Resources

• Apple Tech Support
• Apple Tech Support Index Library

• Eudora for Macintosh
• Modem Configuration (from the Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh)

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Solutions

State of the System

The most common kind of problem with configuring Macs for the Internet is making sure you have all the right pieces. On Macs running System 7.1 or earlier, this would probably require using MacPPP (a freeware control panel/extension) as a dialer and MacTCP (a control panel from Apple) to make the network connection. For Macs running System 7.5 or later, it is probably advisable to upgrade to using Open Transport in place of MacTCP; you will need to use an Open Transport-compatible dialer in place of MacPPP - FreePPP is an excellent freeware option.

A welcome relief to long-suffering PCI Mac users (and now an option for 68K Mac systems), Apple released version 1.1 of Open Transport, the new telecommunications software set to replace the aged MacTCP and bring Macs firmly into tomorrow's networking world. If you have Open Transport 1.0.6 or 1.0.8, or have re-installed MacTCP one time too many after it pots out during configuration, now is the time to upgrade.

The release version of Open Transport 1.1 is included with Apple's System Update 2.0 for System 7.5 (or the new retail version of System 7.5 version 7.5.3), which was released March 11th. Check Apple's Support site for the Update, but expect a long download - the full install is 14 High-Density floppies (20+ MB for the binhexed Net Install file). You can also contact Apple to receive the latest Update on CD or floppy for the price of shipping (about $12).

Up and Going

If you have the requisite software, installation instructions are available to walk you through the process of configuring the dialer and network software for use with Webbworks. If the software is installed correctly and you still can't connect, you may be having one of the following problems:

• Modem mis-configuration

  In most cases, you shouldn't need to specify a modem initialization string to connect to our service; the default settings that the modem uses will do fine. But if the modem won't initialize, won't dial, or won't connect with ours, here are some things to check:

  • Port Speed - usually 38400 or 57600 is best; don't use 14400 or 28800, regardless of whether that matches your modem speed. Port speed is the measure of data transferred between your computer and your modem; modem speed is the rated speed between connected modems. Generally, you want a modem set to use a port speed slightly higher than its maximum modem speed.

  • Flow Control - for 14.4 and 28.8Kbps modems, this should usually be set to either CTS Only or CTS and RTS.

  • Modem Initialization String - this varies according to modem chipset, firmware, and speed rating, so the best course is to consult a reference such as the Internet Starter Kit's Modem Configuration page, which lists modems by brand and model name. Check for your modem, by brand name first, and try to match as close as you can to your model name. A common initialization string for 28.8Kbps modems is AT&F.

• Incompatible software

  Some dialers don't work with certain network software configurations, and some protocols clash as well. To make this simple, make sure that you have one of the following combinations:

  • Any PPP dialer - make sure you're not using InterSLIP or another form of SLIP as your dialer - and MacTCP. Open Transport may not work with dialers designed to work with MacTCP, so err on the side of safety and use only PPP components tested with OT (such as FreePPP 1.05 and later).

  • MacPPP 2.0.1 and MacTCP 2.0.6

  • FreePPP 2.5 and Open Transport 1.1