Configuring a Dialup Connection

There are two parts to setting up an Alphalink connection with MacOS 8 or 9; the TCP/IP settings and the Remote Access or PPP settings. Follow these steps:

TCP/IP Settings

1. Click on the Apple menu (top far left of screen) and scroll to the Control Panels menu
2. Click on TCP/IP selection
3. If you have not setup a connection before, the following message will probably appear: The previously selected connection, 'Ethernet' is not available. The connection has been changed to 'Apple Talk (MAC IP)'. Just click OK
4. This message may also appear: Make TCP/IP active when closing the control panel? Just click Yes
5. Click in the Connect via box and select PPP
6. If there is anything in the Name Server Addr. box, delete it
7. If there is anything in the Search domains box, delete it
8. Then enter: alphalink.com.au
9. Close the TCP/IP window (Click the box in top left corner of the window)
10. When prompted if you want to save the changes, click Save.

You are half way there. You now need to setup the following:

Remote Access (PPP) Settings

1. Click on the Apple menu, go to the Control Panels menu and click on Remote Access (or PPP if you can not see Remote Access)
2. Click in the Name box and type in your Alphalink login name (ie. loginname@alphalink.com.au)
3. Click in the Password box and type in your Alphalink password
4. Put a tick in the Save Password box.
5. Click in the Number box and type in the dialup number for your account
6. Click on Options
7. Click on the Protocol tab
8. Make sure that Allow error correction and compression in modem and Use TCP header compression are both ticked
9. Make sure that Connect to a command-line host is NOT ticked
10. Click OK
11. You'll go back to the Remote Access (PPP) window. If you want to dial in now, click Connect. If not, just close the window.

You should now be able to connect to Alphalink.

Troubleshooting

Problem: Can't get any web sites.
Solution: Most likely your Dial-up settings are incorrect. Follow through the instructions above to check your settings.

Problem: I can not login!
Solution: Your username or password could be rejected for one of several reasons.

When you try to connect, make sure that you have correct details entered on the PPP/Remote Access screen. Next to Username you should have your Alphalink login name in lowercase letters (ie. loginname@alphalink.com.au), and next to Password you should have your Alphalink password exactly as it is on your member's letter. Remember that both of these are case sensitive and MUST be entered EXACTLY as they are on your member's letter. If you think you have forgotten your username or password, call us on 1300 137 425.

Make sure that you are not dialing into a line that you do not have access to. For example, if you are on the Melbourne Budget ($110) account, you do not have access outside of Melbourne and if you are a Sydney or Canberra Budget ($165) account holder you do not have access outside NSW, and so on.

Possibly someone else is currently logged into your account, or the system mistakenly thinks you are connected when you are not. If someone else is logged into your account, you will not be able to connect, as only one connection per account is permitted. Therefore, it is important that you do not give your password out to anyone, and that you keep your computer free of viruses to ensure your password does not get stolen. Give us a call on 1300 137 425 and we can check logins to your account for you.

Budget members need to be aware of the following considerations:
Make sure that you have not used up your time for the day. An Alphalink day goes from 12am to 12am - during this time you can use 8 hours. Between 6pm and 11pm (peak time), you may only use 2 hours of your total. Between 11pm and 6pm the next day you may use as much of your 8 hours as is left, however there is a limit of 3 hours per call. If you are sure that you haven't used up your time, call us on 1300 137 425 and we can check for you.

Problem: My modem is not dialing.
Solution: Make sure that the phone cord is firmly plugged into the correct port on the modem (usually the one marked 'Line'), and into the phone socket on the wall. Also make sure that the phone line is working correctly. Also make sure that the correct modem is selected in Modems under Control Panels. If all that is ok, contact your modem manufacturer for further assistance.

Problem: It's still not working!
Solution: If the instructions above are not helping, or you are having any other problems that you can not solve, check the other sections of our Online Help.

If all else fails, or you'd prefer personalised help, contact us on 1300 137 425 or email support@alphalink.com.au and they will be happy to help you out.