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Setting Up Your Computer to Connect to GatorLink or NERDC Services
(Using Windows XP Networking Software)

Table of Contents

  1. What Do I Need to Know First?
  2. How Do I Create a Connection Shortcut?
  3. How Do I Deactivate Call Waiting?
  4. How Do I Automate My Connection Shortcut?
  5. How Do I Dial in Using the Connection Shortcut?
  6. How Do I Change My Password?
  7. How Do I Install TCP/IP Components?
  8. What if these instructions do not work?
  9. How Do I Find My Windows Installation Files?

I. What do I need to know first?

The Windows XP operating system includes a modem program that can establish network connections to the University of Florida network.  Through this network connection, software programs like Netscape Navigator, WS_FTP, and various email programs can communicate with other computers on the Internet.  If you want to install the Windows Dial-up Networking suite and configure its components, follow the instructions below listed in this handout.

Depending on what was included in your original Windows XP installation software package, it will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete these instructions. Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

  • A GatorLink account. A GatorLink account will allow you to use the University of Florida dial-up service. GatorLink accounts are available to all university faculty, staff, and students. A GatorLink account can be created in a CIRCA campus computer lab, on campus at CSE 214 or CSE E520, and on-line at http://www.GatorLink.ufl.edu.

    •  
  • A modem capable of at least 9,600 bps data transmission rate. Slower modems are unable to handle the large amount of data transferred in network connections in a reasonable amount of time. Refer to your computer and modem manuals to verify this requirement.

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  • A web browser, such as Netscape or Internet Explorer, to make use of the Internet. You will find these programs as well as others available on the UF Software CD.

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  • Windows installation files. These files are normally provided on an installation CD, installation diskette set, or the computer's hard drive. If you do not have the installation CD or diskette set, read the section, "How Do I Find My Windows Installation Files?"

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  • Take your time and follow the directions in each section. Please, do not skip any sections. If you are unable to connect to the university network after following these instructions, review the "What if it Does Not Work?" section before calling the UF Computing Help Desk.
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II. How Do I Create a Connection?

After the primary network components are installed and configured, you must create a connection icon that will connect you to GatorLink services. This icon will enable you to click on it each time you'd like to connect to the Internet.  To create the connection, follow these steps listed below:
  1. If the Control Panel is not open, Go to Start, Control Panel.
     
  2. Double-click on the Network Connections, and then double-click on the Create a New Connection link.
     
  3. Select Connect to the Internet, Press the Next> button.
    Select Setup Connection Manually, Press the Next> button.
    Select Using Modem Press the Next> button.

    4.  
  4. Enter a WORD (to name the connection icon). For example: GatorLink Dialup Service or NERDC Dialup service. Press the Next> button.

    5.  
  5. Enter the telephone number: 955-0056  If you are calling from long distance, the area code is: 352. Press the Next> button.

    6.  
  6. Press the Finish button. A Connection shortcut for either the GatorLink Dialup Service or NERDC Dialup Service should now appear inside the Network Connections window.

    7.  
  7. With the RIGHT MOUSE button, click on the GatorLink Dialup Service or NERDC Dialup Service connection shortcut and select the option, Properties.
  1. Select the Networking tab and perform the following:

    2.  
    • Verify that the Type of Dial-Up server is set to

      • PPP: Windows 95,98,NT4,2000,Internet
       
  2. Click on TCP/IP, and then click Properties. If TCP/IP is not in the list, go to Step VII.

    3.  
    • Select the option Server assigned IP address.
    • Select the option Specify name server addresses.

    • Enter 128.227.128.24 into the Primary DNS field.
    • Enter 128.227.148.253 into the Alternate DNS field.

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  3. Press the OK button in the TCP/IP Settings box.

    4.  
  4. Press the OK button in the Connection Properties dialog box. (This may not be present depending on your version of Windows.)
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III. How Do I Deactivate Call Waiting?

If your telephone has the Call Waiting feature, Windows XP Dial-Up Adapter requires that this feature be turned off. To turn off this feature ONLY while you are using the Dial-Up adapter, follow the steps listed below:
  1. Click on Start Menu, then click on the Control Panel, and then click on Network Connections.

    2.  
  2. Using the right mouse button, click the GatorLink Dialup Services or NERDC Dialup Services connection icon, then select Properties.

    3.  
  3. Make sure there is a check next to Dialing Rules then click on the Dialing Rules button.

    4.  
  4. Select the location you are dialing from, then press the Edit button. Check the box beside the option, This location has call waiting. To disable it dial: (or To disable Call Waiting, dial) and enter the dialing code, *70, into the dial field.

    5.  
  5. Press the OK button in the Dialing Rules window and press the OK button in the Properties window. Close the Control Panel window.
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IV. How Do I Automate My Connection Shortcut?

You can set your computer to automatically display the GatorLink Dialup Services or NERDC Dialup Services connection window, whenever a program such as Netscape Communicator, Internet Explorer or any other Internet program attempts to access the campus computer network. To automate this function, follow these steps listed below: 
  1. From your Windows Desktop, press the Start button and then select the Control Panel. This will open the Control Panel window. In the Control Panel window, open the Internet (Options) control panel.
     
  2. Depending on which version of Windows you own, the Internet Control Panel will display three different options.
     
    1. In the first option, the AutoDial dialog-box will be present.
      1. Check the option, Use AutoDial.
      2. Select the option, GatorLink Dialup Services or NERDC Dialup Services from the Dial-Up Networking connection list.
      3. Press the OK button to save your settings.

        4.  
    2. In the second option, the Connection option will be present.
      1. Press the Connection tab.
      2. In this box, select the option, Connect to the Internet using a modem and press the Settings button.
      3. In the Dial-Up Setting dialog-box, select the option, GatorLink Dialup Services or NERDC Dialup Services from the Dial-Up Networking connection list. All other settings in this window are optional.
      4. Press the OK button to close the Dial-Up Setting dialog-box and press the OK button in the Internet Properties dialog-box to save your settings.
         
    3. In the third option, the Connection option will be present.
      1. Press the Connection tab.
      2. In this box, select the option, Dial Whenever a Network Connection is not Present
      3. Highlight your GatorLink or NERDC icon and and press the Set Default button.
      4. Press the OK button in the Internet Properties window.
At this point, all of the software necessary to make a connection to the university network is installed.
PLEASE RESTART YOUR COMPUTER.
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V. How Do I Dial in Using the Connection Shortcut?

Every time you want to dial in and establish a network connection, follow these steps: (If your password is expired, read the section, How to change your password before continuing.) 
  1. There are two ways to open the GatorLink Dialup Service or NERDC Dialup Service connection window.
     

    2. If you followed the instructions in the section, How to automate your connection shortcut you just need to start an Internet program such as Netscape Communicator, and the Connect To window should then appear. Otherwise, go to the Control Panel, then Dial-Up Networking folder (located inside the control panel), and then the new Connection shortcut (i.e. GatorLink ID service or NERDC Dialup service.)

  2. Enter your username in lowercase letters into the Username field.

    3. If you have a NERDC Dialup account, add /n to your username. If you have a GatorLink account, add /i to your username. For example, if the username is johndoe then you will enter: johndoe/n or johndoe/i.

  3. Enter your password in lowercase letters into the Password field and Press the Connect button.


You will see a notification screen that will report your progress in connecting to the campus network. Your computer is connect to the Internet, when a box counting off the seconds appears with a Disconnect button or a connection icon appears in the system tray next to the Time and Date field. The icon appears in the tray as two computers connected by a line.

  1. At this point, you can use any of the Internet programs installed on your computer such as Netscape Navigator, WS_FTP Limited and telnet.

    2.  
  2. When you are ready to disconnect from the campus network, Close all Internet programs properly and Press the Disconnect button.


    3. If you have an icon in the system tray, click the right-mouse button on the icon that looks like two computers connected by a line and select the option, Disconnect. ALWAYS close all Internet programs properly before disconnecting.

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VI. How Do I Change My Password?

If you receive a login failure notice your password may have expired.  To check your GatorLink account and change your password (if necessary), follow the steps listed below:
  1. Go to the Control Panel, then click on the Network Connections folder and then click on the new Connection shortcut (i.e. GatorLink ID service or NERDC Dialup service.)
     
  2. Enter the word guest  into the Username field (do not put a /i or /n) and enter the word guest into the Password field.
     
  3. Press the Connect button.  This will allow you to connect to the GatorLink Dial-up Service with restrictive access only to GatorLink web pages.
     
  4. Once connected, open your web browser and got to the web page location: http://my.ufl.edu
     
  5. From this page you can change your PASSWORD using the Change Password link and by following the prompts. You can also modify your GatorLink account from the Modify link.
     
  6. If your password has expired, you can still change your it using the expired password.
  7. Once your password is changed, close your browser and disconnect from the service.  You can then reconnect using your new password.
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VII. How Do I Install the TCP/IP Components?

The TCP/IP protocol is the one of the two primary network components that will enable your computer to connect to the University of Florida network. Your Dial-up Adapter should automatically be installed when you create the connection. The TCP/IP component must be set up correctly. In order to set up these components follow the steps listed below:
    1. Does the TCP/IP component appear in the component's list?


      2. If YES, Go to step number TWO (2).

      If NO, install the TCP/IP component following theses steps:

      1. Go to the Start Menu, Control Panel, Add Remove Programs.
      2. Click on Add Remove Windows Components
      3. Check the entry, TCP/IP from the list. Click OK, and then OK again.

     
    1. Make sure the box is checked next to TCP/IP. Double-click the entry, TCP/IP in the component's list.
       
      1. Select the General tab and select the Obtain IP Address Automatically option, and Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically.
      2. Press the OK button to return to the Network window.
      3. Press the OK button in the Network dialog box. 

        4.  
    2. When your computer restarts you may be asked to provide a login name and password for your computer. We recommend that you enter any name you want but make sure that the password fields are empty (blank). If you respond in this manner, then you will not see this logon screen again.

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VIII. What if these instructions do not work?

    Before calling the UF Computing Help Desk for assistance, first check to see if you have encountered one of the following error messages:
    1. The computer you're dialing into cannot establish a Dial-Up Networking connection. Check your password and then try again.
      This error can be caused by one of the following mistakes:
       
      • You could be using the wrong username.
      • If you have a GatorLink ID, you may have forgotten to add the /i to the end of your username.
      • If you have a GatorLink ID, your services may be blocked by Finance and Accounting because of a billing problem.
      • Your password could be wrong.  Remember that passwords expire.  If your password has expired, follow the directions in the section, How to change your password .
      • Your NERDC account could be out of money.
      • You could be using uppercase letters -- lowercase letters are required.
    1. Dial-Up Networking could not negotiate a compatible set of Network protocols you specified in the Server type settings. Check your network configuration in the Control Panel then try the connection again.
      This error is caused by a missing component or by a setting that is not checked. Go back over the following sections very carefully and then reboot (restart) your computer.
    If your computer is still unable to connect to the university dial-up service, please call our Help Desk. Inform the consultant of the original problem, and error message.
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IX. How Do I Find My Windows Installation Files?

If you don't have a Windows Installation CD or diskette set, then check to see if the Windows Installation files are on your computer's hard drive. To search the hard drive for these files, follow these instructions:
    From your Windows Desktop, press the Start button and then select the options, Find, then Files and Folders. This will open a Find: All Files window.

    In the Find window, enter into the Named field, *.cab, and press the Find Now button. If your Window Installation files are on your hard drive, they will appear in a list of files in the window below.

    Look for files that are named, winXP_xx.cab where xx is a number such as 02, 03, 04,.... You should see approximately 55 files named in this manner.

    If you see these files, write down the name of the folder they are stored in and press the Close button in the top-right corner of the Find Window.

    If you don't see these files, then your Windows Installation files are not on your computer's hard drive. We strongly recommend finding your Windows Installation CD or diskette set from your manufacturer.

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Last Updated: 11-21-2001. For questions or comments, contact SODA Shoppe
Phone: (352) 392-SOFT  Email:software@ufl.edu