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Quick Links: Configuration | Installation of Existing Account | Back to Main Page | Links on this page: Installation of New Account | Internet Sign-Up Wizard |
NetSurfer is quick and easy to install. Most computers will automatically start the setup within a minute or two of putting the installation CD into the computer. If not, open your "My Computer" icon on your desktop and double-click on the CD drive (which is usually D: or E:). The following window will pop-up when the CD starts.
Click next to get to the next window.
After NetSurfer verifies that your computer meets the requirements to install, click Next.
Click "accept" to agree to the software licensing agreement. It basically says that you promise not to steal their software or programming for use in a rival program.
select "sign-up for new account" and then click the "next" button to get to the screen below. This route will help you to create a username, password and e-mail account with your ISP. Note: If you already have a internet connection setup on your computer for use with your ongoing ISP then choose the activate existing account option. <click here for details on that setup> This tutorial assumes that you are setting up your computer to connect to a new ISP.
NetSurfer will want to install to your C: drive in a folder called 'Internet' or 'ispname Internet Access' in the Program Files. You can choose a different location ('Destination Directory') if you know what you are doing. For example, you can choose your D: drive (if you have one) if the C: drive is close to full. Generally, it is best to stick with C:\Program Files\Internet unless you know what you are doing. Click the browse button if you need to choose a different location. Click next when you are ready.
Most people connect to the internet from home on a modem through a phone line. Workplace environments tend to have a "LAN" which is a local area network. Don't worry about it because LANs usually have full-time engineers or system administrators configuring them so that you don't have to worry about it. Many people are also starting to use special high-speed DSL lines. Choose the modem option if you are going to connect that way. If you are connecting through a LAN (not a modem) or DSL then choose that option. Click "next" to continue. The following screen assumes that you are setting up a modem connection. If you are setting up a LAN or DSL connection then click here to skip that window.
The dialing prefix window allows you to setup the computer to dial extra numbers when you connect to the internet. Many workplace systems and hotels require you to dial a "9" to get an outside line. If this applies to you then put a 9 followed by two commas to make that happen. [The commas cause a slight delay of about two seconds to allow the phone lines to switch prior to dialing the phone number.] You can also put a *70,, in the prefix to disable call waiting. Click "Finish" when you are ready. DSL/LAN Connections resume here. Modem connections continue here.
This window tells you how far you've progressed with the download of software from your CD to your computer. Once it is completed, the next window pops up.
Hit the restart button. The setup isn't finished. We will have to continue the installation after restarting the computer.
After the restart, you will see either your ISP's logo or the Internet Setup Wizard icon <pictured below>.
That icon will change to your ISP logo after you finish the installation process. The following pop-up window will also appear automatically. If it doesn't then click the Internet Setup Wizard icon to get that pop-up window.
Welcome to setup phase #2. Click next.
Your CD will have an installation key that is a word, number or
combination of the two. Plug it into the box and hit next. Note: If you get an "empty distribution" error then you've put in the wrong key. Try again. If it still doesn't work then contact your ISP.
Your computer will begin connect to the internet. This may take a few minutes. When it is done, the "next" button will light up. Click "next" when it does so.
The service agreement window contains the terms of your internet connection with your ISP. This screen shot used one particular ISP but your window will relate to your own ISP. Hit the "accept" button to continue.
This is where you select your ISP's local dial-up number that your computer will be calling when you connect to the internet. If you were to call one of these numbers then you'd hear a squealing noise. That's machine language. Most humans can't understand the squeal but most computers can. Click the + sign to the left of USA (or CAN if you are in Canada) and click on any other + signs necessary to find a city in your state that has a local phone number for you. Warning: You will be responsible for long distance charges if you pick a number that is not a local phone call for you. You can test the number by calling it as a local call. If you don't have to dial it as a long distance call then you are okay. Note: Many big metropolitan areas now require you to use "10-digit dialing" where you have to dial the area code for local phone calls. You will already know about this from your regular phone calls so don't worry about it unless you already do this in your area. Scroll down to see what it looks like when you choose a city.
Once you've selected a phone number, click the "next" button to get to the next window.
NetSurfer will now help you to pick a username and password for your internet connection. Click "next" to proceed.
Plug-in your info then hit next.
This screen shot uses a sample ISP. Your CD will have the info for your particular ISP. See the little arrow at the end of the blue box? Click on that arrow and a list of available internet plans and pricing will drop down. Click on the one that you want to select and it will go into the blue box. Click "next" to continue.
Click the drop-down arrow at the end of the blue box and choose your payment method such as by check or credit card. Click next once you've made a selection.
You will need to choose a username that you use to connect to your ISP. That name will need to be unique. In other words, if anybody else already has that name then you will need to choose one that is still available. For that reason, NetSurfer asks for three choices in case the first one or two choices are taken already. Note: This username will also be setup as your e-mail identity. Click next when you are finished.
You also need to choose your secret password. You should pick something that is four to twelve characters long consisting of letters and numbers but no symbols (such as #!*). This password is also cASe SenSitiVE so be careful about capitalization and make sure that your caps lock isn't enabled. Computers think that a capital "A" is different than a lowercase "a" so be careful to get that right. Also, don't put any spaces in the password. Click next when you are ready.
You will get a verification page with your pricing. Click the "accept" button to accept that pricing.
NetSurfer will now call a special sign-up number at your ISP and try to register you for a connection with them. If it doesn't work the first time then try again. If it doesn't work the third time then call your ISP so that they can check your modem and dial-up networking components of your operating system. The "next" button will remain gray until the sign-up connection is completed.
If you are able to successfully create an account then you will receive a confirmation such as the one pictured above. Please note which username got used in case your first choice wasn't available. You will also want to write down the password and e-mail address for future reference. Click "finish" when you are done. The following NetSurfer window should pop-up automatically. If it doesn't then look on your main desktop for a new icon (picture) that refers to your ISP. Click that button to get the NetSurfer window.
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Last Update: Thursday, July 03, 2003 |
NetSurfer 5.x Installation
