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Printable FAQ's
FAQ's (updated 3/10/06)
Setup and Installation Questions
How do I install a wireless card?
How do I install a wireless USB adapter?
What is the best type of adapter to use?
My Laptop has built-in Wi-Fi
capability. Will that work?
Once my adapter is working and connected, now what?
Does Coach Connect install anything
on my computer?
Why do I get an error message saying, “An
error has occurred”
Can I use my AOL software with the Coach Connect connection?
Hardware Questions
How does a wireless adapter work?
How do I update my equipment's device drivers?
How often should I update my equipment's
device drivers?
Can I change my hardware?
Who do I call to support my equipment?
Can I use my Macintosh with Airport to connect?
Connection and Signal Questions
What do I do if I have a slow connection?
How can I increase my signal strength?
What is the minimum signal strength to
get connected?
Does a low signal strength mean that I
am connecting at a slower connection rate?
What is the normal connection rate for
my wireless account?
How do I know if I am connected to the
Internet?
What can I do if I lose my connection?
Why does my connection speed fluctuate from 5.5 to
11 or 2 or 1?
Questions About Our Service
Can I get a stable connection using
wireless technology?
Can I upgrade my account to a higher speed?
Is my wireless connection secure and safe
from hackers?
Can I have more than one person logon
with my user ID?
Can I use my account at all Coach Connect
locations?
How can I use Coach Connect’s service
when traveling?
Email Questions
Can I use my username@coachconnect.net as my email
address?
I'm having trouble sending email from Outlook or Outlook
Express, why?
How do I get my AOL email?
Other Questions
What happens if I forget to log out?
What happens if I forget my password?
Does my account have any session limits?
Do I have to logout to deactivate my account?
How do I install a wireless card?
Note: we recommend the USB type of wireless adapters
instead of the card type. The USB type are on a wire
which allows you to move them around and get the best
signal.
You need to first install your device drivers. They
are on the disk/CD that came with your card. After
installing
your drivers, you will want to shut down your computer,
insert your wireless card, and restart. Your computer
should detect new hardware and offer to search for
the
correct drivers. It will find them, and you will
be able to use your new hardware. When setting up your
wireless card, you will be asked for two settings.
The
SSID needs to be set to coach (this must be all lower-case
letters). The mode needs to be set to Infrastructure.
TOP
How do I install a wireless USB
adapter?
Please read the directions that come with your adapter.
Some of them require you to plug the adapter in first,
then insert the CD. Others require just the opposite.
It is important to adhere to the requirements for the
particular device you have purchased.
TOP
What is the best type of adapter
to use?
The first thing to know is that there are LOTS of choices and they change all
the time.
The only requirement is that they be 802.11 b or g, and that they support your
operating system. In
general,
we
recommend
the
USB
type
of
devices
because
they
are
on
a
wire and you can move them around to get the best signal. Make sure it matches
your
USB port (1.1 or 2.0.) However,
some
card
type
of adapters
have the ability to plug in an external antenna for better connection. There
are
also devices that can connect to your Ethernet port and then to an external antenna.
These require a bit more computer knowledge to set up, but they can be worth
it. For more information, you can email support@coachconnect.net
TOP
My Laptop has built-in Wi-Fi capability. Will
that work?
Maybe. First of all, make sure the internal
Wi-Fi is turned on. On some laptops you need to press
a button or some keys to turn it on. If you are close
enough to an Access Point (the antennas that send the
Internet signal out to the park),
it should work fine. If you are a distance from
the Access Point, or are at a bad ‘angle’ it
may not work. Internal Wi-Fi adapters are intended
for small indoor installations.
For good connections in an RV park you need more power
for the distance and you need to be able to point your
antenna toward the Access Point antenna.
It’s a 2-way radio, the signal needs to get to
you AND you need to be able to get your signal BACK. If
your built-in adapter doesn't work, you can purchase
a USB adapter and use it, just make sure the built-in
one is turned off.
TOP
How does a wireless adapter work?
Your wireless adapter works similarly to a wired network
card. It sends and receives data packets at high
speeds.
Instead of sending these packets down a wire, your
card uses radio signals (2.4 GHz) to communicate
with our equipment.
Coach Connect’s "Access Point" radios then send
your data through our Wireless Backbone out to the
internet. It's a 2-way radio. The Access Point sends
out a strong signal, and your adapter has to be able
to receive that signal AND send it BACK to the Access
Point.
TOP
My network connection
is connected to coach,
now what?
In order to log on to the service you must launch
a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox).
You should see a login screen where you enter your
username and password. If you don't have an account
yet, click on 'Signup'. Once you are logged in, you
can browse the Internet.
TOP Does Coach Connect
install anything on my computer?
NO! Anything you see that says 'Coach Connect' is coming from the Web. All you
purchased from Coach Connect is a Username and Password to use our wireless network
as your 'on-ramp' to the Internet.
TOP
Why do I get an error
message saying, “An error has occurred”
This usually means that the username and password you
entered were not valid. Use the Back button and reenter
your username and password. It may also mean that your
username and password are already in use on another computer.
Your username and password are only valid for one computer
at a time. If you want to use another computer, you need
to log out of the first one, or purchase another username.
TOP
Can I use my AOL software with the Coach Connect connection?
Absolutely. However, you must use a regular browser
first in order to get the Coach Connect login page.
Once you are logged in, you can do whatever you want
with your Internet connection, including running
the AOL software. If your computer is accustomed
to dialing a phone number to get to AOL, you need
to set
up an AOL 'Location' to use the Broadband
Internet connection. You may also need to use your
browser and click on Tools / Internet Options / Connections
and check the button for 'Never Dial a Connection'.
TOP
How do I update my equipment's device
drivers?
Periodically, equipment manufacturers will issue updates
to existing device drivers. These updates exist to enhance
the performance of your equipment. Typically, such updates
will be posted to the manufacturer's website. From there,
you will be able to download the proper drivers. Installation
instructions will be provided either on the website
or with the downloaded files. Simply follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
TOP
How often should I update my equipment's
device drivers?
It is a good idea to update your drivers any time the
manufacturer issues new drivers. New drivers issued
by the manufacturer often contain minor bug fixes and
upgrades to existing configuration software. However,
if your equipment is running smoothly, there is no immediate
need to upgrade.
TOP
Can I change my hardware?
As long as the hardware you change to is compatible
with Coach Connect’s service, you may change your
hardware at any time.
TOP
Who do I call to support my equipment?
For 802.11(b) wireless card support, please refer to
the manufacturer's instructions for support.
TOP
Can I use my Macintosh with Airport
to connect?
Yes
- absolutely the Macintosh with Airport should
work just fine.
You can read more on the Apple website. The
Airport is still a built-in adapter and will be
prone to the same issues as other built-in adapters.
You may want to find an external USB adapter that
supports Macintosh in order to be able to position
the adapter fora better connection.
TOP
What do I do if I have a slow connection?
Try doing a 'repair' (XP: right-click on network icon
and choose repair )on your network connection,
it often helps. Slow
speeds
are often
a result of heavy traffic
elsewhere
on
the
internet.
Often
the
speed
of the server
you are trying to access does not use as much bandwidth
as your connection is capable of handling. Also make
sure your computer is clean from Spyware as well
as viruses. We have seen a lot of issues with spyware
and viruses slowing down and even disabling
connections.
TOP
How can I increase my signal strength?
Try doing a 'repair' (XP: right-click on network icon
and choose repair )on your network connection,
it often helps. Check your surroundings for anything
that might impede your signal. Some things you may
find that can interfere
with wireless signals are pillars or stanchions and
potted plants. Also, several wireless devices on
the market
are built to boost your signal. If your signal is not
strong enough for your liking with your current
adapter,
you might consider looking for an adapter with a greater
signal gain, or the ability to attach an external
antenna. There are even outdoor antennas you can
mount to the roof of your RV. You can email support@coachconnect.net for more information.
TOP
What is the minimum signal strength
to get connected?
Use your signal meter only as
a rough guide for troubleshooting. The signal you see
reported is only the signal being received. Realize
that your adapter must be sending signal strong enough
to reach the Access Point in order to make a connection.
There is no absolute in these numbers and different
adapters use different systems. Some use a scale of
0 - 100% where others use a 'poor' 'good' 'very good'
and 'excellent' rating scale.
TOP
Does a low signal strength mean
that I am connecting at a slower connection rate?
If you are experiencing slow connection speeds, low
signal strength could be the cause. However, low signal
strength does not always mean slow speeds. If you are
able to connect at a reasonable rate, the signal strength
is irrelevant. Try doing a 'repair' (XP: right-click
on network icon
and choose repair )on your network connection,
it often resets the connection to it's best speed.
TOP
What is the normal connection rate
for my wireless account?
A Wi-Fi hotspot (like Coach Connect) operates at the
802.11b speed of 11Mbps. This refers to the speed within
the local area network. That means data from your computer
gets to the Access Point at 11Mbps. However, the Internet
connection to the hotspot determines the maximum speed
for browsing. If the hotspot is connected to a .5Mbps
DSL line, then .5Mbps will be your top possible download
speed. Normal download speeds experienced in our hotspots
are 100 to 400kbps.
TOP
How do I know if I am connected
to the Internet?
If you open a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape,
Firefox) and you see the CoachConnect login screen
- you are connected to the Internet. That login page
exists on some web servers in Texas somewhere - it
is not part of the local hotspot network. If you are
able
to browse to
various websites, then you
are
connected
to the
Internet!
You
will only
be able to browse after logging in.
TOP
Can I get a stable connection using
wireless technology?
If your adapter is close to the Access
Point and there are no major obstructions,
you can experience a very stable connection. However,
long distances, large obstructions, and other devices
on the same 2.4GHz radio frequency can interfere. Look
at the specifications on your adapter - it will tell
you it's coverage area. For example, the popular ZyAir
B-200 USB adapter states an outdoor coverage area of
150M @ 11Mbps or 300M @ 5.5 Mbps. Our network equipment
will automatically adjust to the lower 5.5 Mbps connection
speed to adjust for your distance.
Also be aware that
the condition of your computer is critical. Many
people experience slow speeds and dropped connections
due to spyware and viruses on their computers.
TOP
What can I do if I lose my connection?
Radio waves can be fickle and computers are easily
confused. If you have been online and it stops working,
it may be just like cell phone call that got dropped
and you need to call again. To 'retry' your connection,
there are a few things you can do. If you have XP,
you
can
right
click on
the connection icon  and
choose 'Repair'. If that completes successfully,
try to browse now. If you still can't browse, close
all open programs and reopen your browser. Make sure
to try a webpage you haven't been to in a while,
browse to yahoo.com or google.com. If you get a login
page, go ahead and log in. If none of this has helped,
restart your computer.
TOP
Why does my connection speed fluctuate from 5.5 to
11 or 2 or 1?
Usually this means you are too far away from the Access
Point. The adapter that goes on your computer is designed
to work at 11Mbps if it is close to the Access Point
and to negotiate a slower speed if it is further away.
Obstructions between you and the Access Point can also
cause this, as well as Radio Frequency Interference.
It's just like any 2-way radio system - it works best
when the pair of radios are close together and have 'line-of-sight'.
We have also discovered that certain viruses or spyware
can cause the same symptoms. You can read
more about fluctuating signal here.
TOP
Email Questions
Can I use my username@coachconnect.net as my email address?
No. Coach Connect does not provide email addresses with your account.
TOP I'm having
trouble
sending
email
from
Outlook
or
Outlook
Express,
why?
There are some issues with using Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, or any email
client, when you're traveling. We recommend using web-based email and you won't
have these problems. If you want to continue using Outlook, there is a setting
in your email program called 'Outgoing Server' or SMTP. This is
probably
set
to
your
home
Internet
Service
Provider.
When
you
are not
connected to your home ISP, it doesn't know who you are and might be rejecting
your outgoing mail for fear of being liable for spammers. Find the setting
for your SMTP server and check the box that says 'My Server Requires Authentication.'
If that doesn't help, you need to contact your email service provider. For
more information, read this and try the
following links:
How
to configure Outlook Express to send and receive E-mail while traveling (Comcast's info)
How
to Configure Outlook Express 5.0-6.0 for SMTP Authentication (Earthlink's info)
How do I use Microsoft Outlook Express 6 to read and send AOL e-mail?
Using Authenticated SMTP with Juno
AT&T
Worldnet Setup Instructions
Yahoo Mail instructions
How do I get my AOL email?
Once you are connected and browsing the Internet, you can go to www.aol.com,
login and get your mail there. You can also use your AOL software if you
have created a 'location' that uses the wireless network (broadband) as
it's connection. For more information see AOL
Help.
Can I upgrade my account to a higher
speed?
No. The speed of your connection is dependent upon
the type of circuit providing Internet access to
the radio
at your location. Coach Connect does not regularly
throttle or reduce connection speeds.
TOP
Is my wireless connection secure
and safe from hackers?
Your connection is no more prone to hackers than a
hard-wired connection such as cable or DSL. Coach
Connect does not add anything to the connection for
security. It is the user's responsibility to protect
their computer with up-to-date virus protection, spyware
protection and a firewall. Generally it is a good
idea to turn off File and Print Sharing
when
it
is
not actively being used.
TOP
Can I have more than one person
log on with my user ID?
No. Coach Connect currently does not support concurrent
logins from different computers.
TOP
Can I use my account at all Coach
Connect locations?
Yes. If you already have your computer set up to use
Coach Connect service, you can use Coach Connect at
any
of
our locations! Simply turn your computer on and log
in, and your computer will have a high-speed connection
to the internet.
TOP
How can I use Coach Connect’s
service when traveling?
You can use your connection at any location where Coach
Connect provides service. Simply turn your computer
on, open your browser and log in, and you will be connected!
TOP
What happens if I forget to log
out?
The system my keep you logged in for a set period of
time. Usually this is 2 hours. If you get back on your
computer during that time, you will be able to browse
without having to log in. If you try to log in on another
computer, you won't be able to login because only one
concurrent login is allowed.
TOP
What happens if I forget my password?
Call Support (866.401.2885) to have a representative
look up your password.
TOP
Does my account have any session
limits?
No. Coach Connect does not use session limits.
TOP
Do I have to logout to deactivate
my account?
You are encouraged to log out when you are finished.
However, Coach Connect will automatically log you
off
when you turn off your computer, or at the end of your
billing period.
TOP
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