If you have the After 5 Solutions Internet software on CD, or have downloaded it, we recommend using our software to setup and connect to our service, rather than going through manual configuration.

Before we begin, you'll need to have the basic components installed to connect to an Internet network, and to do it via a modem. 

It's likely your computer will have these components installed, but to double-check (and if need be, add what you're missing), click here.

STEP ONE
First, click Start to open your Start Menu, then point to Settings, and select Dial-Up Networking.

STEP TWO
From Dial-Up Networking, double-click on Make New Connection.

STEP THREE
The "Make New Connection" wizard will appear. 

Enter a name for the connection we're creating.  In this case, you can simply enter a5s.  If you have more than one modem (which is unlikely), select the one you'd like to use from the Device list.

When finished, click Next.

STEP FOUR
Now, you'll be asked to enter the number you wish to dial. 

Enter in the area code and telephone number for the dialup number you wish to use and click Next.

STEP FIVE
You now need to click Finish to move onto the next step.

STEP SIX
At this point, you're brought back to the Dial-Up Networking window.  It shows the icon you've just created. 

We're not done yet though, so right-click on the After 5 Solutions icon and select Properties.  A "a5s" dialog box will appear.

STEP SEVEN
Go to the Networking tab at the top of the dialog box. 

The type of Dial-Up Server being used is "PPP: Internet, Windows 2000/NT, Windows ME".  Also, you should have only Enable Software Compression and TCP/IP checked.

When finished, click on TCP/IP Settings.

STEP EIGHT
You should now see a "TCP/IP Settings" dialog box.  In the dialog, you'll need to enter in your DNS numbers as shown here.  Other default options should be left in place.

So, select Specify name server addresses, and enter in the appropriate numbers as shown here.

When you're done, click OK.  You'll be brought back to the "a5s" dialog.

STEP NINE
Now, go to the Security tab at the top.  This step is optional, since filling in this information here will allow anyone using your computer to sign on using your a5s Internet account without being prompted for a password.

If you would like to make it easier to get online, enter in your Username and Password.

Also, if you'd like to make it so your computer automatically connects to our service whenever Internet content is needed, you can check the Connect Automatically check box.  This is not recommended unless you have a dedicated phone line to dial into our service.

STEP TEN
Now, you should go to the Dialing tab.  This step is also optional.

You should check This is the default Internet connection if you'd like to make sure that you always connect to After 5 Solutions when trying to access the Internet, and select Always dial my default connection.

STEP ELEVEN
You can click OK on any open dialog boxes now, to get back to the Dial-Up Networking window.  To make it easier to connect to our service, you should create a shortcut on your desktop to connect to a5s.  Here's how:

First, right click on the After 5 Solutions icon.  Then, select Create Shortcut as shown here:

You'll be asked if you'd like to place it on the desktop.  Click Yes.

Once you've created the shortcut, you can close all the open windows and get back to your desktop.

Getting Connected:
Simply double-click on the icon on your desktop.  If it's not already there, enter in your username and password.  Then, simply click Dial to get online.

Once you've dialed up and your username and password have been verified, Windows will let you know that you're connected, and at this point, it's up to you what you do next. 

Once online, an icon with two little computers will appear by your clock.  This indicates that you've got an Internet connection established. 

Once this far, you can use any Internet application you like.  For example, you might choose to go browsing on the Web using Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, or read your e-mail by using Outlook Express or Netscape Messenger.

Disconnecting from After 5 Solutions Internet:
When you're done and would like to disconnect form a5s, you can simply double-click on the icon with the two little computers by your clock.

Then, a dialog box will appear displaying connection status information.  Simply click Disconnect to hang up.