If you are running Windows 95/98 you have a 32-bit dialer built in. The process to activate it is somewhat complicated, but if you follow the steps below, you should have little trouble getting things running smoothly.
Here's what you'll need before you start:
Your original Windows 95/98 set-up disks or CD-ROM.
A print-out of these instructions to use as a guide while you work (optional, but very helpful) (Click here for printout)
About 20 minutes of free time. (The setup process involves several re-starts of your machine, which will require some time and patience.)
Once you've got these things together, you're ready to begin....
NOTE: To make changing your dialer easier for you, we've taken screen shots of several important dialog boxes you'll see during the installation and configuration process. We've included links to these screen shots throughout this document. Click on a link to see the screen shot of that step. You might even want to print them out to use as references while you're working.
STEP 1: Verifying that Dial-up Networking Is Installed
The 32-bit dialer is called "Dial-Up Networking" by Windows 95/98. First, you must verify that you installed the Dial-Up Networking component when you installed Windows 95/98.
Press thebutton, and select
SETTINGS | CONTROL PANEL.
Double-click the ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS icon.
Select the WINDOWS SETUP tab.
Highlight the COMMUNICATIONS component and press the DETAILS button. If DIAL-UP NETWORKING is installed as one of your components, there will be a check in the box to the left.
If there is a check in the box beside Dial-Up Networking, go to step 2.
If there is no check in the box, follow these steps to install Dial-Up Networking on your system:
Put your Windows 95/98 set-up disks or CD-ROM into your disk drive.
Check the box next to Dial-Up Networking and click the OK button.
Follow the prompts to add the Dial-Up Networking files to your system.
At one point, the set-up program will prompt you to name your computer. This information will not be used by our network, so you can type in whatever you like. Be creative!
When set-up is finished adding the Dial-Up Networking files to your system, you'll be prompted to restart your computer. Click on the START button, and select Shut Down | Restart the Computer?
When you restart, you'll be asked to type in your name and password. Windows 95/98 is giving you a chance here to password-protect your system.
If security is important to you, by all means type in your name and a password (it does not have to be your Concentric UserID or password.) From now on, you will be required to enter your name and password in order for Windows 95/98 to load.
If security is not an issue for you, and if you do not want to be bothered by a security check each time you start Windows 95/98, then type in your name, but don't use a password. If you do it this way, you'll never see that security dialog box again.
When Windows 95/98 re-loads, the CONTROL PANEL program group should appear on your screen. If it does not, click on the START button and select SETTINGS | CONTROL PANEL.
GO ON TO STEP 2
STEP 2: Verifying that the Dial-Up Adapter and TCP/IP Are Installed