The following is a brief set of instructions to setup your Internet connection under Windows ME.
Any actual screen captures are used as examples only!
Any included images are not designed to use alone. Please read the text! Items in parenthesis are descriptive terms to tell you what should be placed in that area.

Most text shown in the text boxes are the actual information you should enter. Please keep in mind that for example purposes the information shown in the images reflect the setup for Poplar Bluff users. Dexter users should substitute dexter.net in place of imsinternet.net where appropriate.

Please have all windows and programs closed and your desktop (where you see "recycle bin, my computer, etc..) showing when you begin.

Click the Start button, then go to Settings, then Dial Up Networking. If the Dial up Connection Wizard automatically starts, go through each screen filling in the following information. If the Connection Wizard does NOT automatically start, double click the Make New Connection icon to start the Dial up Connection Wizard.
Follow the instructions given throughout the procedure. It will ask you for a name for your new connection. Name it "IMS". Make sure the modem you want to use is shown in the box at the bottom. If it is not listed click the button to the right of the white box to bring up a list of installed modems and select the correct one. ( If you don't see any modems listed or do not see the correct modem, you cannot proceed with your Internet configuration until you have the correct modem installed into your computer. ) Then press "NEXT". Then enter the AREA CODE and PHONE NUMBER you are dialing. (For Poplar Bluff, enter 573 as the area code and 776-1592 as the number. For Dexter, enter 573 as the area code and 624-7165 as the number.) Then click NEXT. It will then show a closing screen verifying the name you gave for the connection (IMS). Click FINISH. You will then find that NEW CONNECTION icon called "IMS" in your "Dial-up Networking" window.

Next, RIGHT-CLICK (use the secondary mouse button) on the IMS icon and a Pop-Up Menu will appear. In the menu at the bottom you will see "Properties"; click on "Properties". Your modem should appear in the lower white box.
Next, click the "Configure" button. After you click the "Configure" button.
 

The "Maximum Speed" at the bottom should be set according to your telephone line quality. If you live close to the telephone company switching office or within the city limits you can use higher speeds, if you live in rural areas or have noise on your telephone line you will need a lower number. If your modem is slower and older, you may want to set this setting lower. You can always go back to this setting later and change it. Generally, the speed will be already appropriately set. However, speeds above 57600 are not recommended. Speeds higher than 57600 can produce unreliable connections or prevent connections entirely due to phone line conditions.

After the settings are made to this screen, click "OK" to proceed to the next step. After you click "OK" it should take you back to the screen you were at before.

Click "OK" again and you will return to the "Dial-up Networking" window showing your "IMS" connection.
 

Next, Double-Click the IMS connection (with the left mouse button) to open a Connect Window. Like the one shown below. Verify that the correct phone number is listed in the box. (573) 776-1592 Poplar Bluff --- (573) 624-7165 Dexter .
 

Click the "Dial Properties" button.

If you are dialing from a location that requires dialing a number to get an outside line, such as some office buildings. Indicate that number in the space provided. If you have call waiting, "check" the small white box (left side) indicating you have call waiting and select "*70" in the box (right side) beside the "Call Waiting" section to disable it temporarily (while connected to IMS).

After the settings have been made, click "OK" and you will return to the "Connect" window. Enter your username (log-on name) and your password in the spaces provided. Then click "Connect". You will hear the modem pick up the phone line and begin to dial. (Assuming that the phone line is working and the line is connected to the correct place on the modem.) A box will pop up and display "Dialing.." Then the modem will make some strange sounds briefly while connecting. You should then see "Verifying user name and password" on your screen, then it should change to "Logging on to network", ( this is sometimes so quick you may not see it. It will then shrink down to the area by the clock.

Look at the system tray to see if you have the "blinking monitors" icon, or a button displaying "connected to IMS.)

If you get to this point, your connection is working. Then, if you have the "blinking monitors" icon, double click it to bring up the "Connected to IMS" box and press "Disconnect" and it should close the phone line connection.

After you have disconnected, close the "Connect" window (if it's still open).

You now have an Internet connection and are ready to set up your browser if it isn't already setup for you. If it is setup and working, you are finished.