Free ISPs for use on Sega Dreamcast

(Last Updated 20.02.01)

Below you will find a number of different free ISPs that work with Dreamcast, and how to set them up (use your PlanetWeb Dreamcast web browser, and go to 'Options' in the command cluster to enter the information). Different people in different locations get different results when playing online over one of these free ISPs. You will never get as low of a latency playing online games as you do with SegaNet's ISP, but in many cases you will get a decent connection. Please note that all login names and passwords are case sensitive so it is suggested you only use lower case letters when signing-up to avoid confusion (and problems;). Lastly, if you have call-waiting on the line you are using to connect, make sure to add *70 in the "Call Waiting Prefix" option to turn it off.

Unfortunately, we have learned that the Dreamcast web browser only allocates a limited length for login names and passwords. Therefore, try and keep them as short as possible when signing-up. This is especially true of the email login name.

These free ISPs constantly change the way you login into their service. So what works one day, may not work the next. Plus some services like Netzero can detect if you do not have their ad banners displayed, and may cancel your account or will disconnect you after only 30 minutes online. If you keep getting disconnected, try adding *67 before your number (ie *67,555-555 or add it to the dialing options). Check with your phone provider to make sure there is no cost involved in using this.

Lastly, we suggest you check out IGN's Sega.net Board, there are many 'up-to-date' posts on how to use free ISPs on DC.

Netzero
Bluelight
Other

Netzero

Start by going to their website, netzero.com, and sign-up. Make sure that when you're asked to make a password, all letters are in lower case (it can contain numbers though) and is as short as possible. This is a seven step process with the last being the software download. You do not need to download the software if you only plan on using this over your Dreamcast. Make sure to look up your local access numbers while at their site. The following is what you need to get it to work on Dreamcast. This one can be kind of tricky.

Login: 9:3.0:username@netzero.net
Password: See Below...
DNS #1: 0.0.0.0 (or 4.2.2.1)
DNS #2: 0.0.0.0 (or 4.2.2.2)
Mail login: username@netzero.net (In other words, your email address.)
Mail password: Put your normal password here.
POP3: pop.netzero.net
SMPT: smpt.netzero.net

If the above login does not work try one of the following:

Login: 0:3.1.2:username@netzero.net
Login: 0:3.0.4:username@netzero.net
Login: DubB5:3.0.4:username@netzero.net

Do the following to make your Netzero login password (thanks to Dreamcast NetCenter for this information)...

1. Use the table below to convert you password. If your password is nbrid, then converted it would become {a].b as your password. This was done by finding 'n' in the table, and looking in the first column to the right of it, since it's the first letter in the password, to find '{'. The same goes for 'b' which became the 'a' found in the second column to the right of b in the table, since 'b' is the second letter in our password. And so on. Please note that case is important here.
2. Then take this converted password and add a zero (0) to the beginning of it, and a one (1) to the end. So our example becomes 0{a].b1 which we use for our login password.