Dell Inspiron 3500 - Manual (Page 17)

Connecting to the Internet 2-1
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The Windows 98 operating system enables you to configure your computer for Inter-
net use from the Online Services folder or Internet Connection wizard. Before
accessing the Internet, use the instructions in the following subsections to complete
the following steps. After you complete these steps, you are ready to access the
Internet.
1. Set up your modem.
2. Set up an Internet account with an online service or an Internet service provider
(ISP) through the Online Services folder or Internet Connection wizard.
3. Set up your Internet browser.
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If your computer came with an internal modem, the modem was set up along with
other devices when the computer was shipped to you from Dell. Make sure you con-
nect the telephone line to the modem connector on the computer as illustrated in the
Dell System User’s Guide.
If you are using a PC Card modem with your computer, Windows 98 should automati-
cally detect the new modem the next time you turn on your computer. In such case, a
New Hardware Found window appears and prompts you for information about the
modem, such as the model and manufacturer names, so that Windows 98 can identify
and load the appropriate drivers. You must then restart the computer for the configu-
ration information to take effect.
If Windows 98 does not detect and set up your
modem, refer to the modem manufacturer’s documentation or contact the manufac-
turer for assistance.
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After you set up your modem, the next step to accessing the Internet is to set up an
Internet account and configure your computer for Internet use from an online service
or ISP. An
online service provides software for connecting to a network of services,
including the Internet. An ISP is a company that allows you to dial into its host server
to connect directly to the Internet.