This page contains answers to the most commonly asked questions handled by our support staff, along with some tips and tricks that we have found useful.

Here are the statements that we hear most often from our technical calls.  The best source of answers will be found in the "Windows Help Files" and you might try looking there first.  It provides a wizard to isolate and correct your problems.  You can also see how we answer most of these questions by following the links below.

1. I cannot log on to the internet.
2. I can log on, but cannot go anywhere.
3. I cannot get my e-mail.
4. What are those numbers that you gave me when we first signed up?
5. What is the mail server name?
6. What is the news server name?
7. What is my e-mail address?
8. I get connected, but I get cut off and have random disconnections.
9. I have a 56K modem and get slow connections.  What causes this?

I cannot log on to the internet.

1. Are you typing in your user name (log-in name) and passwords in all small letters?
2. Can you call the server with a regular phone on the same line?
3. Have you tried the Windows Help Files for help on this problem?
4. Have you checked your dial up connections?
5. Have you checked to see that your TCP/IP Protocols are properly installed?
6. Is your modem responding?

I can log on, but cannot go anywhere.

1. Have you tried other sites since the site that you are trying may be busy or down for service?
2. Have you tried the Windows Help Files for help on this problem?
3. Have you checked your dial up settings?
4. Have you tried pinging the server?

I cannot get my e-mail

1. Are you entering your password in all small letters?
2. Has someone been messing with your "Mail Settings"?
   Microsoft Internet Mail (Comes with Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.x)
   Outlook Express (Comes with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x)
   Netscape Navigator Mail Program (Comes with Netscape Navigator 3.x)
   Netscape Communicator 4.X (Netscape Message Center)
   Netscape Communicator 6.x (Netscape Message Center)
3. Have you got a "Pop Lock"?
   

What are those numbers that you gave me when I first signed up?

1. I need those setup instructions that you gave me when I first signed up.

What is my Mail Server Name?

1. mail.bscn.com

What is my News Server Name?

1. news.bscn.com

What is my E-mail Address?

1. What is your user name (login name)?  Your email address will be your username followed by "@bscn.com".
   An example would be John Doe who's login is jdoe, then his e-mail address would be jdoe@bscn.com

I have a 56K modem and my connection is slow.  What causes this?

1. The quality of your connection depends greatly on your phone lines. While BSC-Net is all digital, there are many variables in the phone switching system that can slow down your connection. Some phone lines can connect as fast as 52k while others can only get 28.8k or less.
2. Even a 900 MHz cordless phone, when connected to the same line as the modem, may also cause line noise that can affect your connection.  This is because of the difference in frequency between the cordless phone and the modem.  Try unplugging the cordless phone and see if this makes a difference.
3. Faster isn't always better.  In fact, faster can be worse.  If your phone line doesn't support connections of 56Kbps and your modem does, you may risk being unexpectedly disconnected.  It might be possible for you to turn off your 56Kbps modem's acceleration.  Check your modem's manufacturer's advice as to how to do this before you attempt it.
   
   Unfortunately, there isn't a lot you can do to improve the speed. You can test your phone line by following the instructions on this page: 56k Line Test