When you received your G4 Laptop from the Laptop Lease program, we were able to set up connections for Wireless and Ethernet in the Location Manager on your computer that were configured for access in the Design building and on campus. What we were not able to do is to set up modem access or Ethernet access for the individual students' home ISP access.

In order to set up a home location, you should first sign up for access with a local Internet Service Provider such as AOL, ISUNet, or Iowa State's PPP service. Once you have the software provided by your ISP, and the information needed to use their service, you can get started.

1. First, locate the Location Manager on your computer. Go to the Apple Menu, choose Control Panels > Location Manager.

2. Create a new location. Go to the FILE menu and choose New Location. Name this new location "Home" (no quotation marks). And apply it. This is a blank location for the moment.

3. Quit the Location Manager.

4. Install the software provided by your ISP. Most will have good directions for you to follow, and will include a sheet of paper with important numbers (phone numbers, IP addresses and other important network numbers).

5. Once you have your software installed and have successfully connected, you will need to open the TCP/IP Control Panel (Apple Menu > Control Panels > TCP/IP)

6. Go to the FILE menu and choose Configurations. A list of your active configurations will show up. Select the Default configuration and click the Duplicate button. Rename this configuration "Home", and click the Make Active button. Note: Some ISP installation software will create its own configuration in this control panel. If this is the case, you will be able to skip this step, but make sure that it is the active configuration.

7. Close the TCP/IP control panel and click the Save button if it appears.

8. Open the AppleTalk control panel by going to the Apple Menu and choosing Control Panels > AppleTalk.

9. Go to the FILE menu and choose Configurations. Again, duplicate the Default configuration and name it "Home". Apply this configuration. If your ISP software creates a configuration on its own, you can skip this step, but make sure that it is the active configuration.

10. Close the AppleTalk control panel.

11. Open the Location Manager again.

12. In the Edit section, make sure it reads "Home". Click the box next to AppleTalk & TCP/IP in the lower left window. The text on the right side of the panel should read "AppleTalk Configuration: "Home"" and "TCP/IP Configuration: "Home"".  Click the Apply button.

13. Now you are ready to actually use this location. In the Current Location pull down menu, select "Home". A message window should come up explaining that it is switching. Results will show up in the message area. Click the OK button to accept these results.

14. To set Location Manager to prompt you at startup to select a location, go to the EDIT menu while still in the Location Manager and choose Preferences. In the Startup Switching area, set it to Always. This will allow you to select which configuration to use.

When you are using your wireless connection at the Design building, select Wireless as your configuration at startup. If you are connecting in the Design building via Ethernet (cable plugged into a hub), select the Ethernet configuration. If you are home, select Home.

Other Hints

Occasionally, you may need to reinstall your ISP software. AOL members may need to do this more often than others (based on my own experiences!). If you suddenly cannot access your ISP from home, try reinstalling the software first. If that does not work, your ISP should have provided a support number that you can call for help.

If you are having problems connecting in the Design building, you can come into room 433 or room 431 and we will be glad to help you.

-J