1. - My Internet connection seems very slow and my web browser will not properly display pages or they take a long time to load?

This problem is almost always a function of the internal modem inside your computer not properly communicating. This modem MUST go through a startup process called initialization. This initialization is a specific set of sequential commands that the modem must follow to work properly. This process for an internal modem can ONLY be done when your computer is starting up AFTER being shutdown. In the event you experience this erratic modem behavior, PLEASE SHUTDOWN YOUR COMPUTER COMPLETELY AND THEN START BACK UP AGAIN. This will allow your modem to properly initialize and then properly communicate. 

2. - How do I connect with Simply Connect and then signup as a registered user of Simply Connect?

Connecting with Simply Connect:

We have a FREE Installation diskette that will automatically setup your computer to access us. Please stop by one of our offices to pickup this FREE diskette. You can download our self-install program (be sure and read the "Readme.txt" file for a complete explanation of the program) just go to: ftp.simcon.net/Installation Software/

To bypass the use of the diskette and do the setup yourself "manually" by using easy step-by-step instructions just go to:

 For calling Chardon locally – www.simcon.net/Dial up directions Chardon.htm

 For calling Middlefield locally – www.simcon.net/Dial up directions Middlefield.htm

Registering with Simply Connect:

You can signup yourself online with immediate access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by going to our website (www.simcon.net) and clicking on the Check Account / Signup icon.

You can also register with us by either stopping by one of the offices (Chardon or Middlefield) OR calling us on the phone. We need about 5 minutes of your time to take the registration information.  We will primarily need the following information:

1. - Name, address and phone number.

2. - The LOGIN NAME and password you would prefer. This LOGIN NAME is what will be used during the process when your computer initially calls Simply Connect. We will then authenticate who you are and make your connection. This name can be personalized to make it easy for you to remember. Often a combination of first and last name is used or even a nickname. The same can be said for the password used. This password might also be a combination of numbers like a birthday or anniversary. The password MUST be a minimum of 6 characters.

3. - The LOGIN NAMES  and passwords for your email login. Your email names will consist of this name AND the phrase “@simcon.net”.

Together it could then look like – yourloginname@simcon.net.

Often a combination of first and last name is used or even a nickname. The same can be said for the password used. This password might also be a combination of numbers like a birthday or anniversary. The password MUST be a minimum of 6 characters.

4. - The preferred method you wish for us to bill you for this service. We can email invoice OR debit a credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover).

 The is the end of the application process. Under normal circumstances we can then proceed to activate your account immediately.

3. - How do I use email?

 You have a couple of common choices with Simply Connect.

 You can use our Web based email (look for the link on our Home Page entitled – “Check Email”).  This Web based email program offers very good email services. In fact it can be used from “any” computer that has access to the Internet and can go to our website (   Outlook Express  Set Up  ). Many of our customers enjoy this email process especially when traveling and having access to an Internet connected computer such as at a relative, friend, or library. It requires you to login with your email login name and password that you defined during the registration process. Web based email can be a very good way for a newcomer to the Internet to get used to the email process. 

 You can also use most common email programs. We offer and support Microsoft Outlook Express on our FREE installation CD which you can pick up at one of our offices. This email program offers a wide array of services and options and does support hyperlinks and spell checking. You should be able to find this program on your desktop or from your START/PROGRAMS listing. We do provide downloadable instructions for setting up this program at our FTP site (ftp://www.simcon.net ) and the instructions are in MS Word format. The file is in the INSTRUCTIONS folder and is entitled “Installing Outlook Express.doc”. You can also view these same instructions in HTML format by going to: www.simcon.net/Installing Outlook Express.htm .

4. - How can I avoid having to type the long web address each time into the Address field of my browser when I want to return to a web site.

There is a feature available on your Internet Explorer browser called FAVORITES. The purpose of FAVORITES is to store that address in memory so that you do not have to type it into your Address Field each time. After you have reached the web site you want just click on either the Favorites icon or the word Favorites on the top line. Then select ADD to Favorites. It will add that web site to your Favorites listing. Any time you want that particular web site again, just click on the Favorites icon or the word Favorites on the top line and select that web site from the list.

 5. - Getting connected to Simply Connect and displaying your home page seems to take a long time. What can I do?

This problem may be related to the particular Client you are using for the Dial-Up connection. The preferred Client is – Client for Microsoft Networks. You can determine which client you have by:

Click on the START button.

Go to SETTINGS.

Scroll over to Control Panel and click.

Find the icon call Network and double click on it.

Look in the center of the popup window for Primary Network Logon.

You should have selected – Client for Microsoft Networks.

 If not, see if it is available by clicking the black downward arrow to the right of that box that opens more choices. Select Client for Microsoft Networks if available. Then click OK. This may require you to wait while drivers get built for your system and a RESTART of your computer.

 If Client for Microsoft Networks is not available, instructions are available at:

www.simcon.net/Installing Client for Microsoft Networks.htm

6. - My Internet Explorer browser is loading pages very slowly. What do I do?

Often this is an indication that your Temporary Internet files area located on your computer’s hard drive is large. Your browser has been designed to store certain files located on web sites that you visit onto your computer’s hard drive. This should allow these files to be more quickly displayed on your browser rather than waiting for them to be actually downloaded from the web site each time that you visit. To help correct this problem you can delete these files from your hard drive thus freeing up space and potentially improving the slowness you have encountered.

You can view instructions for deleting Temporary Internet files at:

www.simcon.net/Delete Temporary Files.htm

7. - How do I get rid of the long list of sites in my History area?

This History file keeps track of all the web sites you have visited and is normally filed by the day and week you visited these sites. This file can grow quite large.

 You can view instructions for deleting History files at:

www.simcon.net/Clear History.htm.

8. - I put my login name and password in but it still will not connect me. What do I do?

Most often this is due to an incorrect spelling of the name or password. Many times the misspelling of the password can occur because the password is blocked "****" from view. Also remember to use LOWER CASE letters and numbers when entering this information.

9. - I was on another web site and now when I login the Simply Connect Home Page no longer appears but the other web site does. How can I change this back so the Simply Connect Home Page appears when I login?

This can occur when you may have chosen an option to install another web site as the Home Page. You can easily reset the function to have the Simply Connect Home Page again become the page that appears when you login.

Open your MS Internet Explorer browser.

When connected to the Internet, type in www.simcon.net in the Address section. Click the GO button to the right of the Address bar.

Select TOOLS from the top row.

Then select INTERNET OPTIONS.

In the first section entitled Home Page, select the USE CURRENT box.

This will now reset your Home Page and the Simply Connect Home Page will appear when you login or when you select the HOME icon.

What do I do if my question does not appear in this listing?

PLEASE CALL US!! This page by no means will answer ALL the questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to call our Customer Service to get help. We have both the Chardon office (Phone: 285-5433) AND our Middlefield office (Phone: 632-6320) available for YOU.