DSL FAQ

1. Why DSL?
2. What is DSL?
3. What's the difference between DSL and Dialup?
4. How much does DSL cost?
5. Do I have to purchase additional equipment?
6. How does the Router hook up to my computer?
7. What computer requirements must I have?
8. How do you install the equipment?
9. How do I know if I can get DSL?
10. How long will it take to get everything up and going with DSL?
11. What happens if I get DSL and I'm not satisfied?
12. I'm with a different ISP and I want to switch to EarthClick.net (OIP/Dataworks)... how do I do that?
13. I want to switch to DSL with EarthClick.net (OIP/Dataworks) but I want to keep my AOL account. How do I do this?
14. How do I signup for DSL?
15. How do I pay for DSL?
16. I have a phone system. How does DSL connect through that?

DSL Operational Questions

1. My DSL isn't working
2. My DSL seems slow

1. Why DSL?[ Top ]

DSL is at least five time faster than dialup, starting at 256K upload and download speed. DSL is appropriate for anyone who uses the Internet for business, gaming, frequent file downloads or downloading of pictures or graphics (realtors, newspapers, etc.)

2. What is DSL?[ Top ]

DSL is a permanent connection between your home and the Qwest Central Office, using an existing phone line (such as your home phone line or your fax line). From there, Qwest routes the connection to an ISP like OIP, who then provides Internet services. DSL shares the phone line, and is independent of your phone service. In fact, you can surf the Internet and talk on the phone at the same time. (Note: phones connected to the DSL line must be "filtered", using special filters supplied by Qwest).

3. What's the difference between DSL and Dialup?[ Top ]

Speed isn't the only difference. DSL and Dialup are different technologies. DSL is "always on", which means that your Internet connection is available at all times without having to wait for a connection, whereas Dialup connections must establish a connection between modems before communication can begin. DSL line quality is consistent, whereas Dialup line quality is dependent upon many variables and can even be affected by weather. DSL uses an existing Qwest phone line (like your home or fax line), whereas many Internet users have a separate, dedicated phone line for Internet usage.

4. How much does DSL cost?[ Top ]

Qwest charges begin at $15.00 per month for DSL (in addition to the line charge for your existing phone line) and OIP charges begin at $25 per month. If you can eliminate a dedicated phone line and already pay for Dialup service, the cost is almost the same as Dialup.

5. Do I have to purchase additional equipment?[ Top ]

DSL requires a "router" or "gateway" to connect to your computer to the phone line and "filters" on all phones connected to the DSL line. An Actiontec gateway can be rented ($3/mo) or purchased ($59) from Qwest. We don't recommend other equipment vendors due to Qwest's DSL protocol, but if you try it, you'll be on your own. Neither Qwest nor EarthClick.net support for 3rd party routers. We also recommend that Qwest routers be rented, not purchased, because of their relatively high failure rate.

6. How does the Router hook up to my computer?[ Top ]

Qwest supplies three different routers. EarthClick.net recommends and supports the Actiontec 1524 Gateway (a combination DSL router/network hub), which connects to your computer using an Ethernet card (a network card). The Actiontec can be used on the IBM PC/compatibles AND McIntosh computers. Simply plug your Actiontec into the Ethernet slot on your computer. Ethernet cards are cheap and can be added into older computers with litte effort.

You can keep an optional Dialup line connected to your computer, but be sure to change your Dialup settings to "Never Dial" (My Computer >> Control Panel >> Internet Options >> Connections)

7. What computer requirements must I have.[ Top ]

Specific computer requirements are available at http://www.qwest.com/dsl. In general, you should have a Intel Pentium 200 PC or greater, Windows 95 or greater (or Unix/Linux), or a Mac running OS 8.5 or
greater.

8. How do you install the equipment?[ Top ]

You can install the equipment yourself, Qwest will send a service technician to your home or place of business for a fee (generally $149), or EarthClick.net can install it for you for a fee in the local Cottage Grove, Oregon area (generally $40). Both Qwest and EarthClick.net provide telephone suppport for initial installs.

9. How do I know if I can get DSL?[ Top ]

First, you must be an existing Qwest customer. If you are not an existing Qwest customer, contact EarthClick.net (OIP/Dataworks) and we will have a a Qwest support representative contact you. Otherwise, call us at (541) 942-7088 or Toll Free at (800) 489-0354 and we will qualify your phone line(s) for you. You can also access the Qwest order form and line tool at https://orderdsl.qwest.com/order/welcome.asp - be sure to specify OIP/DATAWORKS as your ISP if you order from here.

10. How long will it take to get everything up and going with DSL?[ Top ]

If you are an existing Qwest customer, DSL will normally be effective from 7 to 10 days after you place the order. If you are NOT an existing Qwest customer, control of your phone line must first be
changed from your existing provider to Qwest (from 6 to 8 weeks).

11. What happens if I get DSL and I'm not satisfied?[ Top ]

EarthClick.net has a satisfaction guarantee - you can cancel us as your DSL Internet provider within 15 days and owe nothing. Qwest does not offer this type of guarantee, and you may be on the hook (so to speak) for modem rental and setup fees. Check http://www.qwest.com/dsl or contact a Qwest service representative for details.

12. I'm with a different ISP and I want to switch to OIP ... how do I do that?[ Top ]

If you have Dialup service with another ISP, you can switch to DSL or Dialup without any problem. Check with your existing ISP to see what type of contract you have, if any. If you have DSL with another ISP, you must contact a Qwest service representative for information.

13. I want to switch to DSL with OIP but I want to keep my AOL account. How do I do this?[ Top ]

Contact AOL to change your AOL membership to a non-dialup account. You can access your AOL email and other AOL services directly from the Internet using your OIP/DSL connection.

14. How do I signup for DSL?[ Top ]

Call us and we can do it for you, or access the Qwest website for their order tool: Qwest Order Tool. You can also order DSL by calling your Qwest account representative and specifying OIP/DATAWORKS as your ISP.

15. How do I pay for DSL?[ Top ]

The Qwest part of your DSL cost is billed to your phone bill. Payment to EarthClick.net (OIP/Dataworks) is by credit or debit card (VISA, Mastercard, Discover or American Express) for residential services or by credit/debit card or monthly billing for businesses. Residential customers can be billed monthly, but must pay a refundable $50 deposit and a $2 monthly billing service fee.

16. I have a phone system. How does DSL connect through that?[ Top ]

If the DSL phone line needs to be routed through a phone system, you must split and filter the line BEFORE it goes to the phone system. This looks like this:

Notice that Line 3 is split BEFORE the filter, and that the filtered line then continues to the phone system. If you connect the filter ahead of the DSL Router, DSL will not work. If you connect an unfiltered DSL phone line to your phone system, the phones won't work.

Operation Questions

1. My DSL isn't working[ Top ]

If your DSL was working, but now it isn't, there are several possible causes.

EarthClick.net (OIP/Dataworks) is a business, so make sure you haven't been disconnected for failure to pay your bill.

First, check the lights on your modem: POWER, INTERNET and ETHERNET lights should be lit. The ETHERNET light should blink irregularly, but the POWER and INTERNET lights should be solid.

1. Did you move your computer or your phone line(s)? If you did, make sure that all connections are correct, and that there isn't a FILTER in the phone line to the Actiontec gateway.
2. If the ETHERNET light is blinking REGULARLY, there's a problem with the connection between your computer and the gateway
3. If the INTERNET light is off or blinking, there's a problem with the connection between the gateway and the Qwest Central Office.

1. Turn the Actiontec gateway and your computer off, wait 30 seconds, then turn them both on again. This will fix the problem 90% of the time.
2. Access your Actiontec gateway via your browser (e.g. Internet Explorer):
   • Start Internet Explorer
   • Type "192.168.0.1" in the "Address" line and click "Go". This should display the Actiontec Menu. (NOTE: if you had to change the LAN address on the Actiontec because of internal networking requirements, type that address instead)
   • If the menu does not display, verify that you typed the correct address. If you didn't, try again. If you did, then there's a problem with the Actiontec or with your network configuration;
     • Normally, your Actiontec will supply an IP address to each computer on your network using a protocol named "DHCP".
     • To check your computer's IP address, start a DOS command window (click START then RUN, then type "command" or "cmd" in the window and click OK). At the DOS command, type "IPCONFIG" and press . This should return your computer's IP number. It should read "192.168.0.x", where "x" is between 2 and 255 inclusive.
     • If not, you will need to contact our tech support for assistance.
   • If the menu displays, click on "Status" to see if your Actiontec is connected (to Qwest) or disconnected.
     • If the Actiontec status is "Connected", then you probably have an internal network configuration problem.
     • If the Actiontec status is "Disconnected", then click "Connect" and see what happens. If it connects, try your connection to see if it works. If it does NOT connect, you will need to access the configuration screen to see if the Actiontec still has the correct configuration.
   • If the menu does not display, contact Qwest for technical support. In all likelihood, you will need to "reset" and "reprogram" the Actiontec. You will need your EarthClick.net (OIP/Dataworks) UserID and Password.

2. My DSL seems slow[ Top ]