Exploring Your Computer’s Features

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An overview of using the Internet

is a company that has the equipment and the telecommunication lines necessary to maintain an Internet connection.

You can connect to the Internet by using a telephone and modem or through other higher-speed communication methods such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), cable, and satellite links.

Connecting to the Internet

To connect to the Internet, you need:

A modem and telephone line, or a LAN connection

A Web browser

An Internet Service Provider (ISP) account

The Microsoft® Web browser Internet Explorer is automatically configured on your system so that when you first start it, it guides you through signing up for a new ISP account, or assists you in setting up your computer to work with your existing ISP.

Once you have established an ISP account, you can connect to the Internet.

1Connect your computer’s modem to a telephone line. For more information on connecting a modem, see “Connecting the modem to a telephone line” on

page 132.

2Start your Web browser. Have your modem dial the ISP’s telephone number, and establish a connection with the ISP’s computer.

If you are using your computer at the office, then you probably connect to the Internet through your company’s network. See your network administrator about connecting to the Internet.