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These step-by-step instructions describe how to enable free Internet access
using Windows 95 or 98, using a modem over a telephone line.
a consequence of this is that you also receive a free email account,
and the opportunity to setup free web space. if you are only wanting
the email account and/or the web space, then go through the same process.
and remember, as the company is barely making money from you for the email
and web space (as opposed to the dial-up access, see further on), and though
their service and support for the added extra of email and web access is good,
it is not their priority.
ConnectFree (http://www.connectfree.net
) are based in Manchester, England; offer national local rate dialup Internet
access; do not have any advertising on their web pages, or put advertising
upon your web pages hosted with them, or in your emails. they do not
charge you directly for the Internet access, instead your telephone company
give them a fraction of the money you already pay them for the local rate
call. ConnectFree offer other levels of service for various payments.
1. Create the ability to connect to the Internet
This creates a temporary means of connecting to the Internet using British
Telecom's 'BT Click', which is free (apart from the telephone call) and involves
no registration. if 'BT Click' (http://www.btclick.net
) no longer works, you can use any other Internet service provider.
if you have no alternative means of connecting to the Internet from your own
computer, you can use someone elses which has access, beginning at stage
(3.). if you already have access to the Internet by any other means,
are connected and running a web browser, go directly to stage (3.)
- Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Communications -> Dial Up Networking -> Make New Connection
- create a setup for 'BT Click' (British Telecom)
- name: BT Click
- telephone number: 0845-609-1300
- Username: BT Click
- there is no password
- or, create a setup for 'MSN' (Microsoft)
- name: MSN
- telephone number: 0845-662-1100 or 0845-662-1200
- Username: MSN
- there is no password
2. Connect to the Internet
- connect to the Internet: Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Communications -> Dial Up Networking -> 'BT Click'
- load your web browser (see our suggested browsers at http://www.thegoldenear.connectfree.co.uk/gg/toolbox/win32/the-software.htm#Internet)
(if you're unsure and are using Windows, you probably have Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser built into the operating
system, there may be an icon somewhere on your desktop, or, just do: Start -> Run -> then type 'iexplore'
and press the [enter] key. it is not advisable to continue using this browser for day-to-day use because of its many security
vulnerabilities but it won't hurt just to access the ConnectFree site)
3. Setup a new ConnectFree account
follow these prompts on their page. (note: the layout of their pages may have changed since writing this, if you find this has happened
it would be nice if you'd mail us and tell us so, or even tell us in what way they've changed). there a number of different ways of achieving the same thing here:
go directly to the 'sign up' page: http://signup.connectfree.co.uk/
navigate easily through their text-only pages to their 'sign up' page:
use their pages with more information about what you get with your account to navigate to their 'sign up' page:
- http://www.connectfree.net
- if using Internet Explorer you'll go straight in, if using Netscape or a related browser you'll first be asked which version you're using
- 'Sign Up'
- 'Click here to sign up!'
enter your details (you must fill in all boxes with legitimate looking
information. you are under no obligation to enter 'correct' information. if
you need to speak with customer services you will need to recount this information,
so it is a good idea to print it out or write it down (beware, saving to disk may
save everything on the screen apart from the information you have
entered). if you choose a username that has already been chosen by
someone else you get the opportunity to try others.
choose 'Sign me up!'
when your information has been registered, you will be presented with
your account details, it is a good idea to immediately print or write down
your login name (the other information is written at the bottom of
this page). your login name is different to the name on your email
address and it is this login name which you will need to give your email
program
when finished, choose 'cancel' when asked if you want it to
'set things up at your end up automatically' (this is designed to work with
Internet Explorer and may crash other browsers)
4. Configure your Dial-Up Networking settings
- Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Communications -> Dial Up Networking -> Make New Connection
- name: ConnectFree
- telephone number (that which is respective to the speed of your modem, see further on):
Modem Speed and Access number:
- 33.6KBaud or 28.8KBaud - 0845 662 1006
- K56Flex - 0845 662 1106
- 56KBaud X2 - 0845 662 1206
- 64KBaud ISDN - 0845 662 1306
- 128KBaud ISDN - 0845 662 1406
- V.90 - 0845 662 1506
Username: your login name
Password: the password you chose
5. Configure your email program
for a POP3 email client (i.e. Pegasus Mail (http://www.pmail.com/)) use the following information so as to be able to send and receive email:
- email address: your chosen email address@connectfree.co.uk
- sending / POP3 server / host: pop3.connectfree.co.uk (and perhaps also webmail.minx.net.uk
- username: your login name
- password: the password you chose
- receiving / SMTP server / host: smtp.connectfree.co.uk
6. make a note of some information
The information about your account
"Your account details are as follows :-
Login: ********
Password: ********
E-mail address: ********@connectfree.co.uk
SMTP Server: smtp.connectfree.co.uk
POP3 Server: pop3.connectfree.co.uk
Your POP3 Login name and password are the same as your dial-up password.
Please write down this information and keep in a safe place, as it is necessary for you to use this information for accessing the service."
ConnectFree contact details
telephone - ? : 0870 742 1111
telephone - Customer Services and Support: 0870 732 1111 (lines open 8am - 1am)
(all calls are charged at national call rate, which at time of writing was 6.73p/min
daytime, 3.36p/min evening, and 1.7p/min weekends)
email: info@connectfree.net
mail: PO Box 49, Neston CH64 6XF
details for connecting to other Internet Service Providers
Virgin
telephone number for dialup Internet access: 0845-455-0280
username: first part of email address
telephone number to hear about service problems: 0800-052-4329
pre-installation help: 0845-650-0000
email address: yourname@virgin.net
POP3 server name: pop.virgin.net
POP3 username and password are the same as for dial-up Internet access
SMTP server name: smtp.virgin.net
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