Please click on any of the following questions to find the answer:

 About Slingshot:  Getting Connected:  Using Slingshot:  Slingshot E-mail & Internet Questions:  Unlimited Access Plans Questions:
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 Make-a-Call Questions:


Can I use slingshot on my computer?
Slingshot can be used on PCs that run Windows® 98, Windows® Me, Windows® 2000, or Windows® XP. We no longer officially support Windows® 95; however slingshot should work. We don't have a product for Macintosh systems.
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Where do I purchase a slingshot CD?
Slingshot CDs are available in retail stores across the United States. Or download a free trial.
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Where can I use slingshot?
The CD and accompanying access code can be used from any PC with a modem in the United States and Canada. It's that simple.
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Can I use slingshot even if I move or travel?
No problem. You use slingshot anywhere in the United States and Canada with our toll-free number. Furthermore, we offer local numbers across the country as well. You can choose a local number when you install slingshot or change the number if you're dialing from a new location.
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Can I share my slingshot CD with a friend?
You can share your CD but not your access code. Slingshot requires each user to have a unique access code. You can, however, recommend they get a free trial version from us.
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What are the minimum system requirements to use Slingshot?
For the CD version:

  • 486/33 processor
  • Windows® 98 operating system (Windows® 95 is no longer officially supported but should work)
  • 8 MB RAM memory
  • 14 MB hard drive space if you have already installed a recent browser version. Otherwise you'll need about 50 MB so that you can install an Internet browser.
  • 14.4 Kbps modem
  • CD-ROM
  • VGA monitor
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How do I tell Slingshot I think they make a fabulous product?
At the bottom of every page on our web site is a link titled Send Us Feedback. Click that and drop us a line with your thoughts and suggestions.


Does Slingshot have an Affiliate Program?
Sorry, it has been temporarily discontinued.
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How do I connect to the Internet using slingshot?
It's easy:

  1. Insert the CD into your computer
  2. Follow the prompts.
  3. Type your access code (included with the CD)
  4. Surf the Internet
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Do I need my CD every time I use slingshot?
No. The CD is only required the first time that you logon to slingshot. If you plan to install slingshot onto another computer (one that belongs to you, of course), you'll need to keep the CD. Otherwise, recycle it.
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I installed slingshot. What is this icon (System Tray Icon) in my system tray?
Whenever you run slingshot, our icon will open in your system tray on the bottom right of the screen. To open the menu of slingshot features, click the (System Tray Icon) once.
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How do I find a local access number?
Slingshot offers local and toll-free Internet access from anywhere in the United States and Canada. You may choose either when you install slingshot, and you can change the access number whenever you need to. Maximize your minutes by choosing a local access number, it's the most minutes for your money. It is, however, up to you to ensure the number provided qualifies as a local call with your telephone company.

Determine if we have a local number in your area from our website: Access Numbers, or, let slingshot do it for you:

  1. Click the slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the lower, right corner of the screen and select Settings
  2. Click the Local Numbers button.
  3. Type your area code.
  4. Type the first three numbers of your telephone number, also known as a prefix.
  5. Click Continue.
  6. Click on the number you want to use.
  7. Click Next.
  8. Confirm this number is a local call for you according to your local provider.
  9. Click Continue.
  10. Click Connect to start a slingshot session.
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How do I know how many minutes I have left?
Each time you connect to the Internet with slingshot, a screen displays how many minutes you have remaining from the start of your session. While online, check by moving your mouse over the slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the bottom right corner of your screen. When you're down to 15 minutes, a screen will notify you that you need to add more minutes.
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How can I get more minutes?
There are two convenient ways to add more minutes to your account: Purchase one of our recharge cards or use your credit card online. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover, as well as debit/check cards with Visa or MasterCard logo. Click the slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the bottom right corner of your screen and select Add More Minutes from the menu. Follow the instructions on our web page to add more minutes to your account.
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Will my minutes ever expire?
Your unused minutes expire 1 year from activation. Minutes expire in the order they are activated. So if you activate 600 minutes today and recharge with 1200 minutes tomorrow, the 600 will expire first.
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Can I recharge if I have no minutes left?
Absolutely. Even if you have no minutes left, you can use slingshot to get to slingshot's web page to add more minutes to your account. Dial slingshot like normal. You will then be disconnected because you are out of minutes. You will be prompted if you would like to buy more minutes. Choose yes. Slingshot will dial again and connect you to our recharge page. If you want to use your credit or debit card to buy minutes online choose Purchase more minutes online with a credit or debit card. If you have a slingshot recharge card purchased from our retail partners choose Recharge from a slingshot recharge card. Follow the instructions on our web page to add more minutes to your account.
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How do I disconnect?
Click the slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the bottom right corner of your screen and select Disconnect from the menu. Slingshot automatically disconnects from the Internet if it detects no activity for 20 minutes. This helps to save your slingshot minutes.
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How do I contact Customer Support?
Our Customer Support is available between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Monday to Friday. You may contact them via e-mail or telephone (1.866.506.9600). To submit an e-mail question, click the Slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the bottom right corner of your screen select the Customer Support from the menu. Or, open the Customer Support link.
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How do I maximize my minutes?
It's easy. Just select a local number for your area code and prefix when you install slingshot.
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Can I change my local number?
Yes, you can.

  1. Click the slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the lower, right corner of the screen and select Settings
  2. Click the Local Numbers button.
  3. Type your area code.
  4. Type the first three numbers of your telephone number, also known as a prefix.
  5. Click Continue.
  6. Click on the number you want to use.
  7. Click Next.
  8. Confirm this number is a local call for you according to your local provider.
  9. Click Continue.
  10. Click Connect to start a slingshot session.
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My software disconnected me from the Internet. Is something wrong?
Your slingshot software will automatically disconnect if it detects no activity for 20 minutes. This helps to save your slingshot minutes. If you are being disconnected often and you are not idle for 20 minutes, then yes there may be something wrong. Give Customer Support a buzz and they'll help you out.
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I forgot/ lost my access code. What should I do?
With slingshot, you need only enter your access code once to get online. If you need the number again, click the slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the bottom right corner of your screen and select About Slingshot from the menu. Your access code is also printed on a card inside the packaging or on your cash register receipt. If you check these locations and still can't find it, contact Customer Support at: 1.866.506.9600 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Monday to Friday.
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How do I disable call waiting?

  1. Click the slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the bottom right corner of your screen and select Settings from the menu.
  2. Click Properties
  3. Select the appropriate code to disable call waiting in your area from the list provided in the Call waiting field. (This information can usually be located in your telephone book.)
  4. Click OK.
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How do I configure slingshot to dial an outside line?

  1. Click the slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the bottom right corner of your screen and select Settings from the menu.
  2. Click Properties.
  3. Select the correct numeral in the Dial Access field to reach an outside line. The comma after the number represents a one second pause ensuring the outside line is available.
  4. Click OK.
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What are cookies, and how does slingshot use them?
Cookies are small files of information about your preferences that we create and send to your computer. Your computer stores the cookie until the next time you visit our site. When you arrive at slingshot.com, our computers use the information in the cookie to conform the site to your preferences, customizing your experience. These cookies, which are often "scrambled" for security, contain no other personal information.
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How do I configure slingshot to dial 1 or an area code?

  1. Click the slingshot icon (System Tray Icon) in the bottom right corner of your screen and select Settings from the menu.
  2. Click Properties.
  3. In the Long distance field, configure the settings according to your need to use a 1 and/or an area code when dialing.
  4. Click OK.
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Do I get an e-mail address with slingshot?
Slingshot users get one e-mail address, accessible via web mail or a POP3 client. Go to www.slingshot.com and click on the new e-mail signup link on the left side of your screen. Follow the on screen instructions to choose a username, password, and e-mail address.
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How long does my e-mail address last?
Your e-mail address remains valid for 90 days after your slingshot minutes are spent. To keep the account, you must purchase more minutes.
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Can I check my e-mail from any computer?
Yes, you can check your e-mail from any Internet connection. Slingshot supports web mail and POP3 e-mail. Just go to www.slingshot.com and choose the e-mail button on the left side of the screen. You'll need a username and password to access your e-mail.
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Do I have to change the settings on my computer to use slingshot e-mail?
Slingshot e-mail is web based and therefore does not require any changes made to how your computer checks your existing e-mail. If you want to use a mail program like Outlook Express® or Eudora® then follow the directions in the mail program's help files. Please see the POP3 Server Settings for information regarding Slingshot mail servers. Your username and password are the same as your webmail.
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How do I access Slingshot e-mail with a POP3 e-mail client?
If you want to use a mail program like Outlook Express® or Eudora® then follow the directions in the mail program's help files.
These are the correct settings for e-mail.

The SMTP server (outgoing mail server) is smtp.slingshot.com

The POP3 server (incoming mail server) is pop3.slingshot.com

The username name that is entered for authentication needs to have "@slingshot.com" added after it.

The SMTP server (outgoing mail server) requires authentication

Your username and password are the same as your webmail.
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How do I surf the Internet?
The web comprises millions of web sites on a whole range of topics. The sky is the limit. To reach a website, you need a browser, such as Internet Explorer. If you have one, you're ready to go. If not, you can install the browser featured on the slingshot CD. To reach a specific page, type the address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL), into the address box at the top of your browser.

If you do not know the address, you can search for the page using the search box on our www.slingshot.com home page.
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How do I select the web page my browser starts on?
You can point your browser to start on any web page that you want. It's helpful to choose a site with the information that you need regularly, such as news headlines, search functions, stock tickers, etc. These sites are known as portals. To save a start page, select your browser and follow the instructions below.
Note that the start page is ignored when the Slingshot software first connects, but if you launch another browser it will be honored.

Microsoft Internet Explorer
  1. From the Tools menu, select Internet Options
  2. On the General tab in the Home page section, click Use Current
  3. Now your browser will open to the current page each time you start it.
Netscape Navigator
  1. From the Edit menu, select Preferences
  2. In the Home page section located in the middle of the window, click Use Current Page
  3. Now your browser will open to the current page each time you start it.
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What is the difference between Toll-Free and VoIP?
Toll-Free means you use any touch-tone telephone to call a toll-free number, enter your PIN and then the phone number you wish to reach. Note there is still a charge for the phone call.
VoIP means you use special software on your computer to make a phone call over an Internet connetion.
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