How To Configure a Dial-Up Connection
Are you still one of the several people who use dial-up? Maybe you live out in an area where you can’t get anything other than dial-up (like in the boonies) or maybe you just choose to use dial-up because it is sometimes cheaper, etc. Well, either way, you need to know how to configure a dial-up connection, right? Right!
Well, if you are reading this, you must have some form of Internet connection going, but maybe you’ve been using broadband for awhile and you want to go back to dial-up. Or maybe you need to set up dial-up on a second computer. If you fall into any of those categories, this tip will take you step by step through the process and you can get it done in a jiffy. Note: This tip is for Windows XP, but similar directions are used for older versions of Windows as well.
1.) Go to Start, Control Panel and click on Network Connections. To do this, you must be in the classic view  of the Control Panel.
2.) The Network Task window will come up on the left hand side of your screen. Click “Create a new connection.”
3.) Once you have done that, the New Connection Wizard box will appear. Click Next.
4.) Here you can select from the options that fit your connection needs. If you are just using a single computer, go ahead and select “Connect to the Internet.” If you are setting up this connection for other computers in different areas, choose the one that is right for you. Click Next when done.
5.) From the next screen, choose “Set up my connection manually” and click on Next.
6.) Now, select “Connect using a dial-up modem” and click Next again.
7.) Next, you will see an ISP name box. The ISP is your Internet Service Provider. Whoever you are getting Internet from is the name you will want to put in this box. So, go ahead and type in their name. For an example, see the screenshot below. This will help give you an idea of what exactly you need to put here.
Note: If you’re going to use prepaid phone cards for your Internet, make sure you read the directions on the card carefully. Entering a wrong ISP name could result in a non-connection. Once you’re done, click Next.
8.) Now, you’ll need to enter your phone number. This is the phone number of your ISP, because you will be dialing into their service, not your own. Be careful to type in the correct phone number and double check it a couple times to be sure. Again, entering a wrong phone number could result in a non-connection. Once done, click Next.
9.) The Username text box will appear, so go ahead and type in a username. Next, type in a password in the Password and Confirm Password box. Make sure your username and password is something that you will be able to remember easily and you should also write it down in a safe spot so you can refer to it if you ever happen to forget it. Also, double check your password to make sure it’s the same in all areas.
10.) Once you have all of that done, your dial-up connection is complete. You can choose to make a shortcut icon for your desktop if you want. This will make it much easier for you to connect to the Internet each time you need to. Click Finish and you’ll be all set.
You can now Web surf to your heart’s content!
~ Robert Desacada