Some Advice on getting onto the WWW via CompuServe by Vidya Tolani (3rd update, 6/5/95) (Updated information since last version - new set of IP addresses, updated information on retrieving Netscape, Mosaic and other applications, more trouble-shooting tips, and new section on helper applications.) ------------------------------------------------------ Configuring your Mac to get on the WWW via CompuServe may be the most un-Mac-like thing that you will ever do on your Macintosh. However, don't get discouraged, because once you know exactly what to do, this process is relatively quick and simple. The trick is to realize that MacTCP/PPP is a very fussy creature, and that you MUST follow these instructions extremely carefully. If you do not, you may, like I did, spend five days trying to figure this out. Not fun. Please don't be put off by how long this document is. There is a lot of trouble-shooting advice in here, which you may not need. I also want to say I am not a sysop or a super-techie person (techie- lite is fine with me). For me, computers are a means to an end, so I am not going to give you a lot of technical details here, but just what you need to know to make this work. If you want to know more about the technical details of HOW this really works, please post a message in one of the Internet Forums, and a real guru will be glad to help you. I have configured Mac TCP/PPP for 3 different setups: a Powerbook Duo 210 with an internal GV PowerPort Mercury modem, a Mac IIsi with an external Supra 14.4 modem, and a PowerPC Performa 6115 with a GV Teleport Gold modem. (All of these used System 7.5, although you can do this with any version of System 7.) The exact same set up worked on all these machines with no problems. ------------------------------------------------------ A) Here's what you need: 1) Mac TCP (2.0.4 or 2.0.6): you can get MacTCP with System 7.5, or TCP 2.0.4 as part of _The Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh_ (Second Edition) by Adam Engst, published by Haydn books. The book retails for $29.95, and you can sometimes get it for less. It also comes with MacPPP, MacWeb, Gopher, WAIS, Anarchie, and a bunch of other programs. You can also buy MacTCP from Apple, but it costs a lot more to get it that way. Note: you CANNOT download MacTCP from any of the forums on CompuServe. Make sure to restart your Mac after installing MacTCP. If you have an earlier version of MacTCP than 2.0.4, a patch for 2.0.2 or 2.0.4 to 2.0.6 called MTCP26.SIT can be downloaded from the Internet Resources Forum (GO INETRES). As with all files with an ".SIT" extension, this first needs to be decompressed using StuffIt Expander or Drop StuffIt (STUFFEX.SEA or DRPSTF.SEA also located in the INETRES forum). To use the MacTCP 2.0.6 patch, you must first trash your old TCP files (3 of them: "MACTCP" located in Control Panels, "MACTCP DNR" in the System Folder, and "MACTCP Prep" in the Preferences Folder), then install a virgin copy of MacTCP, and then use the patch. Some people have said that version 2.0.6 is buggy, however I have used both 2.0.4 and 2.0.6 with no problems. 2) Mac PPP 2.0.1: you can get this from the Internet Resources Forum (file name is MACPPP2.HQX, use StuffIt to decompress it), or as part of _The Internet Starter Kit_ that I mentioned above. When you are done installing MacPPP, you should have 2 files: "Config PPP" in the Control Panels, "PPP" in the Extensions Folder. After configuring PPP you will create a 3rd file: "PPP Preferences" in the Preferences Folder. 3) A web browser, such as Netscape, Mosaic, or MacWeb. Mosaic and MacWeb can be downloaded from the INETRES Forum (NCSAMO.PCC for the Mosaic PowerPC version or NSCAMO.68K for the 68000 Macs and MACWEB.SIT for MacWeb). I personally like Netscape 1.1. Whereas Netscape cannot be downloaded from any forums, you can get it on CompuServe via FTP. To do that, GO FTP, then pick "Access a specific site". Type in "ftp.mcom.com" in the first box and hit . You will be given a list of subdirectories - select the Mac subdirectory, and then the Netscape 1.1 subdirectory. Download the file with the .hqx extension. Once again, you will need to decompress it using StuffIt. * If you have been using SLIP, you may experience some problems with having both PPP and SLIP. If you don't need SLIP, I would suggest throwing it away. If you do need SLIP, then you may want to get a program called TCP Netswitch (NTSW20.SIT in the INETRES forum). ------------------------------------------------------ B) How to configure MacTCP: 1) Pull down the Control Panels from the Apple Menu Items, and select MacTCP. Make sure to CLICK on the PPP icon even if it is already highlighted. Don't worry about the IP Address box here. Now click on the "More" button. (If you have installed 7.5 on your system, but you do not see MacTCP in your control panels, that means you didn't install MacTCP when doing the installation. Go back to your 7.5 installation disks, and do a Custom Install on MacTCP). 2) Set "Obtain Address" to Server. Don't worry about the Routing Gateway Address. Under IP Address, set Network to C (if you're using TCP 2.0.4, this will say Class rather than Network). You will notice that setting the Network to C puts in other settings in Net and Bits, etc. Just let it do its thing! You don't have to worry about Subnet Mask, or Net, etc. And finally under Domain IP address set it to the following: Domain IP Address Default compuserve.com 149.174.211.5 x . 149.174.211.5 compuserve.com 149.174.213.5 (Make sure that Default button is checked on your first IP address!) This is the new set of IP addresses that CompuServe has given for best access. For your reference, I am also including previous sets of IP addresses that have been given out: Domain IP Address Default compuserve.com 149.174.64.41 x . 149.174.64.41 compuserve.com 149.174.64.42 OR Domain IP Address Default compuserve.com 149.174.184.41 x . 149.174.184.41 compuserve.com 149.174.184.42 OR Domain IP Address Default compuserve.com 198.4.7.1 x . 198.4.7.1 compuserve.com 198.4.9.1 I can't tell you what the difference is between all these sets of addresses. My best advice would be to start with the 149.174.211.5/213.5 set, and if that doesn't work (constantly returns a "Link Dead" message, or you find that you cannot get to any home pages when you launch your browser), then try a different set. Unfortunately you do have to restart your Mac anytime you change the IP Address in MacTCP for the change to take effect. After you have entered in all the information, hit the "OK" button, and close up MacTCP. ------------------------------------------------------ C) How to configure MacPPP: 1) Pull down the Control Panels menu from the Apple Menu, and select ConfigPPP. In Port Name select Modem Port for an external modem. If you have an internal modem, you should have the Internal Modem option set. Set the Idle Timeout to None, and Echo Interval to Off. Check the box that says "Hangup on Close". Click the "New" button and give a name to the PPP server (can be anything you want, I call mine CompuServe PPP). Now click on the "Config" button. 2) Somewhere I read something along the lines that your port speed should be set to one level higher than what you connect at. So if you're connecting at 14.4k, set it to 19200, with flow control set to CTS & RTS(DTR). Some people have told me they've had to set it as high as 38400 before getting through. I'd suggest starting out at 19200 and bump it up from there if you're having problems connecting. If you're connecting at 9600, use the same settings: Port Speed: 9600, Flow Control: None. You may also have problems with dialing up if you have an old modem cable that does not work with CTS & RTS settings. Whereas there is some way of getting around this, I really can't remember the details - my advice is to get the right modem cable! I have read messages from some people who have managed to connect at 2400 baud. I cannot remember what settings to use, but I believe your flow control should be set to none, and try starting from 2400 as your port speed. However, if you have a 2400 baud modem, and you really want to get out and explore the WWW, seriously consider upgrading your modem. The WWW is slow enough at 9600 or even 14400. I really don't think it's worth it at a lesser speed. 3) For the Phone Number, use your local CompuServe access number, and make sure it is at least a 9600 connection. If you're not sure, GO PHONES on CompuServe and check. 4) For modem init I have used AT&F1 for 3 different modems: GV PowerPort Mercury, GV Teleport Gold, and Supra Fax 14.4, and it has worked for each one. I have my modem connect timeout set to 60 seconds, although a slightly longer timeout (like 120 seconds might be necessary if your modem gets timed out when logging on). I don't know much about modem strings - I just picked the simplest one that worked for me. AT&F, AT&F1, and AT&F2 are all common factory default settings. You could also try AT or AT&K3. If none of these work for you, then try using your modem string init in your MacCIM settings and paste it into your ConfigPPP. To find your MacCIM settings, look in the CompuServe Folder in your Preferences Folder in your System Folder. Look in the file "CompuServe Settings" and search for "INIT=". Copy the string (minus the ^M at the end) into your modem init box. You may also need to make a few other adjustments to this string. If your modem string contains &K4, replace it with &K3. Also replace &D2 with &D0, should it appear. MacCIM requires Xon/Xoff flow control, whereas PPP wants CTR&RTS, so you need to disable any command that enables software flow control (usually K4), as well as remove the command that enables software DTR (&D2 for most). The best place to find out more about modem strings is by consulting your modem manual, or by posting a message in your modem support forum (GO MODEMV). 5) Now hit the Connect Script button. The connect script looks deceptively simple, but it can be a real source of problems. You MUST understand that PPP is actually looking for the script that you have put in on the wait lines, so it is CRUICIAL that you have it EXACTLY right, meaning that this text is CASE SENSITIVE. Here's what your script should look like: X Out \d\d\d\d x X Wait Host Name: X Out CIS x X Wait User ID: X Out Your CompuServe ID/GO:PPPCONNECT x X Wait Password: X Out Your Password x X Wait PPP You should be putting in your own CompuServe User ID (e.g.. 77777,7777/GO:PPPCONNECT) and your own Password here, not the words "Your CompuServe ID" or "Your Password". Make sure your script is IDENTICAL to the one above. The last line after your password should be blank with no carriage return marked. Double-check to make sure you have the correct password. A note on the "\d\d\d\d". Each "\d" indicates a one-second delay. You may not need any of them (I don't), or you may need more. One person had to put in eleven! If you're not getting past the "Host Name:" part of your script, you may want to put in a couple more to see if that helps. I've been told that folks connecting in Europe seem to need a few more \d's. Don't put in too many, or you may get timed out! Start with a few and go up if necessary. Click on the "OK" button for the Script, and "Done" button, for the Configuration. Don't do anything with the Authentication and the 2 Options buttons. Just leave the default settings in place. ------------------------------------------------------ D) To get on WWW: 1) Pull up the Config PPP box. You'll see 2 sad faces and "PPP Down". Now click on the Open Button. A box will open up, your modem will dial up, you'll see your script go by, then it will say "Establishment" then "Network". When the box goes away and you see two smiley faces and "PPP UP", that means you're on! After you've gotten this far, then launch your browser which will take you to its home page. 2) When you're done, quit your browser and then click either the "Soft Close" or the "Hard Close" button on the Config PPP panel. This is the only good way to get your modem to hang up (other than just turning it off). You can actually get on the WWW by just launching some browsers, but you do have to go back to the Config PPP panel to hang up your modem. The difference between "Hard Close" and "Soft Close" is that supposedly, "Soft Close" allows you to relaunch another PPP session without having to restart your Mac. However, I can do that if I use "Hard Close". Some people have reported that when they restart their Mac, it automatically launches PPP. That could be because they did not do a "Hard Close", but a "Soft Close". I'm really not too clear on the real reason for this - I always do a "Hard Close" and it has never given me any problems. ------------------------------------------------------ E) Troubleshooting: 1) PPP Timeout. Waiting for OK. This means something is wrong with your modem string. Go back and try out AT&F, AT&F1,AT&F2, AT&K3 and AT. Also make sure your make your port speed is set to at least 19200 (if you're connecting at 14400), and try bumping it up to see if that makes a difference. If you've copied your init string from MacCIM, make sure you have stripped off the "^M" from the end of the string, and have replaced &K4 with &K3, and &D2 with &D0, if they appear in your string. 2) Cannot Open PPP. If you go to ConfigPPP and the Open box is greyed out, then go back to MacTCP and make sure you have CLICKED on the PPP icon, even if it is already highlighted. If that doesn't do that trick, make sure your PPP and TCP files are in the correct place. There are 3 TCP files: "MACTCP" located in Control Panels, "MACTCP DNR" in the System Folder, and "MACTCP Prep" in the Preferences Folder. There should also be 3 PPP files: "Config PPP" in the Control Panels, "PPP" in the Extensions Folder, and "PPP Preferences" in the Preferences Folder. 3) Waiting For Text.... If you get stuck while you're dialing up and see something like "Waiting for Text: Host Name", that means something is wrong with your script, in particular the line that it is waiting for, or the line before it. Check your script very carefully and remember this is all case sensitive stuff. Make sure the correct Out and Wait boxes are checked, and the correct boxes are marked. Try putting in a couple more "\d"s in the first line if your script looks fine and you are getting stuck on the first line. If you get the message "Waiting for Text: PPP", then it means something is wrong with either your User ID, the GO word you're using (should be GO:PPPCONNECT), or your password. Check them all again very carefully. If you have a special character such as "/" or "^" in your password, I would suggest either entering your password in manually via terminal window, or changing your password so that it does not have any special characters in it. Here's how to enter your password in manually: Instead of typing in your password in the second last line of your script, type in \t and uncheck the box at the end. (You don't need to change the last line of your script.) When you OPEN PPP, it'll go through the script and then return a terminal window box when it gets to the password part. Type in your password and hit . It won't actually seem like you're typing it in the terminal window, but don't worry, that's how it works. You should see a message saying "leaving basic services" and then some gobelty gook (sp?) go by. Then Hit OK and you should go through Establishment and Network. If your script does match exactly, and you still get this message, try logging on in Terminal Window. Click the Terminal Window box in Config PPP and click on Open PPP. A terminal window will pop up. Type ATDT followed by your CompuServe local access number. After it dials up, hit . You'll see Host Name: (Put in: CIS), then User ID: (Put in: Your CompuServe ID/GO:PPPCONNECT, for example, 77777,7777/GO:PPPCONNECT) and then Password: (Your CompuServe Password goes in here). Check and make sure it accepts your password. You'll see a message that says "Leaving Basic Services" and then you'll start to see those funny characters scrolling by. As soon as you see that, hit the OK button. You should go through Establishment, then Network, then the top box will disappear, PPP UP and 2 smiley faces should be there. Logging in via Terminal Window does help you understand the script process better. If you've tried all of the above, and it STILL doesn't work, try then check your permanent settings for your account. Sign on to CompuServe via MacCIM, GO TERMINAL, and pick choice #2 Change Permanent Settings. Choose #2 Logon/service options, and make sure your "First Service at Logon(option #1)" says MAIN. If it doesn't that means you are not getting the main page, but one that you've specified like Get Mail, or a personalized menu. Change your setting to Main, and then hit twice to go back to the Personal services menu. Pick choice #6 to make your changes permanent. Quit MacCIM, and try opening PPP again. 4) Link Dead. The dreaded Link Dead message can mean one of several things: a) All lines are busy. Try again. Usually you can get on the second time. b) Something is wrong with your script, in particular, your Password, your ID, or maybe the GO word (should be GO:PPPCONNECT). Make sure you have your ID and your password typed in correctly. However, if you have put "PPP" in the last line of your script and you got past that point, this is probably not the problem. c) Try a different set of IP addresses in MacTCP. Refer back to Section B) How To Configure MacTCP, Part 2) 5) Cannot locate Host, or cannot get to any Web pages. If you are able to connect to the Network, however when you launch your browser you aren't able to get to any Web pages, that probably means something is wrong with your IP address. Check them again in the MacTCP configuration. Make sure you have marked the first one as the default. You should also try another set of IP addresses if the first set you used didn't work for you. Some people have said their browser has difficulty going to its home page, or going to other pages from their home page. So try using another URL (that's short for Uniform Resource Locator) for your home page like the Yahoo home page: http://www.yahoo.com (always a good place to start), or any other URL (http://www.compuserve.com for the CompuServe home page), but preferably one that isn't too busy or full of graphics. 6) Can't get past Establishment to Network stage. Whereas I'm not really sure what the source of this problem is, I suspect trying out a different set of IP addresses in MacTCP might help resolve this. I haven't been successful in duplicating this problem lately, so I can't be too sure of this. I'd suggest posting a message in the INETRES forum in the Mac S/W section for the latest scoop on this problem. 7) Modem won't hang up. If you're having problems hanging up your modem after you close, make sure that you have quit your browser, then do a HARD CLOSE from Config PPP. That is the correct way to hang up your modem. 8) Need to restart to reconnect. Some people have reported that they cannot reconnect without restarting the Mac. If that's the case, try doing a "Soft Close" instead of a "Hard Close". You may also want to try an application SPRSET.BIN in the Mac Forum, which clears your serial port. 9) When all else fails....clean reinstall!!! If you've been doing this for a while (like a few days), try throwing out your TCP files(3 of them, located in Control Panels, System Folder, and Preferences) and PPP files (3 of them in Control Panels, Extensions, and Preferences), and start from scratch. It's possible that these files got corrupted, and a clean reinstall seems to have helped people (including myself! :-} ). ---------------------------------------------------- F) COOL HELPER APPLICATIONS: Here are some applications and helper applications to try out, after you get on the WWW and start exploring: 1) Adobe Acrobat Reader Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader (GO ACROBAT or download ACRORE.SEA from the INETRES forum) and check out the Adobe home page (http://www.adobe.com) to find out how to configure it for your browser, and for a list of cool sites that support PDF (Portable Document Files) like the NY Times Fax, KQED Radio, and AXCESS Magazine. They take quite a while to download, but are very cool to look at! 2) CU-SEEME Very primitive video conferencing - kinda futuristic but very primitive and often bizarre - these people need to get a life! (CUSEEME.68K or CUSEEME.PPC in INETRES forum) You don't configure this to your browser, but rather launch it on its own, just like you would launch your browser. 3) RealAudio Player Go to the RealAudio web page (http://www.realaudio.com/) for details on this. 4) TelNet Download TELNET.68K or TELNET.FAT (for both Power PC and 68000 Macs) in the INETRES forum 5) Sparkle To play Quicktime movies or MPEGs.(SPARKL.SEA in the INETRES forum) 6) MacWeather Simple but useful weather watcher! Actually, this isn't a helper application, but it's own application, which you would launch, just like you launch a browser. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I got this from! Before you mistake me for an Internet guru, let me tell you that I am not a good person to ask for help on these applications, as I hardly have the time to play with them! You're best off posting a note in either the INETRES or MACCOM forums for help on these. ----------------------------------------------------- I hope this file has helped save you some time and grief in getting your Mac on the WWW. This is not your typical point-and-click Mac way of doing things, but I'll bet you have learned a lot from this process. The good thing about this set-up is that you can use the browser and applications of your choice. After you experiment around, you'll find what you like the best. Good luck with your connecting and enjoy the WWW - I hope it's worth the fuss! Vidya Tolani (76003,1531) (I am a "she" by the way, please don't refer to me as a "he"!) 6/5/95