Frequently Asked Questions
Help Desk 620-429-3132
What is needed to subscribe to Ethernet service?
Must have fiber to your home. Must have an Ethernet port & card installed in your computer prior to installation. Installation charges are $25 installation fee, $4.50 per jack plus materials.Can I use my phone if I am on the internet?
Yes if you have an ethernet card. Dial up users will not be able to be on phone & internet at the same time. 56k modem speed (actual speed about 44k) will be around 33.6 kbps.Do I need a hub if I network?
The gateway will work as hub with 4 ethernet ports, but you would have to pay for each port. You'll probably want to do an internal wired or wireless network.I have a year old computer. Will I need to make changes to the computer?
It is doubtful if your computer is just a year old, any changes will be needed.Why is it important to keep the APC plugged in?
Please make sure you APC (battery back up unit) remains plugged in at all times. Your service will be disrupted if there is no power to this unit. 2 hours of talk time on a corded telephone will be provided during a power outage. The APC will, however, not power your CATV or Internet during outages.Can I pay by credit card?
Yes. We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, and AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDS (DEBIT or CREDIT). Customers may pay by these methods in the office, by phone, or online.
Just a reminder, if your account is on Automatic Bank Draft or Credit Card payment and any information on your checking or credit card account has changed, such as bank account number, credit card expiration date or cancellation of account, please notify our office as soon as possible so your bill can be processed correctly.
- Can't receive my mail
This usually occurs when you have built up an excess of mail in your server's mailbox. There are several solutions for this problem. If you have not checked your mail in a few days, your box could have an abundance of messages in it. It is also possible that you have one message that has a large attachment. Call our office to request that we dump your mailbox. (Unfortunately we must dump all mail in your box) We are only able to dump mail for Outlook Express users.- I keep receiving the same messages
This can occur when you don't receive all your mail as a whole. The mail server looks at this like "you get it all or none" This protects your mail in case of a power failure while receiving your mail. If you computer times out while receiving your mail due to a large messages, it acts like you have not received any of your mail. You will continue to receive the same messages until your computer fully receives all of the mail in your mailbox at that time.- Logon and Password
Your login and password for you E mail is the same as your logon name and password to connect to the Internet. It is wise to keep this written down in a safe place. Our office can provide you with your information if you should happen to lose it. If you would like to change your login or password you must first contact our office at 429-3132 so we can change the information on our server. There is a charge for this request. Remember to change it for your internet or E mail account on your computer.- Invalid address error
Double check the address to be sure you are typing it in the correct format. No spaces or capital letters in places they don't belong. Check to see if the Caps Lock Key on your keyboard is on. If you are sure the E-mail address is still active and the following solutions have not worked, contact our office.- E mail away from home
You can now access your e-mail from anywhere by using Web Mail. Go to our website at Columbus-ks.com & click on the Web Mail link. By entering your login & password you are able to view your e-mail . Once you return home anything you have not deleted from Web Mail can now be downloaded to your mail program you are currently using.- Web Mail & Postini
Recently several changes were made to our e-mail service. These changes include Web Mail & Postini, a program to help filter spam and viruses.
- The first time you login to Postini it will ask you to change your password to whatever you want. (please note that Columbus Telephone Co. does not have record of this password)
- You can choose to use Postini or shut it off by disabling it.
- Postini is a separate program than Web Mail, it only receives the junk.
- Save a link in your favorites and check periodically to see if any good mail needs to be redirected.
- Filtering of spam is now left up to you by setting your own personal tolerance levels for junk mail in Postini.
- Please visit the Postini help website at www.postini.com/services/help.html for a complete explanation of how Postini works.
Connections
If you are sure you have entered the correct user name & password to connect to our server and are still unable to establish a connection, try one or all of the following:
- Be sure your telephone line is plugged in to the "line" jack on the back of your modem. (dial-up customers only) Check to see if you have a dial tone on the line in question by plugging a telephone into the line. It could be possible your modem experienced a power surge from a close lightning strike or power outage.
- Dump your temporary internet files. As you surf the web you drop cookies for different sites you have visited. If your temporary internet files get full of these cookies you can get the error page can not be displayed. You should dump your temporary internet files regularly. Do this by accessing your Internet Tool Bar. Select Tools, Internet Options. Double click on settings for Temporary Internet Files. Select View Files. Highlight all the cookies & delete.
- Ethernet service. Make sure you have not disabled your Ethernet connection by mistake. Also make sure your APC is plugged in & has a green light, as this will disrupt service if unplugged.
- If none of the above works call our office.
Access number
The number our dial up customers use to access our server is 429-2000.
