Step 1: Click on Start in the bottom left-hand of your screen. Point your mouse pointer over the Connect To link and click Show all connections.*

* If Show all connections is missing you can continue this process from the Control Panel > Network Connections section.

Step 2: This will take you to the Network Connections area of your PC (note that you can also reach this section from within your Control Panel). Select Create a new connection from within the Network Tasks area.

Step 3: This will launch the New Connection Wizard. Click Next.



Step 4: Select your type of connection as Connect to the Internet - make sure that the green dot is selected next to this option. If it isn't, click on the circle where it should be. You can see that the green dot can only be in one place. Click Next.



Step 5: Choose to Set up my connection manually. Make sure that the green dot is next to the correct circle as shown below. Click Next.



Step 6: Choose to Connect using a dial-up modem. Make sure that the green dot appears in the appropriate circle as shown below.




Step 7: Type in the name of your ISP. You would most likely wish to call this Metronet but anything will do so long as you can recognise it for what it is - your Metronet connection to the Internet.

Step 8: Enter the phone number you wish your modem to dial. What this number is depends upon what type of account you have with Metronet. For this reason our screenshot shows you about to enter the number. You will have been told what dial access number(s) you may use for your account when you signed up.

You might wish to separate the area code from the rest of the number with a comma e.g. 0845,6041679. Ensure that the country code is set to 'United Kingdom (44)'.

You can find the number for your account on the 'Technical Summary' support page.

CLI witheld or ex-directory?
If you are ex-directory or have number withheld service enabled, you should enter the prefix 1470 in front of the area code. For example your access number entered into the screen above might read 1470,0845,6041679

ISDN users need to have CLIP (Called Line Identification Protocol) enabled on their line to successfully connect. This will ensure that you present the number dialled so that BT Net knows where to route the call. CLIP can be enabled by calling BT on 150 (152 for users with a business line with BT).

Step 9: Enter the username and password you chose when you created your Metronet account. Please note that the system is case-sensitive, so watch out for that caps lock key! Make sure also that the first two of the three available check-box options are selected:

• Use this account name and password
• Make this the default Internet connection
• Turn on Internet Connection Firewall (using XP's in-built firewall is optional - if you experience any connection difficulties we advise turning off this option)

Step 10: Completing the Wizard. You may optionally select to Add a shortcut to this connection to your desktop - doing so will give you a convenient and easy way of connecting to Metronet.



Step 11: You may now use your new connection to connect to Metronet. Make sure that your modem is plugged into the telephone line before proceeding. Click on the Metronet desktop icon that has appeared or you may get to your new connection via Start > Connect To > Metronet. Either double-click on your desktop icon or single-click on your Connect To link and you'll see the screen below. Check that your username is correct and make certain that the modem will dial the access number that is appropriate to your account (check here).

Press Dial. You should hear your modem dialling and see the connection being made. Your connection window will zoom across the screen to live as a small icon in the bottom right-hand side of your screen. Once the connection is made you can use a browser such as Internet Explorer to surf the Web and collect your email with software such as Outlook Express.