Microcomputer Services at the University of Oregon makes available installation packages to install software which connects your Mac or PC via modem to the UO network (UOnet) in such a way that you can use most popular network software such as Netscape, Eudora (a mail reader), Telnet, FTP, news readers, etc. This type of software is referred to as remote access software. The network applications, which you use after successfully connecting with your remote access software, are distributed in separate installation packages. This document details installing and first time use of remote access software and network application software for both the Macintosh and PC platforms.
- A modem account username and password
A modem account is required to give you access to UOnet when you connect via modem. See the handout How to Get a Computing Account to find out how to create a modem account. A modem account is different from your GLADSTONE, DARKWING, or OREGON userid.
- A high speed modem. Minimum speed of 14400 baud.
- Macintosh: A minimum of a Mac running system version 7 with 4MB of RAM. To run Netscape you will need between 5 and 8 MB of RAM.
- PC: A minimum of Windows version 3.1 running on a 486 processor or better with at least 4 MB of RAM. For external modems you will need a high-speed serial port. See below for an explanation.
External modem users on the PC must insure that their machine contains a serial port that is fast enough to accept data from their high-speed modem. On some 486 PCs the serial ports were not fast enough to properly use a 14400 or above modem.
How to determine if your PC has a high-speed serial port (Windows 3.1x users only):
- If you are in Windows exit to the DOS prompt.
- At the DOS prompt type "MSD" and press ENTER.
- You will now receive a screen full of information. Press the letter C to view information on your Serial ports (often referred to as COM ports).
- Look at the bottom of the information screen for the line which reads "UART Chip Used."
- If the UART chip used is "16550xx" (where "xx" can be blank or some letters), then your PC has a high speed serial port. If UART chip used says, "8250," "8550," or "6250," then you cannot reliably use a high-speed external modem on your machine.
How to determine if your PC has a high-speed serial port (Windows 95 users):
- Open the Modem Control Panel.
- Click on the Diagnostics Tab.
- Click on the "More Info..." button.
- Windows will report that it is, "Communicating with modem." If no modem is attached you may see an error message, but don't worry. Click OK and now read the informational panel that appears.
- Look at the bottom of the screen for the line which reads, "UART."
- If the UART is "16550xx" (where "xx" can be blank or some letters), then your PC has a high speed serial port. If UART says, "8250," or "6250," then you cannot reliably use a high-speed external modem on your machine.
You can either use an internal modem, which we (Microcomputer Services) considers an inferior choice, or install a high-speed serial port card. Either method can cause problems and has a number of issues associated with its use. We strongly recommend that you read the handout entitled, Serial Port Issues on the PC and Remote Access Software, before making a decision.
Below you will be given detailed instructions about the steps you need to take to install remote access software and network applications on your Mac or PC. In this section we discuss the conceptual model of connecting your Mac or PC using remote access software, and then running separate network applications after you have successfully connected.
Remote Access software is software which allows you to dial the modem connected to your Mac or PC and communicate with other modems (in our case modems at the University of Oregon ) in such a way that your machine receives a temporary Internet address (an IP address). By having this address, and running the remote access software you can run network applications that are designed for the Internet. This type of connection makes you appear to be transparently part of the University of Oregon network (the UOnet). Some network applications are Netscape, FTP clients, news programs, and Eudora (a mail program). These network applications are included in a separate installation program referred to as the Network Application Installer.
After you have installed both the remote access software appropriate for your machine and the network applications you wish to use, you can then make a connection to the University of Oregon network (UOnet) and successfully run these program. Before you do this you will need to read the documentation which has been included or provided for each remote access software package and for each network application. Please do not call for help until you have first read the supplied documentation.
The key step to using remote access software is to first connect to the UOnet with the remote access software program you are using. Next, you must generally leave the remote access software running, and then you can run a network application (such as Netscape). In the vast majority of cases where a network application does not work correctly the reason is because the remote access connection has not been successfully made.
In review here are the steps for installing and running network applications with remote access software:
- Install the remote access software package for your particular machine.
- Install the network applications for your machine.
- Configure the remote access software and network applications you wish to use. Read the supplied documentation to do this.
- Dial your modem and connect to the UOnet using your remote access software.
- For Windows 3.1x and Windows 95 you need to keep the remote access software program open after you connect. Be sure to only shrink the program down, not to close it. On the Mac you can close the InterPPP and MacPPP remote access packages, but we suggest leaving InterPPP open in the background if you have enough memory.
- After you have successfully connected run the network application of choice.
If you encounter problems connecting or running a network application please read the troubleshooting indices included in the supplied documentation with Trumpet Winsock, InterPPP, and MacPPP. Remember, you must have a valid modem account (see the start of this document for an explanation) and password to use remote access software.
The rest of this document discusses in more detail remote access software packages for the Mac and for PCs running Windows 3.1x and Windows 95.
Microcomputer Services currently maintains a remote access installer for Windows version 3.1x (including Windows for Workgroups), a handout for Windows 95 users, and network applications installers for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.
Windows 3.1x users need to first obtain disk sets of the Trumpet Winsock Remote Access Software Installer and the Windows 3.1 Network Applications Installer. Both of these installation packages are available from the consulting office in the Microcomputer Support Center (151 McKenzie Hall). To install both of these packages you should do the following:
- Start Windows on your PC.
Place the Trumpet Winsock installer in your machine's disk drive. We assume that you are using the "A" drive on your machine in all these examples.
- If you are using the "B" drive then substitute "B" for "A" as appropriate.
- In Windows go to the File menu in the Program Manager and choose "Run..."
- In the Command Line box enter "A:\SETUP" and click on OK.
- You will now be presented with the Trumpet Winsock installer. Follow the on-screen directions.
Once you have completed installing the Trumpet Winsock package you still need to run the Windows 3.1 Network Applications Installer. To do this follow these steps:
- In Windows go to the File menu in the Program Manager and choose "Run..."
- In the Command Line box enter "A:\SETUP" and click on OK.
- The Windows 3.1 Network Application Installer will now run. There are a number of on-screen instructions. Read and follow them closely.
The final step in process is to read the detailed installation instructions which come with both the Trumpet Winsock and the Windows 3.1 Network Application Installers. These documents explain precisely what you will need to do to get your remote access connection working and how to use and configure each network application that you choose to install.
The Trumpet Winsock instruction file is called "WINSOCK.WRI - Read First." This file includes a detailed appendix in case you have problems when trying to connect. Please refer to this appendix before calling for help (thanks!).
The Windows 3.1 Network Application Installer places a file called "README FIRST!" in the Network Applications group. Both installation packages place their software (by default) in the Network Applications group. The file README FIRST! includes configuration instructions for each network software package installed.
Windows 95 users need to obtain a copy of the handout "Remote Access with Windows 95." This handout is available in the Computing Center at the first floor Help Desk, in the Documents Room Library (Room 205), and in the consulting office (Room 202). The handout gives you step-by-step instructions for using the built-in remote access software which comes with Windows 95.
The next step is to obtain the disk set for the Windows 95 Network Applications Installer. This installation package is available from the consulting office in the Microcomputer Support Center (151 McKenzie Hall).
To install this package in Windows 95 you should do the following:
- Place the first disk of the Windows 95 Network Application Installer in your machine's disk drive. We assume that you are using the "A" drive on your machine in all these examples. If you are using the "B" drive then substitute "B" for "A" as appropriate.
- Go to the Start button and choose the "Run..." option.
- In the Open box type the command "A:\SETUP" and click OK.
- The Windows 95 Network Application Installer will now run. There are a number of on-screen instructions. Read and follow them closely.
The final step in process is to read the detailed configuration instructions which come with the Windows 95 Network Application Installer. This document explains how to configure and get running most of network application software which is installed. The name of this document is "README FIRST!" and it can be found in the Network Applications folder which was created by the installer. Please refer to this document first before calling for help setting up network software. There is a good chance that your question will be answered by this document.
Microcomputer Services currently maintains and recommends the following remote access software for the Macintosh:
- InterPPP for all Macintosh computers that do not use Open Transport.
- MacPPP for Open Transport Macintosh computers.
Open Transport is a new method of accessing network resources on the Macintosh. The details are not important, but what is important is to know if you have an Open Transport Mac. If you own a Macintosh 7200, 7500, 8500, or 9500, then you are using Open Transport and must use the MacPPP remote access software. Another way to check for Open Transport is to go to your Control Panels and see if you have a TCP/IP Control Panel. If you do, then you are using Open Transport.
Besides remote access software, Microcomputer Services also maintains a Network Applications Installer for the Macintosh. After you install your specific remote access software package you should run the Network Applica-tions Installer. Next, we discuss the specifics of installing both InterPPP and MacPPP on the Macintosh.
Macintosh users not running Open Transport (please see the previous section to determine if you are using Open Transport or not) should obtain a copy of the UO InterPPP Installer and the Network Applications Installer for the Mac. Both of these installation packages are available from the consulting office in the Microcomputer Support Center (151 McKenzie Hall).
To install both of these packages you should do the following:
- Place the disk containing the UO InterPPP Installer in your machine's disk drive.
- Double-click on the UO InterPPP Installer icon.
- You will now be presented with important information during the installation process. Please read all this information closely.
After installation you will having the following new items on your Macintosh.
- A folder called InterPPP
- An item in your Apple menu called "InterPPP Dial"
- An icon on your Desktop for starting InterPPP
Before running InterPPP you should read the file "UO InterPPP Read This 1st" which is on the same disk as your UO InterPPP Installer program. Before you call for help please read this file as it explains in detail how to get InterPPP up and running on your machine.
At this point you can either configure InterPPP, or you can run the Network Application Installer for the Mac which should be on a separate set of disks. When you run the Network Application Installer is not important, but most people usually do this immediately after installing InterPPP for the first time. To run the Network Application Installer do the following:
- Place the first disk of the Network Applications Installer in your disk drive and double-click on the installer icon.
- There will be some informational messages on the screen. Read these as they are presented.
After installation you will have the following new items on your Macintosh:
- A folder called Network Applications containing,
- A Netscape Browser folder
- Telnet
- Eudora
- Fetch (an FTP client)
- Newswatcher, and
- Helper Applications
The Netscape Browser folder contains the Netscape Installation program which you must run, and a file called, "UO-Netscape Quickstart Read 1st." All the remaining folders contain "Read Me" documents. It is essential that you read each of these documents before using the supplied software. Please do not call for help without first reading the correct document. In many cases your question is answered in the supplied documentation.
Macintosh users running Open Transport (please see the previous page to determine if you are using Open Transport or not) should obtain a copy of the UO MacPPP Installer and the Network Applications Installer for the Mac. Both of these installation packages are available from the consulting office in the Microcomputer Support Center (151 McKenzie Hall). To install both of these packages you should do the following:
- Place the disk containing the UO MacPPP Installer in your machine's disk drive.
- Double-click on the UO MacPPP Installer icon.
- You will now be presented with important information during the installation process. Please read all this information closely. This information is essential to successfully running this software.
After installation you will have the following new items on your Macintosh:
- A folder called MacPPP
- A Control Panel called Config PPP
You will need to open and configure the Config PPP Control Panel to get MacPPP working. Before doing this you should read the file "UO MacPPP Installer README" which is on the same disk as your UO MacPPP Installer program. Before you call for help please read this file as it explains in detail how to get MacPPP up and running on your machine.
At this point you can either configure MacPPP, or you can run the Network Application Installer for the Mac which should be on a separate set of disks. When you run the Network Application Installer is not important, but most people usually do this immediately after installing MacPPP for the first time. To run the Network Application Installer do the following:
- Place the first disk of the Network Applications Installer in your disk drive and double-click on the installer icon.
- There will be some information messages on the screen. Read these as they are presented.
After installation you will have the following new items on your Macintosh:
- A folder called Network Applications containing,
- A Netscape Browser folder
- Telnet
- Eudora
- Fetch (an FTP client)
- Newswatcher, and
- Helper Applications
The Netscape Browser folder contains the Netscape Installation program which you must run, and a file called, "UO-Netscape Quickstart Read 1st." All the remaining folders contain "Read Me" documents. It is essential that you read each of these documents before using the supplied software. Please do not call for help without first reading the correct document. In many cases your question is answered in the supplied documentation.
If, after reading the supplied documentation, you cannot get your remote access software to properly connect, or you cannot get one of the network applications to run you can call Microcomputer Services at 346-4412 for additional help. You can also send e-mail to microhelp@oregon, check out our web pages at http://micro.uoregon.edu, or stop by the consulting office in Room 202 of the Computing Center. Microcomputer Services is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
