How to Create a New Dial-up Connection
Broadband Internet access has yet to become universally affordable or available--and in many areas of the country, a dial-up connection is the only cost-effective way to get online. Additionally, even in areas where broadband connections are available, you may not use the Internet enough to justify paying a large monthly fee. If you consider a dial-up connection the best option for getting online, Windows has the ability to create a new dial-up connection with minimum effort.
Instructions
Windows XP
1
Double-click the "My Computer" icon on the desktop, and then double-click "Network Connections." Alternatively, click the "Start" button, then click "Control Panel" and double-click "Network Connections."
2
Click "Create a New Connection" under "Network Tasks" on the left side of the window. Click "Next" in the window that appears.
3
Select "Connect to the Internet," and then click "Next."
4
Select "Set up my connection manually," and then click "Next."
5
Select "Connect using a dial-up modem," and then click "Next."
6
Type the name of your Internet Service Provider. This does not have to be exact; the label is used to help you identify the connection in case you have multiple dial-up connections configured. Click "Next."
7
Type the phone number, exactly as you need to dial it from your area. For example, if you live in an area that requires you to dial the area code to connect to a number, include the area code. Click "Next."
8
Enter your user name and password. This information is given to you by your Internet Service Provider when the account is created. Place a check in both boxes below the password to have Windows connect to this ISP whenever someone opens the Web browser or another program that uses the Internet. Click "Next."
9
Place a check in the box labeled "Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop" to have Windows create a desktop shortcut for this Internet Service Provider. If you elect not to do this, you can dial the connection from the "Network Connections" screen. Click "Finish."
10
Double-click the shortcut icon to connect to the Internet Service Provider.
Windows Vista and Windows 7
1
Click the blue Windows logo at the bottom of the screen, then click "Control Panel."
2
Double-click "Network and Sharing Center." If you do not see this icon, click "Classic View" in Windows Vista. In Windows 7, click the "View by:" drop-down menu and select "Small icons."
3
Click "Set up a connection or network" on the left side of the window. Select "Set up a dial-up connection," and then click "Next."
4
Type the phone number for your Internet Service provider in the box labeled "Dial-up phone number." Type the number exactly as you have to dial it in your area--include the area code if your phone company requires it.
5
Enter your user name and password. The ISP gives you this information when you create your account. Place a check in the box labeled "Remember this password" to avoid needing to enter the password each time you use the connection.
6
Type a name in the "Connection Name" box that will help you remember which connection this is.
7
Place a check in the box labeled "Allow other people to use this connection" to make the connection available to all of the users on your computer.
8
Click the "Connect" button to connect to the Internet Service Provider and save the connection. You can connect to it in the future by clicking the Windows logo at the bottom of the screen, and then clicking "Connect To."
