Mac newbie Q: Netscape won't load pages

Factual Questions
1

A friend gave us a PowerPC that was given to her. We are trying to use it to connect to the Internet, and while I’m PC-savvy, I fully admit that I am stymied by Macs and am a bit stumped as to where to begin looking for solutions.* So please be kind!

It’s running System 7.5.3 and Netscape Communicator 4.7; the modem is an external US Robotics 56K. The dialer (FreePPP) was still set to the previous owner’s connection, so I changed the Home location to mine and the dialup settings to those for my ISP. We are able to dial up and get connected, but I get “Netscape is unable to locate the server” when I try to load any Web sites (I’ve tried a friend’s site for which I am Webmaster, Google, CNN.com, and Yahoo).

I’m sure there is some simple setting that I’m unaware of. Would some kind Mac person take pity on me and either (1) Point me to a good troubleshooting site (my searches so far have been pretty fruitless) or (2) help me figure out what’s wrong?

I’ll be happy to provide any missing essential information.

*It figures that just this weekend, we loaned Mr. S’s sister one of our older Macs (they’re his toys, and neither of us has messed with them much) and so she also has all of our “Macs for Dummies” books, which may well be too old to help me anyway.

Many thanks for any help!

2

7.5.3 and FreePPP! How excitingly old-school!

Sounds like you may need a DNS server address plugged into your FreePPP settings.

The ISP you’re connecting to should list the numbers to use on their website (if you can access it from work or something).

For instance, Earthlink lists on its tech center website: DNS Servers: 207.217.126.81, 207.217.77.82, and 207.217.120.83

Websites are all accessible by their numbers, the name address (like www.google.com) is merely cosmetic. The DNS server that your IP provides looks up the cosmetic name for you and gives your browser the proper number ID.

I haven’t used FreePPP in a long time, but this site may be helpful in showing you where the DNS settings go.

If that is indeed the problem and you need help finding the right numbers to plug into that box, repost or email me and I’ll be happy to help further.

3

That was it! Muchas gracias! All hail Rysler!

(“Old-school”? This machine is cutting-edge compared to our two Performas, which both came with a shiny new 2400-bps modem and eWorld installed. Oooh! Aaah!)

4

::poses mightily::

eWorld! Oooo… I started out on a Performa 450. That was a real computer.

Congratulations on your upgrade! I’m glad I could help.

5

<sigh> I miss eWorld.