Dial-Up Internet Access Service

The library is pleased to offer Intenet access to patrons of our library. This section provides answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about the service, and it also provides some Troubleshooting assistance to patrons who may be having difficulty.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I get Internet access from home through the library?
   
   You must have a valid library card from the Speer Memorial Library or from one of the other members of the Hidalgo County Library System which are participating in our new joint cataloging and circulation system (Alamo, Donna, Edinburg, Elsa, Hidalgo, La Joya, Mercedes, Pharr, San Juan, and Weslaco). Your record must be clear (with no fines or overdue books), and you must come in to the library and fill out a form which provides us with your contact information and which states that you will agree to abide by all of our Internet access rules. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must come in and sign for you. Be aware that if you already have an account with another ISP, your connection to us may not work. This is particularly true of AOL accounts.
   
   
2. What hardware and software do I need?
   
   You need to have a computer running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000 or Windows XP. This computer should have a modem installed (preferably one that is no slower than 28.8 kbps). You will need to provide a browser (most computers come with Internet Explorer) and you should also have your setup disks for your operating system since you may need to add some components. You should also install and use products that protect your computer from viruses, hackers, and other malicious programs. If your computer becomes compromised, this may also affect the library's network. Any problems that are traced to your account will cause your dial-up privileges to be suspended until our concerns with your account are satisfied.
   
   
3. Do you support Windows NT or Macintosh?
   
   There is no reason that our system would not support Windows NT, however, we have never actually tested it using a system running the NT kernel - so we cannot guarantee anything. We have just recently discovered a dialer that may allow us to support Macintosh computers running Mac OS 9 and higher. If you have a Macintosh that meets this requirement and would like to sign up for an account to try it out, feel free to do so. Be aware, however, that library staff have no experience with newer Macintosh computers and our instructions are written for Windows computers.
   
   
4. How many hours of Internet connectivity do you offer?
   
   Each patron may stay on the Internet for 2 hours in each 24 hour period. After you have used up your 2 hours, you will be automatically logged out by our server. Be aware that you will not be warned when your time is running out, so please keep track of how long you are on.
   
   
5. I've used up my 2 hours. When can I get back in?
   
   You will be allowed to reconnect 24 hours after your time expired. For example, if your time ran out at 11:00 p.m., you won't be able to reconnect until 11:00 p.m. the next day.
   
   
6. Two hours isn't a very long time... will you be offering longer hours soon?
   
   We realize that two hours may not be very long for some people, however our service has become very popular so we have to try to give everyone a chance to get on the Internet. As well, we cannot compete with for-profit Internet Service Providers. If you find that you need to use more than two hours, you should look into purchasing an account from an ISP. Feel free to come into the library and browse our vertical files and the Internet, or talk to Lynn or Ruben about the different ISPs that are currently on the market.
   
   
7. Can more than one person in my house get an account with your library?
   
   Yes. Anyone who has a valid library card and who meets the requirements given in the answer to question one, may get an account with us.
   
   
8. Can my children get an account with your library?
   
   Yes. Minors must meet the same requirements given in the answer to question one, and must fill out the same form as the adults. The parent or legal guardian of the minor will have to sign the form, as well as the minor applicant. Children must be old enough to sign their own names on the form to get an account with us.
   
   
9. Does everyone get a separate two hour period of use, or do we all have to share the same two hours?
   
   Each account has its own two hour use period. Even if two people use the same computer, they will each have two hours of time with us if they both have accounts.
   
   
10. Can we get an email account through you?
    
    No. We do not provide email accounts to the public. There are a number of free email account providers on the Internet. We suggest you try Hotmail, though you can ask Lynn or Ruben about any of the others or browse through the free email providers listed in our bookmarks.
    
    
11. Do you use filtering software on your server?
    
    No. It is against the policy of the American Library Association for libraries to filter Internet content. Libraries have traditionally resisted any form of censorship, and filtering is simply computerized censorship. In addition, filtering software frequently does not work as it was intended. For example, it will refuse access to an online grocery store simply because they sell chicken "breasts", while many pornographic sites have developed ways to evade filters. Finally, there is no way for us to know what you as a parent and as a person may find offensive. A web site that someone else finds offensive may seem perfectly fine to you. Library staff and machines can never be a substitute for parental guidance and common sense. It is the responsibility of the parents and guardians of minor children to monitor what they do on the Internet.

1. I have forgotten my user name or my password. What should I do?
   
   You may either call the library or come into the library itself. You need to ask for someone who can help you with Internet access from home, and explain your situation to them. Please have your library card and a piece of I.D. with you when you call or come in, because the staff will ask you some questions to verify that you are who you claim to be.
   
   
2. I keep getting a busy signal. What is going on?
   
   This is not surprising. We have over 2000 users who have signed up to use our service, and we currently have only 12 modems to serve all of these people. Therefore, there will be lots of times when you cannot get on due to the modems being full. This is why we limit people to 2 hours per every 24 hour period.
   
   
3. I'm dialing your number but it doesn't connect me or says that "The computer is not answering". Is there something wrong with your server?
   
   A number of things could be happening. Make sure that you are indeed dialing the correct number to access the Internet - which is: 585-0445. Make sure that your phone line is plugged into your modem and that your modem is working properly (your modem should have a testing utility). You may also need to put a prefix in front of the phone number - for example, you may need to dial 9 to access an outside line, or you may need to include the area code if you are calling from outside the Mission local calling area. This may also be a "busy signal" indicating that all of the modems are in use.
   
   
4. It says that I'm connected, but when I go to open Internet Explorer it asks me about my Internet Connection. What do I do?
   
   The first time you open Internet Explorer, a Connection Wizard opens to see if you need help getting connected to the Internet. Since you have already signed up with us, just click on the circle to the left of the word "Current" or "Use current connection", and then click on the "OK" button. This wizard will not appear again.
   
   
5. I'm connected to you and I've opened my browser, but every time I try to go anywhere I get a message that the "site cannot be found" or that the "address does not have a DNS entry". What's wrong?
   
   If this is the first time that you have connected with us and you have never been able to access any Web address, then the problem is likely that you have too many protocols and/or dial-up adapters. You need to remove all of the protocols from your system; restart your computer; and start over again from the very beginning. WARNING!!!!! If you are at all uncertain about what you are doing, DO NOT delete or remove anything! Instead, call the library and see if Ruben is available and can help you.
   
   
6. I've dialed into you and am browsing the Internet but I get logged out sometimes and have to redial into you. I know that I haven't used up my time, so what's wrong?
   
   Do you have call waiting on your phone? If so, you need to disable it by clicking on the "Dial-Up..." button on the screen where you type in your password. You then must type the code (which varies with each phone company) to disable call waiting into the appropriate box. Do you use your phone line for faxing as well? If so, someone may be trying to send you a fax, and this is disrupting your Internet connection. Does your phone line have a lot of static or noise? Noisy phone lines mean that your Internet connection will be unstable. Talk to your phone company about getting a better phone line.
   
   
7. I try to dial in and it seems to take my user name and password, but then it asks me for a "login domain". What's that?
   
   We don't know why some computers ask for this, but if yours does just type the following into the space provided: SML1. Make sure that the letters are capitalized and that you use the number one.
   
   
8. I just can't seem to get it to work! Can you help me?
   
   If you have carefully read the instructions and troubleshooting section, and are still having trouble - please call the library at 580-8750 and ask for Ruben. Please be prepared to tell Ruben exactly what you have tried and exactly what error messages have appeared on your computer. If Ruben feels that it is necessary, he may ask you to bring your computer (just the tower) into the library for him to look at - to see if he can figure out the problem. Ruben is at the library from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday. You will need to call him and set up an appointment to bring your computer in. Please note that Ruben cannot help you with any other computer problems that you may be having - he is only authorized to assist you with getting connected to the library. If he determines that you are having trouble with your hardware or your operating system, it will be your responsibility to fix the problem - Ruben cannot do this for you.