Now Windows XP is installed, it's time to get the internet connection working. Most popular are the DSL or Cable connections, but a connection through your phone line is also possible. Follow the instructions of your service provider.
The most simple connection is through a gateway router. The gateway router (provided by some of the internet providers as the modem) keeps the DSL or Cable internet connection alive, and makes sure that every connected computer is able to enter the internet. If this is the case: you only have to plug in the ethernet cable and the connection will probably be there automatically.
DSL or Cable? Buy a gateway (wireless) router!
There are increasingly more households with more then one computer. By placing these computers in a network, all computers are able to connect to the internet at the same time. Besides using the same internet connection, you are also able to share printers and files as well!
Theoretically, creating a network with a gateway router is not that difficult, in most cases easier then sharing the internet connection within Windows. Practically however, many are having a lot of problems, especially if a secured wireless connection is on the wish list! Most internet providers use a modem with DHCP to get connected. By setting up the router with automatic IP address you are probably quick online (sometimes you have to clone the computers MAC address). Although there are routers which support an USB modem, I advise to buy an ethernet modem. Besides that, I advise to use a modem supported by your internet provider (if you buy a combined modem-router, you will probably get no support if needed).
Optimizing the internet connection
For maximum performance, it's wise to optimize your internet connection. For this purpose you can make use of the utility TCP Optimizer (download:
http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php). This tool can be used for both Windows XP/2000 and 98/ME. Choose your internet connection type, option Optimal settings, and Apply changes to optimize your connection.
For the tab MaxMTU use the value 1500 and reboot your Windows and do the test (if needed change to www.google.com). The optimized MaxMTU will be found.
Internet by a 56K modem
If you are still using an old fashion 56K modem, I can imagine you get irritated with the noise. Switching the noise off, is easy: Control Panel, Network Connections, right click the 56K connection and choose Properties, button Configure (the modem), tab Modem, Speaker volume: Off.
Are you having troubles creating a connection? Use the following initialization string (same place): s11=55 for getting connected faster and s10=60 to prevent to get disconnected.
Internet history cleaning (cookies, temporary files, history, visited websites)
With every visit of a website, all sort of information and files are stored on your computer. There are a few tools to erase this information easily. I like the following utilities most:
Active@ Eraser for Windows (download:
http://www.active-eraser.com/)
IEHistoryView from
Nirsoft (download:
www.nirsoft.net/utils/iehv.html)
Active Eraser actually overwrites the data, so they are no longer recoverable!
