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FreePPP 2.5.2 Configuration Overview:


Links on this page: Opening FreePPP | General tab (Modem & TCP/IP) | Accounts tab (UN/PW/PH#) | Locations tab (dialing props) |

FreePPP is a program that allows your computer to dial-up to the Internet using a modem and a phone line. It was the most popular Dialing Program available for Macintosh versions 7.1 - 7.6. It was offered by a 3rd-Party software company named Rockstar software.

Version 2.5.2 was made to work on Mac OS 7.1 - 7.6. A later version of FreePPP, version 2.6.2, also works on all Mac Classic versions up through 9.2. Although Mac 7.6+ comes with Apple's PPP and 8.5+ comes with Apple's Remote Access, Free PPP 2.6.2 can be used in place of them. This tutorial covers the older FreePPP version 2.5.2.

Remember: On the pre-8 OS's, it is always best to upgrade to Open Transport TCP over the older MacTCP.

Opening FreePPP:

The first step in configuring FreePPP (once it has been installed) is opening the setup window. This can be done one of two ways. You can go to your menu bar and locate the icon of the world and telephone and choose "Open FreePPP Setup" as shown below.

Or, if your computer has a control strip you may use the FreePPP icon (telephone) that is on that strip (as shown below) then you can click on the telephone and choose "Open FreePPP Setup" to get into these settings.

If you still can't access or change the FreePPP settings then check the Extensions Manager to make sure that FreePPP is enabled. You might also need to check to see if Administrative mode has "locked" the settings.

FreePPP Setup Window:

This is the FreePPP setup window. Notice that the version is specified under the telephone as 2.5v2 (2.5.2).

By clicking on the arrow in the lower left-hand corner you will be able to modify the rest of the settings as shown two screens below. We don't need to worry about the rest of the settings in this particular window.

The "Connect to" field lets you choose between different dial-up accounts set up on your computer. These might be for different ISP's or simply for different cities serviced by the same ISP. These are configured on the Accounts tab. Go to the Accounts tab to add, delete, or modify these accounts.

The "From" field determines how the number will be dialed based on the rules on the Locations tab.

The "Using" field determines which modem you will use for this connection attempt. It's not likely that you have more than one modem, so you shouldn't have to change this. The modem settings are found on the Modem tab.

Click the little blue arrow on the left to see more options.

General tab (AutoConnect, TCP/IP):

This is the expanded FreePPP setup window. Verify that all the check boxes are as shown in the screenshot.

The first option, Allow applications to open connection, allows you to connect simply by opening an Internet program, such as Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Netscape, Eudora, etc.

The next two options will keep your Internet hours down if leave your computer and forget to disconnect.

The last option will launch the program of your choice as soon as the connection is completed.

General tab: TCP:

Click the Open TCP/IP button to see the screen below.

Note: Your button may say "Open MacTCP". MacTCP does the exact same thing as TCP/IP, yet looks very different. MacTCP is very old and doesn't work very well. TCP/IP is on most Macs that still work. Your ISP's installation CD will probably install TCP/IP 1.1.1 or better if you need it. For this reason, we have only included instructions for TCP/IP and not for MacTCP.

These are the TCP/IP settings for the entire computer. Click here for a more in-depth look at the TCP/IP settings.

Connect via = FreePPP

Configure = Using PPP Server

Name server addr. = 209.210.176.8 & 209.210.176.9

Close the TCP/IP window and return to the FreePPP setup.

Accounts tab (Username/Password/Phone Number):

Click on the Accounts tab to bring up another section of the FreePPP setup as shown below.

First, delete any Accounts not in use. You wouldn't want to inadvertently dial up to your old ISP.

You can have more than one "Account" for FreePPP. There are several reasons you may want to do this:

1. Different member of the same household my be using different ISP's to connect to the Internet.
   
   
2. Those who travel to another city often may want to add a separate configuration for each city.
   
   

Also, make sure that your configuration is the Active Configuration by selecting it from the "Connect to" menu at the top.

Now you can add a New Account or Edit an existing Account. Clicking either button leads to identical screens.

Accounts: Account tab

This is where you set your username, domain tail, password and dial-up number in the "Account" tab pictured below. The "Account name" can be just about anything. Most people just put the name of their ISP in that box.

Your "User name" box should have your login username with @ispname.com (or .net) on the end so that it looks like an e-mail address even though it isn't necessarily an e-mail address. This will help your connection to find our ISP in the public phone system. The password will look something like ****** but don't worry about that.

Accounts: Dialup tab:

The phone number is the number that you call to connect to the internet. Put a 9 and a comma in front of the number if you need to dial a 9 to get an outside line. This is common in workplaces and hotel phone systems. We also recommend that you put two or three commas on the end of the phone number for improved connections.

Accounts: Options tab:

Click on the Options tab and put in the DNS numbers:

Domain name = ispname.com

Primary DNS = 209.210.176.8

Secondary DNS = 209.210.176.9

IP address = Assigned by PPP server

Click OK when finished.

Now that we have finished setting up the new account profile, click OK to return to the main FreePPP Setup screen.

Locations tab (Dialing Properties):

Click the Locations tab to access dialing properties for your connections. You can setup more than one set of dialing rules based on the location from which you are dialing. For example, you may want to disable call waiting with *70 when you're at home. But when using your laptop to dial-up at work, you may need to dial 9 to reach an outside line.

Click Edit to modify and existing Location or New to create a new Location.

Locations tab: Edit/New

These settings determine how your computer will dial the local access number.

Location name = enter a name so you can identify these settings later.

Area code = YOUR area code for the location you are dialing FROM

(not the phone number you are dialing TO).

Long distance prefix = for most people this is 1.

The pull-down menu allows you to set up 10-digit dialing if required in your area.

Dial prefix = *70 or 1170 are often used to disable call waiting.

9,, is often used to reach an outside line.

Click OK to return to the FreePPP main screen.

Modems tab:

Delete any Modem configurations not in use. You wouldn't want to inadvertently your old ISP's settings. Only expert users would ever have a need for more than one modem configuration.

Click Edit to modify your modem's settings. Or, to start fresh, you could make a New set of modem settings and then delete the old one. Both buttons lead to the next screen.

Modems tab: Edit/New:

Click the Modem Setup button to see the window below. Again make sure all the check boxes are as shown. You will need to switch the Modem Init String Settings to AutoDetect init string. Then click OK.

Make sure that your Port Speed is set correctly:

- 57600 for 56K modems

- 38400 for 33.6 modems

- 38400 for 28.8 modems

- 19200 for 14.4 modems

Click OK to return to the FreePPP main screen.

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