Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Mail Servers, News Server, and DNS Numbers?

POP3 & SMTP Server: michiana.org
NNTP (News) Server: news.michiana.org

What are the dial-up connection phone numbers?

For South Bend and its local calling areas:

280-2057

For Elkhart and its local calling areas:

262-5885

Why does it say my password is wrong?

Dial-Up Connections :

Your username and password should both be in lowercase and without spaces.

Email:

Your email account name or password may have been entered incorrectly, make sure username and password should both be in lowercase and without spaces.

Where the program asks for account name, that is the same thing as your username, DO NOT put your email address in here.

Where it asks for the password, put in the assigned password, do not make up a new one.

What are the minimum requirements?

If you are running a 386 computer with 8mb of RAM running Windows 3.x and a 14,400 baud modem, bluntly, your experience with the Internet will be a frustrating one. We recommend a minimum of a Pentium 166 computer with at least 16MB of RAM, Windows 95, and a 56K V.90 modem. The same holds true for Macintosh users. The newer the hardware and operating system, the better your experience on the Internet will be.

Why don't I connect at 56K?

First off all you must have the latest software (driver) loaded for your modem. If you are running the latest driver, the quality of the phone lines is the only cause for slow connections. Since the Internet is our business, our modems are always current with the latest updates. To keep your connection speed up, you should do the same. As far as 56k modems go, right now NO ONE can connect higher than 53k (even with perfect phone lines) due to the FCC limiting the speed to 53k over regular land phone lines.

Why do I get disconnected sometimes?

Chances are that your phone line may have static. If it does, a number of modems will "retrain" only 3 times before disconnecting. Call the phone company and ask them to check out your line because of static. They will not help you if you have a "computer problem." Phone companies normally only guarantee 9600 baud!

If you get disconnected immediately after sending/receiving mail and you are using Outlook, your e-mail program may be set to disconnect. Open Outlook Express and go to TOOLS - OPTIONS - CONNECTION and remove the check that appears on Hang Up after Sending/Receiving Email.

Why does it take so long to verify the username and password?

Go to the My Computer icon, in there go into the Dial-Up Networking icon. In there you will find your Michiana Free-Net icon, right-click on it and choose properties. Click "Server Types" and uncheck "Log on to Network." Click OK at the bottom.

Why does it say "No answer"?

Check the phone number! Make sure you're not dialing the AREA CODE.
Make sure there's only ONE modem listed in the Modem section of your Control Panel.
If windows finds a "Standard Modem" you need the drivers for that specific modem brand instead. Standard Modem means that you have installed a GENERIC driver rather than the correct one that comes with your modem or computer. Re-install the modem drivers from the disk(s) that came with your modem.

I need email help!

Incoming mail (also referred as POP or POP3) and Outgoing mail (also referred as SMTP) servers should both be set to michiana.org

How do I set the home page on Internet Explorer?

Open up Internet Explorer and select the Tools Menu. Go to the Internet Options Menu. In the Internet Options box that appears select the General tab. Type the address of the page that you want to appear in the Address box in the Home Page section. Click Apply and then ok to close the box.

How do I get rid of annoying "Pop-Up" ads?

In windows 2000:

Click Start->Programs->AdministrativeTools->Services
Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK

Windows XP:

ClickStart->Control Panel
Click Administrative Tools
Double click Services
Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK

Windows 98/ME:

Remove the file and printer sharing from your network configuration

OR, you might try a freeware program below are two helpful links

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22262,00.asp

or http://panicware.com/popupstoppercompare.html

How do I get rid of SPAM?

We have instructions on how to use our new SPAM marker at http://www.michiana.org/Spam.htm

Can I use AIM (Instant Messenger) or MSN Instant Messenger?

YES! All you need to do is download and set up the software according to the instructions.

Have a question and need some help?

Contact us at 574-280-4850 for help or you can e-mail

Have a problem you need to report?

Contact us at 574-280-4850 or you can e-mail