This document addresses questions regarding the DellNet by MSN Internet service. This document is organized into labeled topics identified in the Table of Contents. Each topic in the Table of Contents is linked to the beginning of its corresponding document section. In turn, each document section ends in a link that returns to the Table of Contents. You can navigate back and forth just by clicking the links.

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  1. Registering for DellNet by MSN
  2. Issues regarding customers who already have an MSN account
  3. Request for credit card number during registration
  4. Backup Disc for DellNet by MSN software
  5. Accessing DellNet by MSN e-mail
  6. Differences between POP mail and Web mail
  7. Internet Explorer/Outlook Express settings for ISP other than DellNet by MSN
  8. Uninstalling DellNet by MSN
  9. DellNet by MSN and high speed Internet access
  10. Obtaining assistance with DellNet by MSN

Registering for DellNet by MSN

When you first boot your system, you will be prompted to register for DellNet by MSN. If you do not want to register for DellNet by MSN, or if you want to register at a later time, you may choose to skip registration. If you skip registration, you may register later by clicking on the "Launch MSN Explorer" icon. To receive the free 6 months of DellNet by MSN, you must register for the promotion within 30 days of your invoice date.

When you click on the "Launch MSN Explorer" icon, if you have not previously registered for DellNet by MSN, you will be prompted to register before MSN Explorer starts.

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Issues regarding customers who already have an MSN account

This offer is applicable to new accounts only. If you are a current MSN subscriber and wish to register for DellNet by MSN, you will need to select a new e-mail address. We invite you to use this opportunity to open an additional account for other members of your household, for business use, or simply for the added flexibility you'll enjoy.

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Request for credit card number during registration

Customers are required to enter a credit card number when registering for DellNet by MSN. However, you will not be billed during your promotional membership.

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Backup Disc for DellNet by MSN software

A backup of the DellNet by MSN software is located on the "Applications Backup: Dell Installed Programs" CD. If you need to reinstall DellNet by MSN, place the CD in your CD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD drive. The CD will automatically start. Choose "DellNet by MSN". Follow the on-screen prompts to install the software. After the software is installed, double-click the "DellNet by MSN" icon to start the registration process.

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Accessing DellNet by MSN e-mail

E-mail with DellNet by MSN is Web mail. It may be accessed using the MSN Explorer browser. To check your e-mail, double-click the "DellNet by MSN" icon on your desktop. Click [Sign In], then click [E-mail]. This will bring you to your DellNet by MSN e-mail.

Microsoft Outlook Express can be configured for use with DellNet by MSN. You must use Outlook Express 5.0 or later. To configure Outlook Express:

  • Double-click the "DellNet by MSN" icon on your desktop.
  • Click the account you are using and then click [Sign In].
  • Click on "Help & Support".
  • Click on "E-mail" under the "Get Started" section.
  • Click on "Re-configure your e-mail account".
  • Follow the directions in this section for setting up Outlook Express.

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Differences between POP mail and Web mail

POP is an acronym for "Post Office Protocol". A protocol is a standard format for transmitting data between two devices. Protocols differ in simplicity, reliability, and speed. POP mail is a fast, efficient way to move e-mail across the Internet. POP3 is the protocol that is currently in general use.

POP mail requires the use of special software designed to download e-mail from a POP server. The software uses the POP protocol to download e-mail from the POP server.

Benefits of POP mail include:

  • Minimal connection time for dialup users
  • Increased security
  • Wide selection of e-mail software
  • More storage options
Web mail is e-mail that is accessed through a Web page while connected to the Internet. This is the format often used for free e-mail offers. Web mail can be accessed from any computer that has Internet access, which makes it easier to access while traveling. Some benefits of Web mail include accessibility and user-friendliness.

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Internet Explorer/Outlook Express settings for ISP other than DellNet by MSN

If you have an Internet Service Provider and do not want to use DellNet by MSN, you can set Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Internet Explorer to connect using your Internet Service Provider.
Internet Explorer
To set up Microsoft Internet Explorer to work with your current ISP, you can use the Internet Connection Wizard.
  • Click [Start]| Programs| Accessories| Communications| Internet Connection Wizard.
  • If you already have an ISP, select either "I want to transfer my existing Internet account to this computer" or "I want to set up my Internet connection manually".
  • Click [Next].
  • Enter the requested information using the information provided to you by your Internet Service Provider. If you are not sure of what information to enter, you will need to contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance.
Outlook Express
The following information was obtained from Microsoft Knowledge Base Article ID Q171163.

If your ISP is not AOL or MSN, use the following steps to add and configure a new Internet e-mail account with Outlook Express:

  1. In Outlook Express, click Accounts on the Tools menu.
  2. In the Internet Accounts dialog box, click Add, and then click Mail.
  3. In the Display Name box, type the name that you want others to see when you send a message, and then click Next.
  4. In the E-mail Address box, type the e-mail address for the account that you are using (for example, "janedoe@microsoft.com"), and then click Next.
  5. Under E-mail Server Names, click the appropriate incoming e-mail server type (Post Office Protocol version 3 [POP3] is the default type), and then type the names of your incoming and outgoing e-mail servers. Click Next.
    NOTE: Your ISP provides this information. If you do not know this information, contact your ISP.

  6. Depending on your logon type, either type your POP account name and password in the POP Account Name and Password boxes, or click Log on using Secure Password Authentication (SAP). Click Next.
    NOTE: Contact your ISP to determine the logon type that you should use.

  7. In the Internet Mail Account Name box; type a name to identify the mail account that you are configuring. This is known as the "friendly" name for the account. Click Next.
  8. Click the connection type that you use to connect to the Internet, and then click Next.
    NOTE: This step does not apply to Outlook Express 5.

    If you click Use my phone line to connect, you are prompted to either create a new Dial-Up Networking connection or use an existing one. If Dial-Up Networking has been configured for your ISP, click Use an existing dial-up connection, click the name for your Dial-Up Networking connection in the list, and then click Next.

    If you click Connect using my local area network (LAN) or I will establish my Internet connection manually, you are not prompted for any additional settings.

  9. Click Finish.
The Microsoft Knowledge Base is a collection of articles that offer solutions to error messages and other problems with Microsoft applications and operating systems. These articles carry an ID number that starts with the letter "Q." Here is the query page for the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Microsoft Knowledge Base

Here is one method for searching:

Set #1 to [All Microsoft Products] at the very top of the scroll list.
On #2, click a dot into Keyword Search and select [All Words] from the dropdown box.
On #3, copy the exact text of the error message into the [My Question is:] box. Click a dot into Full Text and Title and Excerpts at the bottom of the page.
Click [GO] beside #3.

The Knowledge Base search engine will not always retrieve the document you need even if you submit its exact title in the search.

However, if you know the ID of a particular document you can submit just the ID number (Qxxxxxx) in #3, and Knowledge Base will load the document you specify.

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Uninstalling DellNet by MSN

To completely uninstall DellNet by MSN:
  • Click [Start]| Settings| Control Panel
  • Double-click "Add/Remove Programs"
  • Select "DellNet by MSN" and click [Add/Remove]. Windows will uninstall the DellNet by MSN components.
  • Close the "Add/Remove Programs" window and reboot your system.
NOTICE: The following procedure involves editing the Windows registry. Dell does not guarantee success or support these actions. Any use of the information provided herein, is performed at your own risk. You should make a backup copy of the registry files prior to executing any of the following steps. Incorrect use of the registry editor and editing the registry files can cause serious problems that may require a complete reinstall of your operating system. Dell assumes no responsibility, expressed or implied, regarding the consequences of any action taken as a result of the information provided herein.

After the system comes back up:

  • Click [Start]| Run
  • In the open box, type the following:

    regedit

  • Click [OK]
  • In the Registry Editor window, click "Edit" on the toolbar and select "Find".
  • Type the following:

    msn6

  • Click [Find Now]
  • Press the [Delete] key on your keyboard to delete this entry from your registry.
  • When the "Confirm Value Delete" window appears, click [Yes].
  • Press the [F3] key on your keyboard to find the next "msn6" entry.
  • Press the [Delete] key on your keyboard to delete this entry.
  • Continue to press the [F3] key and delete each entry until a window appears stating "Finished searching through the registry".
  • Click [OK], then click [Cancel].
  • Close the Registry Editor window and reboot your computer.

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DellNet by MSN and high speed Internet access

At this time, DellNet by MSN does not offer high-speed Internet access. We are currently working on high-speed Internet access service that provides our customers with the high quality of service and nationwide coverage they have come to expect.

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Obtaining assistance with DellNet by MSN

The Dellnet online technical support department you have contacted can only help you resolve problems with hardware and software issues specific to your Dell system.

Dellnet by MSN, which has been offered since November 2000 is supported by MSN's technical staff as outlined below.

Please direct questions, problems, and general comments that relate to the transition, usage, setup, or disabling of the new Dellnet by MSN service to Dellnet by MSN support.

For online technical support for your Dellnet by MSN account, please use the following URL's:

MSN Help & Support

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

For telephone support call this toll-free number:

1-877-335-5638

Select the appropriate extension number from the voice menu. MSN support advises that these extension numbers change frequently.

IMPORTANT: If a Dellnet by MSN representative tells you to instead contact Dell or Dellnet support, you need to ask the MSN technician directly why they are unable to assist you. If the MSN technician needs you troubleshoot your computer's hardware or software installation then he needs to give you a detailed explanation of exactly what you need to do. When you contact Dell or Dellnet it is essential you be able to provide specific information on what MSN was unable to do and what needs to be done to make MSN work correctly.

If you need to contact Dell for assistance with your system or order, you may reply to this message and a representative will be able to assist you.

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