Windows XP Pro: The Missing Manual, Second Edition

Establishing a New Dial-Up Internet Account

If you’d like to sign up for Microsoft’s Internet service, called MSN (and by the way, Microsoft would love you to sign up for MSN), or a traditional ISP, you’re ready for the New Connection Wizard.

1. Choose Start→All Programs→Accessories→Communications→ New Connection Wizard.

   If you managed to mouse across that labyrinth of menus, the New Connection Wizard appears (Figure 9-2).

2. Click Next. On the next screen, click Connect to the Internet, and then click the Next button.

   Now you reach an important juncture: the Getting Ready screen (third from top in Figure 9-2).

3. Click “Choose from a list of Internet service providers (ISPs).” Click Next.

   Here’s where you tell the wizard whether you want to sign up for the pricier, but sanitized, world of MSN, or a standard Internet service provider.

4. Click either “Get online with MSN” or “Select from a list of other ISPs,” and then click Finish.

   If you choose MSN, the graphic design scheme of the wizard changes—suddenly you’re in pastel land. This, of course, is the MSN Signup Wizard. Over the next few minutes, you’ll be guided through the process of signing up for a new account. You’ll be asked for your name, address, birthday, occupation, credit card number, and so on. You’ll also be offered the chance to preserve your existing Microsoft-service email address (anything ending with @hotmail.com or @msn.com). (During the process, the computer will dial a toll-free number to connect with MSN.)

If you choose ...