Upgrading to Windows 95

When you install Windows 95, you will also need to install TCP/IP configuration to setup PPP on your machine. You will not be able to continue to use the old TCPMAN and WINSOCK files that remain from your Windows 3.1 installation and you should delete those files, including WINSOCK.DLL and TRUMPWSK.INI in the \WINDOWS directory.

Unlike Windows 3.1 which needed additional files to be installed which would allow you to connect to the Internet, Windows 95 has networking and TCP/IP built-in.  However, you will need to ensure that your PC is properly configured to talk with FOURnet's servers before you can connect successfully.   To do this, you can use the new Microsoft Internet Connection Wizard to enter the correct FOURnet Internet Protocol Addresses (IP).   Once you have entered the correct IP addresses using the Internet Connection Wizard, you can verify that they are correct after a reboot by choosing Start->Run from the menu and entering "winipcfg" (without the quotes).  Check that what is listed matches those provided to you for use with FOURnet.
When you first install Windows 95, it will replace your configuration files with its own WINSOCK files as soon as you activate any component of the built-in Windows 95 networking or possibly a program that is network-aware and which will then retrieve all of the Microsoft changes.
Once the new Microsoft version of WINSOCK is loaded, the Microsoft settings will remain in place even though a different program calls them. Additionally, Windows 95 will make a backup of its own WINSOCK file so that if you replace it manually, the next time you reboot, Windows 95 will put back it's own copy.
DO NOT RUN YOUR OLD TCPMAN UNDER WINDOWS 95! Delete all of your old TCP/IP applications, such as WINSOCK.DLL, TRMPWSK.INI, Netscape, Microsoft Internet Explorer, etc. Remove all related files and references to old PATH statements which point to old Winsock or Netscape, AT&T, Juno, etc., configuration files.
Setup TCP/IP (you will need to do this again if you have run any of your old TCP applications since installing it the first time.)

Using the Microsoft Internet Connection Wizard, enter IP address information for FOURnet. Double-check your entries, and go over the install procedure step-by-step again if necessary until the connection is successful. Observe the modem lights if you are using an external modem, and record all error messages which you receive along with the exact date and time which they occurred.
If you are still unable to complete a successful login at this point, fill in a Trouble Worksheet or send this information via FAX to 508-295-5492. 


Setting Up Winsock with Win 3.1

Unzip the Winsock Archive File into a directory. Create a group using the Windows 3.1 program manager and add TCPMAN.EXE to the group. (This is done automatically if you used FOURNET.EXE).
Click on the TCPMAN icon and a window will appear where you can enter the IP address information (you should have this printed out beforehand).
Enter the IP address as 0.0.0.0 since your IP address is dynamically assigned. Select the appropriate COM port on your machine that is connected to your modem. If you're not sure which COM port your modem is attached to, then try COM 2, as the mouse is usually connected to COM port 1. If this doesn't work, then try COM 1.
Do not check off SLIP, as by default, you will be using PPP as your protocol. (SLIP is available by special arrangement with FOURnet).
You may need to edit the file LOGIN.CMD if you did not install the FOURNET.EXE program or if you are using a modem that is less than 9600 bps or a modem which does not recognize standard initialization strings or your modem has a non-standard command set. If you have a non-standard modem, consult the modem's user manual to determine what commands your modem supports.
At this point it's time to attempt a connection. If you have an external modem, observe the modem lights so that you will see when a connection is established and when it is dropped. If a successful connection is not established, click on the Manual login option of the TCPMAN menu. This allows you to type commands in order to dial the modem using standard modem commands (see your modem user's guide). Observe any error messages which may appear in the little window and use cut-and-paste to record the error message exactly for future reference. With this new information, go back over your installation procedure step by step and verify that all of your configuration information is correct. After you've verified and/or re-entered or reinstalled your setup, try again.
After your configuration information has been double-checked and verified, if your connection is not successful, then fill in a Trouble Worksheet to obtain Technical Support. This worksheet is designed to obtain the information which is needed by our Support staff in helping you to troubleshoot your PPP configuration.

Although we can provide Technical Support for your TCP/IP connection, your hardware must first be properly configured and Windows must be correctly installed.  FOURnet does not provide computer hardware, operating system, or modem installation or troubleshooting.  

You can obtain out of warranty service at local stores such as Staples or if your computer equipment is in warranty, this service may be provided by the vendor where you purchased your computer or modem.

A modem (MOdulator/DEModulator) converts transmitted data into sound so that it can be transmitted over standard telephone lines. The carrier signal is MOdulated at one end by the sending MOdem, and DEModulated on the other end of the transmission by the second MOdem.
The COM port is a device which is supplied either as a standard part of your system, or must be added as an adapter card. The COM port transfers data between the computer I/O bus and the modem. In some cases, the COM port and modem are combined on an internal modem card. Or your modem may be an external device which is connected via an RS-232 cable to the COM port plug. Although you can use either an internal or external modem, we recommend the use of external modems over internal modems.
The SLIP or PPP protocol requires a fairly high speed modem for acceptable performance. (If you still want to be able to access email or a text based interface to the WWW if you only have a 9600 kbps modem or less, we suggest the Unix/Menu shell access account). Many 9600 kbps modems use older non-standard command sets and are less compatible than newer 14.4k kbps modems and so are not recommended for new installations. The graphically oriented interface of WWW browsers such as Netscape and Microsoft's Internet Explorer require the downloading of picture files (the graphical components of Web pages). Picture files have a tendency to be much larger than text files and take longer transmission times over your modem connection. For this reason, purchase the fastest modem which you can afford. FOURnet upgrades its modems to adhere to prevailing standards so that the greatest majority of users will have compatible modems.
Many PC vendors use substandard chips in their supplied COM ports. Older chips include the 8250 and 16450 chip. A quality vendor will supply only a 16550 UART. You can determine which chip your PC has by using the MSD (Microsoft Diagnostics) program which is included with Windows 95. Type "MSD" at the DOS prompt. If you don't have a 16550 UART, you will need to upgrade before using a 28,8kbps modem successfully on your system. Older chips will drop characters at higher modem speeds. This will cause error packets to be generated and require that those packets be retransmitted with the overall effect of a loss of speed.
Whenever possible, use COM1 or COM2 as your serial port as these are fairly standard. Although COM3 or COM4 can be installed, it will be necessary to assign proper I/O addresses and interrupt levels. General Protection Faults are a different issue which is discussed in a separate FOURnet document.