Penn State Internet Software Distribution

PSU Dial-Up Internet Access for Windows 95, 95B & Windows 98

BEFORE YOU START

This QUICK-START document is a single Web page so it's easier to print. We've found that you'll make fewer mistakes when working from hard copy. For more details about various Windows 9x versions, see the information sources listed in Appendix B at the end of this document. If you are generally knowledgeable  about configuring software and if you know which version of Windows 9x you have, you may wish to skip to the Table of Contents in order to get started right away.

If you're not sure, read on.

IMPORTANT Baseline Information That You Should Know

You will need the original Windows 9x installation files (usually contained on a CD or already preloaded on the harddisk of many machines) in order to complete these instructions. If you do not have these files, or you're not sure, you should contact your computer vendor for a copy of your Windows distribution files before you start installation.

These instructions cover all major versions of Windows 95 and also Windows 98, so it's very important that you:

Almost all systems being shipped today include Windows 9x pre-installed on the machine along with some version of Microsoft's web browser, IE (Internet Explorer), as well as some version of a sophisticated Wizard called Get on the Internet -or- Internet Jumpstart, often included in the Internet Tools cascade menu (but sometimes built-in to the initial launch of IE). If this is the 1st time you are setting up your computer, it may be easier to launch the Wizard than to go through all the steps in this document. Note, however, if you use the Wizard and then can't get things to work, you can use these instructions to verify all of the settings to find and fix your problem.

Windows 95B

Windows 95B is a newer and significantly different version of Windows 95 that Microsoft provided only to 3rd party manufacturers. This version is sometimes called OSR-2. There is no commercially available CD that provides Windows 95B. You can only get it from an OEM supplier. Why do you care? Well, some of the Dial-Up Networking steps in Windows 95B are very different from the way they were in the original version so it's very important  to perform only those steps that apply to your particular version of Windows. For example, if you have Windows 95B or Windows 98, DON'T Install the Dial-Up Scripter software (Step 2) because it's already installed (and the interface is different) in both Windows 95B and Windows 98.

Windows 98

When installing and configuring Dial-Up Networking, Windows 98 and Windows 95B behave almost identically. So, for the most part (a few menu differences here or there) the instructions are essentially the same.

How to tell which version of Windows 9x

You can tell which version of Windows 9x you have by <right-clicking> on the My Computer icon on the Desktop, then click on Properties. On the [General] tab of the System Properties dialog box, in the upper right corner, you'll see that your version is: 

For more details, see How To Tell which version you have.

Table of Contents:

(1) INSTALL MODEM
These steps guide you through first-time modem installation, or choosing a modem that's already been installed.
(2) INSTALL DIAL-UP SUPPORT
This software allows your modem to communicate with any Internet Service Provider (ISP).
(3) SET UP CONNECTION
Create a new Dial-Up Networking connectoid.
(4) CONFIGURE CONNECTION
Set all the necessary PSU parameters.
(5) ENABLE Automatic Modem Re-Dial if the line is Busy
This isn't necessary for a connection, but it's convenient if the line's busy.
(6) CONNECT TO THE CAC ACCESS SERVER
Here's where you supply your Penn State Access ID and password.
(7) CHECK YOUR CONNECTION
Launch an Internet client to check your connection.
(8) DISCONNECT FROM THE CAC ACCESS SERVER
Here's how to hang up the 'phone.
(9) OPTIONAL: OBTAIN the Dial-Up Script:
The Dial-up script lets you enter your Access ID and password just once and from then on, it can automatically supply needed information to the Penn State Access Server.
(10) OPTIONAL: INSTALL the Scripting Code (Original Windows 95 ONLY)
If you have an "original" copy of Windows 95, you may need to install this code. Newer versions already have the code built in.
(11) OPTIONAL: ACTIVATE the Script (Original Windows 95 ONLY)
Here's how to activate the Dial-Up script - for "original" Windows 95 only.
(12) OPTIONAL: ACTIVATE the Script (Windows 95B or Windows 98)
Here's how to activate the Dial-Up script if you have Windows 95B or Windows 98.

Appendices

1. INSTALL MODEM: (If not already installed)

NOTE: If you don't know if a modem has been installed, then simply continue with the following steps. When you double-click on the Modem Icon, if you see a Modem Properties dialog box instead of the Modem Install Wizard, then there is at least one modem already installed on the system. If this is the case, and you intend to use this modem, skip to Step (2) Install Dial-Up Support.

Be sure the modem is connected to the computer and turned on.

2. INSTALL DIAL-UP SUPPORT: (If not already installed)

To see if Dial-Up Support is installed, <click> [START] > Programs > Accessories. Look for a Dial-Up Networking entry.
If it exists, click it, then skip down to Step (3) Set Up Connection.

NOTE: You may encounter a message box: "You must provide computer and workgroup values that will identify this computer on the network." <click> [OK] to continue. This presents the Network Identification Properties Sheet. Choose some computer name of up to 15 characters, typically, your own initials or your Penn State Access Userid, such as ABC123. For workgroup name, choose some unique string such as the letters in your Department name, say, CmpSc, or even your Residence Hall name. It doesn't really matter as long as these entries are unique. Restart your computer if prompted to do so. [START] > Shutdown > Restart and then click [Yes]

3. SET UP CONNECTION: A New Dial-Up Networking "Connectoid"

4. CONFIGURE CONNECTION: for PSU Environment

IMPORTANT! The following steps assume that you are going to make a connection to Penn State modems that support the PAP capability. This means that you won't need a script (if you don't know what a script is, then don't worry about it). If you must make a connection that doesn't support PAP, then there are special instructions in Sections (9) through (12) that walk you through the steps. If you're not sure if your connection can support PAP, refer to the 'phone number list found on the Web at http://www.pac-its.psu.edu/docs/phone.htm. Generally, those campus modems that support ISDN also support PAP.

5. ENABLE Automatic Modem Re-Dial -- in case the line's BUSY

This section allows Windows 9x to automatically re-dial the CAC Access Server several times if the line is busy.

You have now set up and installed your modem, TCP/IP software and defined a Dial-Up Connectoid (CACPPP Server) with properties that allow you to connect to the Penn State Network.

6. CONNECT TO THE INTERNET:  (the PSU Internet Provider)

This is how you connect to the CAC Access Server.

7. CHECK YOUR CONNECTION !

Now that you're connected to the Penn State CAC Access Server,  try launching a web browser.

Launch Internet Explorer:

Some older versions of Windows 95 don't include a copy of Internet Explorer. There are copies of both IE 3.02 (takes less disk space) and also IE 4.01 right on the PAC-ITS CD. If you have a few extra hours available, you can download the latest copy from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/ie/download.

The Internet Explorer client should launch and display the Microsoft Internet Explorer Home Page. This page invites you to upgrade to the latest release and to register your version of IE. You can also download a number of "plug-ins" that weren't available at the time Windows 9x was released.

8. DISCONNECT: e.g. How to "HANG UP" the 'phone

For Original Windows 95, on the Taskbar (by default, the Taskbar is near the bottom of your screen), locate the [BUTTON] labeled [My Connection] or, if you followed our example: [CACPPP Server].

For Windows 95B and Windows 98,

    You're DONE -- That's all there is to it!

9. OPTIONAL: OBTAIN the Dial-Up Script:

    The purpose of the script is to automate the dialup connection of the userid and password from your Dial-Up connectoid entry to the PSU Access Server modems that can't yet understand the PAP extensions in the PPP (Point to Point Protocol) protocol used to connect your computer to the Internet. You 1st obtain the script from the PAC-ITS distribution CD. If you don't have the PAC-ITS CD, then it's also available from the PSU FTP server, but, of course that means you must be connected online to download the file. If this is the case, you can go to any PSU public lab, logon and download the file to a diskette. After you have the file, copy it to the C:\Program Files\Accessories folder.

    OBTAIN the Script -- Use either method:

    (1) If you have the PAC-ITS CD, and you're using a web browser to view this page, then <right-click> HERE, to get the script, then <click> Save As... then save the cacppp.scp file to the C:\Program Files\Accessories folder (subdirectory) on your system.

    (2) Use Windows Explorer to copy the file from the PAC-ITS CD to your "C:" hard drive. Assuming the CD is in your "D:" drive, you can find the script at D:\windows\cacppp.scp. Be sure to copy the file to the C:\Program Files\Accessories folder (subdirectory).

You now have the script file CACPPP.SCP in the C:\Program Files\Accessories folder on your machine.
For Windows 95 and 95a, continue to configure the connection entry by following the instructions in Step (10) OPTIONAL: Install the Scripting Code.
For Windows 95B and Windows 98, continue to configure the connection entry by following the instructions in Step (12) OPTIONAL: Activate the Script.

10. OPTIONAL: INSTALL the Script - Original Windows 95 & 95a ONLY

The Scripter and other useful Windows 95 tools may not be on some of the early Windows 95 CDs or diskettes. These files are available from Microsoft at their Web site: http://WWW.MICROSOFT.COM (you'll have to hunt around because they keep moving the files), or their FTP site at ftp://FTP.MICROSOFT.COM\SOFTLIB/MSLFILES/DSCRPT.EXE. A more advanced Scripting Tool is also available as part of the Windows 95 Plus! Pack at additional cost. If you have the Plus! Pack I recommend that you follow the Plus! Pack instructions for installing that Scripting Tool.

IMPORTANT: Windows 95B & Windows 98 already have the scripting code built-in. Skip to Step (12) if you have Windows 95B or Windows 98.

Original Windows 95 ONLY - INSTALL the Scripting Code

The Dial-up Scripting Tool is now installed under [START] > Programs > Accessories.

11. OPTIONAL: ACTIVATE the Script -- Original Windows 95 & 95a ONLY

Use the Scripting Code to associate your previously defined Dial-Up Networking ICON, which we've named CACPPP Server, to the CACPPP.SCP script that you copied into the C:\Program Files\Accessories subdirectory in a previous step.

That's all there is to it. Now when you use a Connection entry to dial into the PSU CAC Access Server, the script will automatically pass along whatever you've typed into the User name and Password fields on the Connect to CACPPP Connection entry.

For Windows 95 & 95a (original version) you're done. Go back to Step 5 to use the scripted Dial-Up connection.

12. OPTIONAL: ACTIVATE the Script - Windows 95B & 98 ONLY

For Windows 95B and Windows 98 only, associate the script with the CACPPP Server connection.

That's all there is to it. Now when you use a Connection entry to dial into the PSU CAC Access Server, the script will automatically pass along whatever you've typed into the User name and Password fields on the Connect to CACPPP Connection entry.

For Windows 95B & Windows 98, you're done. Go back to Step 5 to use the Dial-Up connection with the script.

Appendix A - Campus Telephone Numbers

For the most current list, see the Penn State World Wide Web pages at http://cac.psu.edu/internet/dialup or the Campus 'Phone Numbers on the PAC-ITS CD.

Appendix B - Information Sources for Dial-Up Networking Details

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Web Home Page
http://www.microsoft.com
Microsoft MSN Home Page
http://www.msn.com
Microsoft Windows 9x Home Page
http://www.microsoft.com/windows
Microsoft Windows 9x Web FREE Software Page
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/software.htm

Other Information Sources

Dylan Green's Windows 9x Web Pages
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~dylan/win95.html
Dylan Green's Link to Other Links
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~dylan/homes.html
PC World Windows9x Pages
http://www.pcworld.com/win95
Penn State University Windows 9x Pages
http://dsg.cac.psu.edu/win95
Process Software Corporation
http://www.process.com/win95
S. Sawyer's Windows 9x Links
http://www.globalcomputing.com/win95.html
Windows95 Annoyances
http://www.creativelement.com/win95ann
Windows 95 Home Page
http://www.windows95.com

-- by J. Forkner, Penn State University CAC (7/30/99)

For help with the CD contents, write helpdesk@psu.edu or call 814-863-1035, 814-863-2494 or 888-778-4010 (within PA). Reference page "\windows\9x-dial.htm". Revised on 3/4/2003.