How long does it take to setup my new account?
Most new accounts can be set up over the phone, and will generally take 15 to 20 minutes, including the time it takes to gather your billing information, and walk through the steps to set up your computer over the phone.
If you prefer to set up your computer on your own, we have set up instructions available in our support pages.
It is rare that additional software will be needed to use your connection.
For those who wish to request new accounts sent via email, or utilizing our online form, please note that our technical support checks our email several times throughout our regular business hours.
Our hours are 8am to 8pm Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturdays, and 1pm to 5pm Sundays.
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What software do I need to conenct?
To establish an internet connection, you need a TCP/IP stack for your system.
This is a software package that will allow your computer to "talk" with the other machines on the internet.
Most operating systems, such as Windows 95 or later, and Macintosh OS8 or later, already include all of the necessary software needed to connect to the Internet.
For the Macintosh older than OS8, you may use MacTCP or OpenTransport in conjunction with a PPP extension.
We strongly recommend using FreePPP 1.0.5 or later.
For Windows 95, you should use the built-in dial-up networking component.
For Windows 3.1, you have a variety of choices including Trumpet Winsock and Netmanage Chameleon.
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What type of modems does Internet Montana use?
All of our part-time analog connections in Billings and Great Falls use Microcom V.90 56k modems.
They all support the v.34 and v.FC protocols.
They also support the standard error-correction and compression options.
We have v.92 modems in Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula.
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How do I change my password?
You must notify technical support in order to change your password.
Because it is our server that verifies your username and password when you log on to the Internet, the password must be changed directly on the server.
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What is the inactivity (idle) time-out, and who does it effect?
An inactivity time-out exists for all of our part-time connections.
This means that if you are connected, but inactive (no data goes over the link) for a certain amount of time, the connection will be shut down.
For part-time modem connections, the time-out is 30 minutes.
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What modem should I buy?
Although any modem should work with your connection, some work better than others.
We have experienced good levels of reliability and performance with the SupraFaxModem 33.6, and US Robotics brand modems.
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When I get connected, nothing happens. What now?
Your connection to the Internet simply means that your computer is now connected to a world-wide network of fellow computers.
After you're connected depends on what you want to access from the network known as the Internet.
If you want to view web pages, you would want to use a software program such as Internet Explorer or Netscape.
If you want to exchange email messages, you would want to use a software program such as Outlook Express, Netscape Messenger, or Eudora.
On most computer systems, if you open a web browser or email program first, your computer will know it has to access the Internet in order to use those programs effectively.
In these cases your computer will not just open the program you requested, but also bring up a window to connect to the Internet.
If you connect to the Internet first, usually via a shortcut on your desktop, your computer won't know whether you want to view web pages or exchange email unless you tell it which program to open next.
Most web browsers and email programs have a shortcut may also on your desktop.
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When I try to connect, I keep getting error 691, or 650.
This indicates that either your username or password are not matching our records ont he server.
This can be caused in a number of ways.
First, try re-entering your username and password, and dial again. Be sure that your caps-lock is not turned on.
Check to be sure that your computer is dialing the correct access number:
| |
Billings |
Bozeman |
Great Falls |
Helena |
Missoula |
| Access |
384-1000 |
582-1219 |
452-9514 |
443-0810 |
549-0819 |
| Call Us! |
255-9699 |
587-1073 |
454-1988 |
443-0876 |
728-3628 |
If these steps fail, call for support.
If a payment has been missed one month, your account may be on our disabled list (according to our billing policy on overdue payments)
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Why are my connection speeds slower than 56K?
There are three main factors in determining a dial-up connection speed.
Those are the speed capability of your modem, the speed capability of your ISP's modems, and the quality of the phone lines used to connect.
Internet Montana only has 56k speed modems in each of our calling areas.
Generally your connection speed is limited by the quality of the phone lines used in your connection.
These are not only the lines in your house, but also the lines in your neighborhood. This is a common problem in Montana, and not much to be done about it.
You may have heard of something called "accelerated dial-up", with claims of speeds 5 times faster on your regular dial up connection.
This is accomplished by a combination of web caching, advertisement blocking, and image/graphic resolution reduction.
We are currently testing this technology.
If you wish to be a guinea pig, contact our technical support.
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My modem has to dial more than once to connect. Shouldn't it work the first time?
Yes, you should be able to connect on the first try!
If your modem is having to dial more than once in order to connect, it is an indication that you may need an initialization string for your modem, or new drivers.
Review our article on frequent disconnections, or contact our technical support for help.
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Why does my Internet keep disconnecting?
This is an indication that you may need an initialization string for your modem, or new drivers.
This problem can be solved. Review our article on frequent disconnections, or contact our technical support for help.
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Do you have v.92 connection capability?
We have v.92 modems in Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula.
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