by Bradley Liang (6 Submissions)
Category: Internet/HTML
Compatability: Visual Basic 3.0
Difficulty: Intermediate
Date Added: Wed 3rd February 2021
Rating: 
(16 Votes)
Most code snippets simply show you how to display
a connect dialog. The problem with this is that
it doesn't force a dial-up and won't alert you
when a connection is established.
This code solves those problems by using Internet
Explorer's own 'automatic dial-up' settings
(Control Panel >> Internet options >> Connections).
It utilises two little-known API calls that can
automatically connect / disconnect from the
default connection.
Note: If the 'Never Dial a Connection' option is
selected, this code will not be able to connect.
I came across this API awhile ago when my friend
suggested a forced dialup and gave me this tip.
It's actually pretty helpful.
API DeclarationsPrivate Const INTERNET_AUTODIAL_FORCE_ONLINE = 1
Private Const INTERNET_AUTODIAL_FORCE_UNATTENDED = 2
Private Declare Function InternetAutodial Lib "wininet.dll" _
(ByVal dwFlags As Long, ByVal dwReserved As Long) As Long
Private Declare Function InternetAutodialHangup Lib "wininet.dll" _
(ByVal dwReserved As Long) As Long
VBcoders' !! Dial the Net Automatically !!
' This waits until the connection is made and THEN
' proceeds. --Bradley Liang
Private Sub Command1_Click()
'To prompt the user to connect to the Net
If InternetAutodial(INTERNET_AUTODIAL_FORCE_ONLINE, 0) Then
MsgBox "You're Connected!", vbInformation
End If
'To automatically start dialling
If InternetAutodial(INTERNET_AUTODIAL_FORCE_UNATTENDED, 0) Then
MsgBox "You're Connected!", vbInformation
End If
'To disconnect an automatically dialled connection
If InternetAutodialHangup(0) Then
MsgBox "You're Disconnected!", vbInformation
End If
End Sub
