Frequently Asked questions... |
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| Q |
How can I verify that the number I am calling is a local call? |
| A |
The first step is to find out what number you are dialing now, and then check with your local phone company to ensure that it is a local call for you.
1) In Windows 95/98, double click on my computer and then double click on Dial-Up-Networking. In Windows ME, click on start, then settings, and then dial up networking.
2) Right click on your dial up connection and then click on properties.
3) The next screen will show the phone number that your computer is dialing to access that connection.
4) Write down the number that your computer is dialing and then follow this link to Ameritech's website
5) Enter the proper information in the form, and then check the list of "Local" numbers from Ameritech. Make sure that the number you wrote down in step 5 is listed. |
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| Q |
Why can't I make a connection to the MPC Internet Service when I could connect before? |
| A |
In an effort to provide the very best service, MPC Internet service uses fiber optic phone lines that virtually eliminate many of the problems found with the older twisted pair copper phone lines that many of you are familiar with. If you are having trouble connecting to the MPC Internet Service, please try some of the following steps to remedy the problem.
1) TEMPORARILY connect the phone line directly from the wall jack to the computer, bypassing your surge suppresser. Try making the connection again. If it works, try a couple more times. It is possible that there was a surge in your phone lines that the surge protector handled and saved your modem, but in the process the surge protector itself has gone bad. Most surge protectors can only handle a surge once before needing to be replaced.
2) In some weather conditions, especially in rural areas, weather and other factors can cause problems. Usually, the best way to compensate for these bad connections is to temporally disable the v.90 compression on your modem. This will allow your modem to connect at a slower speed than it normally would, but it is usually much more reliable of a connection. Disabling V.90 compression on a modem can be difficult since every brand and model of modem can be very different. |
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| Q |
Why do I get disconnected? |
| A |
When you connect to the internet, your modem displays an initial connection rate. This is only the initial connection speed. The speed in which you are connected can change either up or down while you are connected to the internet. This is caused by changes in phone line conditions and the amount of data that is being transferred over your connection. If the modems decide that they can not continue to communicate due to errors that are being sent over the phone lines, they will eventually disconnect. The best way to fix a problem of this nature is to disable the V.90 compression on your modem. For information on how to do this, please
call your local MPC store. |
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| Q |
Why does my internet connection seem slow? |
| A |
The first thing to keep in mind is that there are many types of internet connections. Dial up access over standard phone lines is the most cost effective way for home consumers to connect to the internet. If you have internet access at work, it may be a T1 line which can be up to 100x faster since it uses a different type of technology. T1 lines usually cost more than 60 times the price of standard dial up access.
That being said, you may test the speed of your internet connection by
clicking here. The bar on the right will show you how your connection speed rates. |
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| Q |
Outlook Express keeps rejecting my username and password. |
| A |
The preferred method of accessing your email is through our web site...
http://mail.milwpc.com. If while accessing your email you are disconnected from the internet, the mail server may not register you as being disconnected. It will automatically reset the connection in 1/2 hour. If you continue to get this or other error messages from Outlook Express, please try our web based email (link above). |