How To Use A Free ISP To Play Phantasy Star Online

Version 2.

Submitted by Iain Noble (iain.noble@ntlworld.com) with thanks and
acknowledgements to the members of the UGVD newsgroup whose messages
form the basis of this file.

DISCLAIMER

I have had quite a few emails about this FAQ. To clarify:

1. This is written for UK (United Kingdom) users. I have no experience of
setting this up in other countries so I don't know if it will work in country
'X'

2. I have used these instructions to setup access using the NTLWorld service. I
have no experience in using it with any other ISP (internet service provider.) I
have seen reports from people on the UGVD newsgroup (uk.ganmes.video.dreamcast)
that they have used it with BT (British Telecom) FreeServe, AOL (America Online)
and other services.

3. I have only used these instructions to setup online access to PSO. I don't
own any other online DC games such as Quake 3, Chu Chu Rocket, Ferrari
Challenge, Daytona etc. etc. As fas as I am aware these instructions will not
work with these titles but once again I have never tried. Check with the UKVD
newsgroup for a more informed response.

4. I am not able to burn my own disks so I cannot supply you with a copy of the
US browser. If you ask nicely in the UGVD newsgroup some kind soul will probably
offer to do so (it worked for me!)

5. My own experience of ordering the US browser disk from Sega was not a great
success as I never got one. Other people report receiving their disks after a 3
week delay.

6. The next version of the Dreamkey browser (2.5) to be released in Europe in
about 6 weeks time will allow you to enter your own ISP details making all these
instructions irrelevant.

7. 'Self booting' means that the disk will run in any Dreamcast console. Utopia
and CD-X are programs that will enable you to run non self-booting disks in any
Dreamcast console. Utopia is free, CD-X is for sale in most video games stores.


Now that the game has been released in the UK, many people are finding
out how expensive it is to play online in a country where we pay for
internet access and local phone calls.

The UK version of the DC web browser does not allow you to select an ISP
other than Dreamarena and BT.

However it is possible to use the US version of the DC web browser to
setup access using a free/unlimited access ISP such as FreeServe,
NTLWorld, BT surftime.

Here's how to do it.

What you need:

1. Get a US internet browser disc.

Getting the PlanetWeb browser. You can either burn your own disc, get a
copy from Sega of America, or ask around nicely for a copy.

Burning your own disc This disc is self-booting but only runs in 60Hz
mode so if your TV can not handle this you will need to boot through
utopia.

Download a CD image (4.2Mb) in DiscJuggler or Nero format from
www.dcemulation.com (direct link www.dcemulation.com/soft-webrowse.htm)
or in DiscJuggler format from www.dccopyworld.com (direct link
www.maxtarget.com/dcw/dcw_utils_misc.shtml) and unzip it.

If you downloaded a DiscJuggler image (.cdi) you can either burn it with
DiscJuggler or convert it to Nero format with CDI2NERO (34KB) from
www.dccopyworld.com (direct link
www.maxtarget.com/dcw/dcw_utils_disk.shtml).

To burn with DiscJuggler:

Download the trial version of DiscJuggler (9.4 Mb) from www.padus.com
(direct link www.padus.com/free.htm).  There is a detailed guide to
burning the browser at www.dcemulation.com under "Docs & tutorials"
(direct link www.dcemulation.com/help/webbrowser_burning_guide..htm),
but in short: run DiscJuggler, choose "CD Image to CD Recorder", click
on source and choose the place you unzipped the CD Image to, and click
on start to burn the file onto CD-R. This should only take a couple of
minutes, even at the 1x speed that the demo version of discjuggler is
limited to.  If you downloaded a Nero image (.nrg):

Get the free Nero 5.0 demo (4.8MB) from www.ahead.de (direct link
www.ahead.de/en/download.htm) Burn the disc with Nero:  When you first
run Nero, the New Compilation dialog will appear.  Click the Open...
button Change "files of type" to "CD-Image (*.nrg)" Choose the unzipped
file wb26nero.nrg Don't change any of the options - just click on Write
Say yes to "Really use disc-at-once" The disc will take a few minutes to
burn and then you should have a bootable web browser.

Get a copy from Sega of America Note - this site does not work if you
are using the Opera web browser. Internet explorer 5 works fine, and
hopefully the dreamcast browser too!

This disc is not self booting so you will need a copy of Utopia or CD-X.

Go to http://newbrowser.sega.com/enter.html

Enter your address, but in the city field also put a comma then Great
Britain. Enter British Columbia for the state, our postcode for zip
code, and Canada for the country.

You should receive a disk in a few weeks.

2. Sign up for an unmetered dial up ISP on your PC

3. Entering your ISP details

Using your UK Browser, dial in as per usual.  When on, you get the
options (using L & R triggers).  In the Modem options there is a choice
to delete all DC internal setting.  Do this.  It will ask if you are
sure.  You are.

Turn off the machine and put in US Browser

Go to connect.

It asks for ISP details

Put in your NTL/BT/AOL details
Username, password
The phone number.  The phone number as the backup number as well. Put
this all in the right hand box.
0.0.0.0 for the DNS.
Leave the modem init string blank.

Turn off machine

Put in PAL PSO.  Connect.  DO NOT PANIC.  It will say that it's
dialing DREAMARENA.  This is a lie.  Many tests have been done.
It dials your 0800 ISP.

That's it.  Welcome to PSO.


