First, Navigate to the "Internet Connection Wizard":
- Click Start on your "Start Menu"
- Click Programs
- Click Accessories
- Click Communications
- Click Internet Connection Wizard
The Internet Connection Wizard will open:
- In Brief: this wizard helps you connect to the internet (and also internal/external networks)
- Click the circle next to I want to set up my Internet connection MANUALLY...
- then Click Next
Now you will see, "Setting up your Internet Connection; How do you connect to the Internet?":
- The option I connect through a phone line and a modem should be already selected (black dot)
- Click Next
ONLY IF YOU SEE A BOX POP UP WITH Installing Files, else go to Step 4:
- If you see the Installing Files pop-up window, this means you're missing required files from your Windows 98 CD. Click OK, and then follow the instructions in order to install the correct networking files required for Dial-up
- !!! Remember... if you do NOT see the pop-up picture to the left (Step 3b), go to the next Step!
[[we do not walk anyone through Windows Installation steps over the phone.]]
Now you will see, "Step 1 of 3: Internet account connection information; Type the phone number you dial to connect to your ISP":
- Ignore the "Area code:", In the field that says "Telephone number:", type in the follow number (no spaces or dashes are required):
15006990087 - Where it shows a little box and "Dial using the area code and country code, uncheck the box IF there's a checkmark there. This will "grey-out" the Area code and Country name
- Click Next
Now you will see, "Step 2 of 3: Internet account logon information; Type the user name and password you use to log on to your ISP...". Here you will enter the username and password you chose when you called (or walked in) XpressAmerica:
(PLEASE REMEMBER: You CAN NOT change your username and/or password unless you call us by phone)
- User name: here you will type the username that you chose with XpressAmerica when you signed up. In our example, the username is johndoe@xpressamerica.net (all lowercase letters; johndoe is probably NOT your username)
- Password: here you will type the password that you chose with XpressAmerica.
(your password is CaSe-SeNsAtivE) - Click Next
Now you will see, "Step 3 of 3: Configuring your computer; Type a name for the dial-up connection... ":
- This is nothing more then the name of your connection on YOUR computer. This is not cAsE-sEnSaTiVe either
- In the box below "Connection name:", type:
XpressAmerica - Click Next
At the top it will now say, "Set Up Your Internet Mail Account". XpressAmerica has designed our xasetup program to do this:
- Simply click the circle next to No
- then Click Next
Now you will see, "Completing the Internet Connection Wizard":
- Put a check next to "To connect to the Internet immdediately, select this box and then click Finish"
- then click Finish
If at any time during this Installation Wizard you are asked to restart, click YES as your system needs to reboot to load certain networking related files. If it doesn't ask at this point, your computer will attempt to connect to XpressAmerica
- If you're not required to restart, you will see the "Connect to" menu:
- If you see this, simply click Connect (or Dial) to connect to XpressAmerica)
If you do need to restart, you will be able to connect afterwards by opening Internet Explorer. (if there is no response when you open Internet Explorer, click START and then Settings and then Dial-up Networking. You will be able to start the connection by double left click on XpressAmerica (the connection you made)
Now your connection will call XpressAmerica by dialing our phone number, then it will Verify who you are by telling our "modem" your username and password
Once your username and password have "Authenticated" on our servers, you will see 2 little screens popup down by your clock in the bottom right hand corner of your "Start Menu". This means that you are connected to XpressAmerica. You can always check your connection speed by leaving the mouse over the 2 screens, after a brief moment, it will show you your Connection Speed. We consider a good connection anything over 45.0Kbps (or 45,000 bps)... the best you will see on dial-up is 54.6Kbps (or 54,666 bps)
You may now browse the web by double left clicking on Internet Explorer (the big blue E). At this time we must advise you that your setup with XpressAmerica is NOT complete until you have ran our setup program. Being connected to our services means you Fully Understand our Policies. You can download our setup program directly HERE. Should you need instructions for our setup program, click HERE. If you choose Not to download and run our setup program, here are the links to our Policies:
Our setup program sets up the actual connection to XpressAmerica AND sets up your E-mail with Outlook Express. It also places 2 shortcuts on your desktop... a direct link to XpressAmerica and a direct link to our Webmail (which can be accessed from any computer with a live internet connection by heading to http://webmail.xpressamerica.net).