Dial-up connection with MacSlip and MacTCP

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These instructions are for setting up a modem connection using MacSlip and MacTCP. MacTCP is primarily used with older Mac models which are running System 7.5.x or earlier. MacSlip does not work with System 7.6 or MacOS 8.x. For machines running System 7.6 or higher, see our instructions on Dial up for Mac OS 7.5 and later.

If you do not already have MacSlip on your computer, you will need to bring a formatted disk to Computing Services to obtain a copy.

Before you begin...
Configuring MacSLIP
Configuring MacTCP
Dialing in
Hanging up
Questions, comments, suggestions

Before you begin...

You should have the following items and information handy before you start installing and configuring software:

Basic information about your modem: brand, speed (aka baud rate)
Your e-mail username and password.

Configuring MacSlip

Open the MacSlip control panel (go to the Apple menu, choose Control Panels, and choose MacSlip).
Click the Configure button. This will bring up a screen which allows you to configure information about your modem.
In the Port field, select the appropriate port for your modem. That is, if it is connected to your modem port (at the back of your machine), choose "Modem port". If it is connected via an internal modem, choose "Internal modem".
In the Speed field, you should choose the highest speed (57,600) unless you have a 9600 baud modem or slower, in which case you should choose either 9600 or 2400.
In the Modem field, choose "Generic Hayes 28.8K v.34". If you can't get a connection with that selection, experiment with the other modem types, starting with "Generic Hayes Compatible Modem" and the modem types for your brand of modem.
Leave the other fields alone, and click the Save button to save your changes.
Click the Variables button. This will open a window which lets you configure information about your dialup account.
Select the user variable and click the Edit button. DO NOT alter anything in the Variable field. Under Value, enter your e-mail username (i.e. smithj@cda). Click OK.
Select the password variable and click the Edit button. Again, DO NOT alter the Variable field. Under Value, enter your e-mail password, replicating uppercase and lowercase letters (the system is case-sensitive) and differentiating between 0 (zero) and O (capital Oh). Click the "Hide value" checkbox if you want to conceal your password from people browsing around on your machine. Click OK.
The phone value should be 589-4526.
Click the Done button to save your changes.

Configuring MacTCP

MacTCP should automatically be configured by the installation. However, if you see a grayed out "No Slip" button in the MacSlip control panel, open up the MacTCP control panel and make sure that the Slip icon is highlighted. If it isn't, select it, close the MacTCP control panel (save your changes), and reboot your machine.

Dialing in

There are three different ways to start the dialing process in which your modem dials up the UMM modem pool and establishes a SLIP connection. All three methods do the same thing; one is not "better" than the other. However, if you are having problems dialing in, you might try the first method so you can narrow down where the problem is occuring. The three methods are:

Open the MacSlip control panel, and click the Connect button.
Go to the MacSlip menu in the upper right-hand corner of the screen (the icon looks like a little telephone handset), and choose Connect.
Open an application that requires an internet connection (for example, Netscape, Telnet, or check mail in Eudora).

Whichever way you choose to establish a connection, you should hear the modem dialing and the screeching noise of the connection being negotiated. Once the SLIP connection is correctly established, you will notice that the button in the MacSlip control panel will toggle to "Disconnect" (or the "Disconnect" command in the MacSlip menu will be enabled, while the "Connect" command will be disabled). This means you are connected and can use your internet applications.

Hanging up

Be sure to disconnect your modem once you're done with your internet session.

Open the MacSlip control panel (or go to the MacSlip menu in the upper right-hand corner of your screen).
Click the Disconnect button (or select Disconnect from the MacSlip menu). This should hang up your modem.

Questions, comments, suggestions

If you have further technical questions on establishing a dial-up connection using OT/PPP, please send a message to resnet@morris.umn.edu or call the Computing Services Help Desk at 589-6390.