Most users use the Network Properties program in Control Panel to configure their internet connection information (IP, DNS, WINS, etc.) and when they sign on with another ISP, they fill it's relevant information in the DUN Properties sheet for the connection they're setting up. The problem is that no matter what ISP you're using, Windows 95 always uses the information in the Network Properties to assign an IP address or DNS server number. This often results in your computer contacting various systems across the planet to perform various search queries that can be accomplished much faster by using local machines - a good analogy is traveling from New York City to Tokyo, just to ask someone how to reach Chicago.

To make sure such a thing doesn't happen, leave all your TCP/IP parameters in the Control Panel, Network Properties windows blank, and specify these details in the DUN (Dial-Up Networking) Connection Properties These can be found under My Computer, Dial-Up Networking. Right-click any connection and select Properties, Server type, TCP/IP settings.

- Thanks to Ran Israel for this one!