Help and Advice for our free ISP

Technical Parameters

IP: Server Assigned
Gateway: Server Assigned
DNS: Server Assigned

Telephone Numbers
0845 665 1858 Analogue (56)
0845 665 1872 ISDN only (64/128)

ISDN allows both 64k and 128k connections.

Server Settings
POP3: pop3.smartemail.co.uk
SMTP: smtp.smartemail.co.uk
NEWS: news.smartemail.co.uk

DNS Server Settings
If you need a DNS number for example if you use a MAC then use   80.225.252.178
  80.225.249.186

Prefix our dialup numbers with 1470 if your telephone number (CLI) is withheld.

You can access any other POP3 mailboxes without having to make any changes.

iPAQ and Palm users note :-

You will need to 'fix' the DNS server settings in your iPAQ and Palm setup to use
  80.225.252.178
  80.225.249.186
and not leave it to negotiate DNS as they are not able to do so.

Do you have AntiVirus software installed? If not then get AVG for free here and be safe - not sorry.

Help and guidance in setting up your PC or Mac to access our free ISP

Check out some of the typical helpdesk problems here

Manually setting up

• Windows 98 - click here
• Apple OS X - click here
• Outlook Express - click here
• Windows XP - click here

Biggest mistake most people make...

The domain name we use is smartemail.co.uk and NOT smartmail.co.uk so please check your spelling of your email address and the POP3 and SMTP server names.

Most Often Asked Technical Questions

Q. I don't have Internet access from home yet but I would like to signup with Aardvaak - can you send me a CD
A. We no longer send out CDs as all of the required software is already installed on your computer, so there are 3 ways of solving your problem.

1. Signup for an account from work (here) and when you see the Successful Signup page, click on the AUTO CONFIGURE button and SAVE the file to a floppy disk. Take it home and insert it into your PC - double click on the getins.ins file to setup Internet access and email from home.

2. Click on this link and choose to SAVE the file to a floppy. Put it in your PC at home and double click the guest.ins file. This will install Internet access ONLY so visit our site afterwards to sign up for your own account.

3. Configure your PC manually using the instructions for Windows 98 or Windows XP

Q. I get an error when sending email saying "Server Response: '550 relaying to <address@domain.com> prohibited by administrator'
A. This is usually because you tried to send email when not connected to Aardvaak. Make sure you haven't connected to another ISP by mistake.

Q. I try and get my email but keep getting told that my username/password is wrong'
A. This is usually because you made a spelling mistake in your username or password. Remember that your email account username is your FULL email address. All usernames and passwords are case sensitive! Also double check that your POP3 servername is pop3.smartemail.co.uk and the SMTP servername is smtp.smartemail.co.uk (check spellings).

Important: Ensure that you DO NOT enable Log on using Secure Password Authentication or My Server requires Authentication in Outlook Express - these checkboxes should be left unchecked!

Q. I want to use 128k ISDN but it only shows me connecting at 64k
A. Check to see which Modem is selected by the Dial Up Connection as most ISDN Terminal Adaptors install 2 or sometimes 3. One for 64k single channel and one for 128k 2 channel (sometimes called PPP Multilink). Some also install a 3rd called BOD or Bandwidth on Demand. If the latter is selected it will only raise the second channel if the TA determines that the extra bandwidth is needed (usually during a file download rather than just web browsing). It then only shows a 64k connection even though it will call up the 2nd channel if needed.

Check your TA documentation on how to setup BOD and how to configure timeouts etc.

If you want to use 128k access then check out the manual that came with your Terminal Adaptor as each is different - for example if you are using a Hayes USB ISDN adaptor then you must first select Channel 0 and then click the MULTILINK tab and select Channel 1 and specify the telephone number again - use the SAME telephone number for both channels (0845 665 1872 or 0845 662 1409 but BOTH channels must use the SAME number)

Q. Can I access your service using LINUX
A. Assuming that you know how to setup a dialup connection manually in Linux then yes. The details you need are at the top of the lefthand column of this page.

Q. How do I configure Windows manually to allow me to use Aardvaak as my ISP
A. See the links to simple instructions at the top of the page, however it is far easier to install the service using the automatic configuration button at the end of the signup process.

JUST for Fun :)

Helpdesk: What kind of computer do you have?
Customer: A white one...

Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Helpdesk: Have you tried pushing the button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Helpdesk: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note ..."
Customer: No ... wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet... it's still on my desk... Sorry....

Helpdesk: Click on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?

Helpdesk: Good day. How may I help you?
Customer: Hello... I can't print.
Helpdesk: Would you click on start for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill Gates!

Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says it can't find it...

Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Helpdesk: Do you have a colour printer?
Customer: Aaaah....................Thank you.

Helpdesk: What's on your monitor now ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me in the supermarket.

Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Helpdesk: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Helpdesk: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer: Okay.
Helpdesk: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes.
Helpdesk: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah...that one does work!

Helpdesk: Your password is the small letter a as in apple, a capital letter V as in Victor, and the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?

A customer couldn't get on the Internet.
Helpdesk: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Helpdesk: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.

Helpdesk: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Helpdesk: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.

Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has put a screensaver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears!

Helpdesk: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Helpdesk: OK, and, what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?

Just remember - we all have to start somewhere ;)