==========================================================================
The purpose of this document is to troubleshoot problems encountered while
trying to connect to and use the internet over a modem and phone line with
Windows 98 and Dial-up Networking.  If you use a "regional" or local
Internet Service Provider (ISP), including AltaVista and Netzero, then you
use Dial-up Networking.  This file may also help you if you use AOL or
another big ISP.  Follow these instructions at your own risk -- they're
relatively simple and are meant to help you out, but don't blame me if you
mess up your computer by doing something wrong.
                                        [ Written on 00-03-20 by Anthony ]
                                        [ http://nodivisions.com/contact ]
==========================================================================

The first thing to do is to verify that your problem is indeed with your
internet connection, and not with some program that uses that connection.
Your internet connection is independent of any programs that you use over
that connection.  When you dial out and connect to your ISP, you don't
necessarily have to surf the web, or check your email, or do anything --
the internet connection is there when you dial out and connect, regardless
of whether you use it or not.

The reason I explained that is that you may not have a problem with the
connection itself.  You problem may be with your browser (Internet
Explorer, Netscape, Opera, etc) or other internet program like Eudora (an
email program), AOL's Instant Messenger, Napster (an mp3 program), your
ftp program... there are very many different programs that work over your
internet connection, and everyone uses different ones.  So, be sure to
try a few different programs that use the internet to verify that *none*
of them work.  If this is the case, then proceed here.  [If not, and it
seems that only one program will not work over the internet, you should
first try to uninstall that program (Start, Settings, Programs, Add / 
Remove programs) and then reinstall it.]


First, uninstall and reinstall Dial-up networking:
==========================================================================
 1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add / Remove Programs.
 2. Click the Windows Setup tab.
 3. Double-click Communications, then uncheck Dial-up networking.
 4. Click OK, then OK again.
 5. Restart Windows, then repeat steps 1-3, but this time *check* Dial-up
    networking.
 6. Click OK, then OK again.
 7. Restart Windows, and try your internet connection.


If that does not fix your internet problems, try removing and reinstalling
your network protocols and adapters:
==========================================================================
 1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Network.
 2. Make a list of all the Network Components currently installed.  Click
    the Add button, and note which icon goes with which component.  Then
    click Cancel.
 3. Remove all the Network Components, and then restart Windows.
 4. (Windows may automatically find and reinstall some network components.
     The following steps will guide you through reinstalling the necessary
     components, but don't install anything that is already installed.)
 5. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Network.
 6. Click Add, Client, Add, Microsoft, Client for Microsoft Networks, OK.
 7. Click Add, Adapter, Add, Microsoft, Dial-up Adapter, OK.
 8. Click Add, Protocol, Add, Microsoft, TCP/IP, OK.
 9. Click Add, Protocol, Add, Microsoft, NetBEUI, OK.
10. Set Primary Network Logon to Windows Logon.
11. If you're on a local network (that is, if your computer is connected
    to other computer(s) in your house), then you may want to click File
    and Print Sharing and check the boxes.
12. If there are other items in the list that you made, just click Add
    and choose the type of component you want to reinstall.  Then look
    through the lists for the one you want.  You won't hurt anything by
    installing something you don't need, and you can always remove it
    later.
13. When you're finished, restart Windows and try your internet
    connection.


If your internet connection still does not work, then try to remove your
modem and reinstall it:
==========================================================================
 1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, then the Device Manager
    tab.
 2. Double-click on Modem, then click on your modem and click the Remove
    button.
 3. Restart Windows.
 4. Windows may automatically reinstall your modem.  If it does not, then
    click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Modems and let it look for the
    modem.
 5. Once the modem is reinstalled, try your internet connection.


==========================================================================
If your problem persists, and you're feeling brave, you could reinstall
Windows.  That would mean reinstalling most of your programs as well.
And if the problem is with your software, then this may well fix it.  
But it could very well be that your modem has failed (hardware failures
are fairly common), or it could be some other problem that is just not
simple enough to be handled in a small help file like this one.  If you're
stuck, write to me and I'll help you out.
==========================================================================