1. Can I download my automatic configuration file again ?

If you need to configure your PC with the dial up and e-mail settings again then click on one of the links below. You will need your username and password.

For windows 95 users click here and select run from this location

For windows 98, NT or 2000 users click here and select run

If the above link does not work for windows98, NT or 2000 use the win95 link instead. It should work just as well.

2. What can I do if my connection keeps dropping?

3. How can I increase the speed of my modem?

If you are experiencing problems with your modem or would like to try and increase its speed by flash upgrading it, you should visit the manufacturers website and download any new drivers and updates.
Below you can find a link to a list of modem manufacturers (over 100) which should help in your search for updates and drivers.

Link to Modem Manufacturers

This is usually caused by using the wrong type of modem cable such as an American or European model. Sometimes the manufacturer can ship the modem with a foreign cable, if this is the case contact your modem supplier and ask for the correct cable.
If all the phones stop working then you should check the total REN number of all the phones on that line. The REN value or ring equivalence number should not exceed 4 per line and each phone's REN can usually be found on a sticker under the phone. If the REN value is greater than 4 you will need to disconnect some of the extra phones.

5. What is dial up networking or DUN ?

Dial up networking is the method Windows 95,98 and Windows NT connect to the internet. All applications that use an internet connection such as Internet Explorer, POP3 mail applications or FTP programs must use dial up networking to connect. 
The easiest way to check that DUN is working is to use the phone dialler in Windows to dial the talking clock.
Click on the start button, then select 'programs' then 'accessories' and select 'phone dialler'. Now enter 123 then select dial. If dial up networking is working you should hear you modem dial then hear the talking clock (so long as your speaker is turner on).

6. How can I change the configuration of DUN manually?

To manually configure dial up networking firstly double click 'my computer' then  select 'dial up networking' , check to see if you have a Get Free Internet Icon visible. If not you will need to create a new connection, select 'make new connection' then enter 'Get Free Internet' as the name and select your modem.

Note - earlier versions of DUN on windows 95 may have a slightly different look compared to the screenshots above, which were done in windows98.
The equivalent of the scripting tab is the 'dial up scripting tool' which can be found under 'programs' then 'accessories' on the start menu.

These instructions will show you how to set up a connection on a iMac, please make sure you have your username and password ready, as these are required during the setup.
Click on the apple symbol and go to 'internet access' then 'internet setup assistant'.

Choose 'yes' for the next 2 questions and this will take you to the setup procedure.
Click the arrow to take you to the next screen, enter Get Free Internet as the name and select modem for connection.

 Next you will have to enter the telephone number -0 871 2206871,
your username - name@getfreeinternet.co.uk
and your password.

The next section will ask if your ISP needs a PPP script - select no.

Now you will have to enter your POP3 and SMTP servers.
The POP3 server is:  pop.getfreeinternet.co.uk
The SMTP is:  smtp.whizmail.co.uk

Next you will be asked for the news server, this is: news.getfreeinternet.co.uk

The next screen asks if you use a proxy server, select no.

You can now click on 'Go Ahead' to finish the setup. This will create the files needed to connect to Get Free Internet and will also connect you to the Internet once finished. Once you are connected you can use you browser to go to the getfreeinternet.co.uk site - don't forget to set it as your homesite.

The minimum system requirements to use Get Free Internet are -

For a PC
386sx or higher processor
14.4 modem (minimum)
Windows 3.1 or higher
8 Mb of RAM (minimum)

For a MAC
68x series or higher processor
14.4 modem (minimum)
OS 7.5 or higher
16 Mb of RAM (minimum)
IBM compatible

9. How can I change my screen resolution ?

You may wish to change your screen resolution in order to improve your viewing of websites. Before doing so first check in you computer manual that it can support higher screen resolutions or you may cause damage to your PC.

On a PC.

Click on the start button then 'settings' then 'control panel'.
Double click the 'display' icon and select the 'settings' tab.
In the box called 'Screen Area' or 'Desktop Area' you will see a slider and under this will be the current screen resolution. Move this slider to the right until it displays at least 800x600 pixels. 
If you have a test button click this now to test the new settings. 

You may need to re-start your PC after making these changes and don't forget to check that your display adapter can support the new resolution it you may cause permanent damage to your hardware.

Click the apple menu at the top left of your screen then select 'control panel' and 'monitors'
Under resolution select a resolution of at least 800x600

10. Why do download speeds differ from connection speeds ?

Sometimes when you are connected at high speed your download speed seems to be slower. This can be caused by several different factors.
The actual location of the site you are connected to or downloading from.
The size of the link you are connecting to or downloading.
The speed of the host server.
The amount of traffic on the net.

11. How much web space do I get?

If you have signed up for our free internet access you also get 5Mb of free webspace.
If you have signed up for one of our domain name + hosting packages you get 300Mb of free webspace.
If more than 5Mb of Webspace is required with our free internet access we recommend purchasing one of our domain name packages.

Please email support@getfreeinternet.co.uk if you require further information with reference to this service.

12. Where can I find more information on creating websites?

There are several books that we recommend you purchase if you are considering building your own website. These can be ordered online (click here) and make the art of Web page design a lot easier to understand. We also have a HTML help page which gives some basic tips when creating a website.

13. How can I upload my website to the server ?

To upload your own pages you will need to use a suitable FTP package such as Cute FTP or Desktop FTP.

FTP to ftp.getfreeinternet.co.uk and log in with the same username and password you use to dial into Get Free Internet. This should put you in your home directory and you can now upload your pages and graphics here.

Make sure your homepage is called either index.html or default.html or it will not be picked up automatically when someone tries to access you site with the URL:

http://www.mysite.getfreeinternet.co.uk/ If you do decide to use another name for your homepage people will have to use the full URL including the name you chose.

eg..http://www.mysite.getfreeinternet.co.uk/firstpage.htm 

14. How can I change my default internet connection?

If you want to decide yourself which ISP to connect to the best way is to start the connection manually yourself.
Open dialup networking by double-clicking on the 'My computer' icon which is found on your desktop. In the dialup networking folder you will find all your ISP connections including your GetFreeInternet connection.
Double click on the connection you wish to use, enter your password if it is not already there and press 'connect'. (You can make shortcuts to each connection on your desktop, which will make connection easier next time).

To set the connection used when Internet Explorer is started :-

Once in Internet Explorer go to 'view' then 'Internet Options' and select 'Connection'
Select the button marked 'Settings'
From the box at the top you can select which connection can be used as the default.

Setting the connection when Outlook Express is started :-

Select 'Tools' from the Outlook Express menu bar, then 'Options' and under the dialup tab you will find options listed for which connection to dial.
If you wish to specify a particular connection to dial for a particular e-mail account you should go to the 'Tools' menu, then select 'Accounts' and select the 'Mail' tab.
Highlight the mail account you want to set the connection for and select 'Properties'. When you select the connection tab you can then specify which ISP connection to use.