite. There are two types of satellite service: unidirectional, which receives high-speed data through the dish but transmits outgoing data by modem over a phone line, and bidirectional, which uses the satellite dish for both sending and receiving. Bidirectional service is the way to go! It's currently available in most parts of the world.
Satellite's big advantage is that it's available wherever there's a good view of the southern sky (in the northern hemisphere), or northern sky (in the southern hemisphere). The disadvantages are that installation requires both a rocket scientist and a carpenter, the equipment and service plans can be expensive, and the system suffers from the same slowdowns that affect cable service.
NOTE
In the US, check out www.starband.com and www.direcway.com. In Australia, check www.telstra.com. In Europe, Southern Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia see www.europestar.com. Satellite services are often resold through regional companies.
Satellite service requires you to purchase a receiving dish antenna, a receiver, and a USB or network adapter to connect the setup to your computer. These devices will all be furnished by your ISP. For one-way satellite service, you'll also need to have a phone line near your computer.
In some major metropolitan areas, wireless Internet service is available through a regional network of small radio transmitters/receivers. Cell phone companies are getting into this in a big way, so it's going to spread rapidly. The wireless modem connects to a small whip or dish antenna, and data transfer rates typically are more than 1Mbps using setups with fixed antennae.
NOTE
Check www.sprintbroadband.com for more information.
Wireless is similar to satellite service. You'll have to purchase a receiving dish antenna, a receiver, and a USB or network adapter to connect the setup to your computer. These devices will all be furnished by your ISP. You'll also have to pay for professional installation.
With all the options potentially available to Windows users for Internet access, making a choice that fits your needs and limitations can become a bit confusing. You should research the options provided by local and national ISPs, and then start narrowing them down. Table 8.1 summarizes the costs and speeds of the different ways for a single computer user to access the Internet. The prices shown are typical costs for the service in question after applying the usual discounts and special offers.
Table 8.1. Internet Connection Options for the Individual User
Method | Approximate Cost, $ per month | Approximate Setup and Equipment Cost | Time Limits in Hours | Availability | Download Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Analog Modem | $0[*]–25 | –$50 | –10 to unlimited | –Worldwide | –33 to 56Kbps |
ISDN | $40 plus ISDN toll charges | $300 | 10 to unlimited | Limited, unlikely to expand | 64 to 128Kbps |
DSL | $30 and up | $100 | Unlimited | Limited but growing | 312Kbps to 6Mbps |
Cable Modem | $30–40 | $100 | Unlimited | Limited but growing | 1 to 10Mbps |
Satellite | $50–150 | $200–800 | 25 and up | Almost worldwide | 400Kbps |
[*] There are some “free” ISP's; I'll discuss them later in this chapter. | |||||
Remember that you have three or four costs to factor in:
The cost of hardware required to make the connection
The cost of installation and setup
The monthly ISP cost for Internet service
The cost of telephone or ISDN lines, if you order a separate line just for Internet access
Try to estimate how long you'll keep the service, and amortize the startup and equipment costs over that time frame when comparing technologies. If you are going to share the connection among several computers, plan to be downloading lots of large files, or will be playing games online, a faster service might make more sense, even if it's a bit more expensive.
Several different kinds of businesses offer Internet connections, including large companies with access points in many cities, smaller local or regional Internet service providers, and online information services that provide TCP/IP connections to the Internet along with their own proprietary information sources (I'm talking about AOL here, of course).
You might notice that Windows XP comes with pre-installed software to use Microsoft's MSN service. The New Connection Wizard (which we'll discuss below) may try to steer you to an ISP that paid Microsoft to be listed. And, your computer reseller may have installed icons for other preferred services. Remember, you don't have to use any of these providers. Windows has all the software it needs to connect to any ISP except AOL, and AOL is easy to add on, if that's the way you want to go. (Getting their software is certainly no problem. If you're like me, you probably have at least 50 AOL CDs laying around. They come in magazines, newspapers, take-out pizzas…) Do your own research to find the best fit for you.
The following are a few points to consider in choosing an ISP:
Does the ISP offer the connection technology you want?
Can you have multiple email accounts for family members or employees? If so, how many?
Does the ISP provide you with a news server so you can interact with Internet newsgroups?
Note
→ To learn more about Newsgroups, see Chapter 11, “Reading Newsgroups with Outlook Express.”
What is the charge for connect time? Some ISPs offer unlimited usage per day. Others charge by the hour or have a limit on continuous connect time.
Does the ISP have local (that is, free) phone numbers in the areas you live, work, and visit? If not, factor in the toll charges when you're comparing prices.
Can you get a discount by signing up for a year or longer term contract?
If you have access to the Web, try checking the page www.thelist.com. You'll learn a lot about comparative pricing and features offered by ISPs, along with links to their pages for opening an account. Another good site is www.boardwatch.com.
Finally, you should know that there some ISPs that give you free dial-up Internet access. These providers install software on your computer that displays a small window of advertising the entire time you're connected. If you're pinching pennies, this isn't a terrible way to go. You might check out http://www.freedomlist.com/ for a list of free (and cheap) ISPs in your area.
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In my opinion, getting good customer service is more important than saving a few dollars a month. As you narrow down your list of potential ISPs, call their customer support telephone number and see how long it takes to get to talk to a human being. This experience can be very illuminating.
If you're a frequent traveler and have a laptop or other device with which you want to connect to the Internet while on the road, remember that broadband service is wired into place. In other words it doesn't provide for access when you travel or roam about town unlike many national dial-up ISPs that offer roaming. However, some broadband ISPs include a standard modem dial-up account at no extra charge just to compensate for this factor.
If you want Internet connectivity when you travel, consider these options:
For occasional or personal travel, you can forgo national access. Just find an Internet cafe or get Internet access at your hotel. Wireless hot-spots are appearing everywhere, so you might do well just to buy a Wireless network adapter.
If you want to use your own computer for occasional travel, you can always place a long-distance call to your own ISP. Subtract the cost from the money you might save using a less expensive local ISP, versus the higher prices of a national ISP, to see which solution would be best.
If you travel frequently, choose a national ISP with local access numbers in the places you visit frequently or toll-free access with an acceptable surcharge.
At the end of this chapter, I'll give you some advice about getting Internet access while traveling overseas.
If you're a current dial-up AOL user you know how painfully slow it is at accessing non-AOL Internet Web sites (or maybe you don't—maybe you think everyone suffers this way!). You should know that you can get a fast broadband connection or even standard dial-up service, which gives you fast Internet access, and still allows for use of AOL for email and their exclusive content.
Windows XP includes a wizard application that can connect via modem to a toll-free line operated by Microsoft, offer you a choice of ISPs, and sign you up for service, without your having to lift much more than a finger.
Before you let the wizard narrow the range of choices for you, remember that its range of choices is narrow to begin with. You'll probably want to do some research on your own. Then you can use the wizard to see if it recommends your ultimate choice. If it does, you can let it help you set up the account.
You'll need to purchase equipment compatible with the particular type of Internet service you'll be using. If you're going to use dial-up service, your computer probably came with a modem pre-installed so you don't have any choices to make. If you are going to buy new connection hardware, here are some points to consider:
Most broadband services require specific hardware that your ISP provides (you can sometimes buy a DSL or cable modem independently, but be sure it's going to be compatible with the equipment your ISP uses). In addition, broadband modems connect via USB or through an Ethernet network adapter. If your service needs a network adapter, be sure it's Windows XP-compatible.
If you're going to share your Internet connection with other computers via a LAN, please read Chapter 19 before making any hardware purchases, as there are some nifty special hardware setups you might want to consider.
Above all, be sure any hardware that you have to plug directly into the computer (modem or LAN adapter) appears in the Windows Catalog (www.windowsmarketplace.com) or in the Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List (http://www.microsoft.com/hcl). This isn't such a great concern now that Windows XP has been around for a while, as every vendor has had time to become XP compatible. However, not all of them have invested the effort to get Microsoft certified, so it's still worth checking the list before you make any purchases.
For dial-up service, choose a modem that is compatible with the fastest service level provided by your ISP. They should be using V.90 modems for 56Kbps service. If your ISP still uses X2 or K6Flex modems, they're way behind the times. Some ISPs support the V.92 call-waiting protocol. If you have a modem that supports this feature, ask prospective ISPs if they support it and if there's an additional charge.
Ordering standard dial-up modem Internet service is really quite simple. Just call the ISP, talk to the sales department, and ask the sales representative to mail or fax you instructions for configuring Windows XP. In fact, it's easy enough that they may just talk you through it over the phone.
Ordering ISDN service is quite a different matter. The most difficult part is getting the ISDN telephone line ordered and installed correctly because ISDN service has a bewildering number of options, all specified in telephone-companyese. What you probably want is standard “2B+D, two data and voice” service with no extra-cost features.
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Your best bet is to have your ISP order an ISDN line for you. If they won't, some ISDN modem manufacturers—for example, 3COM—will order your ISDN service for you.
Ordering cable, DSL, or satellite service is also quite easy because the ISP will take care of all the details for you. The provider first checks to see whether your neighborhood qualifies for the service. They call you back with the news, and then either send you a self-installation kit, or schedule an installation appointment. (Getting DSL installers to actually show up, though, can be a nightmare. But don't let me discourage you from trying. The service is really nice.)
After the service is installed, you're ready to configure your Windows XP computer. I'll discuss modems first, and then we'll cover setup of broadband equipment.
No matter what kind of Internet connection you'll be using, you'll need a modem, a network adapter, or some other sort of connection hardware. If you're lucky, your computer came with this preinstalled and you can just skip ahead to “Configuring your Internet Connection.”
Otherwise, you'll be adding some hardware. For most types of high-speed service your ISP will either come install everything for you, or they'll give you detailed instructions. For the basic service types, I'll give you some generic installation instructions in the next few sections. Your connection hardware may come with detailed instructions. If it does, by all means follow those.
Installing a modem is a pretty painless process these days. If you had to undergo the experience in the mid '90s, you might remember worrying about interrupt conflicts, having to set jumpers, and needing to navigate the computer's setup screen. Plug and Play has pretty much eliminated this mess. Your modem should come with straightforward installation instructions. Follow those and you'll be online in no time.
For an internal modem, they'll have you pop open your PC's case and insert the modem card into a free expansion slot inside the computer. For an external modem it's a more simple matter of cabling it to a USB or serial port on your PC. (Don't forget to connect the power supply and turn it on.) A PC card modem simply plugs into your portable.
Note
→ For more information about installing new hardware, see Chapter 30, “Installing and Replacing Hardware.”
From that point, here's what you'll need to do. These procedures apply to analog modems as well as external ISDN modems.
If your modem is Plug and Play (PnP) compatible, Windows XP should automatically detect it when you turn on your computer and log in using a Computer Administrator account, or the Administrator account itself.
Note
→ For more details on Administrator privileges, see “Guest and Administrator Accounts,” p. 1065.
If Windows XP cannot find a set of drivers that match your brand and model of modem, you might be asked to insert a CD or floppy disk that the modem manufacturer should have provided with your modem.
If you're using an older modem, you might need to add it to the configuration manually by following these steps:
Choose Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections, Phone and Modem Options.
Select the Modems tab, as shown in Figure 8.1.
If Windows has already detected your modem, its name will appear in the Modems tab. If the correct modem type is listed, skip to step 8. If the wrong modem type is listed, skip down to the next section, “Changing the Modem Type.”
If no modem is listed, click the Add button to run the Install New Hardware Wizard.
Click Next, and Windows will locate the COM port and determine the type of modem you have. If this is successful, Windows will tell you. In this case, continue with step 7.
If Windows detects your modem incorrectly and doesn't offer you the chance to correct the mistake, skip down to step 7, and then correct the problem using the instructions in the next section. If you are given the opportunity, though, click Change and locate the manufacturer and model of your modem in the dialog box. If you find the correct make and model, select them and click OK. If your modem came with a driver diskette for Windows XP or 2000, click Have Disk, and locate the installation file for the modem.
If your modem isn't listed, try to download the proper driver from Windows Update or from the modem manufacturer (using another computer, of course!). Or, you might try selecting a similar model by the same manufacturer.
After you select the modem type, click OK and then Next.
Click Finish to complete the installation. The modem then appears in the list of installed modems in the Phone and Modem Options dialog box.
Select the Dialing Rules tab.
Enter the General tab information for your current location, as shown in Figure 8.2.
Enter a name for your location—for example,
home, the name of your city, or another name that will distinguish the current telephone dialing properties. Set the country, area code, and dialing rules information.If your telephone system, for example, requires you to dial a 9 to make an outside local call, enter
9in the box labeled To Access an Outside Line for Local Calls, Dial. Make a corresponding entry for long-distance access.If your telephone line has call waiting, check To Disable Call Waiting, and choose the appropriate disable code.
I'm going to assume that your ISP access number will be a local call in the same area code. If this is not the case, you might want to fill in the Area Code Rules table for the ISP access number. (If you don't know the number yet, don't worry; you can come back and fix it later.)
Click OK.
Now your modem is installed, and you can continue with “Configuring Your Internet Connection,” later in this chapter.
If Windows incorrectly determines your modem type, you can change it by selecting the appropriate line in the Modem list (see Figure 8.1) and clicking Properties. Then
Windows XP supports modem aggregation (also called Multilink or Multilink PPP), making several simultaneous connections to your ISP to increase the total speed of your transfers. This process is tricky; it requires multiple modems and an ISP that supports synchronization of multiple modems, or a compatible setup on your corporate LAN.
You'll see this possibility mentioned in many Windows books, but to be honest, it's an obnoxious technology and one you can ignore if you can wait for DSL or cable service. It requires two telephone lines, two modems, and manual management on your part. It's a little bit like riding two skateboards at once: It might work, but why not just buy a bike?
ISDN modems, on the other hand, are designed to make two concurrent connections and do not require the addition of a second line or modem. The two channels are built into one modem, and you can take advantage of this to get extra speed, as long as you're willing to pay the extra charges imposed by your ISP and telephone company. ISDN channel aggregation is discussed later in this chapter, under “Using Multiple Modems or ISDN Channels Simultaneously.”
Internal ISDN modems or adapters are treated by Windows as network adapters, not modems. Plug and Play adapters should be set up automatically the first time you log in after installing the adapter. Log in as a Computer Administrator to be sure that you have sufficient privileges to install hardware drivers.
For older non–Plug and Play adapters, you must get up-to-date Windows XP drivers from the manufacturer's Web site, along with installation instructions (but, if your ISDN adapter is that old, don't count on finding any).
Modern ISDN driver software may be able to get the ISDN line's telephone number and other necessary information right over the line from the phone company, but you may be prompted for setup information. In this case you'll need the SPID (Service Profile Identification, a number assigned by the telephone company), directory number, and switch-type information provided by your telephone company.
Some DSL and cable modems use a USB connection and can just be plugged into your computer this way.
However, most DSL and cable service providers require an Ethernet network adapter for use by their modems. If you're lucky, they'll supply and install this for you. You won't have to lift a finger, in fact, as long as the installer is familiar with Windows XP. You will just need to log in using a Computer Administrator account, and supervise while the installer does his or her stuff.
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If a professional installer configures your computer or adds software to it, be sure to take thorough notes of what he or she does. Don't hesitate to ask questions—you have a right to know exactly what they're doing. And, be sure to test the setup before the installer leaves.
If you want to purchase or install the network adapter yourself, install it according to the manufacturer's instructions. This process should involve no more than inserting the card into your computer, powering up, and logging on as a Computer Administrator. The Plug and Play system should take care of the rest for you.
After installation, confirm that the network adapter is installed and functioning by following these steps:
Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then select Manage.
Select the Device Manager in the left pane. The list in the right pane should show only “first-level” items. Under Network Adapters, you should see no items listed with an exclamation mark icon superimposed.
If the network adapter appears and is marked with a yellow exclamation point, follow the network card troubleshooting instructions in Chapter 22, “Troubleshooting Your Network.”
For DSL service with self-installation, you will be provided with filters, devices that plug into your telephone jacks and block the DSL signal from reaching your telephones and answering machines. You'll need to identify every phone jack that is connected to the line your DSL service uses, and install a filter on every one but the one that plugs into your DSL modem. If you need to plug a phone into the same jack that the DSL modem uses, you'll use a dual jack adapter, with a filter on the side that connects to the phone.
Alternately, the service installer might connect your telephone line to a device called a splitter outside the house, and will install a separate cable to bring the DSL signal to your computer. These devices separate the high-frequency DSL carrier signal from the normal telephone signal. The phone line will be connected to a DSL modem, which will then plug into a USB port or a LAN adapter on your computer.
CAUTION
After a LAN adapter or USB connection is made, you must be sure that the Windows Firewall is enabled to protect your computer against hackers. I'll mention this again later in the chapter. You can read more about firewalls and network security in Chapter 21, “Network Security.”
Installing satellite or wireless modems is not terribly tricky, but the procedure is very specific to the type of hardware you're using. Unfortunately, I have to leave you at the mercy of the manufacturer's instruction manual.
One bit of advice I can give: Installing a satellite dish is difficult, and it's best to hire a professional dish installer for this task. (Our executive editor, Rick Kughen, didn't have the benefit of this sage advice when he installed his, and his conclusion is “About halfway through the ordeal, I decided that I really wished I had paid the $199 installation fee.”)
CAUTION
After your satellite connection is set up, you must be sure that the Windows Firewall is enabled to protect your computer against hackers. I'll mention this again later in the chapter. You can read more about firewalls and network security in Chapter 21.
Now that your modem is installed and ready to go, it's time to head off to see the wizard. The New Connection Wizard, that is.
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Have your Windows XP Installation CD handy. It's not likely, but the wizard might need to install some Windows files to set up your Internet connection.
The New Connection Wizard runs the first time you try to open Internet Explorer. You can also fire it up at any time by clicking Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, New Connection Wizard. Click Next, Connect to the Internet, and Next again. You'll then see the wizard screen shown in Figure 8.3.
Your path from here depends on whether you want Microsoft to give you a list of suggested ISPs, or want to set up an account for your chosen IPS manually.
The first alternative is for analog modem or ISDN access only. If you want to take this route, go on to “Using a Referral ISP.”
Otherwise, skip to “Making and Ending a Dial-Up Connection,” or “Configuring a High-Speed Connection,” later in this chapter.
If you want the New Connection Wizard to help you choose an ISP, select Choose from a List of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and click Next. Then, you can choose to buy Microsoft's MSN Internet service, or check Select from a List of Other ISPs. Click Next to display a window that has shortcuts, where you'll have another chance to make the same choice… double-click either the MSN or “Refer Me” icon. There may be other choices as well, placed there by your computer vendor.
If you choose MSN, you'll be walked through the subscription process for Microsoft's own Internet service. If you choose Select From a List, Windows will make a toll-free call to Microsoft's ISP referral server and download a list of ISPs in your area.
Internet Explorer then displays a list of available ISPs in your area, as illustrated in Figure 8.4. You can follow the onscreen instructions to establish an account with one of them, if you choose. If you choose not to, or if none are available, you are given the chance to manually configure an ISP account.
If you already have an ISP account, or need to set up a new one, select Set Up My Connection Manually on the New Connection Wizard screen, and click Next. Select Connect Using a Dial-Up Modem, and click Next. You'll then need to complete three dialog boxes, using the information provided by your ISP.
The first asks for the name of your ISP. I like to use the name of the ISP and the city name from which I'm calling, for instance “SBC Internet - Berkeley”, since I travel occasionally and have to add extra connection setups for other cities with different dial-up numbers. Enter a name and then click Next.
The second dialog asks for the local access telephone number for your ISP. Enter the local number, optionally preceded by any other codes needed to dial the call. For instance, in the U.S. I enter 1 followed by the area code, as shown in Figure 8.5. You can enter dashes (-) between the parts of the number if you want; the modem ignores them.
Figure 8.5. In the manual Internet account connection information dialog, enter the local access number for your ISP.
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If your phone line has call waiting, you might want to precede the telephone number with the code you use to disable call-waiting so that your online session won't be disrupted. For many areas, the code is *70. Add a comma after this to make the modem pause. The combined entry might be something like this: *70, 1-510-555-4999.
However, a better way to handle the area code and call waiting settings is to edit the connection's properties after the Wizard has finished. I'll mention this again later in “Adjusting Dial-Up Connection Properties.”
CAUTION
Be sure to use a local number. Your ISP will not help pay your phone bill if you choose a toll number by mistake!
The third dialog asks for your ISP account logon name and password, as shown in Figure 8.6. Two options are enabled by default:
Use This Account Name and Password When Anyone Connects to the Internet from This Computer—By default, this Internet account information will be usable by anyone who uses the computer. Uncheck this if you don't want other users to access your dial-up account.
Make This the Default Internet Connection—This will become your account's default Internet connection. If you are setting up a secondary connection that you won't use every time, you can uncheck this option.
Click Next, then Finish to complete the New Connection Wizard. The wizard will then immediately dial your ISP. If you don't want to do this, click Cancel when the dialing dialog appears.
That's it. Your connection is ready to use. If you have no other LAN or dial-up connections, you can simply fire up Internet Explorer to automatically dial. You can choose Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections to use or modify your dial-up configuration at any time.
If you have several ISP accounts, ISP access numbers for different cities, or both personal and business dial-up connections, you can add additional connections by repeating the New Connection Wizard process for each additional access telephone number or account.
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If you find yourself frequently having to dig into Network Connections to get to a connection icon, you can make a desktop or quick-launch shortcut for it. Right-click and drag the connection icon from Network Connections to the desktop or Quick Launch bar and choose Create Shortcut Here from the shortcut menu that appears when you release the right mouse button.
You can also make it appear in the Start menu. To do this, right-click the Start button and select Properties. Click Customize, select the Advanced tab, and find Network Connections in the list of Start Menu Items. Check either Display as Connect-To Menu (which lets you dial a connection right from the Start menu) or Link to Network Connections Folder.
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For maximum protection against hackers, I suggest that you read Chapter 21 on network security. But at the very least, follow the steps in the next section to be sure that the Windows Firewall is enabled. It ought to be enabled by default, but you should check just to be safe.
As configured by the wizard, your dial-up connection is properly set up for most Internet service providers. The wizard doesn't do a good job of setting up the area code and call-waiting settings, so you may want to manually adjust these. It's unlikely that you would need to change any of the other settings, but just in case, and because I know you're curious, I will walk you through the various settings and properties that are part of a dial-up connection. (I'll explain dial-up connection properties in more detail in Chapter 18, “Windows Unplugged: Remote and Portable Networking.”)
You can view a connection's properties by selecting Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections, Network Connections. This will display all dial-up connections you've configured (see Figure 8.7). Right-click the icon for your dial-up connection and select Properties. You'll see five tabs as shown in Figure 8.8, which I will run through in the order in which they appear. Only a few settings ever need to be changed for an ISP connection. Here is a list of the ones that do matter:
The General tab contains modem properties and the ISP telephone number. If you travel with your computer, check Use Dialing Rules, be sure the area code is set correctly and is not entered in the Phone Number field, and click Dialing Rules if you want to enable Call Waiting control.
If you have multiple modems, you can choose at the top of this page which of one or more of these modems will be used for this particular connection.
Using the Configure button for the modem, you can set the maximum speed used to communicate from the computer to the modem. For external modems connected via a COM port, if you don't have a special-purpose high-speed serial port, you might want to reduce this speed from the default 115200 to 57600.
Using the Alternates button for the telephone number, you can add multiple telephone numbers for your ISP, which will be automatically tried, in turn, if the first doesn't answer.
On the Options tab, you can change the time between redial attempts if the connection fails.
You can select a time to wait before hanging up the line when no activity occurs. By doing so, you can help cut costs if you pay an hourly rate to your ISP, by having your computer disconnect itself from the Internet if it detects that you've not been using your connection for a set amount of time.
To maintain a permanent or nailed-up dial-up connection, check Redial If Line Is Dropped and set the disconnect time to Never. (Do this only with the consent of your ISP.)
The Security tab controls whether your password can be sent in unencrypted form. It's okay to send your ISP password unsecured. Don't check Automatically Use My Windows Login Name and Password if you use a commercial ISP. That's only for connections to corporate networks.
The Networking tab determines which network components are accessible to the Internet connection. If you're dialing in to a standard ISP, you should leave File and Printer Sharing… unchecked. You'll learn more about that in Chapter 21.
On the Advanced tab, you can share this dial-up connection automatically with other users on a LAN. (You'll learn more details on that in Chapter 19). You can also manage the Windows Firewall, which protects your computer from hackers while you're connected. For details on configuring the Windows Firewall, see Chapter 21, “Network Security.”
Click OK to save your changes.
Figure 8.8. A dial-up connection's Properties page let you change dialing rules, set network parameters, and manage the Windows Firewall.
CAUTION
While I strongly recommend that you read the Windows Firewall section in Chapter 21, if you don't, at least be sure to check the Network Connections window to ensure that the Windows Firewall is enabled on every connection icon that is used to connect directly to the Internet.
For home and small office networks, all of your network connection icons can and should be firewalled.
If you're using an Ethernet network adapter to connect your computer to a DSL or cable Internet service, the installer may set up your computer for you. “Self-install” providers will give you a set of instructions specific to your service. In the next several sections I'll give you a general idea of what's required.
You will start by installing and configuring a network adapter to connect to the modem, or plugging in a USB-based modem, and then setting up the connection with the New Connection Wizard. Configuring the network adapter will go something like this:
If your computer has a built-in Ethernet network adapter that you're not already using for a home or office LAN, you can use the built-in adapter to connect to your broadband modem, so you can skip ahead to step 3. Otherwise, you'll have to install an additional plug-in Ethernet adapter. This may be provided by your ISP, or you may have to purchase one.
For an internal adapter, you'll shut down the computer, insert the card, turn the computer back on, and log on as a Computer Administrator. In most cases, Windows will automatically install and configure drivers for the adapter. For an external or PCMCIA (PC Card) adapter, just log on as a Computer Administrator and plug it in.
Configure the network adapter according to the instructions given by your ISP. In most cases you can leave it with all the default settings, although in some cases you may need to configure a specific IP address as described in the later section titled “Setting Up Dynamic IP Addressing (DHCP).”
CAUTION
If your broadband service uses a network adapter (that is, an Ethernet adapter) to connect to a cable or DSL modem, you must take these additional steps to secure your computer from hackers.
Open the Network Connections window. You can get to this from the Control Panel by clicking Network and Internet Connections, then Network Connections.
Locate the icon that corresponds to the network adapter that connects to your DSL or cable modem—it's probably labeled Local Area Connection. Right-click it and select Properties.
Under This Connection Uses the Following Items, only QoS Packet Scheduler and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) should be checked. If any other entries have check marks, click the check marks to remove them.
Double-check to be sure that neither Client for Microsoft Networks nor File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is checked.
Click OK, then OK again, and then close Network Connections.
While I strongly recommend that you read the Windows Firewall section in Chapter 21, if you don't, at least be sure to take these steps.
When the adapter has been configured and attached to the DSL or cable modem with a network cable, you'll configure the connection. The procedure depends on whether your ISP uses PPPoE or an always-on connection. The procedures are described in the next two sections.
Most DSL and some cable Internet providers use a connection scheme called PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet). This is a technology that works a lot like a standard dial-up connection, but the “call” takes place through the DSL circuit or TV cable rather than over a voice connection. Windows XP has PPPoE software built-in, but the setup process will vary from provider to provider. They should give you clear instructions.
NOTE
Some Internet service providers give you a CD-ROM with installation software that does the next setup procedure for you. I intensely dislike this practice, as who knows what other software—including adware and “customer support” spyware—they're installing. Personally, I lie to them, tell them I'm installing the connection on a Macintosh or Linux computer and can't use their software, and ask for the information needed to perform the setup manually. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it makes life very difficult. Southwest Bell DSL, for instance, requires you to set up the service account through a special Web site, so if you want to shun their software you need Internet access to set up your Internet access.
If you perform the procedure manually, the steps should look like this:
Open the Network Connections window, by clicking Start, My Computer, My Network Places, View Network Connections. Be sure that the “Local Area Connection” icon for the network adapter that connects to your DSL modem says “Firewalled.” Be sure to read the cautions on page 297 and 298.
Click Create a New Connection. Select Connect to the Internet and click Next.
Select Connect Using a Broadband Connection That Requires a User Name and Password, and click Next.
Enter your ISP's name and click Next.
Enter the username and password assigned by your ISP, and click Next, then Finish.
At this point, you'll be prompted to sign on. The procedure for signing on and off is the same as for dial-up Internet service, and is described later in this chapter under “Making and Ending a Dial-Up Connection” (page 303).
If you have “always-on” DSL or cable service, your ISP will provide different installation instructions. You'll most likely perform these steps:
In the New Connection Wizard, select Set Up a Connection Manually, and click Next.
Check I Connect Through a Local Area Network and click Next.
Uncheck Automatic Discovery of a Proxy Server, click Next, and then Finish. These steps tell Windows it doesn't need to dial a modem connection.
Now, you might need to configure the Ethernet card using information specified by your ISP. Your ISP will tell you whether your network card must be manually configured or whether the DHCP protocol is available through its service.
NOTE
Installing a network adapter to connect to a broadband modem doesn't give you a local area network—it's just a way of connecting to the modem. If you want to set up a LAN in addition to an Internet connection, please see Chapter 19.
In most cases, your ISP will use the DHCP protocol to configure client network adapters. This is the default setting for all new network adapters. To confirm the setting
Log on as a Computer Administrator. Open the Network Connections window, for example, from Start, My Computer, My Network Places, View Network Connections.
Right-click the icon for the Local Area Connection that corresponds to the adapter connected to your DSL or cable modem, and select Properties.
Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.
Ensure that Obtain an IP Address Automatically and Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically are selected.
Some ISPs will require you to give them the MAC Address of your network adapter. This is an identification number built into the hardware that uniquely identifies your particular network adapter. To find this number, follow these steps:
Open a Command Prompt window by clicking Start, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt.
Type
ipconfig /alland press Enter.You may need to scroll back, but find the title that reads something like “Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection.” Look for the name of the adapter that goes to your broadband modem. This might be Local Area Connection 2, if you've installed an extra adapter. Ignore any entries that mention the word “Miniport.” If you have multiple adapters and can't tell which is which, unplug the network cable from all but the one that goes to the modem and type the command again.
Find the line titled Physical Address…. It will be followed by six pairs of numbers and letters, like 00-03-FF-B9-0E-14. This is the information to give to your ISP.
Alternately, you might be instructed to set your computer's name to a name provided by the ISP. To do this
Log on as a Computer Administrator. Click Start and right-click My Computer. Select Properties.
Select the Computer Name tab and click Change.
Enter the computer name as supplied by your ISP, as shown in Figure 8.9
Click More, and enter the domain name specified by your ISP, as shown in Figure 8.10.
When you close all of these dialog boxes by clicking OK, you will need to let Windows restart. When it restarts, your Internet connection should be up and running.
In some cases, your ISP will require you to set your LAN adapter to a fixed IP address. This may be required with either PPPoE or “always-on” service. To set the address, follow these steps:
Log on as a Computer Administrator. Choose Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections, Network Connections.
Right-click the Local Area Connection icon, and select Properties. View the General tab, as shown in Figure 8.11.
Select Internet Protocol and click the Properties button.
Select Use the Following IP Address, and enter the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway information provided by your ISP, as shown in Figure 8.12.
Figure 8.12. Here, you can add the network address, subnet mask, and DNS information supplied by your ISP.
Select Use the Following DNS Server Addresses, and enter the two DNS addresses provided by your ISP.
Click OK to return to the Local Area Connection Properties dialog.
When you have completed this procedure, return to the PPPoE setup steps, or, if you have always-on service, open Internet Explorer to test-drive your new connection.
If you use a dial-up connection with an analog modem or ISDN line, after you've set up an icon for your ISP, making the connection is a snap. You'll use this same procedure if you use a broadband connection with PPPoE that requires you to log on:
Select (double-click) the connection icon in Network Connections.
When Windows displays a connection dialog box (see Figure 8.13), enter the login name and password assigned by your ISP. If you're the only one using your PC (or you don't care who uses your account) check Save Password so that you won't need to retype it every time you dial.
Figure 8.13. When you want to initiate a dial-up connection, enter your user ID and password, and check Save Password to simplify connecting in the future.
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Put your dial-up connections on your Start menu for quick access. To do this, right-click the Start button. Click Customize, select the Advanced tab, and find Network Connections in the list of Start Menu Items. Check either Display as Connect-To Menu (which lets you dial a connection right from the Start menu) or Link to Network Connections Folder.
For a dial-up connections only, check that the phone number is correct, including area code and any required prefix numbers. You might need to correct your current location (Dialing From) and/or the Dialing Rules if the prefix or area code isn't correct; to do this, click Properties, and then, optionally, Dialing Rules.
If you want other users of your computer to be able to use this same ISP account and password, or if you are going to use Internet Connection Sharing to share this connection, check Save This User Name and Anyone Who Uses This Computer.
Click Dial or Connect to make the connection.
Windows then dials your ISP and establishes the connection; if it works, a connection icon will appear in the notification area with a temporary note indicating the connection speed, as shown in Figure 8.14. (Unfortunately, on some computers, mine for instance, this shows the wrong number—the speed the computer is using to talk to the modem, not the actual speed of the Internet connection.)
If the connection fails, Windows displays a (usually) sensible message explaining why: There was no dial tone because your modem in unplugged, there was no answer at the ISP or the line is busy, or you user ID and password failed. In the last case, you'll get three tries to enter the correct information before Windows hangs up the phone.
(Of course, if you use a dedicated, always-on Internet connection, you won't have to fool with dialing and hanging up connections at all. To be honest, I don't know which I like more about my DSL connection—its lickety-split speed or the fact that I don't have to wait for a modem connection to be made.)
After your connection is made, you should be able to browse Web sites, check your email, and so on.
The notification area connection icon shows two tiny computer screens, which are normally black. They flicker when data activity occurs on the dial-up connection, momentarily turning green to show that the modem is active. The two indicators represent data you're sending and data returned from your ISP, respectively. This icon is actually a decent troubleshooting tool because you can immediately see whether modem activity is taking place.
If you let your mouse cursor hover over the connection icon, a small pop-up window shows the number of bytes transmitted and received over the current connection.
If you right-click the connection icon, a pop-up menu appears. This menu contains the following options:
Disconnect—. Hang up the connection
Status—. View the Connection Status dialog
Open Network and Dial-Up Connections—. Bring up the whole dial-up networking control panel
Choosing Status from this menu opens the Status dialog box, which shows the number of bytes transmitted and received during the connection and the number of transmission errors detected; it also has buttons to let you disconnect or adjust the connection properties. Its Details tab lists technical information such as the connection's IP address.
If you don't establish a connection manually before using an Internet program like Internet Explorer, Windows will go ahead and dial your ISP automatically when you start these programs. If you don't want Windows to dial automatically, or if you have defined multiple dial-up connections, you can tell Windows which, if any, of the connections you want it to dial automatically.
To change the default settings, follow these steps:
Open the Control Panel, select Network and Internet Connections, and click Internet Options. Alternatively, within Internet Explorer, you can choose Tools, Internet Options.
Select the Connections tab, and highlight the dial-up connection you want to use for Internet browsing (see Figure 8.15).
If you use a standalone computer or a portable computer that sometimes has Internet access via a LAN, select Dial Whenever a Network Connection Is Not Present.
If you want to use the modem connection even while you're connected to a LAN, you can select Always Dial My Default Connection.
Finally, if you don't want Windows to dial automatically at all but prefer to make your connection manually, you can choose Never Dial a Connection.
If you have actually changed the default dial-up connection, click Set Default.
Click OK.
Life would be so simple if computers and people just stayed put, but that's not the way the world works anymore. Portable computers now account for more than half of the computers sold in the United States. Managing Internet connections from multiple locations can be a little tricky.
I'll talk a bit more about the ins and outs of traveling with your computer in Chapter 18, where the topic is remote networking.
The issue comes up with plain Internet connectivity as well, so let me share some tips:
If you use a LAN Internet connection in the office and a modem connection elsewhere, bring up the Connections tab of the Internet Properties dialog box, and choose Dial Whenever a Network Connection Is Not Present, as I discussed in the previous section, “Changing the Default Connection.”
If you use different LAN connections in different locations, see “Multiple LAN Connections” in Chapter 18.
If you use a dial-up Internet service provider with different local access numbers in different locations, life is a bit more difficult. It would be great if Windows would let you associate a distinct dial-up number with each dialing location, but it doesn't—dialing locations just adjust the area code and dialing prefixes.
The solution is to make separate connection icons for each location's access number. After you set up and test one connection, right-click its icon and select Create Copy. Rename the icon using the alternate city in the name; for example, I might name my icons “My ISP Berkeley,” “My ISP Freestone,” and so on. Finally, open the Properties page for the new icon, and set the appropriate local access number and dialing location.
In this case, it's best to tell Windows never to automatically dial a connection (as shown earlier in “Changing the Default Connection”) because it will not know which of several connections is the right one to use; it might dial a long-distance number without you noticing.
Moving around from one network to another or one ISP to another can also cause major headaches when you try to send email. The reason is that outgoing email has to be sent from your email program to a mail server called an SMTP server. These servers are set up to reject incoming email from any unidentified user who is not directly connected to or dialed-up to their own network. For example, if you have Outlook Express set up to send email through your company's mail server and you try to send mail from home, your company's server will see that you're connected from a foreign network—that is, your ISP's network—and may reject the message, calling it an “attempt to relay mail.”
Likewise, you may experience the same problem if you are set up to send through your ISP's mail server and then try to send mail from a wireless connection at an Internet café.
Note
→ For some tips on handling this problem, see “All Your Mail Is in a Laptop,” p. 388.
If you chose ISDN Internet service, your primary reason for doing so was probably its ability to use both ISDN channels simultaneously to get full 128Kbps throughput. You have to arrange for this “two channel” service with your ISP, and there may be additional costs, but it's a great way to get extra speed when DSL or cable Internet service isn't available. Combining two distinct connections into one big data pipe is called Multilinking. You can also use multiple analog modems to connect to some ISPs to get a similar rate boost, although this ties up multiple telephone lines, and more importantly, few ISPs support Multilink analog connections.
The procedure for setting up a two-channel call depends on what type of modem you have. If you're using an external ISDN modem connected through a serial cable (or an ISDN router connected to a network adapter) you'll have to follow the setup instructions provided by the modem manufacturer. With some modems, you specify the telephone number something like this: “5551212+5551212,” which instructs the modem to dial your ISP's modem bank at 555-1212 for the first channel, and then to dial the same number again to establish the second channel. You'll have to find out how it's done for your particular modem. Your ISP will help you set this up.
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If you have to pay your telephone company or your ISP an extra fee for a two-channel data call, you might want to set up two connection icons in Windows: one configured for a single channel call, and one for a two-channel call, so you can choose between speed and expense.
You also might be able to set an ISDN modem or router to automatically add or drop the second data channel based on how much data you're transferring.
However, if you use an internal ISDN modem, or you want to use multiple analog modems, you have to instruct Windows to set up the second channel. To do this, view the icon for your Internet connection, right-click it, and select Properties. You'll see two entries under Connect Using, as shown in Figure 8.16. Check the boxes next to both of the ISDN modem's channels (next to both analog modem entries). Check All Devices Call the Same Numbers, and then click OK.
Now, when you use this icon to call your ISP, Windows will use both data channels to make the connection. You can create an additional icon with just one channel checked if you want to have the option of using a single channel to save on connection charges.
When I attempted to make a connection to my ISP, the modem didn't make an audible attempt to connect.
There are four possible problems here:
Your phone line may not be correctly plugged into the modem. Be sure the phone cable is plugged into the correct jack on the modem.
The phone line may not be working. Try an extension phone in the same wall jack to see if there's a dial tone.
The modem may be working but its speaker volume may be turned down. (This has fooled me more than once!) Some external modems have volume knobs. You can set the volume on an internal modem by opening Control Panel, Phone and Modem Options. View the Modems tab and select Properties. Select the Modem tab and adjust the volume control.
There may be a hardware problem with the modem. Open the Modem properties as described in the previous paragraph. View the Diagnostics tab and click Query Modem. After 5 to 15 seconds, you should see some entries in the “Command/Response” list. If an error message appears instead, your modem is not working properly. If it's an external modem, be sure it's powered up. If it's an internal modem, see Chapter 30. Try to update the modem's driver software.
When I attempted to make a connection to my ISP, the modem made the call, but the Internet connection still failed.
Windows should indicate what sort of problem was encountered. You may have typed your account name and password incorrectly. Try one or two more times. If it still doesn't work, a call to your ISP is the best next step. Your ISP may require you to enter the account name information in an unintuitive way (Earthlink, for example, requires you put “ELN” before your account name.) Their customer support people will help you straighten this out.
My Internet connection seems to be established correctly but I can't reach any Web sites.
Troubleshooting connection problems is such a large topic that an entire chapter is devoted to it. If you're having trouble, turn to Chapter 14, “Troubleshooting Your Internet Connection,” for the nitty-gritty details.
As I said earlier, you can choose an ISP with regional local access numbers to let you connect without toll charges wheresoever you roam in your home country. But what about when you travel overseas?
Actually, you usually don't have to go far to find an Internet terminal. You can rent PCs with Internet connections for roughly $1 to $10 per hour almost anywhere. Listings of Internet cafés and computer parlors are now a required element in guide books (for example, the fantastic Rough Guide series), and tourism information centers in most towns can direct you to the nearest rental centers.
If you want to connect your own computer, however, connecting is a bit more difficult. The following are some tips I've picked up in travels through Mexico, Australia, and Europe:
Do your research before you leave. Search the Internet to find at least one Internet location and/or ISP in each area you'll be visiting. Print these pages and bring them along, being sure to get the local address and telephone number. You might find a more convenient location or better service after you arrive, but this way you have a place to start.
Most Internet cafés won't let you hook up your own computer. Some will. You can find Kinko's Copy centers, for example, in many large cities in North America, Europe, and Asia; they're outfitted with fast computers, fast connections, and at least one bay with an Ethernet cable that you can use to connect your own laptop. Bring a PCMCIA (PC Card) Ethernet card, and you're set. (You will have to configure it using the Local Area Connection icon in Network and Dial-Up Connections, as you'll learn in Chapter 16, using the settings provided by the rental center.)
Bring some formatted floppy disks with you. If you need to transfer files and can't hook up your own computer, you can at least use the floppy disks.
If you normally receive email through a POP mail server at your ISP, use one of the free email services such as Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail to view your home email via the Web while you're traveling. Use a different password, not your regular password, for the free account. Set up the free service to fetch mail from your ISP, using what is called external or POP mail. Set the mail service to “leave mail on the server” so you can filter through your mail the normal way when you get home. Delete the free account, or change its password, when you return home.
These steps will (a) let you read your mail from virtually any Internet terminal in the world and (b) protect your real mail password from unscrupulous types who might be monitoring the network traffic in the places you visit.
If you're staying a reasonable length of time in one country, you can sign up for a month of Internet service. For example, in Australia, I used ozemail.com, which gave me local access numbers all over the Australian continent. A month's service cost only $17, with no setup fee. After I found an adapter for Australia's curious telephone jacks, I was all set.
If you do use a foreign ISP, configure your email software to use the foreign ISP's outgoing mail (SMTP) server, but keep your incoming POP server pointed to your home ISP. (This step is important because most ISPs' mail servers won't accept mail from dial-up users outside their own networks. You need to use their SMTP server to send mail, and your home POP server to pick up mail.)
Get power plug adapters and telephone plug adapters from a travel store, telephone accessory store, or international appliance store before you leave, if you can.