Useful Dial-Up Info

[Cable Forum Team]

Many people wish to uninstall the Gearbox software but aren’t sure if they should, or if indeed they can. Here we tell you that you can uninstall this software, and guide you through exactly how to do this.

For customers with Gearbox v2.1 installed, follow the instructions below to delete it from your computer.

• Go into your task manager by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del on your keyboard.
  
• Locate a task known as GBTASK and click on End Task.
  
• Locate a task known as CONFSVR and click on End Task.
  
• Locate a task known as GBCONMON and click on End task.
  
• Now close the task manager by clicking on the red cross.
  
• Go to your Taskbar and click on the Start button.
  
• Next, click on Programs.
  
• In your list of programs, locate the Gearbox Connection Kit and click on it.
  
• You can now click on Uninstall.
  
• Wait for the uninstallation process to complete, and then click on OK.
  
• You should now Restart your computer.
  
• Next, locate the directory of C:\Program Files\Gearbox Connection Kit, and delete it.
  
• Double click your mouse on the My Computer logo located on your desktop.
  
• Double click the C:\ drive.
  
• Locate and double click Program Files.
  
• Locate the Gearbox Connection Kit folder and click on it once.
  
• Right click on your mouse and click on Delete.
  
• Click OK when prompted.

For customers with Gearbox v3.0 installed, follow the instructions below to delete it from your computer.

• Go into your task manager by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del on your keyboard.
  
• Locate a task known as GBTASK and click on End Task.
  
• Locate a task known as CONFSVR and click on End Task.
  
• Now close the task manager by clicking on the red cross.
  
• Go to your Taskbar and click on the Start button.
  
• Next, click on Control Panel.
  
• In your Control panel, locate and double click on Add/Remove Programs.
  
• Locate and click on ntl:home Internet Connection Kit.
  
• Now click on the Add/Remove button.
  
• Wait for the program to be uninstalled.
  
• Click the OK button and now Restart your computer.
  
• Next, locate the directory of C:\Program Files\Gearbox Connection Kit, and delete it.
  
• Double click your mouse on the My Computer logo located on your desktop.
  
• Double click the C:\ drive.
  
• Locate and double click Program Files.
  
• Locate the Gearbox Connection Kit folder and click on it once.
  
• Click OK when prompted.
  
• Right click on your mouse and click on Delete.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask them on our discussion forum areas, where members of the site will be pleased to offer you help, advice and support.

Can you please tell me how I sign up to the ntl:home dial-up internet service ?.

If you'd like to be online within minutes, then please click here. Alternatively, you can order an installation disc by clicking here.

I’d like to know if the monthly fee includes a charge for the modem ?.

The monthly fee for ntl:home dial-up does not include a charge for the modem, which is not supplied as a part of the service.

So how much will a modem cost me, and where do I get one from ?.

A modem will cost you somewhere between approximately £10.00 and £50.00, and they are available from places such as Special Reserve, Amazon and Computer Exchange for just three examples. Most modern PC’s already have a modem installed. Please check your owners manual to see if yours has been fitted with a modem before purchasing one.

What do I need to look for when buying a modem ?.

Please take a look at the links we have given you in the previous answer. You will find that there are many types of modem available from various manufacturers, however, whichever make or model you choose, all modems have the same basic functions and will be suitable for connecting you to the internet via a dial-up internet service.

I’m confused by seeing V.90 and V.92 on the modems I am looking at. Can you explain what this means ?.

Sure. The V.90 ‘standard’ of modem has been available for years. The V.92 ‘standard’ is the latest version of modem available and has some small improvements over V.90. These improvements include a quicker connect time and faster upload speed. Both ‘standards’ of modem will work with the ntl:home dial-up service, however, the V.92 ‘standard’ is not supported by ntl:home. Further information regarding the V.92 ‘standard’ can be found here.

Does my PC or Apple MAC need anything in order to use the ntl:home dial-up service ?.

Please ensure that your PC or Apple MAC has a spare Serial Port, a free USB Port or a spare slot inside. The spare slot should be compatible with the modem that you install. If you are unsure about whether or not your modem is compatible, please ask for advice from your chosen retailer, or on our discussion forum areas.

My PC is a few years old and I’m worried that I won’t be able to use the ntl:home dial-up service. Can you help ?.

Sure. There is a minimum recommended specification that your computer should have in order to use the dial-up service. Please click here to check that your PC meets the minimum specifications required.

I work full time. Will I need to have a visit to my home made by an installer ?.

You won’t need an installer to attend your home unless you require an additional telephone line. An additional telephone line means that you’ll be able to make and receive telephone calls whilst surfing the internet.

Where do I plug in my dial-up internet connection ?.

You can plug your connection into any telephone line socket within your home. Please be aware that if you only have one telephone line coming into your home, you will not be able to make or receive telephone calls and surf the internet at the same time.

I’m not sure if the Operating System on my PC supports the ntl:home dial-up service installation disc. Can you tell me which Operating Systems are supported ?.

As long as you have the Microsoft Windows 95 Operating System or any other of the Microsoft Operating Systems up to Windows XP Home or Professional, the installation disc is supported. Apple MAC users are supported with Operating Systems 7.6.1 through to OS 9.1.

I don’t have a modem yet. Can I still register for the service ?.

No. You do need to purchase and install a modem before attempting to register for the service. Once you have done this you are able to register online if you wish.

Can I use the Linux Operating System ?

Yes you can. However, you will have to manually install the ntl:home dial-up service using the installation disc. Also, the Linux Operating System is not supported by ntl:home, so should you encounter any technical problems during your use of the service, ntl:home technical support will not assist you. Members of this discussion forum will be happy to offer you help, support and advice wherever possible.

Do I really need the installation disc in order to configure my PC for the ntl:home dial-up service ?.

No you don’t. If you wish to configure your PC manually, then you can do so. Please click [insert link] for further information.

I’m going through the registration process and being asked to provide a lot of information. Why is this ?.

The information you are being asked to provide will enable you to receive the service that you want. You should provide all of the information asked for.

Still in the registration process, there appears to be a lot of information to remember. Do I need to keep all of this information ?.

Yes. You should write down all of the information that appears. This will ensure you will be able to access the service and your email accounts in the future.

I don’t like the password I’ve been given. I won’t remember it, and would like to change it. Is this possible ?.

The initial password that you’ll be given will have been generated randomly, and is designed to be difficult for others to guess. If you aren’t happy with the password then you can change it whilst still going through the registration procedure, or at a later time.

I’ve decided to change my password to something I can remember more easily, but the password I’d like isn’t being accepted. Why is this ?.

The password you choose cannot contain only letters and must have at least one number within it. A password of for example, ‘nthellworld’ would not be accepted, but a password of ‘nthellworld1’ would be. Please remember to include at least one number in your chosen password, and for security reasons, try not to select a password that others may be aware of.