Cat & Mice Game with Dial-up Networking

Hi all

I'm not sure what is really wrong with my dialup connection. However,
there are times where I'm unable to connect to the internet (Windows showed Verifying Username and Password for a long time before disconnecting by itself with the error message) "Windows could not establish dialup networking connections. Please check your password. "

Dispite entering correct username and password, I kept getting the same response until I did some changes to network connections (Control Panel -> Network). I can't exactly remember what I did in order to get connected, but I did removed all the items listed in the list and re-installed them.

I would like to know what cause this and how can I prevent it from happening again? What are the necessary items to be listed under the Network dialog? BTW, currently, under the Network dialog, there are 4 items:

- Client for Microsoft Networks
- Microsoft Family Logon
- Dial-Up Adapter
- TCP/IP

I'm not running under any network conditions - Stand Alone Computer and there are no multi-users. However, I do use http://localhost (PWS) for offline web development purposes.

Apart from the above mentioned issue, there are also times where I'm able to successfully dial in to my ISP but unable to view any websites (despite correct proxy settings). When I tried to view any of the sites, it displayed DNS error. Can I know how is it possible to resolve this?

Also, I would like to know under My Computer -> Dial-Up Networking, right click the connections available, properties, under Server Types, which checkbox should be checked? Currently, I've got the following which are checked:

Advanced options:
- Enable software compression

Allowed network protocols:
- NetBEUI
- IPX/SPX Compatible
- TCP/IP

My OS is Windows 98 Second Edition.
Modem is Aztech MDP3858-SPU

Hopefully, someone can guide me along for proper network setup.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long discription

 

Rather than spend lots of time initially trying to troubleshoot this problem, I'd suggest as a first step to kill off all your networking stuff and start from the beginning. Excellent chance that will cure the problem completely. If not, it will certainly eliminate a lot of possible problem areas.

I don't have access to either a Win98 PC or anything with Dial-up networking handy so I can't give you very specific instructions so if you need them for any step, post back. Someone can and will give details.

Make sure you have the latest version of DUN (1.4 I think but check on it) available for re-load. Also, make sure you have the latest software for the modem. Aug, 2001 I think. Available from Here if you need it.

- open your browser and remove all temporary internet files, cookies, offline pages, etc. Also clean out your temp file.
- Boot to safe mode and remove all networking from the PC.
- Still in safe mode, use the instructions from Here to uninstall your modem. And BTW - you have an Aztech MDP3858SP-U.
- Shut down, remove the modem, restart.
- Shut down again, replace the modem (different slot if you have one open), restart and let the system find/install the modem.
- Reinstall networking. The services you have listed are fine and the only protocol you need is TCP/IP. NetBeui & IPX/SPX won't do a thing for you.

 

Newt, thanks for the detail response

Well, certainly, I do need help on what should I install so that only the necessary items will be in my list under Network. Hope someone can help me with it

BTW, can I know why should I un-install my modem and re-install it again when it's functioning properly? Is it because it has something got to do with the modem that causes it not to function properly?

But anyway, I'll follow your instructions closely and hopefully, it'll stop giving me problems.

Thanks

 

Clients, dial-up adapter, tcp/ip for sure. Microsoft Family Logon - possibly needed and probably won't do any harm. It's a 9X thing and as I noted, haven't messed with 9X or dial-up for a good while.

Removing the modem - just in case it is doing some things properly but causing problems with others. Easier to remove and reinstall than to try to test.

localhost as you are using the term - no clue. Don't do any web development.

 

Alright. I've successfully re-installed those required and it's working fine now.

Thanks for all the help Newt

 

I'm guessing that localhost is used to prevent having to type 127.0.0.1 to get at your personal web server

98 does put this entry into its HOSTS file - a corruption of this may have caused your earlier DNS errors - unlikely though

DNS errors means that the sitename URL could not be resolved in DNS

Best way to get round this is to specify DNS servers in your TCP/IP properties, rather than have your ISP assign them. You can use anyones DNS and different people have different favourites, FWIW 194.42.224.130 is Netcom UK and its usually up !

 

Oh, ok. I get your point AndyO. Thanks for the info. I'll check with my ISP regarding the DNS stuff