Installing ADSL for TurboNet
Windows 95, 98 and ME

These instructions assume that the computer has an installed, properly functioning network card.  If it does not, one can be purchased at Cactus Computer or elsewhere.  If you are setting up a local area network, you may also need a hub and cables.

Go to the control panel (click the Start button, then Settings, then Control Panel).  Double-click on the Network icon.  Scroll down until you see TCP/IP for your ethernet card. 

The picture at right is from Windows 98.  Other operating systems may look slightly different, but in all of them, highlight the TCP/IP line.  (If you have more than one TCP/IP line, click the one that also includes the name of your network card) and pick Properties.

(In Windows NT, the TCP/IP line is under the Protocols tab.  In Windows ME, first create a LAN connection (set up manually)  in Internet Options, then follow these instructions. 

After clicking the properties button above, click on the IP Address tab.

Click Specify an IP address, and enter the IP address and subnet mask.  These are unique, and are given to you by Cactus TurboNet.  If you don't have them, phone (208) 883-5500 or email Monica@TurboNet.com.
Click the Gateway tab and enter the gateway number given to you by TurboNet.  Then click the Add button so it appears in the list of installed gateways.
Click the DNS Configuration tab.

Enter a host name - whatever you wish to name your computer (no spaces).  Enter turbonet.com for the Domain.  If you have a LAN, use a different host name for each computer.

Enable DNS.  Then enter the DNS numbers given to you by TurboNet.  Currently (6/2008) 216.98.224.1 for the primary, and 216.98.224.3 for the secondary.  Enter these numbers under DNS Server Search Order and click the Add button after each one.

If you have been using this computer for dial-up Internet, it will also be necessary to tell it to quit dialing the modem to gain Internet access.  In the control panel under Internet or Internet Options, click the Connections tab.  Under Dial-up Settings, click Never dial a connection or Dial whenever a network connection is not present.  With some operating systems, you may have to click properties or options buttons to get to this point.

Common Problems

If all three lights on your ADSL modem are on, Verizon has probably (but not definitely) activated your circuit. If  you think the circuit should be active and you can't access the Internet, unplug the ADSL modem's power and wait 15 seconds before plugging it back in.  This "return to sanity" will often cure otherwise perplexing problems.  Some reasons why the modem and data light aren't on, or aren't steady include:

  1. Verizon hasn't yet activated your circuit. Check your install date.  They sometimes take until midnight on that day to complete the job.
  2. You haven't installed filters on all of the phones connected to that phone number.  This includes telephones in other rooms, modems and answering machines.
  3. You have installed a filter on the phone line that goes from the ADSL modem to the wall, or have put it through a surge suppressor.  This will kill the high-frequency signal that carries ADSL.
  4. You have used a flat telephone cable instead of the twisted-pair cable which came with the ADSL modem.  You can purchase longer twisted-pair cables at Cactus Computer, but we haven't found any store in Pullman which carries them.  Sometimes a flat phone cable will give you all three lights on the modem, but it will slow down or stop your connection.

If you have a network instead of a single computer hooked up to the ADSL "modem", the cable which Verizon sends should be plugged into the uplink port of the hub.  If your hub does not have an uplink port, stop by Cactus Computer and get a different cable.  To find out which one you need, check the model number on the bottom of the ADSL modem.  If it ends in "A12" you need a straight-through cable for a hub.  If it ends in "A14" you need a reversing or crossover cable for a hub. With most hubs, you may use either the uplink port or the first port, but not both.

If your computer simply won't talk to the Internet, re-check the numbers above.  It's very easy to reverse them, or otherwise make a typographical error.  Also check the phone cable.  See 4 above.

If you use Netscape and it keeps trying to dial and changes your settings in the Control Panel, uninstall Netscape using Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.  Then use Internet Explorer to download the newest version of Netscape and install it.  The problem results from having had the "dial-up" version of Netscape.

If your email program refuses to send email (or refuses to send outside of your old domain) you'll need to change your SMTP server name.  In Outlook Express, go to the Tools menu and click Accounts.  Click the Mail tab.  Highlight the account name and click the Properties button.  Click the Servers tab.  Replace the SMTP server with mail.turbonet.com .  Troubleshooting tips for several email programs can be found at

     http://www.turbonet.com/Internet_Service/Support/E-Mail/e-mail.htm

If you're setting up a TurboNet email address, both the POP3 and SMTP addresses should be mail.turbonet.com - instructions are at the above URL.

Advice from the Moscow Police Department:  Write down the serial number of your computer, along with the MAC address of your network card and keep them in a safe place.  It can help in recovery if your computer is stolen.