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Frequently Asked Questions

Internet FAQs

Customer Service and Sales Questions

Troubleshooting and Technical Questions

Basics and Definitions

Security Questions

Customer Service and Sales Questions

How can I sign up for Internet Service?
An application must be filled out and signed by you prior to Internet service. If you do not have our phone service, a credit check will be done before service may begin, and in some cases, a deposit may be required. Our in-house technical staff is available for Internet support Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Call the local or toll-free number in your area.

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When do I start logging Internet usage each month?
Internet usage begins the first of the month and goes through the end of the month.

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How can I keep track of the hours I use each month?
You can call our Help Desk during business hours and they will be able to assist you.

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How can I access my e-mails when I'm away from home?
Simply go to the webmail page and follow the instructions at the bottom.

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When I'm out of town, is there a toll-free number I can dial to connect to En-Tel?
No. We do not provide a toll-free number for dialing up when you are out of the area (state). If you wish to connect to En-Tel, you will be charged long distance charges.

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Why should I get DSL Service?
High-speed DSL Internet Service allows you to receive more information quickly and do more on the Internet by giving you:

  • An always-on connection—no busy signals or dial-up frustrations.
  • Faster speeds - up to 100 times faster than dial-up.
  • The ability to surf the Web without tying up your phone line.
  • Fast video and music downloads.
  • Ability to operate multiple computers on the Internet by using DSL with home a network.
  • Save time and money.
  • Enhanced productivity.
  • Increase freedom.
  • New opportunities for an efficient, reliable, and flexible Internet experience.

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How much does high-speed Internet cost?
Contact our Customer Service Center for our most current prices and specials.

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What if I am moving and don't know my telephone number?
Your telephone number is not required to check availability for Internet service. However, a contact number is needed when you place an order so that the En-Tel Customer Service Representative can follow-up with you to schedule installation.

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How can I cancel my service if I am not satisfied?
Please contact En-Tel Communications directly regarding any questions or concerns you have with your DSL service. You may call us at: 320-222-0303 or toll-free at 1-866-313-6835.

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Where do I get customer support for my Internet service?
Please contact En-Tel Communications' Internet Help Desk directly for customer support for your DSL service. You may call us at: 320-222-9800.

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Who do I pay for my Internet service?
Your Internet service is included with your DSL service. This is billed together on your local En-Tel billing statement.

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How can I make my En-Tel high-speed DSL Internet connection even faster?
We offer a variety of different speeds to satisfy your Internet needs. Upgrading between these speeds is fast and easy. Call us at: 320-222-0303.

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How long does it take to install DSL connection in my home?
Installation times are scheduled at least 5 days in advance.

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What is the cost of DSL installation?
Installation is based on time and material costs. The total may vary depending on time of installation. Installation cost start at $69.95.

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DSL: Why do I need to give you information like address, zip code, and telephone number?
Using your full mailing address and telephone number is the best way to determine if DSL service is available to your home.

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How do I place an order for high-speed DSL service?
Contact En-Tel Communications at 320-222-0303 or toll-free at 1-866-313-6835.

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What is the equipment cost?
This refers to the cost of the hardware you need to run the service. Depending on the plan and options you order, this cost may not be included in your Internet service order.

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What is the contract length?
This is the commitment you must make to receive the indicated price and promotions. If a contract is necessary when you sign up for service, there may be a penalty for breaking it.

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DSL: What is an installation fee?
This is a one-time charge for time and materials used when installing the DSL service to your home or business.

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Troubleshooting and Technical Questions

Trouble shooting steps for rebooting DSL Service.
From time-to-time, you may need to reboot your DSL Internet service. DSL Internet service will require you to reboot your equipment in the proper sequence listed below to restore the service. If you have a single computer, you'll need to: 1. Power cycle the DSL modem by unplugging the power cord. 2. Wait for about 20 seconds. 3. Reconnect the power. 4. Wait until the modem lights return to normal and the line light turns green, normally between 30 seconds to a minute after the modem is powered back up. 5. If you have a router, continue on with the instructions in step number 7. 6. If you do not have a router, reboot or power up your computer and you are done. 7. Power cycle the router. Depending upon your router, you may power it down with a switch or by unplugging the power cord. 8. Wait for about 20 seconds. 9. Reconnect the power to the router. 10. Wait a minute or so for the router to boot up. 11. Reboot or power up your computer(s).

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Error 691 - Invalid Username and Password.
This is by far the most common error message you might see when trying to connect to the Internet. Just be sure you have entered your username correctly (all lowercaseno spaces). Then be sure you have entered your password correctly. If you see they look correct, simply remove both username and password and re-enter it. If this doesn't work, try rebooting your computer and try again. If you are still experiencing this error, there may be something else going on. Call our Help Desk for further trouble shooting.

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Why do I lose connection whenever I send or receive
e-mail?

Outlook Express has a setting that will cause you to disconnect from the Internet after sending and/or receiving e-mail. To fix this, open your Outlook Express program, click on Tools/Options/Connections Tab... and make sure that "Hang up after sending and receiving" is NOT checked. If it is checked, simply remove it by clicking over the top of it and then be sure to click OK at the bottom of the window.

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Why can't I connect to 56k?
There are several possible reasons for this. First, the highest connection the FCC allows over standard phone lines is 53.3k. This is the fastest connection rate you can get. If you are connecting in the 40k-50k range, this is considered good for most dial-up connections. If you connect at a rate less than you would like, you can attempt to update your modem drivers. The biggest factor in determining connection speed are telephone lines. Age of the telephone lines in your area, "line noise," and weather can all affect your line quality.

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Do I have to be connected to the Internet to read and write e-mail?
No. You can continue to read and write e-mail through your regular e-mail program without tying up your phone line or being connected to the Internet. Once you are prepared to send your e-mail or see if you have new mail, simply connect to En-Tel.

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Why do I keep getting the same e-mails over and over againthey won't all come through?
This usually happens because an extremely large message on the server your computer is not capable of downloading. The process times out, and you may get an error that says "Your POP3 service has not responded in 60 seconds..." Then when you try accessing the mail again, you may get an invalid username and/or password error or you may get the same message again. If this happens, give our Help Desk a call and our technical staff will help you delete the large e-mail that is giving you the problem. You should then be able to receive the rest of your mail.

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Why do I get error 630, 680, or 692 when I try to connect?
These errors may indicate the modem needs to be reset, may be damaged, or not installed properly. The errors may occur when you don't have dial-tone or have voice mail service with a distinctive or stutter dial-tone. If there has been electrical disturbances (thunderstorms or power failure/surges) since the last time the modem worked, this may be the cause. If the modem has never worked, double check the installation. Connect a telephone to the same line your computer is connected to. Check for a dial-tone. If you hear no dial-tone, call our Customer Service Department for help in restoring it. Try connecting the phone line to another wall jack.

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Why do I get a no dial-tone error?
The three most common causes of a "no dial-tone" error are:

  • Voice mail on the phone—giving you the stutter dial-tone.
  • Your phone line is not connected properly.
  • You are experiencing hardware problems with the modem. The first step for any dial-tone error is to make sure that there is a dial-tone on that phone line. If you only have one phone line, and the other wall jacks are working fine, try connecting a phone to the jack that the computer uses and check for a dial-tone. If you have two phone lines, you may want to check the second line for a dial-tone by unplugging the computer line and connecting a regular phone to it. If there is no dial-tone on the line the computer uses, you will want to contact our Customer Service Department. Also, make sure the phone line is connected properly to the back of the computer. There may be two places you can plug a phone cord into; one will be marked "line" and the other one will be marked "phone." You must plug it into the one marked "line."

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Why do I get the error "OE has removed access to the following unsafe attachments" when trying to open my e-mail attachments?
Your Outlook Express is set to not allow attachments to be saved or opened. To change this setting, open Outlook Express and click on Tools/Options. Click the Security Tab. Under "Virus Protection," Uncheck the box that says "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened . . ." Then click OK.

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Why do I get an illegal operation error message?
All programs can at one time or another cause an illegal operation error. It normally means that the program tried to write to a protected area in memory. If this happens consistently with one particular program, you may need to reinstall the software package that is crashing on you. If it happens with different programs on a fairly frequent basis, it could be a problem with the operating system itself, and you may need to reinstall the operating system. Contact the software and/or computer manufacturer for help.

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Why do I keep getting "Page cannot be displayed?"
There are a number of reasons this can happen:

  • You may not be connected to the Internet.
  • You may have mistyped the website address.
  • Your firewall (usually found in your anti-virus program) is preventing you from accessing the Internet.
  • Your browser settings may need to be adjusted. Security settings could possibly be set too high, preventing you from accessing the ebsites.

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Does En-Tel high-speed DSL Internet work with my Mac?
Yes. En-Tel high-speed DSL works great with Macs. However, because fewer Macs are in use compared to personal computers, En-Tel is not able to provide the same level of technical support. For this reason, we suggest that Mac users call Apple when they are in need of technical support

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How do I get my home page back? How do I change it to a different home page?
Internet Explorer - Open Internet Explorer. Click Tools then Internet Options. Type your desired website's URL in the Home Page Address field under the General tab. Example: http://www.en-tel.com. Click OK to save changes.

Netscape 7x - Open Netscape. Click Edit then Preferences. Click Navigator under the category list. Type your desired website's URL in the Home Page Location field to the right. Click OK to save changes

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Why is my Internet connection slow?
The two biggest reasons for slow Internet speed is due to viruses and spyware. If you are running up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware, and are still experiencing slow speeds, there may be something else going on. Call our Help Desk for more troubleshooting.

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Is there a size limit to the e-mail I can send and receive?
En-Tel does have an e-mail size limit of 50Mb that you can send or receive. However, sending a real large attachment in an e-mail is not advised. (i.e. pictures). Many people have trouble receiving large e-mails due to limitations with their computer and/or ISP.

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How do I troubleshoot slow speed issues?
These troubleshooting procedures are provided to those customers that are willing to do some investigation into the most common issues that are encountered with connection issues on their own.

The following issues have been discovered to be the cause of many reported slow speed issues. En-Tel Communications does not support any of the issues below and cannot offer technical support regarding how to address these issues. En-Tel Communications will only support the hardware and/or software that is directly provided by En-Tel Communications to its customers and cannot offer installation, troubleshooting, or maintenance support for any products/services/applications outside of what is provided directly by En-Tel Communications.

For your convenience, we have included information to guide you to resources that may be able to assist you with any of the following issues.

HARDWARE PROBLEMS - Improper set up of new hardware can cause a number of issues for the other hardware devices that your computer is using. Internet connectivity issues, Windows operating system "lock-ups," and/or damage to existing hardware and software may be caused by improperly adding a new hardware to your computer. It is advisable that if a new hardware device is causing Internet connectivity problems, the troublesome hardware should be removed. Adding a new network device to your computer such as a hub or router for setting up a home network is the main cause of Internet connectivity issues. This can range from slower speeds on the Internet to total loss of Internet connectivity. As we do not provide networking support, you are encouraged to contact the manufacturer of your hardware for assistance in using this device with your Internet connection.

SOFTWARE PROBLEMS - As with the hardware issues described above, improperly configuring new software on a computer can cause problems with Internet connectivity as well as a number of other problems on the computer. Adding a firewall solution to a computer may cause a number of issues with Internet connectivity. Firewalls are used to provide stronger security for any computer connected to the Internet, but can sometimes be hard to configure. It is recommended that if connection issues are found after installing a firewall, the user should contact the manufacturer of the software to receive support for the firewall application. En-Tel Communications does not support firewall configurations, and customers will be asked to disable the firewall to allow for Internet connectivity to be re-established.

DISK FRAGMENTATION - One of the leading causes of a computer slowing down is hard disk fragmentation. When software or files are saved on a computer, they are stored on the computer's hard disk (also known as a hard drive). As some programs and files are modified or deleted from the hard drive by the user, fragmentation of the hard drive space occurs since the files and programs are stored in different areas of the hard drive. This causes the hard drive to spend more time looking for all the appropriate files it needs to open a program. All versions of the Windows operating system (except for Windows NT 4) have a built-in utility that will "defragment" a hard drive. This allows for all data on the hard drive to be rewritten so similar types of files are located next to each other. This can significantly speed up the access to programs and files on the hard drive, which can increase the overall speed of the computer. It is advised that a "defragmenter" program be run every couple of months.

FAILING HARD DRIVE - As explained above, disk fragmentation can cause a computer to significantly slow down over time. A much more serious hard drive problem is when the hard drive begins to lose the data that is stored on it, or the data becomes repeatedly corrupted and unusable. A failing hard drive can cause performance issues on the computer and slow down Internet connectivity. All versions of the Windows operating system have a built-in utility that will scan the hard drive for errors and attempt to fix errors that it finds. Errors may be also detected during the computer's start up process and Scandisk will need to be performed to try to save the data on the hard drive. Constant loss of data on a hard drive usually signifies that the hard drive will soon become inoperable. En-Tel Communications does not install its service on any computer that is experiencing hard drive failure problems, it is advised that this hard drive be backed up and repaired/replaced immediately.

BACKGROUND APPLICATIONS - Many software applications that run continually on the computer can degrade system performance. Firewalls were discussed above, but there are a number of other types of software applications that can drain system resources. The amount of RAM and the processor speed of the computer can sometimes limit the user from having optimal experience that they could be having with En-Tel Communications. By checking your computer for programs and applications that are currently running, and shutting down those programs that are not needed by the computer, you can free up the RAM and processor resources that were being used by these applications. Programs such as anti-virus software, password remembering applications, and other programs that continually run while the computer is turned on can require large amounts of RAM space and processing power to operate. By shutting down unneeded programs, the computer can devote its resources to those applications that are truly needed and used.

YOUR COMPUTER HAS A VIRUS/SPYWARE - While you may think that you have kept your virus scanner and spyware software fully up to date and run it frequently, there is always the possibility that you may have picked up a virus or spyware. A part from running a full virus scan (which you should do before reporting any slow speed fault), you can use one of the standard Windows tools to visually check on whether your slow speeds are caused by a virus or spyware. SUPPORT FOR THE ABOVE ISSUES - En-Tel Communications does not offer any form of technical support for the above issues. We only provide support for the hardware and software directly provided by En-Tel Communications, it is advised that to receive assistance and/or support for any of the above issues, you contact one of the following:

YOUR COMPUTER MANUFACTURER - The manufacturer of your computer may be your best resource for technical support for your computer. As the designers and builders of your system, they may be able to assist you with any computer performance problems you are experiencing.

COMPUTER REPAIR CENTER - If you are experiencing performance issues with your computer, you may wish to have it inspected at a local computer repair center. Since En-Tel Communications cannot diagnose or troubleshoot computer performance issues, our customers are solely responsible for the inspection of their computers.

WINDOWS HELP SCREENS - All versions of Microsoft's operating systems that we support have an included Help area that can be accessed by the computer user. This can be a good resource to use for troubleshooting speed issues on the computer. To learn how to use operating system utilities such as Disk Defragmenter and Scandisk, visit the Windows help areas.

MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGEBASE - Microsoft has created a large area of online information called Microsoft Knowledgebase. The Knowledgebase has tips and fixes for many known speed issues along with instructions and built-in troubleshooters that may be of assistance to the Windows user. The Knowledgebase can be found at the Microsoft Knowledgebase. The general support web page for Microsoft is found at http://support.microsoft.com. From this link, you can read Microsoft newsgroups, contact Microsoft support, or access the Knowledgebase and frequently asked questions (FAQs).

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Basics and Definitions

Cookies: What are they?
A "cookie" is a unique piece of numeric data that can be deposited on your computer's hard driver as you visit websites. Cookies help companies obtain and track information about web site visitors (i.e., frequency of visits, length of visits, past purchase, presence, etc.) For example: If you purchase software from an Internet website, the company may keep track of what your software purchases have been and use that information to recommend ideas for future purchases. Over time, cookies can occupy considerable space on your hard drive. To delete the cookie files, follow these steps: Netscape - click Edit then Preferences. Double click Advanced under the category list. Click Cache then Clear Disk Cache. Click OK twice. Open your e-mail. Click File, then Empty Trash On Local Mail. Internet Explorer - click Tools then Internet Options. Click Delete Files under Temporary Internet Files. Click OK twice. Open your e-mail, click Edit then Empty Deleted Items folder. If you don't find this under Edit, look under Tools.

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What is broadband?
Simply put, the term "broadband" refers to Internet access that is faster than 200 Kbps. The term broadband refers to any type of transmission technique that carries multiple voice, video, or data channels simultaneously over a common wire. It is a large pipeline (much bigger than a dial-up connection) that brings information to your home or office. In this instance, broadband refers to high-speed Internet access using this transmission technique.

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DSL: What kind of computer to I need?
Generally, you need a computer with these elements:

  • PC - The minimum recommended system requirements are:
    • Pentium 233 megahertz (MHz) processor or faster
    • At least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM (128 MB is recommended).
    • We recommend at least Windows 2000 or Windows XP system. Microsoft no longer supports Windows 95, 98, or Me, which means they will not supply updates or patches to those operating systems. These older operating systems will work on DSL, however, with the always-on connection you are more likely to be infected with various Worms or Trojans. In addition, these systems may not be supported by various virus scanning software packages that help protect your computer from these attacks.
  •  Macintosh - Power PC, 75 MHz processor with System 7.5 or higher and 200 MB of free disk space.

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DSL: What's the difference between upstream and downstream speeds?
Information passes between your computer and the Internet in two directions: upstream and downstream. Information that flows upstream is sent from your computer to the Internet, such as sending e-mail attachments or playing two-way games. Information that flows downstream is from the Internet to your computer such as, surfing the Web or downloading files. Please note that broadband service speeds are an estimate. The actual speed may vary.

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What does static IP (Internet Protocol) address mean?
A static Internet protocol address (IP) is a unique number assigned to your computer by your service provider. Static IPs are permanent numbers that always identify your computer to others on the Internet. There is an additional $10 charge per month for each static IP address.

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What does dynamic IP address mean?
A dynamic Internet protocol address is a temporary number assigned to your computer by your service provider. This number or "address" allows others on the Internet to communicate with your computer. A dynamic IP is typically assigned for a certain length of time after which the address is returned to a pool of IP addresses. The next time you log on or begin a new session, a new dynamic IP will be assigned.

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Can I watch my digital TV, use my telephone, and use high-speed DSL Internet at the same time?
Yes. While our services travel over the same network, none of our services are affected by simultaneous use.

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If I have high-speed access at home, how do I access it when I travel?
Your En-Tel Communications' DSL service will only be accessible at the location in which it was installed. You may access your e-mail from our website via webmail.

Can I use my current modem to receive high-speed Internet service?
You will need a compatible ADSL modem for your service. The signals that come in from En-Tel use different wiring and transmit data in a different way than a dial-up modem. Please contact En-Tel Communications to confirm the compatibility of your modem.

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Security Questions

Do I need to purchase my own anti-virus program even though En-Tel has Premium Spam Control for SPAM and virus protection?
Yes. Premium Spam Control scans only 3-mail coming in--it does not protect you when surfing the Internet.

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Viruses: What are they and how can I protect my computer?
Most computer viruses are acquired through e-mail, compromised websites, un-patched software, downloading music, movies, or file sharing. Computer viruses can be avoided by using and regularly updating an anti-virus software like Norton or McAfee, and by keeping all the software on your computer (especially Microsoft's software) updated with the latest security updates. Most software vendors include a live update feature in their programs and/or on their website. Microsoft's Live Update feature will scan the Microsoft programs on your computer and alert you if an update is available. Start the live update by clicking on Start, then Windows Update (you need to be connected to the Internet for this to work). Updates for Microsoft Office products can be found at: http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate. Firewall software or hardware helps stop Internet users from hacking into your computer. Windows XP SP2 has a built-in firewall. Users of other computer operating systems will need to install one separately. ZoneAlarm is one of many firewall softwares and is available as a free download.

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Spyware and Adware: What is it and how can I protect my computer?
Definition: Any software application in which advertising is displayed while the program is running is called adware. Software that sends data back to a third party, without the user's knowledge, is spyware. Software can be both adware and spyware, but not all adware is spyware and most spyware programs don't display ads. Adware and spyware is deceptive software that takes over people's computers for the purpose of gathering their personal information or bombarding them with unwanted advertising. A recent survey by the National Cyber Security Alliance found that 90 percent of all personal computers could be infected with at least one form of spyware. How do these programs get on your computer? Believe it or not, you invite most of them in when you install software downloaded from the Internet. What can you do? Keep current on all the critical Windows updates from Microsoft. Scan through licensing agreements before clicking OK. So-called "legitimate" adware is usually disclosed in the licensing agreement of the software you install. Become accustomed to running anti-adware and anti-spyware programs to find and clean your computer of such applications. Free programs like AdAware or Sypbot Search & Destroy can identify adware and spyware on your computer. Also, install a firewall software that monitors traffic leaving your computer. ZoneAlarm is one of the many firewall software available as a free download.

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How do I know if I'm on a secure site?
One way is to look at the Web address; nonsecure sites start with http:// a secure site will read https://. The "s" following the the http indicates the site is secure. Or, look for the padlock in the lower left corner of Netscape's window and the lower right corner of Internet Explorer's window. If the padlock is in the locked position, the site is secured. If it's in the unlocked position (Netscape) or if there's no padlock (Internet Explorer), the site is not secure.

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Why won't my Internet Explorer open in secure sites?
This problem can be caused by incorrect security settings in Internet Explorer, Security settings can and will change, at times, after performing Windows updates and/or anti-virus updates. Follow the steps below to enable your computer's ability to safely access secure websites again:

  • Open Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options, Advanced and scroll to the bottom of the list. SSL and TLS options (all versions) should be checked.
  • Delete Cookies, delete files and clear history in Tools, Internet Options, General Tab. (Deleting Cookies may delete some stored Internet passwords.) Check the Delete all off-line content check box.
  • Uncheck the box for Enable Third Party Browser Extensions in the Advanced Section (all other settings in Advanced Section are set to Default). Click Apply and Close and open Internet Explorer.
  • Configure Security settings for the Trusted sites zone in Internet Explorer. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options, Security Tab, select Trusted sites, Default Level Sites. Enter the address (URL) of the site in the Add this website to the zone box, Add, OK, Apply. Check Firewall/Network Configuration. Make sure that the SSL port (port 443) is open on your network/firewall (if you have any). There are many different Firewall/Network products, so we cannot give step-by-step instructions. Check the documentation or help file of the product you use. If you are behind a broadband router, you may need a firewall on your PC.
  • Clear the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) state and Auto Complete history: Open Internet Explorer and go to Tools Internet Options, Content tab. Under Certificates, click clear SSL State. Click OK when you receive the message that the SSL cache was successfully cleared. Under Personal Information, click Auto Complete. Under Clear Auto Complete history, click Clear Forms. Click OK when you are prompted to confirm the operation. Verify that the Date and Time Settings on your computer are correct. Because SSL certificates have an expiration date, if the date on your computer isn't correct, it may prevent you from connecting to secure sites.
  • NOTE: If, after going through the above steps, you still cannot access secure websites, it could be a setting in Norton Internet security. Please contact your Symantec/Norton website for further help.

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How can I disable auto-dial in Windows XP?

  • Click start/control panel.
  • Go to Network Connections.
  • Click Advanced from the menu, then click dial-up preference.
  • Uncheck all locations under "Enable autodial by location."
  • Click OK.

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