`Windows Online
`
`Chapter 9: Hooking Up to the Internet
`Chapter 10: Security, Firewalls, and Service Pack 2
`Chapter 11 : Web, Chat, and Videoconferencing
`Chapter 12: Outlook Express 6
`
`EX 2009
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`EX 2009
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`EX 2009
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`
`
`CHAPTER
`
`9
`
`Hooking Up
`to the Internet
`
`Plenty of people buy a PC to crunch numbers, scan photos, or cultivate their
`
`kids' hand-eye coordination. But for millions of people, Reason One for us(cid:173)
`ing a PC is to access the Internet. Few computer features have the potential to
`change your life as profoundly as the World Wide Web and email.
`
`To join the Internet party already in progress, you need three components: a con(cid:173)
`nection, such as a modem, cable modem, DSL, or corporate network; an Internet
`account; and Internet software, like the Web browsers and email programs described
`in the next chapter.
`
`Five Degrees of Online Readiness
`If you have any intention of making your PC a citizen of the Internet, you probably
`fall into one of these categories:
`
`• Your PC can already get online. This is the case if, for example, you upgraded to
`Windows XP from an earlier version of Windows. (The XP installer is thought(cid:173)
`ful enough to preserve your old Internet settings.) If you can already access the
`Internet, you don't need the advice in this chapter, which explains how to set up
`an account yourself. Just skip to the following chapter.
`
`• You have an Internet account on another PC that you want to transfer. In this
`case, consider using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, described on page 570.
`It teaches your new Windows XP machine all about the settings that worked on
`the old machine.
`
`CHAPTER 9: HOOKING UP TO THE INTERN ET
`
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`
`
`
`Five Degrees of
`Online Readiness
`
`Alternatively, if you know all the configuration details for your existing account(cid:173)
`your account name, local access number, password, and so on-you can use the
`New Connection Wizard described on page 300.
`
`• You want to sign up for a new America Online account. Microsoft, an AOL rival,
`no longer includes the America Online starter software with Windows. You'll need
`to secure the AOL installer on your own-using one of the several billion AOL
`starter CDs that come with magazines, in cereal boxes, and sometimes out of the
`faucet.
`
`• You want to sign up for a new MSN account, or a standard Internet account
`(EarthLink, AT&T, Sprint, or whatever). In this case, use the New Connection
`Wizard described on page 300.
`
`• You want to access the Internet, but don't yet know the best way to do it. In this
`case, read on.
`
`How to Get Online
`Most people connect to the Internet using a modem, a device that connects your PC
`to a standard voice phone line. Almost every modern computer comes with a built(cid:173)
`in, preinstalled modern.
`
`Cable Modems and DSL
`On the other hand, nearly half of all Internet-connected computer fans now use much
`faster gear called cable modems and DSL. These contraptions offer several gigantic
`advantages over dial-up moderns. For example:
`
`• Speed. These modems operate at 5 to 50 times the speed of a traditional dial-up
`modem. For example, you might wait 5 minutes to download a 2 MB file with a
`standard modem-a job that would take about 10 seconds with a cable modem.
`And complex Web pages that take almost a minute to appear in your browser with a
`standard modem will pop up almost immediately with a cable modem or DSL.
`
`• No dialing. These fancier connection methods hook you up to the Internet perma(cid:173)
`nently, full time, so that you don't waste time connecting or disconnecting-ever.
`You're always online.
`
`• No weekends lost to setup. Best of all, there's no need to do any of the setup
`yourself. A representative from the phone company or cable company generally
`comes to your home or office to install the modem and configure Windows XP to
`use it. If you sign up for a cable modem, the cable TV company pays you a visit,
`supplies the modem, installs a network card into your PC, and sets up the software
`for you.
`
`• Possible savings. At this writing, cable moderns and DSL services cost about $30
`to $50 a month. That includes the Internet account for which you'd ordinarily
`pay $20 if you signed up for a traditional ISP. And since you're connecting to the
`
`298
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`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Internet via cable TV wires or unused signal capacity on your telephone lines, you
`may be able to save even more money by canceling your second phone line.
`
`How to Get Online
`
`Virtually all cable TV companies offer cable modem service. Unfortunately, you may
`not be able to get DSL if the phone company doesn't have a central office within about
`three miles of your home.
`
`It's also worth noting that cable modems and DSL modems aren't always blazing
`fast. The cable modem can slow down as more people in your area use their cable
`modems simultaneously. And DSL modems may be slower the farther away you are
`from the telephone company.
`
`Even so, these devices are always faster than a dial-up modem.
`
`Tip: Actually, neither cable modems nor DSL modems are modems, since they don't modulate or demodulate
`anything. (That's where the term modems comes from: they convert data into bursts of sound.) Still, we
`need to call them something, so most people call them modems anyway.
`
`Wireless Networks
`If you have a broadband connection like a cable modem or DSL, you're in heaven,
`but not on the penthouse floor of heaven. These days, the ultimate bliss is connecting
`without wires, from anywhere in your house or building-or, if you're a laptop war(cid:173)
`rior, someone else's house or building, like Starbucks, McDonald's, airport lounges,
`hotel lobbies, and anywhere else that an Internet "hot spot" has been set up.
`
`Those are places where somebody has set up an 802. 11 access point ( or base station),
`which is a glorified antenna for their cable modem or DSL box. Any computer that's
`been equipped with a corresponding wireless networking card (as most new laptops
`are these days) can hop online, at high speed, with only a couple of clicks.
`
`Tip: Whenever you try to get online, Windows XP automatically hunts for a working connection-wired or
`wireless. That's a blessing for laptops: When you're at the office plugged into an Ethernet cable, you can use
`its stability and speed. When you're in some hotel-lobby hot spot, and your laptop can't find the Ethernet
`cable, it automatically hops onto the wireless network, if possible. (And how does the dial-up modem enter
`into all this? That's up to you. Open Internet Options in your Control Panel, click the Connections tab, and
`turn on, for example, "Dial whenever a network connection is not present" or "Never dial a connection.")
`
`For the basics of setting up your own wireless network, see page Chapter 17. But for
`details on connecting to someone else's wireless network (using a laptop in a hotel
`lobby, for example), see Figure 9-1.
`
`ISP vs. Online Service
`If you decide to connect to the Net using a dial-up modem, your next task is to get an
`Internet account. You can get one in either of two ways: by signing up for an online
`service, such as America Online or MSN, or through a direct Internet account with an
`Internet service provider (or ISP, as insiders and magazines inevitably call them).
`
`CHAPTER 9: HOOKIN G UP TO THE INTERNET
`
`299
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`How to Ciet Online
`
`National ISPs like EarthLink and AT&T have local telephone numbers in every U.S.
`state and many other countries. If you don't travel much, you may not need such
`broad coverage. Instead, you may be able to save money by signing up for a local or
`regional ISP. Either way, dialing the Internet is a local call for most people.
`
`ur, Wireless networks detected
`Coe or more wireless networks c,re n r anos of this
`CorrµJter. To see the ist and connect. clck this
`messaoe
`
`Network Tasks
`
`Choose a wireless network
`
`ctck .an bm in the list behw to comect to a Wireless network·1n ranoe or to get more
`lnfonnatlon,
`
`Rt'.lated T cnks-
`
`\J) :~ ... e1es.
`
`* =et.:.::
`
`~ °""'9o a<!vonced
`~ttr,gs
`
`Av;;:il.~ble ~ t~J.':'lfks
`To connect lo, disconnect flom, or find out more infonnation
`.ebout wifeless nelwo,ks in ,~nge, cick !he button below.
`
`I V,ew W;eiess Ne!WO!k, j
`
`Pref en~ retw.,tks·
`Aut~ic~iy connect to available net1Jr10rks in the orde, ijsted
`below:
`'.i' Hyatt IA<-(omatic]
`'.i' PogueNet (Automot<:]
`I Move down j
`:====:--;::===:;--~=--=-~
`j [ Remove I [ Proper!"' j
`I Add.,.
`[ Ad_1n~ced I
`~k,urai:!~etonc up r,,-iri::Jeu ntjw01k
`
`i '. OK
`
`j ! Cancel
`
`'-V' Wireless Network Connection
`Connected to: PoQueNet
`SQ,al Strength: Excellent
`
`·x I
`
`Figure 9-1:
`Top: You're wandering
`with your WiFi laptop.
`Suddenly, fortune
`smiles: this notifica(cid:173)
`tion-area balloon
`appears. You've found
`a hot spot! You click the
`balloon.
`Second from top: You
`get to read about the
`network you've found.
`To get online, click the
`network's name and
`then click Conned.
`(This message is warn(cid:173)
`ing you that hackers
`with network-sniffing
`software could, in
`theory, intercept your
`wireless transmissions(cid:173)
`always a concern
`with public wireless
`networks.) If a yellow
`padlock appears, you
`can't use the network
`without a password.
`Third from top: In your
`Network Places win(cid:173)
`dow, getting Properties
`on a wireless connec(cid:173)
`tion produces this box.
`By rearranging the
`networks' names, you
`tell Windows which
`ones you want to
`conned to first in the
`delightful event that
`more than one hot spot
`is available at once.
`Bottom: The next time
`you wander into a hot
`spot you've connected
`to before, XP connects
`automatically-no
`muss, no dialog boxes.
`
`300
`
`W IN DOWS XP HOME E DITION: THE M ISSING MANUAL
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Tip: The Internet is filled with Web sites that list, describe, and recommend ISPs. To find such directories,
`visit Google and search for ISP listings. One of the best Web-based listings, for example, can be found at
`www.boordwotch.com. (Of course, until you've actually got your Internet account working, you'll have to do
`this research on a PC that is on line, like the free terminals available at most public libraries.)
`
`How to Get Online
`
`Each route to the Internet (onlin e services or ISP) has significant pros and cons.
`
`• Most national ISPs charge $22 a month for unlimited Internet use; America Online
`costs $24 per month.
`
`• Online services strike many people as easier to use, since a single program oper(cid:173)
`ates all Internet functions, including email and Web surfing. When using an ISP,
`on the other hand, you fire up a different application for each function: Internet
`Explorer for surfing the Web, Outlook Express for email, and so on.
`
`• Some online services, notably America Online, disconnect automatically if you
`haven't clicked or typed for several minutes. ISPs don't hang up on you nearly as
`quickly, if at all.
`
`• Some online services are screened to block out pornography. The Internet itself,
`of course, isn't sanitized in this way. (Of course, you can get to the Internet from
`any online service, which makes this point less relevant.)
`
`• Online services provide proprietary, members-only features like games and chat
`rooms.
`
`• Because online services are slightly easier to use than ISP accounts, you'll run into
`people who look down on MSN and America Online members.
`
`Establishing a New Dial-Up Internet Account
`If you'd like to sign up for Microsoft's Internet service, called MSN (and by the way,
`Microsoft would love you to sign up for MSN), or a traditional ISP, you're ready for
`the New Connection Wizard.
`
`1. Choose Start(cid:157) All Programs(cid:157) Accessories(cid:157) Communications(cid:157) New Connection
`Wizard.
`
`If you managed to mouse across that labyrinth of menus, the New Connection
`Wizard appears (Figure 9-2).
`
`2. Click Next. On the next screen, click Connect to the Internet, and then click the
`Next button.
`
`Now you reach an important juncture: the Getting Ready screen ( third from top
`in Figure 9-2).
`
`3. Click "Choose from a list of Internet service providers (ISPs)." Click Next.
`
`Here's where you tell the wizard whether you want to sign up for the pricier, but
`sanitized, world of MSN, or a standard Internet service provider.
`
`CHAPTER 9: HOOKING UP TO THE INTERNET
`
`301
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Establishing an
`Internet Account
`
`4. Click either "Get online with MSN" or "Select from a list of other ISPs:' and then
`click Finish.
`
`If you choose MSN, the graphic design scheme of the wizard changes-suddenly
`you're in pastel land. This, of course, is the MSN Sign up Wizard. Over the next few
`minutes, you'll be guided through the process of signing up for a new account. You'll
`be asked for your name, address, birthday, occupation, credit card number, and so
`on. You'll also be offered the chance to preserve your existing Microsoft-service
`email address (anything ending with@hotmail.com or@msn.com). (During the
`process, the computer will dial a toll-free number to connect with MSN.)
`
`If you choose "Select from a list of other ISPs;' the wizard disappears, and Windows
`deposits you into a folder window containing two shortcuts: "Get online with
`
`Figure 9-2:
`You can use this same
`New Connection Wizard
`to set up a small office
`network, a corporate net(cid:173)
`work, and so on, but for
`now, you want the Con(cid:173)
`ned to the Internet option.
`To sign up for a standard
`Internet account, just keep
`clicking the first choice on
`each wizard screen. At the
`last step, you'll have to
`choose between signing
`up for Microsoft's own
`Internet service, called
`MSN, or an independent
`one like Earthlink or AT&T.
`In the end, these services
`are essentially identical,
`and let you use precisely
`the same features. The
`deciding factors should
`be the price of the service
`and the presence of a
`local phone number that
`your modem can use to
`dial in.
`
`O eo
`C
`•fi
`o s.,
`
`Gelling Read)'
`The wizard is prepari-rg to set up }'QUI Internet connection.
`
`How do you w-ent lo corneci lo tho lrterriel?
`0 Choose from a lid of lnle1net .service p1ovide1.i {ISP.t}
`0 Sci up m, connection manually
`
`To c!Me this wizerd and proceed with the choice you
`selected, click Finish.
`
`302
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`EX 2009
`
`
`
`MSN" ( which opens the same wizard described in the previous paragraph) and
`"Refer me to more Internet Service Providers." Use the latter shortcut to sign up
`for traditional Internet accounts, as shown in Figure 9-3.
`
`Establishing an
`Internet Account
`
`Rgure 9-:J:
`In the U.S., the ISP Signup Wiz(cid:173)
`ard starts by calling a toll-free
`number to retrieve a list of Inter(cid:173)
`net service providers that have
`deals with Microsoft in "your
`area" (in general, this means
`"in your country'?, Click one,
`and then read the details of its
`deal in the scrolling right-side
`window. After settling on one,
`click the Next button to begin
`the signup process (providing
`your name, address, credit card
`number, and so on). Along the
`way, you'll probably be asked to
`select a local telephone number
`(that your modem will call to
`get online) from an existing list.
`
`Step 1 of 3: Selecting an Internet service provider
`
`C6ckNext to use Eorthlink Spedal Offer as your Internet service provider. If you would hke to use
`another service provider, select one from the Nst below, and then click Next.
`
`lnternet service providers:
`,J AT&T WorldNet Servke
`'ii Earthl ,nk Specrol Offei
`: Sprint
`~ Prodigy Internet
`,., MindSpring Offer
`
`Provider information:
`
`C-fl
`6J Earthlink·
`
`SPECIAL Of'FER
`
`Service
`
`Billi no Rate Get your first 30 days FREE,
`then $21 .95/month,
`1-800-EARTHLINK
`www.eorthlink.net
`Access at speeds up to 56K;
`the la rgest nationwide
`implementation of new v .90
`56K standard to dote
`
`Modem
`Support
`
`< Bock
`
`111 Next>
`
`Cancel
`
`Whether you choose MSN or a more traditional ISP, however, both sign up wizards
`share a few things in common:
`
`• Along the way, the wizard dials a second time. This time, it's contacting the Internet
`company you've selected. The details of the service plan now appear on your screen.
`If you agree with the ISP's rules, click the Accept button, and then click Next.
`
`• You'll also be asked to invent an email address for yourself. The ending part of
`the address is determined by your choice of ISP-@earthlink.net, for example, or
`@msn.com. The first part is up to you, but keep in mind that names like Bob and
`Seinfeld were snapped up some time in the Reagan era. Therefore, if the email
`name you type in isn't unique, you'll be asked to try a different one.
`
`• When you're shown a list of phone numbers, choose one that's local. If there are
`no local numbers listed, and you'd rather not pay long distance charges every time
`you connect to the Internet, consider canceling this entire signup operation and
`spending some time researching smaller, regional ISPs.
`
`CHAPTER 9: HOOKJ NG UP TO THE INTERNET
`
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`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Establishing an
`Internet Account
`
`The Connection Icon
`When it's all over, Windows XP stores your ISP information, your name, your pass(cid:173)
`word, and so on, into a single icon called a connection. To see the one you've just
`created, choose Start(cid:157) All Programs(cid:157) Accessories(cid:157) Communications(cid:157) Network
`Connections, as shown in Figure 9-4. There are dozens of ways to get online, and one
`way is to double-dick this special icon.
`
`Doing so produces the dialog box shown in Figure 9-4 at left. This box will soon
`become extremely familiar, since it appears every time your computer attempts to
`access the Internet for any reason.
`
`(
`
`E«tti.H(. fr~tf"2000
`1<~'
`•~·
`,.
`Connect
`
`. , , , , Ii, I§$: I :W
`
`O&XeC
`
`Cteet.e Shorlat
`
`°""'
`
`Rgure 9-4:
`Right: This particularly
`well-endowed individual
`has four different ways
`to get to the Internet. The
`New Connection Wizard
`created two of them-the
`ones represented by
`the MSN Explorer and
`Earthlink icons. One of
`the many ways to go
`online is to double-click
`this icon.
`
`Left: Double-clicking one
`of these icons produces
`this dialog box, where you
`can click Dial to go online.
`(Turning on "Save pass(cid:173)
`word" eliminates the need
`to type your password
`each time-in general, a
`great idea.)
`
`, LAN or High-Speed Internet
`1 - - · ·
`@ l oc<'JI A<ea~
`""""
`
`;;,& :.-(O'I M-~;p!~t: 111/'lC•J\;,:1.
`
`Panword:
`
`@Smitm\J:Ofn«Mond~a:""°'dt:Ylho~~
`0 M•~
`O ~¥.tio1,r.e1:1tn~er
`
`Once you've set up your connection, skip ahead to "Connecting to the Internet."You're
`now ready to explore the Net.
`
`Manually Plugging in Internet Settings
`Although the New Connection Wizard does an admirable job of trying to simplify
`the hairy process of accessing the Internet, it's not always appropriate. Here are a few
`cases when you may want to arrange your settings manually:
`
`• You already have an Internet account.
`
`• You have a cable modem or DSL connection.
`
`304
`
`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSING MANUAL
`
`i~iiiiiiiiiiiii"" "c-! Connection Managtt
`l:>li ~;;~:;
`....::.-... ,. .... ,,,,,,,,,.,
` 00 :!ct°':':
`
`~i!, l..nrl -.i."rt'~..,
`
`Dial-up
`
`!'
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`• The New Connection Wizard didn't find any ISPs with local phone numbers for
`you, but you've heard about a local service-offered by your local PC user group,
`for example-that sounds just right.
`
`Manually Plugging
`in Internet Settings
`
`• Your PC is connected to a network through which your company provides Internet
`service.
`
`In each of these cases, you can still use the New Connection Wizard; however, a good
`deal more typing is required.
`
`Via Dial-up Modem
`If you connect to the Internet via telephone jack, like most of the world, choose
`Start(cid:157) All Programs(cid:157) Accessories(cid:157) Communications(cid:157) New Connection Wizard.
`Make sure that your computer is plugged into a phone jack.
`
`Click Next, "Connect to the Internet;' Next, "Setup my Internet connection manually;'
`and Next. Now click "Connect using a dial-up modem;' and then Next.
`
`On the following several screens, you'll be asked to type in a few pieces of informa(cid:173)
`tion that only your ISP can provide: the local phone number that connects your PC
`to the Internet, your user name, and your password. (You can call your ISP for this
`information, or consult the literature delivered by postal mail when you signed up
`for an ISP account.)
`
`You'll also be offered these three important checkboxes:
`
`• Use this account name and password when anyone connects to the Internet from
`this computer. This option refers to the Windows XP user accounts feature described
`in Chapter 16, in which various people who share the same computer keep their
`worlds of information and settings separate by signing in each time they use the
`machine. It's asking you: "Is this the Internet account you want this PC to use no
`matter who's logged in at the moment?"
`
`• Make this the default Internet connection. Some people have more than one way
`to access the Internet. Maybe you connect your laptop to a cable modem when
`you're at home but dial out using the modem when you're on the road. Turn on
`this checkbox if the account you're setting up is the one you want it to use most
`often.
`
`Tip: You can always change your mind. In the Network Connections window (Figure 9-3), right-click a con(cid:173)
`nection icon and choose Set as Default Connection from the shortcut menu. On the other hand, if you're
`a laptop-toting traveler, you might want to specify a different connection in each city you visit In that case,
`right-click the default icon (shown by the checkmark at right in Figure 9-3) and choose Cancel as Default
`Connection from the shortcut menu. This way, your laptop will never dial away automatically, using some
`hopelessly irrelevant access number for the city you're in.
`
`• Turn on Internet Connection Firewall for this Connection. Windows XP offers a
`certain degree of protection from incoming hacker attacks in the form of a personal
`
`CHAPTER 9: HOOKING UP TO THE INTERNET
`
`305
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Manually Plugging
`in Internet Settings
`
`firewall (see the facing page). Turn this off only if you've equipped your PC with
`other firewall software ( or if you have a router, as described in Chapter 17).
`
`When it's all over, you'll find that you've given birth to a connection icon, as shown at
`right in Figure 9-4. Once you've correctly typed in all of the necessary information,
`you should be ready to surf.
`
`Tip: If you carry a laptop from city to city- each of which requires a different local Internet number-you
`might want to create more than one connection icon by plugging in a different local access number each
`time. (Alternatively, just create one connection icon-and then, in the Network Connections window, right(cid:173)
`click it and choose Create Copy.) Another helpful hint: Name each of these connections after the appropriate
`location ("Earthlink Cleveland," "Earthlink Stamford," and so on), so you'll remember which one to use
`for which city.
`
`Via Cable Modem, Network, or DSL
`As noted earlier in this chapter, you're usually spared the hassle of setting up these
`so-called broadband accounts. The installation person generally handles it for you.
`
`If you ever need to set up such an account yourself for some reason, here's the pro(cid:173)
`cedure:
`
`1. Choose Start(cid:157) Control Panel. In Classic view (page 243), double-click Network
`Connections.
`
`(That's an alternate route to the Network Connections window shown in Figure
`9-3.) If your PC does, in fact, have an Ethernet adapter-a requirement for a cable
`modem, DSL modem, or network Internet account-you'll see an icon for it in
`this window.
`
`2. Right-click the Local Area Connection icon; from the shortcut menu, choose
`Properties.
`
`,...L. local Area Connection _Pmpe~~ ~..:;;'~.,~
`
`Comedusing::
`
`[!,_,_=~--~-~? 10/100 LAN Cal"3us PC Ca<d
`_N,.J
`[ C°"'9'a ..
`
`21 !JCient 101 Microioft NdWOfk:
`~ tJ File and Pmter Sruling la Miaosdt Netw«ks.
`~ .,i!I OoS Packet Schedu«
`s tj@fffiht!#liG•I
`
`lt1ternet Protoeol f!CP!IPJ Ptowrtie:;
`General I Alemate CorilglU!ion
`
`Cfl(g)
`
`You can get IP set~ i,::igned autc:tMLC~; l your network :upport:
`tM capabiil:1. Otherwise, you need to a:k y,:u network P risuator fol
`the ~opriete IP ~ trig:.
`
`@ Obt"'1 bn IP addreu ~ omoticaly
`Q Ute tl'le fob,w-ig IP adchm:
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`I
`
`•···
`
`.. . ········-· !
`
`P1operties:
`
`Q ObtainONS;er,ies~e:;autornatic~
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`DE<~ r~ion
`TIM~ Cortrol Pfotoecll1ntiNnel; Plotoc.ol The def~ult
`wide areanciwork protoed~ ixO't'ide; ~
`ocron civef:e. N erconnected network.i
`
`0 UsethefollowingDNS ~oddiene.;
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`P,~ooedONS =er.
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`
`D Show icon i, notlication area "'1eri connected
`
`I Ad,MCed. ,
`
`Figure 9-S:
`Left: In this dialog box,
`double-click the Internet
`Protocol (TCP/IP) item
`that corresponds to your
`Ethernet card.
`
`Right: Your cable or
`phone company generally
`configures these settings
`for you. But if a freak
`solar eclipse wipes out all
`of your settings, you can
`re-enter them here. When
`you click OK, you should
`be back online.
`
`306
`
`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION: THE MISSIN G MANUAL
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`You get the dialog box shown at left in Figure 9-5.
`
`3. Double-click the listing that says Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
`
`Manually Plugging
`in Internet Settings
`
`An even more intimidating dialog box now appears, as shown at right in Figure
`9-5.
`
`4. With your cable company, DSL company, or network administrator on the phone,
`type in your account information.
`
`Most of the time, you'll be instructed to turn on "Obtain an IP address automati(cid:173)
`cally" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically." You don't know how lucky
`you are-you've been saved from typing in all the other numbers in this dialog
`box. Otherwise, turn on "Use the following IP address" and type in the appropriate
`numbers. Do the same with "Use the following DNS server addresses."
`
`5. Click OK.
`
`As a courtesy, Windows XP doesn't make you restart the computer in order for
`your new network settings to take effect.
`
`Upon completing this task, you won't wind up with a connection icon, as you would
`if you intended to connect to the Internet using a dial-up modem. Instead, you're
`online all the time, 24 hours a day-or at least whenever your cable/DSL/network is
`working correctly.
`
`Dialing Up to the Internet
`If you enjoy a full-time Internet connection like a cable modem, DSL, or som e wireless
`variation thereof, you're constantly online. Skip to the next chapter.
`
`If you have a dial-up modem, however, you should now have a connection icon in
`your Network Connections window.
`
`UPTO SPEED
`
`: E\/eiy cOmpllter ·connect~d to the lnterriet eve~· tempora_r~
`signed a new _address each time they connect (a dynamic
`·°' .. iiy, · has its own ·exclusi~e IP address (IP stands for 0lnternet
`IP address). Thafs always the case, for example, when you
`connect via ·a dial-up modern. (If you can't figure out whether
`.:.- Protdcol): Wheri ybu sei ~p°your own Intern~! account, as
`. ; ~escribed dn these pagJs, you'll be asked to type in thi~ string • ·
`your machine lias a static or fixed address, ask your internet
`~; ,. of r,ii.11nbers. As you'll see, _an IP address always consists of
`· service provider.)
`\·. four riuinbers separated· by periods.
`· If nothing else, dynamic addresses are IT)Ore convenient in
`·
`· ·
`·
`·.
`~.
`i ·. Some :'pc~. ~ith high:speed Internet connections (cable
`some ways, since you don't have to type numbers into the
`.,f. m~dem;' DSL) have.a permanent, unchanging address
`.Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box shown in
`:f / ali~~ aff~e1or stqtf~ If. a~dres~. Other ~~rnpyters get as-
`Figf.!re 9-4.
`~~J.:~~;,r_;~~-;:~~-~·:~:!- r:-~ ... ,,;-_ . .: .
`~~~;i~~t~ ~ i~1~, ... ~J-_;),:~~~.~~:~~i\~i/•; -
`
`CHAPTER 9: HOOKI NG UP TO THE INTERNET
`
`307
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`Dialing Up to
`the Internet
`
`Manual Connections
`Double-click the connection's icon in the Network Connections window (Figure 9-3 ).
`The Connect To dialog box appears, as shown at left in that figure. Just press Enter,
`or click Dial, to go online.
`
`But that's just the beginning. If you crave variety, here are a few other ways of open(cid:173)
`ing the connection:
`
`• Right-dick your connection icon, and then choose Connect from the shortcut
`menu.
`
`• If you've added the "Connect to" submenu to your Start menu, as described in the
`box on page 308, just choose the name of the connection you want.
`
`• Create a desktop shortcut for your connection icon (the icon in the Network Con(cid:173)
`nections window) by right-dragging it out of the window and onto the desktop.
`When you release the mouse button, choose Create Shortcut(s) Here from the
`shortcut menu. Now just double-click the shortcut whenever you feel the urge to
`surf.
`
`• Drag your connection icon shortcut onto the Quick Launch toolbar (page 95), so
`that you can now get to the Internet with just one click.
`
`Staft rneou i:ettinQs
`@ Open $ubmeru: when I pause. on them with my mouse
`@ Highlight newly intta:ed piograrm:
`
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`ro do so, right-click th_e. Sta~·t1
`>; ·:coririJcti6.n$.Htl~pe"ris:th~:. /
`. button.· From the 'sh-ortfutf.tJ
`C I N~~fk Co~n~~i~iis~~O\Y, .. ·:'
`Start menu items:
`~ NelWO!k Connection,
`0 l!l!/!W/Mtffli?ldi~
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`0 Don~ dis-play this- ~em
`.. •· Q1enu/ c~~l?~e Prop_ertiiifClic~~
`0 Lir-k to Net\.YOfk Connections older
`·.~. intermediate step .of_'opening::..;
`the. Customize buttori,~an_g_,.;;=;
`D Prinlecs- .met Fal-les-
`~ .. ·:. ContrJI Panet'first.::r·::: ·=.-: .. ··,:;_
`.
`then clii:kthe Ad~ailced tab;$~
`0 Auicommand
`_o __ c;_c,
`::: -;_ -_· .. :;· ~~·--~ ·-: :>: ~-..__ : ~:\~~-:~~~~~~~~-:::-~~-~~r;::~:~~~;-f-~:.:·?,7-~~::.Jm~;~l.~:::-·::-:-: ·):\: ~~/~,~';>-; -·) ~./ :._;:.::··:.~~-~:2:Y:~: :.~~~
`. _ Finally,• sc:olJ ?own:µ11~1;y~~~7:~~i,%,0tfJF;:-iftf2~~~c;~t{S·::C5' '•:: , •. '..lft!h~~ you're fiilished,i:)iiJ 9~· \f
`• see Network(onnections. Here you fiaveacoupleof useful~ twic.e:1Use·tlie'°'newspare time\1ou've just won yourself totJ
`. ~ · "~:-±,;--:.;."~!'":"':.:;:--.;..,; .. ~- ~.;_: -~:,;: '.--:-_:; ... ~:!·-: .·';.-_:_. -~.
`. . ..;,t ~-~,---.·-:\·--:: .:..·t----~·.:!..::.:.:-Zl:;;.,::-:-!.•~·
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`. optjons.".Display as Connect to menu'; acids a submeriu..,-d1~~ ~ take up hang gl1dmg or learn French::-,' ·' ,'.~> :· ~':. !i:• ;.i ,:, -;::.
`
`, ··,re1r:~tltt::t~~~~!~1~iii~i~~~!fili\Z~lJ,li1{fifilil~J;1ttttliifislt
`
`·*
`
`; • . "
`
`· · : ·
`
`..
`
`308
`
`WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION : THE MISSING MANUAL
`
`EX 2009
`
`
`
`The Notification Area Icon
`While you're connected to your ISP, Windows XP puts an icon in the notification
`area (Figure 9-6), reminding you that you're online. You can watch the icon light up
`as data zooms back and forth across the connection. And if you point to it without
`clicking, you'll see a yellow tooltip showing your speed and how much data has been
`transmitted. (If this little taskbar icon isn't visible, take a moment to turn it back on,
`as directed in Figure 9-6. You'll find it to be an important administrative center for
`going online and offline.)
`
`Dialing' Up to
`the Internet
`
`Figure 9•6:
`Top: To make the notification area icon ap(cid:173)
`pear, right-click the icon for your connection
`(Figure 9-3). From the shortcut menu, choose
`Properties.
`
`Bottom: At the bottom of the General tab,
`you'll see the key feature, "Show icon in
`notification area when connected." Turn on
`this option, and then click OK.
`
`-i,) Earthlink rrogster2000 is now connected [xJ
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`
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`
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`
`[I]~
`
`General Options Security Networking Advanced
`
`Connect using:
`~ Modem· Lucent Win Modem (COM3)
`
`Phone number
`
`Area code:
`
`Phone number:
`
`..... 1m:_---'"=1 15s561(cid:143) 6
`
`Country/region code:
`
`I United Stales (1)
`0 Use dialing rules
`
`i Configure ...
`
`I I Alternates
`
`I Dialing Rules I
`
`0 Show icon in notification area when connected
`
`OK
`
`11 Cancel
`
`Automatic Dialing
`It's important to understand that when your PC dials, it simply opens up a connec(cid:173)
`tio