The Deal is this: Apple wrote System 7.5.2 and tested it until the were green in the face. If they had done it until they were blue in the face, maybe it wouldn't have stunk. But they didn't, and it does. Essentially, the version of Open Transport (a.k.a. the TCP/IP control panel) version 1.0.8 (or even earlier), is incapable of establishing a PPP connection.

"No problem," you say. "I'll just load the MacTCP instead. I know that it can establish one."

Correct as far as it goes. However, in yet another display of marketing brilliance, the MacTCP, while it does ship with 7.5.2, ships in such a way that it's inaccessible.

So, ideally, you upgrade to 7.5.3, which is available, almost free of charge, just by calling 1-800-293-6617, extension 984, and asking for it, or going to your local Mac dealer.

Alternatively, you can do the following:

1. Get a copy of the MacTCP. It's not shareware-- it's owned by Apple. You may be able to get it off the System 7.5 disks or CD...if it's still in sight (if it ever was). Best bet is usually to get it from a friend running 7.5.
   
2. Put the MacTCP in the Control Panels folder. (That was the easy part)
   
3. Go into the Extensions Folder and move the following files to the "Extensions (Disabled) folder:
   • Open Tpt AppleTalk Library
   • Open Tpt Internet Library
   • Open Transport Library
   • OpenTptAppleTalkLib
   • OpenTransportLib
   • OpenTptInternetLib

4. Restart the computer

That should take care of it. However, you may want to double-check and make sure that the settings in the MacTCP are correct. >