Mac OS X: How to connect to the Internet with PPP (dial-up access) and a modem

If your Machintosh has a built-in modem (most do), you can use it to get on the Internet using the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), which is also known as
"dial-up" access. Even if your Internet service provider (ISP) doesn't specifically offer Macintosh support, you can still use these steps.

Get this information from your Internet service provider (ISP):

• Username and password (unless you chose them yourself)

• Dial-up access phone number(s)

• Domain Name System (DNS) server addresses, if needed

• Whether you should choose to configure IP information via PPP or manually. If you don't know, assume you'll use PPP. Manual IP configuration is uncommon for dial-up connections.

Important: Write down the information your ISP gives you and keep it in a safe place. You'll probably need it again. Apple does not keep a record of the settings your ISP gives to you.


Tip: If your ISP requires you to use customized software to connect to their service, use a Mac OS X version of the software. This kind of software is usually not necessary.



Configure Mac OS X with your ISP's information

1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. From the View menu, choose Network.
3. Choose Internal Modem from the Show pop-up menu (or the "Configure" pop-up menu prior to Mac OS X 10.1). If your computer does not have a built-in modem, select your external modem.
4. Click the PPP tab.
5. Type the information your ISP gave you into the matching fields. Your username goes in the Account Name field. If you want the other users of this computer to use the same connection, select the "Save password" option.
6. Click the TCP/IP tab.
7. Choose either PPP or Manually from the Configure pop-up menu, as instructed by your Internet service provider. If configuring manually, type the IP address in the matching field.
8. Type the DNS addresses in their field.
9. Click Apply Now.

Connect and verify

1. Open Internet Connect. It's in the Applications folder.
2. Be sure the Configuration pop-up menu is set to your modem.
3. Click the Connect button.
4. Once Internet Connect says you're connected, open a Web browser or other Internet (TCP/IP) application to make sure your connection works.

Tip: You can have Mac OS X automatically contect to the Internet whenever you open an Internet application.

Additional steps for AirPort

1. Disconnect from the Internet.
2. Unplug the phone line from your computer and connect it to the base station's modem port.
3. Use the AirPort Setup Assistant utility (/Applications/Utilities/) to copy the computer's settings to the base station.

Mac OS X: How to Disable or Enable Automatic Modem (PPP) Connections

Use these steps to enable or disable your computer's ability to automatically connect to the Internet.


To turn on or turn off automatic dial-up (PPP) Internet connections

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Click Network.
3. Choose your modem or other dial-up device from the Show pop-up menu. Note: The Show menu is named "Configure" prior to Mac OS X 10.1
4. Click the PPP tab.
5. Click PPP Options.
6. Click the checkbox to select or deselect the "Connect automatically when starting TCP/IP applications" option.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Save.

With automatic connection disabled, Mac OS X will prompt you to connect to the Internet when necessary. You then connect using the Internet Connect application.


Additional information

Mac OS X connects to the Internet automatically in some circumstances. For example, Mac OS X attempts to connect to the Internet to:

• download Help Center information, including Late Breaking News
• search for and retrieve software updates from Apple (via scheduled automatic software updates)
• perform a Sherlock Internet search
• send or receive email using the Mail application
• to start Web Sharing as your computer starts up (Mac OS X 10.2.8 or earlier)

When automatic connection is enabled and you are not yet connected to the Internet you may see a message such as "The specified server could not be found" or "A connection failure has occurred" when you open a Web browser This only means that the browser attempted to connect before the computer had completed the connection process. This does not indicate any issue with your configuration or Internet service provider. If necessary, quit and reopen the browser after the connection sequence is complete. If such messages persist after you are connected, you may need to check your DNS settings. See technical document 106798, "Mac OS: Troubleshooting 'A connection failure has occurred', 'The specified server could not be found' or Similar Messages".


f the setting to "Connect automatically when starting TCP/IP applications" is enabled in the Network pane, you may not be aware that the connection has been made. In Mac OS X versions prior to 10.1, enabling modem sound does not permit you to monitor when your modem is connecting. Updating to Mac OS X 10.1 or later resolves that issue. See technical document 106162: "Mac OS X 10.0: Internal Modem Makes No Sound When Connecting"

If you are obviously already connected to the Internet but an alert box appears with a message that says "...is not able to connect to the Internet" see technical document 106291: "Mac OS X 10.0: Software Update, Mac Help, or Sherlock 'is not able to connect to the Internet' Message"