30 Setup Installation and Configuration EarthLink DSL FAQ

Table of Contents

10 General (13)
20 Connection & Tweaking (4)
30 Setup Installation and Configuration (18)
40 Hardware (6)
50 Software (6)
60 Account Maintenance (2)
70 Networking and Sharing (7)
80 Newsgroups (13)
90 Troubleshooting (30)
100 UHP DSL Modems (26)
110 Other (25)

30 Setup Installation and Configuration

Important info for AT&T/SBC provisioned Earthlink Customers

SBC FAQ -- New & upgraded customers read this about speeds. (Ramp-up)

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by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2006-08-22 04:33:15

Can I see an example of a splitter install?

Just one ?? Here's quite a few examples for you to consider (in no particular order):

»AT&T West FAQ »How do I install a splitter?

gpbarth's DSL Tutorial (scroll down to "Gotta Start Somewhere! What Is A NID?")

»New Style NID w/ Splitter Pics

»Residential Install with PICTURES!!!!!

»Networking Forum FAQ »How can I make my own splitter?

The SmellyEyeball Don't Do It Yourself PacBell DSL Page

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by mballard edited by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2007-07-10 09:43:24

What speed does EarthLink DSL provide?

The speed your line will be synced at depends on the area you are in (who your telephone provider is) or if you get DSL service through Covad or not as they are Central Office based only. Also, please be aware that your actual speed may be lower due to overhead and line conditions for your connection. This is usually not something Earthlink can "fix".

If you are less than 10,000 feet from the CO, and are connected to a CO that also has service available from Covad, then you're eligible for speeds up to 6.0Mb/s download and 768k upload. Note Covad will accept loops with capacitive lengths of up to 14Kf however those circuits will not support 6 meg. Covad circuits are CO based. The best way to help ensure you get Covad service is to call Covad and request service with EarthLink as the ISP (Note from Doctor Olds

-- I've never had Covad handle any part of the sale and I was told by Covad that you have to order 6.0 directly from EL -- That's the only way I was able to obtain it in the AT&T South East area - Formerly Bellsouth).

If you are in a Verizon area, and get serviced through Verizon, your speed will be up to 3.0/384.

If you are in the AT&T area, and get serviced through AT&T, your speeds will up be to 6.0/512.

If you are located in a former BellSouth now AT&T South East area, and get telephone service through AT&T SE, you can receive speeds up to 3.0/384. Your service may be provided out of a Central Office (CO) or a Remote Terminal (RT). Covad is also available in many of those COs.

You must have and keep an active telephone line with POTS (Plain Olds Telephone Service) from your RBOC/ILEC to order and keep Earthlink DSL. (one exception for the special "Stand alone DSL" offered in Verizon service areas only). Otherwise Earthlink DSL is "Line Sharing DSL" requiring an active telephone service to be on the same line and any changes you make to your telephone service can affect your DSL even including causing disconnection and reconnection fees so always call Earthlink before making any changes to your POTS.

This FAQ has been updated as of 05-01-2009.

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by mballard edited by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2009-05-01 22:03:32

How do I find out about the status of my DSL order?

Go to: orderstatus.earthlink.net and enter in your EarthLink email address and password.

Thanks to AreEmmKay for the updated link.

NOTE: »orderstatus.earthlink.net has not worked since 9/25/2007, maybe longer. Earthlink support responds that it is "being worked on" but no firm ETA has been divulged.

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by hld3 edited by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2007-10-11 04:35:29

How can I fix some of the common problems during the setup of my DSL modem?

Common Problems during the Setup of your DSL Modem

Formerly Resolution ID: 8472

How can I fix some of the common problems during the setup of my DSL modem?

quote:
If the power light on your modem is not lit after plugging it in check your power cable to make sure that it is plugged into a working electrical outlet, is securely plugged into your DSL modem, and is not worn, frayed, or broken. If your DSL modem has an On/Off switch, make sure that it is in the ON position.

If the DSL light is not lit when you first connect your modem:

•Make sure you are installing your DSL equipment after 5 p.m. on your Service Activation Date (the date you were given when you signed up for EarthLink DSL).
Make sure your modem is connected to a telephone jack that has been activated for DSL.
•If your phone company installed a phone jack specifically for your DSL connection, make sure your modem is connected to that telephone jack.
•Verify that the connections between your computer, DSL modem, and phone jack are connected correctly and securely.
•Turn the modem off (or unplug it), wait 10 seconds, then turn the modem back on (or plug it back in). Plug your modem into another phone jack in your home and check t osee if the DSL light lights up. Remember to plug the AC adapter into an electrical outlet.
•Some 900 MHz phones and halogen lamps may interfere with a DSL signal. If you are using any of these devices, try unplugging them. If unplugging one of these devices allows your modem to receive a DSL signal, try plugging the device into an outlet on a different electrical circuit (this may eliminate any interference).
•Computer monitors and stereo speakers may interfere with a DSL signal. If your DSL modem is on top of a monitor or speaker, try moving it.

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by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2006-03-19 23:37:05

What DNS servers are used with Earthlink/Mindspring ?

These are normally assigned by the PPPoE protocol, but if you use a non-standard client, you may need to manually enter these.

Users who have DSL provisioned by Covad should use these:

207.69.188.186
207.69.188.185
207.69.188.187

The DNS servers for Earthlink (there are many others, I believe... someone else add as needed...) are:

207.217.126.81
207.217.120.83
207.217.77.82

NOTE: To manually Opt Out of the redirecting DNS that Earthlink has ~~shoved down our throats~~ forced upon us then use the IPs here:

»EarthLink DSL FAQ »What are the DNS Opt Out Servers for the Redirecting Earthlink DNS Problem?

207.69.188.172 (East Coast)
207.69.188.171 (West Coast)

If you are on the East Coast use it as your Primary DNS entry and use the West Coast as your Secondary DNS entry. If you are on the West Coast use it as your Primary DNS entry and use East Coast as your Secondary DNS entry. It is best to hard code these into your Router only and let the Router give the DNS to your PCs via normal DHCP instead of manually having to hard code multiple PCs. Most Routers have a settings location to place DNS entries.

»EarthLink DSL FAQ »How to Specify DNS Information in the EarthLink UHP ADSL Modem

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by Hall edited by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2007-09-04 03:15:05

What are the VPI/VCI modem settings for Earthlink ADSL lines?

According to just_robert

of Earthlink tech support, 8/35 was used for EarthLink/BellSouth ADSL circuits created in 2001 and earlier. 0/35 is used for all other EarthLink ADSL circuits.

It is possible that some other older DSL accounts may also need a VPI/VCI setting of 8/35, depending on your equipment and who is provisioning your line.

NOTE: All the UHP Modems have a AutoDetect VC pair feature and will normally find the correct VPI/VCI for your ADSL line. However if you get a newer non-UHP Modem (like when replacing a defective modem) such as the current 2006/2007 ZyXEL P660R-61/P660R-ELNK you will have to manually change the VPI/VCI pair if your ADSL line was installed between from 2000 to 2002 and only if Bellsouth handles the provisioning as the old lines still use 8/35 for the VPI/VCI instead of the ZyXEL Modem's default value of 0/35 VPI/VCI.

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by skj edited by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2007-03-22 15:31:29

Why won't my static IP stay static?

It isn't exactly clear why the static IP doesn't always stay static. Sometimes, it's because your router (if you have one) will disconnect and reconnect faster than the redback is able to unlease and re-lease the static IP to your account. You should check your router settings and try to delay it a few seconds to see if it helps.

Also, you can use your MSxxxxxx number instead of your Login Username to setup your WinPoet or Router based PPPoE authorization (your password is the same as before). This seems to help get the Static IP every time. See the images and specific info here on how to find your MSxxxxxx number.

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by Doctor Olds edited by Hall
last modified: 2004-04-20 18:36:25

What kind of speed difference do you get between a professional & self insta

If your lines are good, there shouldn't be any speed differences between a self-install and a professional install.

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by mballard edited by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2006-03-14 12:28:51

How do I set my PC or Mac to DHCP to use a Router, VoIP ATA or UHP Modem?

---
How to Configure Windows 9x or Me for DHCP -
»kb.earthlink.net/case.asp?article=3067
---
How to Configure Windows NT 4 for DHCP -
»kb.earthlink.net/case.asp?article=3077
---
How to Configure Windows 2000 for DHCP -
»kb.earthlink.net/case.asp?article=3073
---
How to Configure Windows XP for DHCP -
»kb.earthlink.net/case.asp?article=23811
---
How to Configure EarthLink 5 for DHCP (Home Networking) -
»kb.earthlink.net/case.asp?article=3081
---
How to Configure a Macintosh OS 8.6 - 9.22 for DHCP -
»kb.earthlink.net/case.asp?article=639
---
How to Configure a Macintosh OS X 10.0 - 10.2 Network Panel for DHCP
»kb.earthlink.net/case.asp?article=8333
---

Note: You may need to Release and then Renew your IP address once you connect the device so it's built in DHCP server can assign your PC a Private IP Address.

How To Release and/or Renew IP Addresses on Windows XP | 2000 | NT
»compnetworking.about.com/cs/wind···rwxp.htm

How To Release and/or Renew IP Addresses on Windows 95 | 98 | ME
»compnetworking.about.com/cs/win9···rw9x.htm

On some Windows 95 | 98 | ME Systems you may need to reboot your PC to get an IP from the devices DHCP server if the above fails.

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by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2007-10-09 01:11:34

DHCP related - HowTo Release and Renew Your IP Address: All Versions of Windows

Release and Renew Your IP Address: All Versions of Windows

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by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2007-12-28 03:09:14

EarthLink Server Settings (DNS, Mail, News, FTP, Personal Web Space, and Sign-On

EarthLink Server Settings (DNS, Mail, News, FTP, Personal Web Space, and Sign-On Address)

Note: Earthlink now uses a Redirecting DNS in their default servers. If it breaks services like VPN, disrupts surfing and/or gives 404 errors with ads then read the following FAQ for a solution:

»EarthLink DSL FAQ »What are the DNS Opt Out Servers for the Redirecting Earthlink DNS Problem?

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by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2007-09-04 12:38:25

What are the DNS Opt Out Servers for the Redirecting Earthlink DNS Problem?

To manually Opt Out of the redirecting DNS that Earthlink has ~~shoved down our throats~~ forced upon us then use the IPs here (NOTE!: Be warned these Opt-Out servers also suffer periods of extreme slowness to resolve DNS, do not response at all sometimes and even seem to stop working at all at rare times so please read further down for better options):

DNS Opt Out Servers

207.69.188.172 (East Coast = EC)
207.69.188.171 (West Coast = WC)

If you are on the East Coast then use the East Coast as your Primary DNS entry and use the West Coast as your Secondary DNS entry. If you are on the West Coast then use the West Coast as your Primary DNS entry and use the East Coast as your Secondary DNS entry. It is best to hard code these into your Router only and let the Router give the DNS info to your PCs via normal DHCP instead of manually having to hard code multiple PCs. Most all Routers made in the last 10 Years have a settings location to place DNS entries (usually under LAN settings or DHCP settings).

Better Options:

I personally use 4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.4 (alternate use of 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.3 is acceptable) in my Router on a East Coast located Covad circuit. They seem to work much, much better than the EL Opt Out servers of 207.69.188.172 (East Coast) and 207.69.188.171 (West Coast) do for me. Your results may vary.

»EarthLink DSL FAQ »How to Specify DNS Information in the EarthLink UHP ADSL Modem

In the ZyXEL P660R-ELNK it is on this LAN - LAN Setup page under "Advanced Setup" then select "LAN", type in the Primary and Secondary DNS servers (4.2.2.2 for Primary and 4.2.2.4 for Secondary) then click on Apply.

You can alternatively use any open "non-redirecting" DNS IPs in the UHP Modems, ZyXEL Routers, or any brand of Aftermarket Routers of your choosing like OpenDNS at »www.opendns.com/.

OpenDNS
»www.opendns.com/start

quote:
The straight dope

Our nameservers are 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

Here is some additional background info:

• »Oh No They Didn't!

• »blogs.earthlink.net/2006/08/hand···ns_1.php

• »blogs.earthlink.net/2006/09/upda···ng_1.php

• »blogs.earthlink.net/2006/09/more···andl.php

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by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2010-01-07 09:01:43

How to Install WinPoET 4.0 for Windows 2000; Windows Me; Windows 98;

How to Install WinPoET 4.0

Where can I download WinPoET 4.0?

WinPoET v4.03 PPPoE Client. [3.54 MB] Originally for Earthlink.Net customers, but works with all EL owned domains.
Note: Not for XP.

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by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2007-08-22 10:34:50

How do I uninstall Earthlink WinPoet?

On the earthlink disc is a utility called Nukepoet.
It is located in X:\Windows\HSconfig\NukePoet where "X" = your cdrom. In the folder is the utility - it's icon looks like a radiation sign.
Double-click to run it and it uninstalls the Winpoet files and registry entries.

Note: For Win 2000 users, this may cause major problems (received from another user by IM).

NukePoet.zip 453,058 bytes

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by kat4 edited by Doctor Olds
last modified: 2007-08-22 16:43:08

All FAQs » EarthLink DSL FAQ » 30 Setup Installation and Configuration