You can start by following the instructions for installing the network adapter. If you're using a USB device, don't plug it into a hub– it needs to plug directly into the PC. The New Hardware wizard should pop up. Put in the CD that came with the adapter and it'll find the driver and complete the install.
You'll need an existing Internet connection to set up your AT&T account. You can use your old dial-up connection, a friend's PC, your office PC or anywhere that will allow you to surf to a secure web site.
Go to the AT&T WorldNet Service Registration site, at: https://registration.att.net
The first screen will ask for your nine-character Registration Code, which is in the materials you received with the network adapter. (In my case, I found it on the back cover of the Instruction manual.)
Once you've entered the code, it'll take you to a form asking for your name, address, phone number, etc. When you submit this, a new screen will come up displaying user IDs, passwords and server information that you'll need for email and Usenet. Print out this page before signing off.
Now you're ready to set up the connection. Click the Start button and choose Settings, then Network and Dial-up Connections, Make New Connection.
Click Next, and a dialog will appear asking for the Network Connection Type. Select "Connect to a private network through the Internet" and click Next.
On the Public Network dialog box, select "Do not dial the initial connection" and click Next.
For the destination address, enter 10.255.253.17 (or the IP number specified in the service documentation) and click Next.
On the Connection Availability screen, choose "For all users" and click Next.
On the Completing the Network Connection Wizard screen, enter a name for this connection. This is just a description, so you can call it anything you want. Once you've entered a name, click Finish.
A dialog box will pop up asking for your user ID and password. You're not finished yet, so click Cancel on this screen.
Click the Start button and choose Settings, then Network and Dial-up Connections, and a menu will come up displaying the existing connections. Right-click on the connection you just created, and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.
Click the Security tab. Uncheck "Require data encryption," then click OK.
Now you're ready to connect to the Internet through AT&T. There should be an icon on your desktop for this connection, or you can click Start > Settings > Network and Dial-up Connections and then double-click the connection on the menu. When the connection dialog box comes up, enter your Login ID and Password, then click Connect. If everything has been set up correctly, you should go right into the network at this point.
The entire process should take less than 15 minutes.
