If I change internet providers, how do I save mail and change settings?

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Level 3

671 points

If I change internet providers, how do I save mail and change settings?

I am going to have a representative from a different broadband service come over tomorrow and see if my house is within the area served by her company (Clearwire). If it is I plan to drop my satellite service and go with this, assuming it is faster. In case I do this, I realize there are a few things I need to know first that I hope someone here can help me with.

1. If I go with the new service provider, my email address will change. Does this mean that what is in my current mailbox (I have several folders with emails I have saved) will no longer be accessible? How do I backup what is in all the folders now in a way that I will be able to get into it with a different provider? (I have an external hard drive, but it is usb so cloning is not a possibility.)
2. If the new service works, I think I will have to make changes like DNS numbers and such. Hate to admit this, but I do not remember where to find and change these things.
3. What else might I be forgetting to think of that I need to know?

Thanks very much in advance for all advice and suggestions.

iMac 17In 1.25Ghz, 1 gig ram, Mac OS X (10.4.6), 4 gig nano, 512 shuffle, 200 gig ext hd

Posted on May 11, 2006 5:26 PM

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Answer 1

May 11, 2006 5:39 PM in response to Jane C

Do not change the settings for the existing account.

You should create a new account in Mail for the email account provided by Clearwire.

Before deleting the email account in Mail provided by your Satellite internet provider, create an "On My Mac" location mailbox - one for the account's Inbox mailbox and one for the account's Sent mailbox. Transfer messages from the Satellite account's Inbox and Sent mailbox to the user created "On My Mac" mailboxes. When completed, delete the Satellite provider's email account.

You shouldn't have to change anything with the new provider. I assume Clearwire provides an Ethernet modem and sends an installer to set up the equipment, etc.?

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Answer 2

Jane C Author

Level 3

671 points

May 12, 2006 3:07 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Many thanks, Allan,
Things have gone very smoothly. I appreciate your help very much.
To answer your question, yes, the Clearwire representative brought the modem and kindly helped me get everything set up. There was no software to install anywhere. The service is wireless, and faster than my satellite connection. (We live kind of in the country where cable is not an option, nor dsl)
Thanks again very much.
Jane (who is also in the Lone Star State)

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