Creating a Dial-up Connection     Changing a Dial-up Connection     Troubleshooting a Dial-up Connection

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Creating a Dial-up Connection 
(This information is a reference only.  Use your computer's Help menu systems for the best results.
The information shown below, may not always match what is shown on your computer).        

Windows 95, Windows NT/98/ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP

Macintosh 7.6, Macintosh 8 & 9, Macintosh X
     


Windows 95 and Outlook Express email account setup


Click on the Windows Start button and choose Programs, then choose Internet Explorer, then choose Connection Wizard.

Click the Next button on the first screen.
 
Choose “I want to setup a new connection to my existing Internet account using my phone line or local area network (LAN)”.

Click the Next button.

Choose “Connect using my phone line”.  Click the Next button.

Click the Next button on the Modem Setup screen.  (This information is pre-determined by your computer)

Click the Next button on the Existing Connections screen.
(Make sure the box preceding “Use country code and area code is unchecked").

Enter your RAIN local access phone number in the Telephone number field.   Click the Next button.
(RAIN access phone numbers are listed on the FAQ's page)

Enter your RAIN username and password.  MegaPop users (National access numbers only) enter your RAIN email address for your username. 

Click the Next button.

Choose “No” on the Advanced Properties screen.  Click the Next button.

Enter “RAIN” for the Connection name.  Click the Next button.
(You may name the connection anything you want.  This just labels the icon for the connection)


(If you wish to create a RAIN email account using Outlook Express, please continue).

Choose “Yes” to setup Internet Mail.  

Click the Next button.
   
Choose “Create a New Internet Mail Account”.

Click the Next button.

Enter your name.  Click on the Next button.

Enter your email address. Click on the Next button.

Enter  rain.org  as your RAIN Incoming mail server type.

Enter   mail.rain.org  as your RAIN Outgoing mail server type.  Click on the Next button.

Enter your RAIN username and password.  Do not choose “Secure Password Authentication”.

Click the Next button.

Enter  rain.org  for the “Name of the Mail Account”.  Click the Next button.

Choose “No” for setting up an “LDAP directory Account”.  Click the Finish button.


Learn how to do this setup, since it is important in maintaining and restoring your Internet connection.

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Windows NT/98/ME and Outlook Express email account setup

If you are not sure which browser program you are using, look at the FAQ’s page for:Which web browser I am using?. 
(Located under the Additional questions section)

The information listed below is for Internet Explorer versions 5 or 6 only.

Click on the Windows Start button and choose Settings, then choose Control Panel.

Double-click on the Internet Options icon, click on the Connection tab then, click the Setup button.

The Connection Wizard program will open.  Choose “I want to setup my Internet connection manually”.

Choose the option “Connect using my phone line”.   Click the Next button.

If checked, uncheck “Use area code and dialing rules”. 

Enter your RAIN local access phone number in the Telephone number field. 
(RAIN access phone numbers are listed on the FAQ's page)

Click the Next button.

Enter your RAIN username and password. 

MegaPop users (National access numbers only) enter your RAIN email address for your username.  Click the Next button.
Enter RAIN for the Name.  Click the Next button. (You may name the connection anything you want.  This just labels the icon for the connection)

You may now choose to set-up your email account, if you plan on using Outlook Express as your email program.  If not you may choose “No” to continue and finish the Wizard program.

If you choose to set-up your email account, choose Yes.  Click on the Next button.

Enter your name in the Display name field.  Click on the Next button.

Enter your email address in the E-mail address field.  Click on the Next button.

Choose POP3 for the Incoming email server type.  Enter  rain.org  as your RAIN Incoming mail server type.
Enter   mail.rain.org  as your RAIN Outgoing mail server type.  Click on the Next button. 

Enter your RAIN username in the Account name field.  Enter your RAIN password in the Password field.  Click on the Next button. Click on the Finish button to complete the Wizard.

Your Dial-up connection and email account are now set-up on your computer.

Learn how to do this setup, since it is important in maintaining and restoring your Internet connection.


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Windows 2000 and Outlook Express email account setup

Click on the Windows Start button and choose Settings, then choose Control Panel.

Double-click on the Network and Dial-up Connections icon, double-click on Make New Connection to open the Network Connection Wizard, then click the Next button.

Choose the option “Connect using my phone line”.  Click the Next button. 

Choose the option “Dial-up to the Internet”.  Click the Next button. 

If checked, uncheck “Use area code and dialing rules”. 

Enter your RAIN local access phone number in the Telephone number field.
(RAIN access phone numbers are listed on the FAQ's page) 

Click the Next button.

Enter your RAIN username and password.

MegaPop users (National access numbers only) enter your RAIN email address for your username.  Click the Next button.
Enter RAIN for the Name.  Click the Next button.


(You may name the connection anything you want.  This just labels the icon for the connection)

You may now choose to set-up your email account, if you plan on using Outlook Express as your email program.  If not you may choose “No” to continue and finish the Wizard program.

If you choose to set-up your email account, choose Yes.  Click on the Next button.

Enter your name in the Display name field.  Click on the Next button.

Enter your RAIN email address in the E-mail address field.  Click on the Next button.

Choose POP3 for the Incoming email server type.

Enter  rain.org  as your RAIN Incoming mail server type.
Enter   mail.rain.org  as your RAIN Outgoing mail server type.  Click on the Next button.

Enter your RAIN username in the Account name field.
Enter your RAIN password in the Password field.  Click on the Next button.

Click the Finish button to complete the Wizard.

Learn how to do this setup, since it is important in maintaining and restoring your Internet connection.


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Windows XP

Click on the Windows Start button, click on All Programs, choose Accessories, choose Communications and then choose the New Connection Wizard.  

On the first screen of the Connection Wizard click on the Next button.

Choose “Connect to the Internet”, then click the Next button.

Choose “Set up my connection manually”, then click the Next button.

Choose “Connect using a Dial Up modem”, then click the Next button.

Type RAIN for the Internet service provider (ISP) that you are using in this connection, and then click on the Next button.  (You may name the connection anything you wish).

Type the phone number that was provided to you by RAIN.  Click on the Next button.

Enter your RAIN username and password then click on the Next button.

Make sure there is a check in the box to the left of “Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop”.

Then click on the Finish button to end the setup process.

You may now choose to set-up your email account, if you plan on using Outlook Express as your email program.

Click on the Windows Start button and then click on the email (Outlook Express) icon.

Under the listing for Email, click on “Set Up a Mail account”, to open up the Internet Connection Wizard.

Enter your name, for Display Name.  Click the Next button.

Enter your RAIN email address.  Click the Next button.

Make sure POP3 is selected for “My Incoming Mail server is”.

Enter  rain.org  for the Incoming mail server name.

Enter  mail.rain.org  for the Outgoing mail server name.  Click the Next button.

Enter your RAIN username and password.  Click the Next button.

Click on the Finish button.

Learn how to do this setup, since it is important in maintaining and restoring your Internet connection.

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Macintosh 7.6

Click on the Apple Menu (Apple icon) and select Control Panels.  Then open the PPP Control Panel.
Enter your RAIN username for Name.  Enter your RAIN password for Password.
Enter your RAIN local access phone number for Number.
(RAIN access phone numbers are listed on the FAQ's page) 

Click on the Apple Menu (Apple icon) and select Control Panels.  Then open the TCP/IP Control Panel.
Choose  PPP  for Connect via:.  Choose Using PPP server for Configure:.
Enter  198.68.144.2 for Name server addr:.  Restart your computer.


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Macintosh 8 & 9

Click on the Apple Menu (Apple icon) and select Control Panels.  Then open the TCP/IP Control Panel.
Choose  PPP  for Connect via:.  Choose Using PPP server for Configure:.
Enter  198.68.144.2 for Name server addr:.

Click on the Apple Menu (Apple icon) and select Control Panels.  Then open the Remote Access Control Panel.
Enter your RAIN username for Name.  Enter your RAIN password for Password.
Enter your RAIN local access phone number for Number.
(RAIN access phone numbers are listed on the FAQ's page)


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Macintosh X


Click on the Apple Menu(Apple icon), select System Controls and then open the Network preference screen.
Click on the PPP tab.   Enter your RAIN local access phone number for Telephone Number.
(RAIN access phone numbers are listed on the FAQ's page)   
Enter your RAIN username for Account Name.  Enter your RAIN password for Password.
Click the Apply Now button to save your settings.

Click on the TCP/IP tab, and choose Using PPP for Configure. Enter 198.68.144.2 for IP address.
Click the Apply Now button.

If you find that this information does not match your computer, use the Windows or Macintosh Help menu system for assistance, or call us at either 805 899-4695, or 888 770-7821.

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Changing a Dial-up Connection


Windows 95/98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP
Macintosh 7.6-9.2, Macintosh X


Windows 95/98

Open the Dial-up Networking program, by either clicking on the My Computer folder and then clicking on the
Dial-up Networking folder, or  clicking on the Windows Start button, then choose Programs, then choose
Accessories, then choose Communications and finally choose Dial-up Networking.

Once the Dial-up Networking program is open, you may right-click on the icon for the connection you wish to change.  Choose Properties from the menu listed.  You will now be able to change the phone number for this connection.  You do not need to enter an area code, and make sure the option to "use area code and Dialing Properties" is unchecked.

When you go to connect to the Internet the next time, a connection window will open showing your username and password.
You may then change them and restart your computer to use  this changed connection.


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Windows ME

Open the Dial-up Networking program by clicking on the Windows Start button, then choose
Settings, and then choose Dial-up Networking.

Once the Dial-up Networking program is open, you may right-click on the icon for the connection you wish to change.  Choose Properties from the menu listed.  You will now be able to change the phone number for this connection.  You do not need to enter an area code, and make sure the option to "use area code and Dialing Properties" is unchecked.

When you go to connect to the Internet the next time, a connection window will open showing your username and password.
You may then change them and restart your computer to use  this changed connection.


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Windows 2000

Open the Dial-up Networking program by clicking on the Windows Start button, then choose
Settings, and then choose Network and Dial-up Connection.

Once the Dial-up Networking program is open, you may right-click on the icon for the connection you wish to change.  Choose Properties from the menu listed.  You will now be able to change the phone number for this connection.  You do not need to enter an area code, and make sure the option to "use area code and Dialing Properties" is unchecked.

When you go to connect to the Internet the next time, a connection window will open showing your username and password.
You may then change them and restart your computer to use  this changed connection.


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Windows XP

Open the Network Connections program by clicking on the Windows Start button, then choose Control Panel.
Windows XP lets you view the control panel in either the Category of Classic view.
If your screen has a heading of "Pick a Category" proceed by clicking on the Network and Internet Connections icon.
Next click on the Network Connections icon.  Double-click on the icon for your connection.
You are now able to change your username, password and phone number on this screen.

If your control panel screen does not list "Pick a Category", you are seeing the Classic View screen.  To proceed click on the Network connections icon.  Double-click on the icon for your connection.
You are now able to change your username, password and phone number on this screen.


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Macintosh 7.6-9.2

Click on the Apple icon and choose Control Panels.  Depending on the operating system version on your computer, you will either see a PPP control Panel, or a Remote Access control panel.  Choose the one listed on your computer.  Both will then open to a screen where you can change your username. password or phone number.


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Macintosh X

Click on the Apple icon and choose Location, then select Network Preferences.  The Network screen opens.
Select the PPP tab.  This opens to a screen where you can change your username. password or phone number.


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Troubleshooting a Dial-up Connection


Dial-up Connection troubleshooting tree


1) Is your computer getting a dial tone?  (You should see a error message if a dial tone is not present).
    You may also plug a phone into the phone connection usually labeled “phone” on the back of computer.
    If No-proceed to 2).  If Yes proceed to 4).

2) Plug a phone into the phone wall jack you are using for your computer connection and listen for a dial tone.
    If there is no dial tone proceed to 3).

3) Try connecting your phone to a different phone wall jack and listen for a dial tone.  If there still is no dial tone you
     you have a phone line issue and should contact your local phone company and ask them to check your phone line.
     They will check up to the inside wiring of your residence, usually for no charge.  If it is a problem with wiring inside
     your residence, they will charge you.  If you do not hear a dial tone, then there is a problem with the original wall
     jack you are trying to use.  You will need to fix this wall jack, or use another one for your connection.

4) Do you hear the modem sounds as it trys to connect?  If you have the sound turned down on your computer, you
    may not hear the modem as it attempts the connection.  Make sure you are able to hear sound from your computer.
    If you do not hear modem sounds, and the sound on your computer is turned up, you most likely have either a
    modem problem, or a problem with  the dial-up connection program on your computer.  RAIN does not provide
    support for modem or computer problems.  You will need to have someone that is qualified  help you with these
    issues.

    If you do hear modem sounds proceed to 5)

5) If your computer is dialing the correct access phone number, you will usually see a message indicating that your
    username are being verified.  If you do not see this message, your computer may be dialing the wrong access
    number.  The dial-up connection program will sometimes add an area code or a "1" for the country code, to
    the phone number you entered when creating the dial-up connection.  Make sure the option to "use dialing rules"
    or a similar option  have not been selected by having a check in the checkbox preceding this option.  You may
    find it easier to delete the dial-up connection you have created for your RAIN connection, as well as the desktop
    shortcut you may have created, and create a new connection.  Once you have determined that your computer is
    dialing the correct access phone number, you will either connect or not connect.  If you do not connect proceed
    to 6).  If you have previously created connections using other providers, there may be a conflict that can cause
    your RAIN connection to fail.  It is always a good idea to restart your computer after you make any changes,
    to be sure they take effect.

6) Assuming now that your computer is dialing the correct access phone number and you are not connecting, you usually
    see an error message stating that your username or password is incorrect.  Both your RAIN username and password
    are case sensitive and must match exactly to the username and password that was originally created.  RAIN
    username and passwords may be no more than 8 characters.  The only exception to this, is when you are using a
    MegaPop access number (access numbers for any area other than the counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
    and Ventura).  When using a MegaPop access number to connect to RAIN, yiou must use your RAIN email address
    as your login username.  For example, if your username is  rainman  your login username would be rainman@rain.org .

    Deleting your username and password, then re-entering them and then restarting your computer, will in most cases
    reset your dial-up connection.



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