MSNIA is an ISP (Internet Service Provider) that provides dial-up access to the internet. You sign-up (subscribe) and pay them a monthly fee for unlimited dial-up access to the internet from your computer(s). The One Plan includes unlimited dial-up access via WebTv with your MSNIA subscription.
The One Plan is MSN's way of trying to keep WebTv users who get a PC as customers. They're saying, "If you use us as your ISP for your computer, you can keep your WebTv for free." Because the One Plan is of no interest to general PC users, you won't find information about it at any of the below MSN pages. The offer can be found only on your WebTv. (Web Home screen - Member Center - "Get 2 for 1 Internet Access".)
Many people use cable or DSL for their computer but sign-up for MSNIA as well so that they get the One Plan.
You do not have to actually use your MSNIA dial-up connection on the PC!
You can have as many ISPs as you want. MSN does not care if you also have a broadband ISP, they do not care how you're actually connecting to the internet. You're paying them, that's all that matters.
What You Do:
1) Call MSNIA and sign-up for MSNIA dial-up service.
2) Call WebTv and tell them you've subscribed to MSNIA and want on the One Plan.
It's that simple.
Details:
1) Call MSNIA.
You will need to have a credit card number handy and a UserName decided on.
Think up several beforehand in case your first choice is not available.
Your UserName will become your primary email addy @msn.com
It has no relation to your WebTv UserName/addy!
Tell them "No Thankyou" to their standard offer of $21.95 per month with first three months free.
What you want to ask for is their reduced rate of $15.95 per month, and NO free months. Sounds weird, but the NO free months is important.
They will set up your account and assign you a temporary password, usually 123456.
They will tell you you can go to X site to download the MSN software and/or that they'll mail you the CD.
Ignore that, it's not important at this time.
You do not need the software to connect to the internet.
You do not need to mention you have a WebTv or that you use a Mac. It's not important.
You're simply signing up for a service, no different really then calling to get the gas or water service turned on.
It's a simple, easy phone call.
2) Once your account with MSNIA is established, you need to set up your computer to connect to the internet (assuming that you do actually want to use the MSN dial-up to connect with.)
This is referred to as setting a DUN (Dial Up Network).
To set your DUN, you'll need three things:
1 or more MSN dial-up access numbers
Your MSN username
Your MSN password
Links to tutes that walk you through setting your DUN are below.
When prompted for your username, enter it in the format MSN/username.
3) When you are successfully connected to the internet, use your Internet Explorer browser to go to the MSN Member Center and log in using your MSN username and password. Click on "Support" in the orange sidebar, then "Change Password" from the left menu of the new page. Change your password from the temp. 123456 to whatever you want it to be. Now look for the "sign out" icon near the top of the page to sign out of the Member Center. Then sign back in again using your new password to make sure you have it right.
4) Close your browser and disconnect from the internet.
5) Go back to the Dun you created in Step 2 and change the password from the temp 123456 to your new one. Connect to the internet again to make sure you've got it right.
Now that you have established an MSNIA account, successfully set your DUN, and changed your temp. password, you can proceed to the WebTv part of the set-up.
1) Call WebTv
Tell them you've subscribed to MSNIA and want on the One Plan.
2) Set Up your WebTv to Use Your Own ISP.
See link below for instructions, or ask the WebTv rep to walk you through it.
From now on, you'll no longer be billed by WebTv; you'll be billed only by MSNIA for $15.95 per month.
That's It! Easy as pie!
All the Links
MSNTV (Formerly known as WebTv)
1-800-GOWEBTV (1-800-469-3288)
MSNIA (MSN Internet Access)
1-800-386-5550
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - Midnight EST
Saturday - Sunday 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM EST
TDD: 1-866-271-7577
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - Midnight EST
Saturday - Sunday 8:00 AM - 1:00 AM EST
http://www.msn.com/
Includes links to sign-in to MyMSN and Hotmail.
Links at bottom for info on MSNIA and MSN internet
software.
Anyone can access this page.
http://my.msn.com/
Page you can customize with news, weather, links, etc..
Requires sign-in with a MS Passport/WinLive ID.
http://membercenter.msn.com
News, info, FAQs, & downloads for MSN subscribers.
Requires sign-in with your MSN UserName & password.
http://support.msn.com/accessnumbers.asp
Find local MSN access numbers
http://support.msn.com/
check for local access numbers
order an MSN CD
change your MSN password
your billing account
network status
phone numbers & email addresses for contacting support
(Must be signed-in to access all of the support options.)
http://get.msn.com/?prod=dialup
MSNIA dial-up access plus the optional MSN software.
http://membercenter.msn.com/download.aspx
System Requirements and download for the optional MSN software
http://askwebtv.webtv.net/HelpCenter/access/useyourisp/plussetup.html
Set up dialing on the WebTv using your own ISP.
http://www.apluskb.com/scripts/How_do_I_set_up_answer2228.html
How to set a DUN in Win95 thru WinXP
(uses Aplus.net in the tutorial. You'll use your own MSN info.)
http://support.gateway.com/s/software/microsof/vista/7515418/7515418su343.shtml
How to set a DUN in Vista.