Knowledgebase
Troubleshooting - DSL (8)
Troubleshooting - Phone (1)
Troubleshooting - Email (7)
Troubleshooting - Hosting (3)
Troubleshooting- Dial Up (1)
Troubleshooting - Cable Internet (2)
Connection - Cable
Connection - General (5)
Hosting (7)
General Alerts
Internet Safety (1)
Security & Privacy (4)
Misc. Tech Tips (14)
Connection - DSL (11)
Connection - Dial-up (9)
Computer Settings (2)
Email & Newsgroups (18)
Browsers & WWW (6)
Downloads
Spyware questions (1)
Often when troubleshooting slow connection speeds, you'll be asked to
perform a speed test.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT WIRED CONNECTIONS TO A ROUTER OR MODEM WILL
BE FASTER THAN WIRELESS SPEEDS.
USING A COMPUTER WITH A WIRED CONNECTION WILL GIVE YO...
We've all heard of them. We've heard all of the horror stories, and
read all of the doom and gloom articles on them. Yes folks, today I'm
talking about cookies. Those wonderful little text files that websites
will deposit on your computer from time to tim...
Click on start.
Go to programs, select Outlook Express
Click On Tools, then go to accounts.
Click on add.
Select mail.
Enter your name as you would like people to see it. Click next.
Enter your e-mail address Ex. user@kingston.net [1]...
It's that time of week, folks It's time for another Tech Tip. For
this week, I've decided to touch on that favorite little feature of
many a person, AutoComplete.
For those of us that use it, its a blessing. For those of us that
hate it, it is a pain....
The Evil Hidden Dialers
Heard about the thousand dollar phone bills people have been
receiving which bell refuses to refund?
Either way you answer that question, you certainly want to be able to
reduce the risk of this happening to you.
These pro...
Tired of taking lip from your computer?
..'Bad command or file name' ..'illegal operation' etc etc
Ever wanted to turn the tables and order your computer around for a
change?
It may not be as difficult as you think.
Some clarification before we ge...
You can use all or some of the following instructions depending on
your scenario. Each step will add to the privacy of your browsing.
1. Turn off the disk cache.
* In the url bar, type about:config This will reveal the browser
configuration.
* Type...
Here's the scenario: you open up your favourite browser or email
program. Instead of opening the dial-up connection to make a
connection to the Internet before trying to check mail or pull in a
web site, it just gives you error about servers not being ava...
This error will most commonly crop up in Outlook Express, and it is
always because of an email account not being set up properly. Here is
how to fix it:
* Open Outlook Express
* Click TOOLS
* Click ACCOUNTS
* Click MAIL
* Highlight your...
* Make sure you are connected to the Internet
* Make sure you have the mail server names [1] entered correctly
into your mail program
* try disabling your firewall [2] and trying again
Links:
------
[1] http://support.wtccommunications.ca/#e...
Windows XP: Click start - Connect to* - Show all connections. Double
click the connection you wish to alter and click properties.
*Note:If 'Connect To' is not found try opening the controll panel
instead and click network connections.
On the general ...
To use client care you may log in here:
https://www.wtccommunications.ca/mywtc/client_care.php
Login with your username and password (same as your access account)
On the next page you will see the following options:
- Manage Email accounts
- Acti...
This does NOT apply to the computer you are currently using to access
this forum, but it could happen to you or perhaps you know of another
computer that connects OK but then refuses to get email or display any
web pages, If this is the case, you have com...
You are connected to the Internet but unable to Surf:
1. Restart your computer.
2. Stage Power Cycle (unplug the power cable to both the modem and
router for 1-2 minutes. Plug in modem first, after 1-2 minutes plug in
router)
3. Test with another device ...
Here is how to create a Dial Up Connection to access our Roaming
Number. This number is perfect for those times when you are 'On The
Road', and are not within local calling areas for our standard access
numbers. Read on for the instructions.
**DISCLAIME...
I was going to type out instructions to create a custom 404 page, but
I found instructions on the net that are brief, clear, and very well
laid out. So - Clarke's gonna cheat this week. I think my hands are
still tired from the "how to switch to Firefox" ...
If you go to so much effort to collect and store data Then you should
backup your database.
First do it right now.
Then make a plan for regular backups and devise a naming scheme for
the files or folders.
eg:
my_db_jan_2004
Microsoft Access:
...
Disk Storage.
Your computer stores information on a disk drive using magnetic
impulses similar to that used on a video tape except that with a disk
it is much easier to find a particular bit of data quickly. No
rewinding or fast forward required.
When...
Why does my computer always want to run scandisk after a it was
powered off without going through the normal shutdown procedure?
To keep track of where all the various files and parts of files are
the computer keeps records in a notebook called a File ...
Have you ever used the DOS command prompt of Windows 2000 or Windows
XP and been told that the file or folder name you entered had "Too
Many Parameters"? Even running CD MY DOCUMENTS to get into this
most-used folder will cause this. Since these operating...
This week's tech tip concerns something we've all heard of. However,
there still seems to be some confusion amongst the masses on the three
operations I will be explaining. I'm referring to Downloading,
Uploading, and Installing. It's true that there are ...
(Please note that these instructions can be used for almost any modem.
The only thing that will be different is the lights and the placement
of the jacks on the back.) Your modem kit will contain:
One RJ-11 Cable (Telephone)
One RJ-45 Cable (Ethernet...
Did you ever wish your web site could..
* Change automatically with the seasons.
* Display content from a database.
* Store customer input in a database.
* display different content depending on who was viewing it.
* be an online store.
If so...
*Login to your administration site: http://hosting.smarthost.org/OS4/
[1]
*Click on the email menu.
The lower menu will then look like..
Click on 'Easymail Setup' . This program will appear on the right.
Use the 'Accounts' tab to manage your em...
Did you ever have questions like:
"How did this message reach me? It is addressed to someone else!"
"Will the REAL sender of this message please stand!"
"Why am I receiving bounce backs from messages that I never sent?"
First some background:
When...
Every now and then it is a good idea to empty your temporary Internet
files from your computer.
Having a full cache directory slows down surfing and uses a *LOT* of
space on your computer.
In order to empty your Temporary Internet files:
Click on...
A lot of people have problems sending files via email, and for good
reason. Email is the least efficient way to send files. Because of the
encoding that has to be done, your large file will grow about 30% when
sent through email. It will also clog the rec...
Spyware is software that is downloaded to your computer either by
clicking on a pop-up ad, or installing software like Kazaa and almost
all music sharing programs, Weatherbug, Date & Time sync applications,
etc. Chances are, if you have downloaded a free ...
You may have seen some websites with specialized icons that will
appear in the address bar, and in your bookmark list when you add the
site to your favourites. This is called a "favicon", from "favourite"
and "icon". They are very easy to make, and here i...
There are a couple of common reasons for this problem:
* Malware (aka spyware, adware) has now become the number one reason
for DSL surfing problems. DSL users are much more likely to have music
sharing software than a dial-up user, and thus much m...
The internet is a great tool, but it is accessible to anyone, and it
is not policed. It is up to the parents to make sure that their
children are not at risk of being exposed to things that are not
appropriate for them.
Here are some tips that you, as a...
When most people think of computers, all they tend to think about is
the stuff we see on the screen, or the software. Most tend to forget
about the computer itself.
Have you ever thought to yourself, what can I do with my computer to
make it last longe...
We have been receiving many calls from customers using Linksys
routers, namely the ones in the BEF series. Many customers are
receiving "LCP negotiation failures" when trying to connect to DSL via
PPPoE. In a few cases, this is resolved by rolling back to...
These instructions will take you through configuring your MAC to
connect to the WTC Communication's dial up service.
Find the Assistants folder. The path in the OS9.2 file system is
shown in the screen shot.
Start the Internet Setup Assistant. The d...
When your mouse stops working all may not be lost. Your keyboard may
be able to rescue you.
For instance, pressing the following combination of 3 keys at the
same time can often be used to display a list of tasks that your
computer is currently working ...
Your email program will download the first few messages, and then
just get stuck. This happens sometimes on dial-up, and it is almost
always due to a very large message blocking all the email behind it.
Here is what you can do:
* Try turning off yo...
There are a number of ways to work with your MySQL database. Here are
some of the options.
From your website admin:
Website OS - Website Management - Database manager.
http://hosting.smarthost.org/OS4/ [1]
This is documented in the Blue Book there...
This week's tech tip is some hints for how to avoid using that little
white rodent. The mouse is a great interface, but the keyboard can be
so much faster when working on certain documents. You do not have to
reach your hand over to the mouse, drag the cu...
If your modem is showing online but you are still not able to connect
to the Internet, please try these steps to resolve the issue.
1. Stage Power Cycle (unplug the power cable to both the modem and
router for 1-2 minutes. Plug in modem first, after 1-2...
If you are receiving the error 550 - Relaying Denied when trying to
send email using Outlook Express, you will need to configure your
email client to the correct outgoing mail server.
Please open Outlook Express then click on Tools from the menu bar,
t...
Tech tip by Patrick:
When you are sending e-mail in Outlook Express you may get the error
“no sender specified.†If you receive this error, here is
how to fix the problem.
Open Outlook Express
Click on Tools and select Accounts
Click on th...
The newest version of Outlook Express (version 6) has some added
security features. In most cases, it will not let you open any
attachments that have the possibility of containing a virus. Outlook
Express does not have a built-in ability to scan for virus...
Many times during a typical day here, we receive calls pertaining to a
common problem with Outlook Express. This problem is Outlook Express
hanging up after it is finished a "Send and Receive" operation.
Fortunately, there is a painless resolution to this...
Phishing is becoming more and more common on the Internet, and thus
something to keep an eye open for. Phishing is the act of sending
fraudulant and misleading email to potential victims to try to get
information such as credit cards numbers, bank account...
There are different types of error messages that can case a website
to be down.
WHAT IF I GET A 403 FORBIDDEN ERROR MESSAGE?
If you get a 403 Forbidden Error when you visit your website, there
are a few possible causes. The two most common causes ...
If you find you are having trouble getting around on the net and you
are using a router there can be a couple of things that could be going
wrong. Most of the time the solution is simple.
Here are the steps for the simple solution:
Unplug your DSL mod...
A few of our customers have reported that they cannot connect (or are
getting frequent disconnects) when using a new USRv.92 modem.
If you are positive that you have a USR v.92, here is what you can
do:
Windows 95/98/ME
- Click START and select SETT...
Some customers have reported being bounced back to the login page in
Client Care without any error messages. This might happen to you if
you are using the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser version 6.x that
has a buggy Service Pack applied to it through ...
DIAL-UP NUMBER: 613-273-5009
ALTERNATE DIAL-UP NUMBER: 613-547-5009 (if you can not dial Westport
locally)
IDM SERVICE use idm/dialnet/username
DNS PRIMARY (optional): 66.102.92.3
DNS SECONDARY (optional): 66.102.92.103
PROXY SERVER (optional): prox...
This is a handy tip for Windows XP users who like to use the Remote
Desktop Connection to configure or check a home computer while at
work.
If you have ever used Remote Desktop Connection, you will have
noticed that the Shutdown button has been replace...
First and foremost, WTC Communications does not provide technical
support for routers. However, here are the details you should know to
make a successful connection. Since there are many different varieties
of routers, I am not going to include screenshot...
When setting up your kingston.net email address on your mobile
device, you will need the following information:
Incoming Mail Server(POP3): pop3.kingston.net
Port: 110
SSL: No
Outgoing Mail Server(SMTP): smtp.kingston.net
Port 587
SSL...
Usenet is one of the oldest uses of the Internet by the public, and
still flourishing. It is where discussions about any topic imaginable
take place - from airplanes to zoology. Many people have never been
exposed to these communities, and todays's tip is...
To setup Postini you need to go to http://login.postini.com [1]
Enter your full E-mail Address and password.
You will be redirected to this screen. Just wait the 5 seconds
You will be redirected to this screen where you can view all of your
poten...
* Open the Mac hard drive.
* Browse to: Applications > Utilities > Assistants > Internet Setup
* Run the _Internet Setup Assistant_. It will ask if you would like
to continue. Click YES.
The Internet Setup Assistant Introduction Dialog box wi...
* From the APPLE menu, choose SYSTEM PREFERENCES
* From the VIEW menu, choose NETWORK
* Choose BUILT-IN ETHERNET from the SHOW pop-up menu (the CONFIGURE
pop-up menu prior to Mac OS X 10.1)
* Click the TCP/IP tab, if necessary
* Choose USI...
* Click on Start, then click on Control Panel.
* Click on NETWORK AND INTERNET CONNECTIONS, then click on NETWORK
CONNECTIONS. (if in classic mode, simply click on NETWORK
CONNECTIONS).
* Click on CREATE NEW CONNECTION. This will start the New C...
If you require specific instructions, please contact Support at
613-547-6939, 613-507-9000 or 613-273-6939, option 2.
With your DSL kit, you have received:
* DSL modem
* Power supply
* Ethernet cable
* Telephone cord
* Two line filte...
* Open Outlook
* Click on TOOLS
* Click on EMAIL ACCOUNTS
* At the new window that opens, select ADD A NEW E-MAIL ACCOUNT then
click NEXT
* Select POP3, then click NEXT
* Fill in the field for your name, email address and password.
*...
* Open Outlook Express
* Click Tools
* Click Accounts
* Click the Mail tab
* Click ADD, and select MAIL
* Enter display name (for instance, your full name or the family
name) and click NEXT
* Enter your email address, and click NEXT ...
Please note:
When you see: YOURDOMAINNAME
Replace it with your domain name.
When you see: YOURPASSWORD
Replace it with your password.
This document contains basic setup instructions and details on the
features of your web hosting package. Topics ...
Open Eudora, Tools - Filters
The following window appears.
Click the 'New' button
Now choose which part of the email you wish to base your filter on.
These items are called headers since they are placed at the head of
the email before the text ...
Open Outlook Express and click Tools - Message Rules - Mail
If you dont have any rules yet it opens the New Rule window.
Rule creation is divided into 3 parts: Conditions, Actions &
Description.
To sort messages by sender, check 'Where the from line...
Getting too much spam?
Here's how to cut down on the amount of annoying unsolicited email
you receive. Many spammers harvest addresses from the internet, and
some of the places they can find your address are:
- newsgroups
- guest books
- forums
.....
Often DSL problems go away after a staged powercycle:
1. Turn off power to the DSL modem and any equipment to connects to
it. This includes a computer or router.
2. Power up the DSL modem but leave everything else OFF.
3. Monitor the modem to see wh...
I know this is one you have all been waiting for. How many of you are
annoyed by constant pop-up ads when surfing the Internet? Likely
everyone who reads this knowledgebase!
There is good news. Most of them can be stopped! And the program you
need to d...
Email Stuck.
Ever get a message like "Receiving 1 of 5 messages" but not all of
the messages arrive? Then when you try again you keep getting the
same ones over and over. This is usually caused when your email
program has a problem loading a message a...
Internet Explorer has proven itself to have more holes than swiss
cheese, and is such a virus/spyware magnet that even the U.S.
government is begging people to stop using it. We at WTC
Communications tend to agree. Many of our staff here have made the
swi...
The DSL, Sync or Broadband LED on your modem is Solid but you cannot
connect to the Internet.
Powercycle your modem. This can be done by unplugging it, leaving off
for 1 minute, then plugging back in. Interference may sometimes be
sufficient to caus...
IM clients take up system resources and RAM while running. When you
start communicating with many different people, often you will have to
run three or four clients at the same time (for example, ICQ, Yahoo!,
AIM, MSN) and this can bog down the computer, ...
Anyone who uses a computer for long periods of time knows things
aren't always comfortable. Maybe you don't have a comfortable chair,
or the sun is shining in that window over there. Both of those are
examples of things that can make using computer a litt...
Most modems are now designed to operate without their own processor
and rely on the computer to provide this service. These modems are
basically phonejack-to-PCI adapters which cost the manufacturer around
$5. Watch for terms like, 'Win Modem', 'HSP' (Hos...
When your DSL service is provisioned, the phone provider adds a
signal to your line. This signal can sometimes cause a high-pitched
noise in the background when your modem is plugged in and powered on.
This noise is normally muted or greatly reduced by...
Power-cycle the DSL modem, turning the modem off and back on causes
it to re-synchronize the DSL signal. and the network connection to
your computer. Often, this by itself is enough to fix a DSL connection
problem. To do this, unplug the power cord fro...
If you are unable to connect to the Internet. Please try the
following
1. Stage Power Cycle (unplug the power cable to both the modem and
router for 1-2 minutes. Plug in modem first, after 1-2 minutes plug in
router)
2. If connecting by Wi-Fi, try c...
Is my computer equipped for DSL service?
Ethernet port:
You need one of these to connect your computer to the DSL modem. This
looks just like an oversized telephone jack. Newer computers come with
them and they can be added to older ones by installing...
Today's tip is about spyware and what you can do to block it. Spyware
is software that is downloaded to your computer either by clicking on
a pop-up ad, or installing software like Kazaa and almost all music
sharing programs, Weatherbug, Date ">not remove...
WTC Communications' commercial hosting packages come with a very
useful administration interface.
http://hosting.smarthost.org/OS4/ [1]
Access to this tool requires your domain name and main site password.
The most important part of the Website OS i...
Sometimes, your home network is to blame. So if you're ready to point
fingers at your wireless network, it's often the biggest culprit
behind a persistently slow network. This is why it's best to try to
plug directly into your modem for a speed test, b...
A lot of our customers have been noticing an increase in unsolicited
email ("spam"). Spammers are constantly coming up with new technology
to bypass the Postini spam filters. For instance, displaying the
advertising in the form of an image as opposed t...
This error is most commonly caused by your Local Area Connection
being disabled.
* Click START
* Click CONTROL PANEL (or settings | control panel if in classic
mode)
* Go into NETWORK CONNECTIONS (or network and internet connections |
network...
There are a few reasons why this will happen. Here are the possible
reasons, and what you can do to fix it:
* Your email program is set to leave mail on server. This is against
our terms and conditions, and if your mail program is set to do this,
o...
For extra security, Outlook Express contains a feature that blocks
all file types that have the potential of containing a virus. It does
not scan the attachments, it just blocks them. If you have an
up-to-date virus scanner, it is safe to turn this fea...
_Wired_ magazine has called Error 678 "the 666 of DSL users". It is
sometimes easy to solve, but there are certain cases that have no
resolution except to use a router, or even re-install Windows XP.
Here are troubleshooting steps to try first:
...
Disconnection problems can happen because of the same reasons as slow
speed problems. In addition to the following checklist.
* An option in Outlook Express is the number one cause of calls to
tech support about dropping connection when you don't want ...
There are two types of disconnections with DSL:
* Modem loses sync
* Modem does not lose sync
If the modem is losing sync when you disconnect, here are some
troubleshooting steps to follow:
* Make sure there is no filter in the path from ...
This is a common question at any ISP, and a question that has many
answers. Here is a checklist of a few things that can cause slow
dial-up speeds. Because there are so many variables, it's usually best
to contact Support by phone in such a case. Before d...
If your website is currently not showing, it is important to
determine the reason so that it can be fixed as quickly as possible.
My website will not display at all
A website is generally "down" when:
1. You're having a local issue with your I...
Dynamic DSL accounts will cause XP to display this message even if
the connection is just fine. It's nothing to be concerned about, but
it is a little annoying. If you are getting this message and have no
problems with your connection otherwise, here i...
We receive many a call here, pertaining to a certain feature found in
Windows XP (Professional and Home Edition) and Windows 2000. That
feature is that these Operating Systems will add a number or 'dots' or
'stars' to the password field. Rest assured, you...
Hey all !! Thanks for joining me this week in the Tech Tips This
week, we'll look at how to create a PPPoE connection in Windows XP.
PPPoE is the connection method that WTC Communications uses to provide
our Turbo DSL. Modern Operating Systems, such as M...
(this article is a little dated, but the tips still appply) Microsoft
XP Service Pack - Almost a New Operating System.
Microsoft has finally released the long awaited SP2 (Service Pack 2)
for Windows XP. It has been available as an administrative downl...
Its that time again folks, time for this week's Tech Tip !!
Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, decided that you should be using
MSN Explorer for your Internet E Mail and Web Browsing needs. However,
most people that we speak with here are quite happy ...
When XP service pack 2 is installed your Local Area Network(LAN)
Connection may display this message even if the connection is just
fine. It's nothing to be concerned about, just means that no DHCP
server was found on your network. If you find the message...
DNS server addresses for dedicated WTC Communications internet
connections:
Primary DNS server: 66.102.92.3
Secondary DNS server: 66.102.92.103
POP SERVER: pop3.kingston.net
SMTP SERVER: smtp.kingston.net
USERNAME: everything before the "@" in your email address
_Smarthost mail servers: _
POP SERVER: mail.yourdomainname.tld (for instance, if your domain is
bob.com, the mail server would ...
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