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 Comm Corner 
Understanding Windows 95 Communications Dial Up Networking  
by John Woody

Alamo PC Organization: HOME > PC Alamode Magazine > Columns > Comm Corner 
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This article commences a new series for this column. Over the next few columns we will attempt to cover Windows 95 (and who knows! maybe Windows 98) issues which arise in our computer communication. Many things can go bonkers when using Windows 95. This is especially true when the Windows operating system (OS) is up-graded to Windows 95 from Windows for Workgroups or other earlier Windows version. Windows 95 has a tendency to crash, causing re-loading of the OS. The re-load does not always reset the machine the way it was before, causing us to have to manually load communication and modem drivers from disks or other sources. 

There are many reasons for this turn of events, the upgrade included older computer equipment and software drivers, hardware or software changes have been made to the system since the Windows 95 upgrade, DOS or older Windows programs require manually re-loading, or the manual program re-install was accomplished with a mistake at some point. Older, slow 486 machines with older manually set analog modems can be a particular problem. Modems with jumper set IRQs and Com ports conflict with the Windows 95 dynamically set IRQ capabilities. 

 When Windows 95 comes pre-loaded on a new machine, the crash problems can be solved by re-installing from the manufacturers Windows 95 CD-ROM. Or, at least, that is what they tell you. Many times the same problems as above happen. The newer Pentium based machines with Plug and Play (PnP) solve some re-load problems. Window 95 is smart, but not smart enough to solve all of the problems, only a few of them. 

 What are some of the problems which must be resolved? Interrupt ReQuest (IRQ) assignment, comm port assignment, communications drivers, device drivers, video drivers, Direct Memory Access (DMA), out-dated Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files, application setup mistakes, hardware conflicts, hardware setup mistakes, old hardware, and the list goes on. Scary, isn't it, and we haven't even mentioned Dial-up Networking, this month's focus. 

 Hope and pray that Windows 98 WILL solve 60 percent of these problems. 

 

Dial-Up Networking

Dial-Up Networking (DUN) is the catch-all utility which is built-in Windows 95 to allow the OS support direct connections to other computers and the Internet. DUN contains the drivers and protocols for direct dynamically connecting to the Internet. The DUN DLL file utility contains the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) files which will dial to one's Internet Service Provider (ISP) as a Point-To-Point Protocol (PPP) connection. 

 DUN must be installed on your computer for you to make a direct PPP connection to the Internet. The program utility is a choice which is made during installation. If you are re-loading Windows 95 after a problem (note crash), you need to verify that DUN has been installed. This is accomplished by: 

 

    Step One-Windows Setup 
    • Double click [MY COMPUTER], look for Icon [Dial-Up Networking]

      • If present, then proceed to set up the dial-up connection as described in Step Two below. 

       

    • If not present, then: 
      • Double click icon; 
      • Double click icon 
      • Select the middle tab 
      • Select the telephone icon and place a check in the box 
      • Select the [Details] button while the icon is highlighted, and: 
      • Select the [Dial-Up Networking] icon and place a check in the box 
      • Select the [HyperTerminal] icon and place a check in the box 
      • Single click to return to Windows Setup Tab, next click to return to Control Panel
    If these modules were not loaded at the time of upgrade or re-load, then Windows 95 will ask for your OS disks or CD-ROM. Follow the loading instructions. Proceed to Step Two. 

     Step Two-Adapter and Protocol Setup 
    This step helps to verify that your Dial-Up Adapter and the TCP/IP network protocol are installed: 

    • Double click on [My Computer] icon 
    • Double click on [Control Panel] icon 
    • Double click on [Network] icon 
    • Select the [Configuration] tab, then check to see if the [Dial-Up Adapter] and [TCP/IP] are installed
    If both are installed, go to Step Three 

     If the [Dial-Up Adapter] has not been installed: 

       
    • Single click the [Add] button 
    • Double click [Dial-Up Adapter] 
    • Under "manufacturers", single click [Microsoft] (scroll in necessary to find [Microsoft] 
    • Under "Network Adapters", single click [Dial-Up Adapters] 
    • Single click [OK]
    This brings you back to the "Network" window. Click [OK]. 

     Restart the computer as prompted. A restart is required any time a change is made the Network settings. Proceed to Step Three next. 

    Step Three- Configuring Network Settings 
    This step is required to set the TCP/IP protocol stack. These settings depend upon individual ISP settings. Some ISPs still provide the logon IP and subnet address which must be installed in this area. 

    • Double click [My Computer] icon 
    • Double click [Control Panel] icon 
    • Double click [Network] icon 
    • Single click [TCP/IP] and then Single click button
    There are six tabs on the "TCP/IP Properties" screen. Two are significant and are as follows: 
       
    • Make sure the IP address is [Obtained Automatically] button is selected on the IP Tab if your ISP does not require IP addresses. 
    • Select the tab and enter address information if your ISP requires it by:
        •  
      • Select [Enable DNS] 
      • In the Host box, enter your user login identification 
      • In the Domain box, enter the DNS name as provided by your ISP 
      • In the DNS Server Search Order box, enter the IP address as provided by your ISP, then click [Add]
      Note: Remember that these entries may or may not be required by your ISP. 
    • Click [OK] at the bottom of the screen to get back to the :Network" window. Then, 
    • Click [OK] again,
    Restart the computer as requested by a single click. 

     Step Four-Creating the Connection Icon 

      This step must be taken to set up the TCP/IP stack to dial through Windows 95. It is the best method of making a Point to Point Protocol (PPP) connection. 
      • Double click [My Computer] 
      • Double click [Dial-Up Networking] 
      • Double click [Make New Connection]
      This process takes you through the process of creating the short-cut icon you will use to access the Internet. Follow the steps of the procedure. 
         
      • Name the new connection by typing in some name you will remember for the connection. 
      • Click for the next step in this procedure and enter the ISP telephone number to be called. 
      • Drag the new icon to the desk top by creating a "shortcut".

    Things to Keep in Mind

    For first time setters-up, there is certain information which must be provided by one's Internet Service Provider (ISP). This data is required to configure the DUN so that the utility will recognize the TCP/IP connection when you dial-up. Check directly with your ISP about what information they require for the dial-up. The information varies from ISP to ISP. Some require that you enter each data item in the DUN setup. Others require that you set the DUN TCP/IP properties to be dynamically read each time you log-on. 

     The information which must be entered either by you or the ISP contains the IP address. This is dynamically assigned for most of us each time we dial-up using a PPP connection. If you have a static IP address, it must be physically entered into the DUN set-up. 

     The ISP's Domain Name Server address is required. This is the machine which informs your connection on how to access other systems on the Internet. This may be statically or dynamically entered each time you dial-up. 

    The Gateway Server IP address may be required. This is the address of the ISP's main IP server. It may be assigned statically or dynamically each time you dial-up. 

     The SMTP Server IP address is required. This is the address of the ISP's outgoing mail server machine. This is usually entered in the e-mail application. 

     The POP3 Server IP address is required. This is the address of the ISP's incoming mail server machine. This address is also entered into the e-mail application. 

     The NEWS Server IP address is required if you want to use Usenet and the News Groups aspect of the Internet. This address is also entered into the Usenet application. 

     Your e-mail address (sometimes called a pop account) is required. 

     These IP account entries are addressed by opening: 

    • Open icon, then double click icon, then double click 
    • From the "Configuration Tab", select the [TCP/IP->Dial-Up Adapter] setting, then click on the button, then 
    • Review the [TCP/IP Properties] sub heading and select the tab to enter the ISP's information concerning how to obtain a connecting IP address each time you dial-up. 
    • From the [IP Address Tab], select either the button, or; 
    • Enter the ISP's IP address in the button, then enter the IP address in the provided blank spaces. 
    • From the [DNS Configuration Tab], select either the button, or; 
    • Select the button. Then enter the information as provided by your ISP in the provided blank spaces.
    This information must be specifically designated by your ISP. 

    Conclusion

    This should complete the basics of re-setting or re-installing Windows 95 and re-making the DUN connection. There are problems which sometimes arise and will be covered in later articles. 

     JOHN WOODY IS A TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT SPECIALIZING IN SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS, NETWORKS, AND INTERNET BUSINESS TRAINING.