Why can't I find the area code rule selection in windows 95 version B?

A few months ago I read your article on how to fix the problem with Windows 95 (A) dialing a 1 before area codes other than your primary area code. I am using Windows 95 B OSR2 4.00.950 B and I cannot find an "Area Code Rules" option anywhere. It seems silly that they would remove this option from a new release. Is there a service pack I need to install? How can I fix this problem for my fax software and other issues. Please help!!!

This question was answered on June 21, 1999. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Area code changes challenge all of us when it comes to using our computers to connect with others, be it the Internet, faxing or Tele-commuting During the initial installation of Windows based systems that have a modem, a question appears asking what area code you will be dialing from By default, Windows will automatically put a “1” in front of any phone number that has an area code that does not match your “dialing from” area code This feature is what will cause most of the “heartburn” when the area code split goes into effect 602, 623 & 480 are all local area codes to one another and will not work if a “1” is in front of the number For example, if you are dialing from the 602 area code and you input the number 480-555-1234, it will actually dial 1-480-555-1234 causing you to get that “It is not necessary to dial 1...” message from the phone company Your modem, of course, does not understand this voice message and will not be able to complete the connection There are a few basic steps that may help limit the number of missed connections when using your computer Because Windows 95 is available in a handful of different versions, I will start with a method that should work for all versions of Windows 95, 98 & NT

Most of us will have to deal with the issue of connecting to our Internet Service Provider (ISP) The configuration information for connecting to our ISP is usually contained in the Dial-Up Networking section of our computers To access this configuration for your ISP, double-click on My Computer, then on the Dial-Up Networking icon When the Dial-Up Networking window opens you should see several icons that include Make New Connection and an icon that represents your current configuration (In my example, I am connecting to Extreme Internet) RIGHT-CLICK on the icon that represents your ISP, then on the Properties option Remove the check mark (simply click on the box) in front of “Use area code and Dialing properties” This will gray-out the area code box, and also tells this session to ignore any settings in the “Dialing Properties” of your modem What that means for this configuration only, is you must put all required numbers and symbols in the “Telephone Number” box including the new area code Example: 480-368-4621 This configuration forces the modem to dial the exact numbers and not automatically put a “1” in front of a number that does not have the same area code allowing your call to be placed properly If you want to disable call waiting for this session you would need to add the *70 Example: *70,480-368-4621 If you must dial “9” to get an outside line at your office you must put that in as well Example: 9,480-368-4621 Again, this will only affect this one configuration If you have multiple ISP’s you will need to do the same to each configuration

Some of you (Windows 98 users ONLY!) may have an option in your Modems Dialing Properties to set “Area Code Rules” which then handles all dialing that is controlled by Windows To check for this option click on Start, then on Settings, then on Control Panel Locate the Modems icon and double-click it When the “Modems Properties” window opens look for the Dialing Properties button and click it This will open the Dialing Properties window with an option for “Area Code Rules” Click this button to give you the option to add area codes to the “Do not dial 1 for numbers with the following area codes:” section at the bottom

I will be compiling further information on a number of popular programs, such as Winfax Pro and AOL as well as a list of devices including fax machines, alarm systems, pagers, cell phones, etc that will need to be addressed at www.support4free.com

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Posted by Ken Colburn of Data Doctors on June 21, 1999

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