This installer will add a collection of Internet programs and utilities to your computer and configure your machine to connect to Direct Connection. This software is licensed ONLY for use by Direct Connection customers. You must NOT install these programs unless you are a subscriber to our services. To join Direct Connection call our sales team on 0800 072 0000 or email us at infopack@dircon.net
If you are a subscriber to Direct Connection, make sure you have your Account Details sheet, which lists your User ID and Password provided in your Internet Starter Pack.
Before you proceed, you should read the Terms & Conditions of using the Direct Connection software and services by double-clicking on the Terms & Conditions icon. By installing this Internet access and application software, you are agreeing to these Terms & Conditions.
Installation Guide
Insert the CD into the drive when the desktop is displayed. If the CD-ROM icon on your screen does not open automatically, double-click on the icon and then double-click on the Mac folder.
You will see two (2) Direct Connection Internet Installer icons: one for PowerPC (PPC) machines and one for 68k series Macintosh computers. Double-click on the appropriate folder for your type of Macintosh. If you are unsure as to your type of computer, please refer to your system documentation before continuing.
Double-clicking on the installer icon will start up the Internet Setup Monkey program and display a Welcome screen. Click "Next".
The next screen contains important text, including the terms and conditions of using Direct Connection's services and the software about to be installed on your computer. If you accept these terms, click "Accept" to continue.
A screen called Software Installation will appear with the option "Easy Install" selected. Leave this setting as is unless you are an experienced Internet user and wish to install only certain components of the Direct Connection Internet software with the "Custom Install" option.
Click on the "Next" button and follow the instructions. The Setup Monkey will copy over the necessary files and install software onto your Mac. If you are installing from disks, you will prompted to insert the disks in numbered order.
After the software has been installed, a series of pop-up boxes will prompt you for information to help configure your Internet software. After completing each screen, click "Next" to proceed. If you want to go back to previous screens and change your entries, click the "Back" button to find the screen.
Name and Organisation
The first screen asks you to enter your real name (or a nickname) and your organisation, if applicable. Type in the information and click "Next".
User ID and Password
In the following screen enter your Direct Connection User ID and assigned Password using all lowercase letters as they appear on your Account Details sheet. As you type in your pass-word, the characters you type will be hidden from view by dots. To verify your Password, type it in a second time on the line provided, and when the screen is complete, click "Next". Be careful not to allow anyone else to see your password.
Modem Selection
In this screen you need to select your modem make and model from the pull-down list. The default entry in this line is "Autodetect Modem". Click on this item to display the pull-down list. If the modem you are using is not listed, leave "Autodetect" as your selection. Click "Next".
Dial-up Number Selection
Two Direct Connection dial-up access numbers are listed in this screen. The default local-rate number for all customers is 0845 079 8200. Use this access number unless you are a Videotron phone customer in the London area. Make sure you select the correct access number according to the table on the following page. For information on telephone charges, refer to page 11.
NOTE: If your computer has an ISDN adapter and is con-nected to an ISDN line, either of
these access numbers will support a single channel, non-routed ISDN connection.
Direct Connection Internet Access Numbers
0845 079 8200 This is our nationwide local call-rate access num-ber for ALL customers, except for Videotron cable phone subscribers located in London (see below).
0181 265 2211 Should be used ONLY by Videotron telephone customers in London where calling another Videotron number is billed at a discounted local call rate.
Once you have highlighted the correct dial-up access number, click "Next" to complete the configuration process. The Internet Setup Monkey will then show you a summary of your dial-up configuration. If any information is incorrect, click the "Back" button until you find the screen that needs modifying. Then proceed through the configuration screens again to the end.
After the Setup Monkey has completed its task, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Click "Restart".
Make sure you keep your Account Details sheet in a safe place. If you ever have technical problems or account queries, you may need to tell a Direct Connection representative your User ID and other account details for verification.
The Internet Setup Monkey will have created a new folder called "Direct Connection PPC" or "Direct Connection 68K" on your hard disk. This folder contains all the programs you need to connect to the Internet and use its facilities. This folder should contain the following items:
PowerPC (PPC) Internet Applications
• Dial Internet - the dialling program FreePPP which "talks" to your modem and connects
you to the Internet
• Microsoft Internet Explorer - a browser used to view web pages
• Microsoft Internet Mail and News - a combination electronic mail program and Usenet
newsreader (PowerPC Macs only)
• Anarchie - a file transfer (FTP) and archie search software utility
• StuffIt Expander - a file decompression utility that makes it easy to download software
and other files from the Internet and install them on your Mac.
68k Series Internet Applications
• Dial Internet - the dialling program FreePPP which "talks" to your modem and connects you
to the Internet
• Microsoft Internet Explorer - a browser used to view web pages
• Eudora Light - an electronic mail program (68K Mac computers only)
• Anarchie - a file transfer (FTP) and archie search software utility
• StuffIt Expander - a file decompression utility that makes it easy to download software
and other files from the Internet and install them on your Mac.
TroubleShooting
'The install has finished but I can't find any programs'
You need open your 'Hard disk' and then open to the 'Internet Applications' folder. This contains all the Internet programs.
'When I go into Accounts I have two entries for Direct Connection'
This is a known oddity which has been fixed in the next release, which may prevent you from editing the details. Simply delete the bottom entry for 'Direct Connection', leaving just one.
'When I run Dial Internet the CONNECT button is greyed out and I can't click on it'
Opening MacTCP and check the FreePPP icon is the selected one. If it is, try clicking on one of the other icons and then back onto FreePPP, then try the Connect button again. Also if you have any other PPP (either FreePPP or PPP) icons in MacTCP then remove them, you do this by going into 'System Folder' 'Extensions' and removing any files called just 'PPP'
'When I click on Connect, but I get an error message related to the modem'
The Installer is setup to use a default setup string (which is designed to work with most modems). If you are having problems you may need to get a specific string for your modem (you may need to get this from your modem manufacturer). To change the setup string , go into 'Dial Internet' then 'Modem Setup' and then under 'Use' try a different setup string. Try some of the following :
ATZ
AT&F
AT&F1
AT&F2
AT&F&K3
AT&F&C1&D2
You could also try the Autodetect option.
'When I connect I get an error message saying 'waiting for rotocol'
This nearly always means there is a problem with the Username or Password you have entered. go into 'Dial Internet' then 'Accounts' and then 'Edit' and delete out the username (your Network ID) and password, and retype them, ensuring they are as shown on your account details sheet and in lower case.
'I've got connected, what now?'
Open up Internet Explorer and type in this web address http://www.dircon.net in the white bar at the top of Internet Explorer and have a look through the 'Technical Support' and 'Useful Starting Points' sections.
'I have to enter my password each time, can I automate this?'
Yes, go into 'Dial Internet' then 'Accounts' and then 'Edit' , simply fill in the Username and Password with your Network ID and Password (both in all lower case).
'I go into Dial Internet but can't see any of the options mentioned above'
There is a small triangle on the bottom left of the FreePPP Setup window, click on this to reveal more options.
'When I try to run Internet Explorer I get an error message complaining about low memory'
If you get a low memory message you can try turning on Virtual Memory (Apple-Control Panels-Memory), or it could be you have too many extensions running, try disabling any you know could be using a lot of memory.
Other Causes of problems
Extensions are the cause of a lot of problems on a Mac so if you are unable to get the installer to work, try rebooting your Mac and hold down the Shift key while it starts up, this will turn off all the extensions. Then try running the installer again and then let it reboot normally to see if it resolves the problem.
If the installer has worked but you have problems connecting, try creating a temporary folder and moving all the extensions into it, except the FreePPP one, and then rebooting and trying again.
If you have further problems you can contact the Helpdesk . We provide a strong technical support for Macintoshes at Direct Connection, so if you experience Internet related problems let us know, by email if possible, you can also look at the Technical Support section on our web page. If it's a general Mac problem or to do with the hardware/ports of your Mac, please talk to Apple's helpdesk - 0990 127753
