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The WURD Connection FAQ

This page contains answers to common questions about connecting with AT&T Worldnet Service. We've also included some tips and tricks that we have found useful and have presented here as questions. If you want a basic look at connecting, please read Getting a 56K Connection.

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Where can I find general questions about AT&T Worldnet Service?

You'll find that type of information in our General FAQ.

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I already have Internet software. Can I sign up for AT&T Worldnet Service without ordering their software?

Yes, you can! Go to the AT&T Worldnet Online Registration page. You can choose to download software to configure your current software, or, you can choose to configure it yourself with the information provided. Your operating system doesn't matter if you configure your software yourself. See Configuring Software for AT&T Worldnet Service for information.

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Can I use any other dialer that supports standard PPP with the AT&T Worldnet Service package?

Yes. To login, all you need is a PPP stack that supports CHAP. Check out the WURD on Dialers for configuration information.

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Where can I find a list of AT&T Worldnet Service POPs (local numbers)?

You can find a list of the AT&T Worldnet Service POPs at:
http://help.att.net/iw/ci/access_info.jsp

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How do I save my password in Windows 95 DUN?

If you are using Dial-Up Networking and find that the Save Password checkbox is grayed out (so you cannot use this feature), check to make sure that you have Client for Microsoft Networks listed when you double-click the Network icon in Control Panel. If it is not listed, select Add, Client, and select Client for Microsoft Networks. When you restart your system, you should find you can now use the Save Password feature.

I have also heard some users have had corrupted password files in Win95 (.pwl file). Once they deleted this file and re-logged into win95, the problem disappeared.

Also, after creating a DUN connection, if you don't connect the first time, the password is not saved. The password has to be re-typed even though you clicked the save password check box.

Another possible solution:

  1. From the Start menu, select Settings, and choose Passwords.
  2. Select the User Profiles tab.
  3. Select Users can customize their preferences... option and choose any other desired options.
  4. Click the OK button.
  5. Restart Windows95. When asked for a username and password, leave the Password field blank.
  6. When asked if Windows95 should remember settings for this user, choose the Yes button.

Another solution:

If you previously installed the Windows 95 service pack 1, there was a problem with it where the password file could become corrupted. Go to Microsoft's page here, to download a fix for it.

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How do I make Connection Manager 2.5 for Windows 95/98 automatically connect when an Internet application is started?

If you are having a problem with Connection Manager 2.5 for Windows 95/98 not automatically connecting when an Internet application is started, we have a fix for you... First, be sure to remove all versions of AT&T Worldnet software, except version 2.5. Use the Add/Remove function in Control Panel to do this.

The actual solution to the problem involves editing your registry. If you are not computer savvy, then do not attempt this fix. AT&T doesn't recommend that anyone edit their PC's registry. If you make a wrong move, your PC software will be in bad shape, maybe even unusable. AT&T's technical support agents will not provide support on how to edit the registry or how to attempt to restore it from fresh backup copies of the system.dat and user.dat files.

For those who like to live very dangerously and accept the risks of hacking away at registry settings in their PC (I sure hope you've got a backup of both registry files), this is what worked for some. If you use the following fix, you do so at your own risk:

The Fix:

First you need to download the appropriate file by right clicking on the link, and selecting the Save As option. There are two files, one for IE 4.x users and another for everyone else. Note: If IE 4.x is installed on your system, then you MUST use the IE 4.x file, even if you use Netscape as your browser. After you download the appropriate file, rename it autodialfix.reg and install it by double clicking on the file.

If you receive an error doing it this way there is another way to do it.

  1. From the Start Menu, choose Run.
  2. Click the Browse button and navigate to: C:\WINDOWS\REGEDIT.EXE.
  3. Click the Open button. Click the OK button.
  4. Select Registry, then Import Registry File.
  5. Find and select the file.
  6. Click the Open button.
  7. Exit Registry Editor.

To complete the fix start Connection Manager and allow it to connect. If you have selected Start the Internet software after connection to AT&T Worldnet Service it might not work this first time but it will from now on. After you disconnect, everything will be set up correctly. If not, reboot and it should work.

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How do I configure dial-up networking for multiple ISPs?

You will need to go into dial-up networking (it's under My Computer) and click on Add new connection. Your previous ISP might have hard coded its DNS settings etc in the Network icon under the control panel. If this is the case, then you will have to create a connection for that ISP as well (if you still intend to use it) and clear out the Network settings it made. You can see how to do this by going to the Software Configuration section of WURD and reading the document on setting up Windows 95 or Windows 98.

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Why do I get an error message 510, Invalid Account File (invalid or corrupted file) when trying to set up my new AT&T Worldnet Service software?

You will get this message if you have your account.txt file is corrupt or missing. You have a couple of options. You can use the AT&T Worldnet Service autorestore function (the recommended method) or, you could manually create a new account.txt file.

You can create a new account.txt file by using the template.txt file. You can either search for it on your hard drive, or get it from us. Can't find your account.txt file? Use the template.txt file (right-click on link and click the Save As... button) to recreate it. Just follow the instructions provided in the file itself.

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How do I upgrade my dialer without downloading the entire package?

Windows users can get the latest version of Connection Manager for your browser, IE or NS, by going to the Downloads/Upgrades page. Download the latest version of Connection Manager. When you execute it, on Step 3 you will be given the option of downloading a browser or reconfiguring the one you have.

To reconfigure:

  1. Click the Change button.
  2. Click the Choose from list... button.
  3. Select your existing browser.
  4. Click the OK button.
  5. Click the Next button.

When the install process concludes you will have the latest version of Connection Manager installed and your browser configured for it.

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My name in my Internet applications keeps getting changed to Your Name. I correct it in the applications, but something keeps changing it back.

Sometimes, your connection manager needs to restore your information from the backup file, and the way it is set by default, it has your user name as Your Name.

To solve this problem:

  1. Make a copy of your account.txt file to a floppy.
  2. Edit the copy in the floppy, under profile 1, profile..., enter your user name next to LastName= instead of having this value blank (default). Make sure you did not leave space between LastName= and your user name.
  3. Run setup again, and direct the installation to import the information from the modified account.txt.
  4. Any future restore will set your user name to the one you chose.

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How do I get the most out of my 56k modem?

Read the information on the following page:
56K Access

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I have a hand held pc that has WindowsCE installed. Can I use it with AT&T Worldnet Service?

Yes, you can. You'll find the information you need on the following page:
Windows CE

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How do I install my AT&T Worldnet Service account on a second computer?

You can use the AT&T Worldnet Service autorestore function to accomplish this. For additional information, see the following page:
AT&T Worldnet Service AutoRestore: Background and Frequently Asked Questions

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I somehow lost all of my settings for AT&T Worldnet Service. How do I get them back?

You can use the AT&T Worldnet Service autorestore function to accomplish this. For additional information, see the following page:
AT&T Worldnet Service AutoRestore: Background and Frequently Asked Questions

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Where can I find information on reprogramming my dialer?

You can find this information in the AT&T Worldnet Service Customer Care section.
Change your Access Number

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Where can I find information on tweaking my modem to improve my connection?

There are a lot of sites dedicated to just that question! We've compiled a list of the ones that were recommended the most.

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I've been asked to use Hyper Terminal to check my connection. How do I do that?

  1. From the Start menu, select Programs, then Accessories, then Hyper Terminal, and choose HyperTrm.exe.
  2. When the HyperTerminal starts it has a New Connection box, cancel it.
  3. From the File menu, select Properties.
  4. Select the Settings tab.
  5. Set the Background scroll buffer lines to 500 or greater.

The following format is correct for almost all modem command strings. In other words, they almost all start with AT, execute when you press Enter key on your keyboard, and end with a reply of OK.

The login prompt is what shows up when you connect to a number with a login sequence. Your AT&T POP has one you just don't see it under normal operations. It looks like this:

Welcome
Please Sign-on:

The USR number also has one.
It looks like this:

Do you want graphics (Enter)=yes?

To save your results, from the Edit menu, choose Select All. Then right-click the highlighted text, and choose Copy from the pop-up menu.

After you have copied the text, you can paste what you have copied into any text based window such as Note Pad, Microsoft Word or an e-mail composition window.

To dial into the POP you enter the AT command ATDTxxxxxxx. AT is attention. D is dial. T is tone. and xxxxxxx is the number you computer dials to get an Internet connection, your local access number.

To call USR you enter ATDT1-847-262-6000.
You can include the dashes if you wish.
The modem will just ignore them.

When you get to the login prompt, you just type +++, without the quotes and DO NOT press the Enter key.
That's modem speak for Hey! I'm talking to you!.
If that got the attention of your modem you will receive an OK.
If you don't receive an OK, try the +++again.

After you get OK you can type in the test string and press enter.

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Why do I get connected at a speed much lower than I would expect with a 56k modem?

First, check out the following page:
56K Access

If you can't find the answer there, have an X2 based modem and are using Windows 95, 98, NT, or Win2000, do the following test:

Use a terminal program, like HyperTerminal, to dial into your local AT&T Worldnet access number.

At Please Sign-on: type +++. DO NOT press Enter.

The modem should reply OK. This might take a few seconds before you see OK. Be patient.

While still connected:

  1. Type ati4 and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
  2. Type ati6 and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
  3. Type ati7 and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
  4. Type ati11 and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
  5. Type aty11 and press the Enter key on your keyboard.

To save the results:

  1. To save your results, from the Edit menu, choose Select All. Then right-click the highlighted text, and choose Copy from the pop-up menu.
  2. After you have copied the text, you can paste what you have copied into any text based window such as Note Pad, Microsoft Word or an e-mail composition window.

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My computer keeps dialing all by itself. How do I stop it?

There are many reasons this can occur, such as an e-mail application open and set to check for e-mail every xx minutes. We've listed some other causes and fixes below:

If doing all of the above fails, check your start up folder to see what else is there that could cause this to happen.

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How do I change the Com port speed in Windows 95/98's Dial-Up Networking (DUN)?

  1. Double-click the My Computer icon.
  2. Open the Dial-Up Networking folder.
  3. With your mouse, right-click the AT&T Worldnet connection icon, and choose Properties.
  4. Select the General tab.
  5. Click the Configure button.
  6. Select the General tab.
  7. You can change the Com port speed in the Maximum Speed field.

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How do I reduce the FIFO buffers in Win 95/98 DUN?

  1. Double-click the My Computer icon.
  2. Open the Dial-Up Networking folder.
  3. With your mouse, right-click the AT&T Worldnet connection icon, and choose Properties.
  4. Click the Configure button.
  5. Select on Connection tab
  6. Click the Port Settings button.
  7. Reduce the size of the send and receive buffers.

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How do I transfer my account information to my new iMac computer? It doesn't have a floppy that I can use...

If AT&T Worldnet Service software exists on your iMac, you can use that software. So, that should make it fairly easy for you to get your account info. What we don't know, is what version of WN software you have. Here are the instructions for MS3.01, but if you have another co-branded version or browser, you will need different instructions. To use something else, go here:
http://help.att.net/care/restore4.html

Using AutoRestore With the AT&T Co-Branded Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 Browser

  1. Double-click the Macintosh HD folder.
  2. Find and open the Microsoft Internet Applications folder.
  3. Open the Internet Connection Wizard folder.
  4. Double-click the Internet Connection Wizard 2.5 icon. The Get Connected window will appear.
  5. Click the Next button.
  6. Choose the Automatic option.
    This seems contradictory, but it will enable your computer to connect to our computer and retrieve your account information. If you follow the next step, you will not actually set up a new account, nor will you be charged anything.
  7. Follow any other on-screen prompts until your modem dials out to our computer. Once you are connected to our computer, click the I'm already a member button. You will then be asked to go through a simple authentication process. Then just follow the instructions on the screen to complete the AutoRestore process.

Answers to frequently asked questions about AutoRestore can be found at:
http://help.att.net/care/restorefaqs.html

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How do I run a trace route to a site?

  1. From the Start menu, select Programs and then choose MS Dos prompt.
  2. At the prompt, type tracertfollowed by the address of the site you want to go, followed by >trace.txt
    For example, to do a trace route to WURD, type:
    tracert www.wurd.com >trace.txt
  3. Press the Enter key, and let the prompt return before exiting
  4. Go back to Windows and do a search for trace.txt

You'll find information on understanding a tracert (trace route) on the following page:
Understanding a Tracert

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How do I determine if my throughput is what I should expect for my dial-up connection speed?

We've devised a test that will do that for you. Go to the following page and follow the directions:
The WURD Connection Throughput Test

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What is arupld32.exe? My firewall software keeps complaining about it!

Arupld32.exe is part of the AT&T Worldnet dialer. It is called Inverse IP Insight, and it collects connection information for upload if you contact customer care via phone. Follow the instructions below if you wish to disable or enable it.

To Disable or Enable Inverse IP Insight:

Connection Services Manager (CSM) 6.x:

  1. Perform a search for worldnet.ini.
  2. Open the worldnet.ini file.
  3. In the worldnet.ini file, create a new section called [Customize Install].
  4. In the [Customize Install] section, type SLAActive=0to disable Inverse IP Insight or SLAActive=1to enable Inverse IP Insight.
    Note: This entry can be anywhere within the section, but it should be on its own line.
  5. From the File menu, and choose Save.
  6. From the File menu, and choose Exit.

AT&T Worldnet Setup 5.x:

  1. Perform a search for worldnet.ini.
  2. Open the worldnet.ini file.
  3. In the worldnet.ini file, create a new section called [Customize Setup].
  4. In the [Customize Setup] section, type SLAActive=0to disable Inverse IP Insight or SLAActive=1to enable Inverse IP Insight.
    Note: This entry can be anywhere within the section, but it should be on its own line.
  5. From the File menu, and choose Save.
  6. From the File menu, and choose Exit.

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How do I use my AT&T Worldnet connection and my broadband connection together without losing my broadband speed?

AT&T Worldnet internal servers (Member Services, PWP and to some extent, mail and news) are behind a firewall and only accessible from a dial up connection. Windows will always use the dial up as the default connection, thereby slowing down your surfing when using dial up and broadband (cable or DSL) together. Some members have both broadband connections and AT&T Worldnet accounts. They wanted to use the speed of broadband, but also needed to keep the AT&T Worldnet dialup, as that is the only way to access newsgroups, member services and PWP. So, they wrote a vbs script that sets up a routing table so when you dial in, you don't loose the surfing speed of the broadband... only the AT&T Worldnet things will go through the modem. You'll find detailed instructions on this page:
Using Dial Up with Broadband

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Does AT&T Worldnet Service provide support for home networking?

AT&T Worldnet phone agents do not provide support for home networking.


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