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FAQs:

Dialup Access

Choose from an option below:

• How do I set up Xecunet on my new computer or on my existing computer with a new Windows installation?
• I get a message saying there is no dial tone when I try and dial Xecunet, but I can still make phone calls from my house. What does this mean?
• I'm going to be away from home, is there a way I can still access the Internet without paying long distance charges? What If I am going to be leaving the country?
• Can I use my Xecunet dial-up account in more than one location at the same time?
• When I open Internet Explorer it starts me out on another provider's website. How can I change this?
• When I try to connect to Xecunet I get an error that says "Error 691, Check your username and password." What's wrong?
• Whenever I try to connect it doesn't connect me, or it will connect me and as soon as I do anything, I get disconnected. I hear the modem making the screeching sounds, but it sounds different. What could the problem be?
• I'm using Windows 2000/XP and I enter my password in the field correctly. Every time I come back to connect, my password has 16 asterisks representing my password. My password isn't this long. Why does Windows keeping changing it?

How do I set up Xecunet on my new computer or on my existing computer with a new Windows installation?
Please follow the step-by-step instructions below to set up a new connection.

Setting up your dial-up connection for Windows 95/98/ME/2000:

1. Click on the Start menu, select Programs, select Accessories, and then click on Communications. Here you will need to choose the Internet Connection Wizard, if you do not see it in the Communications menu, it may be located in the Internet Tools menu.
2. The Wizard will walk you through creating your connection, and you will be presented with a few questions. Select Set Up Your Connection Manually, which should be the third option, and hit Next.
3. Select Phone Line and Modem and hit Next.
4. Enter the local dial-up access phone number for your area. (You can select from our complete list of local access numbers.) Once this has been entered hit Next.
5. Enter (in all lower case letters) the username followed by @xecu.net and password you selected, and hit Next.
6. On the next screen you will need to enter a name for the connection you have just made. You may name this whatever you would like, for example, Xecunet. Once this is done hit Next.
7. At this point the dial-up connection is set up, you will see a prompt to set up a mail account. If you would like to use the e-mail account that is included with your dial-up account, you will need to select Yes, and hit Next, if not, select No and you can skip the rest of the setup.
8. The wizard will then walk you through setting up your e-mail account. The first thing you will need to enter is your display name, this is whatever name you would like people to see on your messages. This can be your real name, company name or even a nickname. Once you have this entered hit Next.
9. Here you will need to enter the e-mail address we provided for you. This will be your username followed by @xecu.net. We recommend that the e-mail address be entered in all lowercase letters, but it is not required. Once this is done, hit Next.
10. You will now need to enter the information for the mail server. The mail server is a POP3 server, and the Incoming and Outgoing mail server name is mail.xecu.net. Enter this in all lower case letters. Hit Next.
11. Enter your username (without the @xecu.net) and your password. You can elect to have the system save your password as well. DO NOT select the option for Secure Password Authentication, as this will cause problems. Hit Next
12. Congratulations, you have successfully set up your Internet connection. Click on Finish.

The Internet Connection Wizard will set up your new connection as the default Internet connection. This means whenever you open your browser (Internet Explorer) or your e-mail program (Outlook Express) you will be prompted to dial into the Internet automatically.

Setting up your dial-up connection for Windows XP:

1. Click on the Start menu, select Programs, select Accessories and then click on Communications. Here you will need to choose the New Connection Wizard.
2. The Wizard will walk you through creating your connection and you will be presented with a few questions. Choose Connect to the Internet
3. Select the option Set Up Your Connection Manually, which should be the second option, and hit Next.
4. Select the option that specifies a Dial-Up Modem and Phone Line and hit Next.
5. Enter the local dial-up access phone number for your area. (You can select from our complete list of local access numbers.) Once this has been entered hit Next.
6. Enter (in all lower case letters) the username followed by @xecu.net and password you selected, and hit Next.
7. On the next screen, enter a name for the connection you have just made. You may name this whatever you would like, for example, Xecunet. Once this is done hit Next.
8. You will be prompted with a few options such as using the Internet connection firewall, and creating a shortcut on the desktop, select these options as you see fit. Once that is done, click Next and Finish.
9. At this point the dial-up connection is set up. If you would like to use the e-mail account that is included with your dial-up account, you will need to open your e-mail program of choice. This instruction sheet can walk you through setting up an e-mail account through Outlook Express. If you do not wish to use the e-mail account that is included, you may skip the rest of the setup.
10. Open Outlook Express by going to the Start menu, click on All Programs and choose Outlook Express.
11. If this is the first time you have used Outlook express, the wizard will begin automatically. If not, you will need to go to the Tools menu, then choose Accounts, click on the option button for Add and then select Mail.
12. The Wizard will then walk you through setting up your e-mail account. The first thing you need to enter is your display name, this is whatever name you would like people to see on your messages. This can be your real name, company name, or even a nickname. Once you have this entered hit Next.
13. Here, enter the e-mail address we provided for you. This will be your username followed by @xecu.net. We recommend entering the e-mail address in all lowercase letters, but it is not required. Once this is done, hit Next.
14. You will now need to enter the information for the mail server. The mail server is a POP3 server, and the Incoming and Outgoing mail server name is mail.xecu.net. This will need to be entered in all lower case letters. Hit Next.
15. Enter in your username (without the @xecu.net) and your password. You can elect to have the system save your password as well. DO NOT select the option for Secure Password Authentication, as this will cause problems. Hit Next.
16. Congratulations, you have successfully set up your Internet connection and your e-mail account. Click on Finish.

The New Connection Wizard will set up your new connection as the default Internet connection. This means whenever you open your browser (Internet Explorer) or your e-mail program (Outlook Express), you will be prompted to dial into the Internet automatically. Or, if you chose to create a shortcut to your dial-up on the desktop, you may double click on that to dial in. For assistance with non-Internet related Operating System problems, please go to Microsoft.com.

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I get a message saying there is no dial tone when I try and dial Xecunet, but I can still make phone calls from my house. What does this mean?
This usually means one of three things: First, it could mean the modem is failing and needs to be replaced. Second, it could mean the modem is simply not functioning properly and needs to be reinstalled. Third, the phone cord from the wall to the computer has gone bad. Try reinstalling your modem before replacing it.

To do this, follow the instructions below.

(REMINDER: You must have the modem drivers from your modem or computer manufacturer before doing the steps below)

1. Turn your computer off and unplug it.
2. Check with your computer manufacturer to make sure you are not violating any warranty agreements (With some companies the act of opening your computer's case will invalidate your warranty).
3. Open the case on your computer (Before you touch any inside components make sure your discharge yourself to something metal. The metal of the computer case is fine for discharging static electricity).
4. Remove the modem from the case.
5. Turn the power on your computer back on and then Windows will load up completely.
6. Remove the drivers for your modem
7. Shut down Windows and unplug your computer.
8. Again discharge yourself on some metal.
9. Insert the modem back into your computer firmly
10. Put the case back on your computer and power it back up
11. Reinstall your network drivers.

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I'm going to be away from home, is there a way I can still access the Internet without paying long distance charges? What If I am going to be leaving the country?
Xecunet has phone numbers is nearly every state in the country. You can call us at 877-932-8638 or check our website for a list of our access numbers throughout the country. You can also use a program called IPASS that can be downloaded from the downloads section of our website. This can be used in many countries throughout the world. There is a per hour charge, but it is very handy when you need Internet access quickly.

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Can I use my Xecunet dial-up account in more than one location at the same time?
The account you purchased with Xecunet allows for only one connection at a time. If you are already connected, you will not be able to connect to us again with the same account until the first one disconnects.

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When I open Internet Explorer it starts me out on another provider's website. How can I change this?

Simply follow the instructions below to change your start or home page.

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. At the top of the program click on Tools
3. In the menu click on Internet Options
4. The first line you will see is: You can change which page you use for your home page. Below this you will see an address. Remove that address
5. Type www.xecu.net or whatever website you would like into the field
6. Click the OK button.

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When I try to connect to Xecunet I get an error that says "Error 691, Check your username and password." What's wrong?
A number of things could be happening. First, make sure your username and password are entered correctly. Even if they look ok, take them out and retype them in. Make sure your CAPS LOCK isn't turned on. Also, please give us a call. There could be a stale session of your account still online, even though you are disconnected. This could prevent future connections.

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Whenever I try to connect it doesn't connect me, or it will connect me and as soon as I do anything, I get disconnected. I hear the modem making the screeching sounds, but it sounds different. What could the problem be?
This sounds like a phone line quality issue. Noise or static in the phone line is easy to diagnose, but very hard to fix. This will usually require a call to the phone company. Even if you don't hear noise in the line, it still may be a problem since we can only hear a fraction of the range that the computer uses to transmit data. This means there can be noise or static in the inaudible range.

There are some things to check and try before contacting your phone company.

1. Is Xecunet having scheduled downtime?
2. Try replacing the phone cord from your PC to the wall.
3. If the phone line from the computer goes to a surge suppressor or line splitter, try removing these devices from the equation and plug the phone line directly into the wall.
4. If the problem only occurs during bad weather you may be experience what we call "Weather Line." Consult your phone company for further assistance.
5. Things like unshielded stereo speakers, halogen lighting and cell phones can introduce noise in the lines. If you've added a new device to or around the computer, try removing the new device.

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I'm using Windows 2000/XP and I enter my password in the field correctly. Every time I come back to connect, my password has 16 asterisks representing my password. My password isn't this long. Why does Windows keeping changing it?
For security reasons, no matter how large or small your password is. Windows 2000 and XP will display sixteen asterisks (stars).

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