FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions!


Table of Contents

  1. How do I publish files to my Web Directory?
  2. Should I turn my computer off?
  3. When I log in it connects but it takes a long time to log in.
  4. When I send and receive email it logs me off.
  5. (HCF Modem) -- I bought a new Compaq/HP and the modem will disconnect or not connect and emits a loud tone.
  6. I just installed ...? and now I go to their home page when IE starts.
  7. When I click on the IE Icon ... ? it has an error that says "The site could not be found.
  8. Why are my emails with attached pictures so large... ?
  9. My modem keeps hanging up while connected... ?
  10. Dialup Networking says to check my password and user id ... ?
  11. How can I get the highest speed possible ... ?
  12. I live outside of Elmwood and my connection is slow ... ?
  13. I can't save my password in the Windows Dialup Networking
  14. I have Call Waiting

How do I publish files to my Web Directory?

We have written a program that will allow you to easily get to your web directory. This is completey compatible with the latest Microsoft and Netscape browsers. All you have to do is click on this link http://www.elmnet.net/cgi-bin/elmnetftp.cgi This will log you into your Web Directory so that you can drag and drop files from your computer to your Web Directory. This can be used to publish your webpage or just put files that you want your friends and relatives to access. Please read the page for tips on how to use this feature.

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Should I turn my computer off?

We have had a multitude of customers tell us that they were told by an"EXPERT" that you should not turn your computer off. "It is bad on them". This is not true. Computers are not like light bulbs. There is no inrush current that will wear parts out. Computers use what are called "Switching Power Supplies" that carefully apply power to a computer system. Also the "Sleep Mode" of some computers should simply not be used. If while in "Sleep Mode" the power line sags (decreases in voltage) or worse, completely drops out for a fraction of a second, the computer can be put in a strange state. This will cause problems with an subsequent use of the computer and the only way to fix this is to power the computer down and start it again in a clean state. This is why any computer that is on for long periods of time should be connected to an Uninterruptable Power Supply or (UPS). If this isn't possible then just shut your computer off when not in use. If not to save electricity then to save yourself from problems with your computers software.

Sometimes Windows gets flaky. There will be a multitude of weird errors and odd problems with dialing up, mail, browsing and other programs you use on your computer. Just shut your computer down properly and power it OFF. Wait for 10 seconds and then restart the computer. You would be suprised how many times this will fix a "PROBLEM". What this does is clears any problems and starts Windows in a clean state. Many times this kind of problem can be linked to software that doesn't behave well. See if you can see a pattern that makes the computer not work well, when you run a certain program or do a certain task. Then find out if the software can be upgraded to a version that will fix the "bug".

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When I log in it connects but it takes a long time to log in.

Windows is trying to log into a windows network.

Double Click on the "My Computer" icon.
Double click on the "Dial Up Networking" icon.
Right click on the "ElmNet" icon.
Select "Properties" from the menu that pops up.
Select the "Server Types" tab.
Uncheck the "Log on to network"
Uncheck "NetBEUI"
Uncheck "IPX/SPX Compatible"
Click on the "OK" button.
And close the "Dial-Up Networking" window.

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When I send and receive email it logs me off.

Your Outlook Express is configured to log off after sending and receiving.

Start Outlook Express.
Select the "Tools" menu.
In the dialog select the "Connection" tab.
Uncheck the "Hang up after sending and receiving"
Select the "Apply" button at the bottom right of the dialog.
And then "OK"

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(HCF modem) -- I bought a new Compaq/HP and the modem will disconnect or not connect and emits a loud tone.


This is a problem with the HSP or HCF micromodem that Compaq is now using.

To correct the problem:

Double click on the "My Computer" icon in the upper right hand corner of your desktop.  Double click on the "Dial-Up Networking" icon.  Right click on the "ElmNet" connection icon and select the "Configure" button.   Select the Connection tab in the dialog box and select the "Advanced" button.  In the "Extra Settings" edit box enter the following string:

for Compaq:

ATN0S37=12

or

for HP:

+MS=V34

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I just installed...?

Some programs, when installed, will change some of the settings of the Internet Explorer. 

For Internet Explorer 3.02;

In the "View" menu item in IE select "Options".   Select the "Navigation" tab.  The "Page" drop down list box has "Start Page" in it.  In the "Address" edit box type http://www.elmnet.net .  Click on the "Page" drop down list box and select "Search Page".  In the "Address" edit box type http://www.elmnet.net/search/search.html .  When you re-start IE it should start with the ElmNet Home Page.  When you select the "Home" or "Search" icons you will be taken to the ElmNet home or Search pages respectively.

For Internet Explorer 4.0 and above;

In Internet Explorer select the "Tools" menu item then from the popup menu select "Internet Options". In the dialog you will see and "Address" text box. If the elmnet homepage is already on you browser you can just click on the button "Use Current" this will load the current URL as the "Home page" or you can type into the "Address" text box http://www.elmnet.net. Make sure to click on the "Apply" and "Ok" buttons. This will make the ElmNet home page come up everytime you launch Internet Explorer or when you click on the "Home" icon.

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When I click on the IE icon... ?

When you open the Internet Explorer it should bring up the dial-up connection.   Sometimes if the computer crashes while connected, or the computer gets shut off without being properly shutdown,  files will get corrupted.  When the computer is running programs there are files that are opened by the program or you.  If these open files are not closed when the computer is shutdown they will lose information and become what is called corrupted.

The Internet Explorer icon is connected to a dialup by a switch in the "Options" dialog.  In the "View" menu item in IE select "Options".  Select the "Connection" tab.  At the top of the dialog you will see a check box next to "Connect to the internet as needed".   Make sure it has a check in it.  Make sure that the "Use the following Dial-Up Networking connection" drop down list box has the ElmNet connection.

If the connection still doesn't start when all of the above is correct, then sometimes this link can be restored by creating a new Dial-Up connection.  Just follow the instructions in cfgms.html and name the connection "ElmNet1" and select it in the "Use the following Dial-Up Networking connection" in the above instructions.

Finally after all else fails, a re-installation of the Internet Explorer will repair any damaged links like the "Connect to the internet as needed".  You can get the IE3.02 installation program from our site here or from your Windows 95 Installation disk.

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Why are my emails with attached pictures so large... ?

You are most likely just sending the file as a TIFF or BMP format rather than using a GIF, JPG or PNG format. The TIFF format does not do compression on the file and tends to be very large. The other formats do various types of compressions and can make the file 10 times smaller or more.

You can also scale the picture down. You shouldn't be trying to send anything larger than 640X480. The higher the resolution the bigger the file. Most graphics programs can scale the picture down and not lose the quality of the picture. You can also limit the number of colors used for the picture which will make the file smaller.

Email was only meant for TEXT. Most picture formats are BINARY. To be able to send binary it has to be converted to text. This causes the file to grow. A 3Meg file can quickly become a 5Meg file. So when you try to email please try to send the smallest possible.

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My modem keeps hanging up while connected...?

If it is a US Robotics modem (non-winmodem) the V42bis error correction protocol is broken.  To change it to a more stable MNP5:

Double click on the "My Computer" icon in the upper right hand corner of your desktop.  Double click on the "Dial-Up Networking" icon.  Right click on the "ElmNet" connection icon and select the "Configure" button.   Select the Connection tab in the dialog box and select the "Advanced" button.  In the "Extra Settings" edit box enter the following string:

S15=128

The modem is now ready to connect with an error correction of MNP5.

If your modem is a USR winmodem or a Gateway2000 "Telepath" this is a USR winmodem, USR is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for Gateway.  To fix these modems follow the instructions above for the USR modem and change the init string to:

&M0

or

&M5

NOTE:

In general all winmodems should be avoided since they have part of the hardware removed and use the CPU to do the work that the hardware is supposed to do.    Using the CPU to do the work for the modem while it is busy downloading files and pictures from the web to save a couple bucks,  who thought that one up?

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Dialup-Networking says to check my password and user id... ?

Check to make sure that your user id is correct and that the "Caps Lock" is not on.  Your password is case sensitive.

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How can I get the highest speed possible... ?

Your phone line has a lot to do with what kind of connection you will get!!!!!!

Please check the box outside for problems like:

Worn or damaged lines.

Signs of box being open to the elements.

Open the box and look for dirt, water, insects and spider webs.

Remove all debris and insure that the box is properly sealed.

Check the wiring condition and connections inside box and in house.

If possible connect the computer directly to the box outside using the connector provided in the box. This will rule out inside wiring that you are responsible for.

There are many things that can affect an analog connection made by a modem.  One of those is total Ringer Equivalence Number (REN).  All phone line devices have a REN on the bottom of the device.  The number is a load value, the higher the number the more of a load.on the phone line.  FCC requires that the phone line can take up to a total REN of (5).  You will notice that some devices will have an REN A or an REN B or both.  The A is for devices that ring with a 20Hz pulse and the B is for all other frequencies.  I would suggest not having any other devices on the line you use for the dialup or keep it to a bare minimum, so you don't degrade the signal any more than necessary. Remember that satellite dishes use a phone line for "Pay Per View".   It is also a good idea to have your modem hooked up to a line directly connected into your phone service box. 

Remember that since the deregulation of the phone system the phone company is only required to provide you with voice access and not digital.  They have neither the equipment or the need to check the "bandwidth" of your phone line.

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I live outside of Elmwood or Yates City and my connection is slow... ?

With houses 2 miles or more out of town you are at the mercy of the phone company.   When they run a line down your road they will use what they call a "Bridge Tap" to go from the main line down your road.  These lines are run for great distances and the phone company will run more of these lines than needed because they never know how many might be needed.  These extra lines produce capacitance in the phone lines.  This capacitance filters out the low frequency (that's voice).  So the phone company puts an inductor on the lines to offset the capacitance (what good is a phone if you can't hear anybody?).  This inductor filters off the high frequency (that's data).   Make sure you look at the section here.

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I have Call Waiting?

You will need to disable Call Waiting because the tone produced by Call Waiting will confuse the modems. When disabled the person calling you will get a busy signal when you are online.

To do this:

Double click on "My Computer"

Double click on "Control Panel"

Double click on "Modems"

In the "Modems" dialog, click on "Dialing Properties" at the bottom

In the "Dialing Properties" window, click on the box next to "To disable call waiting, dial:" and choose the appropriate code

  • Elmwood is 70#,

  • Yates City is 1170,

    The number is the code to disable Call Waiting for the Phone Company.
    The "," is an instruction for the modem to wait until the dialtone has retuned.

    Click "Apply" at the bottom and then "OK"

    Close the remaining windows.

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    I can't save my passwd in Windows Dialup Networking?

    Try these solutions from windows 95.com.  Just another bug brought to you by the wonderful people at Microsoft

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    Copyright © [ElmNet Inc.]. All rights reserved.
    Revised: March 20, 2000.