Internet Connectivity Problems
The advice given here is based on the assumtion that you already have an active internet account and connection to an ISP (Internet Service Provider), and now your connection has stopped working. The first thing you should do when your connection "drops out" or disconnects is to run through some basic steps that may help you determine the cause of the lost or dropped connection. The following steps represent a very basic guide only, and are conducive to a single computer and connection. There are many variations in troubleshooting network connectivity and if these steps below fail to resolve your problem, you must contact your ISP or call us for some professional assitance.
Step 1:
Check all cables and connectors, make sure the cable running from your wall socket is still connected and plugged in. Check the other end where it connects to the modem, also check the Ethernet cable ensuring it is connected to the modem and the computer.
Some modems have several ports that you can use, in some cases it is worth trying another port.
Also ensure that your filter or "splitter" has the correct cables plugged into the correct ports, the phone line should be plugged into the phone socket and the other line into the socket labled modem or ADSL.
If your connection uses a Wireless Modem or Wireless Access Point (WAP), make sure that all the cables between the wall outlet and the WAP are securely connected and seated in their correct positions. Also make sure that the adapter devices in your computer are also seated correctly.
Checking these cables and connectors includes the power cable making sure it is plugged in to the power at one end and the modem at the other. Sometimes something as simple as a cable comming loose can disconnect you from the internet.
It is often agood idea to simply unplug the power from the modem and wait for a minute or two and then plug it back in again, or just turn it off, wait for a minute then turn it back on, also restart your computer at this time. Once your have done this click on Internet Explorer and
check to see if your homepage loads up.
If you are satisfied that all your cables and connectors are plugged in and correct, and you still have no connection proceed to step two
.
Step 2:
Check that the lights on your modem are on, make sure the power and status lights are on, modems vary among manufacturers so there may be different lights on some modems. When the modem is communicating with the internet the DSL or ADSL lights should be flashing, if they are not then you have no connection.
If these lights do not light up or flash then replace the cable from your wall socket to the modem.
Another light sometimes labled Ethernet represents the link between your modem and the computer, if you have a broken Ethernet cable this light does not flash or remain light when the modem is communicating with the computer.
If you have a spare Ethernet cable try using it ruling out any cable failure.
On some modems these lights may be labled "link/Act", this stands for link activity and should flash when your modem is communicating with the internet and also with your computer. Because your modem sits between the internet and your computer this is sometimes the first point of failure compromising your connection to the internet.
As well as checking the lights on your modem you will also need to check the "Link" light on your Ethernet Adapter, this is the point where the cable running from your modem connects to your computer, and there is usually a small yellow or orange light that remians light while the cable is plugged in.
There is also another light on the Ethernet Adapter that will flash when data is being received or transmitted, if this light is flashing then it is fair to assume that your Ethernet Adapter, Ethernet cable and modem are working.
Once you have established that all lights are on and you still have no connection, proceed to step three.
Step 3:
Assuming that all of your hardware is OK after the first two setps, now we move onto the software and take a look at our network configuration. Most broadband connections use the TCP/IP protocol suite as do most ISP's these days.
TCP/IP stands for (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which is basically a suite or set of rules the internet and networking equipment use to control the flow of network traffic. It is very much like the road rules, and if all the traffic on the road use the same rules, we reduce the incidence of collisions and have an efficient system that enables vehicles to travel from A to B.
Data travelling over the internet works to a similar principle in that all the traffic is controlled by a similar set of rules thus reducing collisions and increasing efficiency. So in effect, if the pieces of data known as "packets" worked like cars on the road, chances are that most of it will be sent and arrive at its destination using the same rules, this also makes it easier to control traffic.
Because this article lends itself to a Windows XP based system, we will first look at how to check the settings for TCP/IP making sure that they are set and configured correctly.
1) Click Start
2) Click Run and Type ncpa.cpl in the dialog box.
3) Right-click on Local Area Connection and select Properties.
4) Double-click Internet Protocol in the box that has (TCP/IP) next to it. (also make sure the box alongside is ticked).
5) When the TCP/IP Properties box opens, ensure that the "Obtain an IP address automatically"checked, also make sure the "Obtain DNS server address automatically" is checked.
6) Click OK and OK again and then Restart your computer.
7) Once the computer has restarted click on IE (Internet Explorer) and wait for the home page to display.
After you have completed these steps and you still can not connect, proceed to step four.
Step 4:
If all of the above fails there are some other steps we can take before calling in the big guns. First of all, ensure that you have two things handy and make sure that they are correct, these are your Username and Password. Without either one you will not be able to connect to the internet through your ISP.
If you do have these, it is an idea to open up your ISP's homepage and attempt to logon with those credentials. If the login fails then it is possible that your username or password is incorrect. In this case ring your ISP and have them varify it for you.
If you find that you can logon and then you have internet access, (varified by clicking links or type a URL address in browser), it is often then a good idea to check things like email and favourites etc, just to make sure that all is working OK.
Very often when I troubleshoot an internet connection, I will in some cases send and email back to the computer I am working on just to see that all is working as it should.
You can do this by simply opening up Outlook Express or what ever email client you use and create a new email but address it to yourself.
Should you still have connectivity problems proceed to step five.
Step 5:
Given that you have tried all of the above and you still have no connection, I would advise ringing your ISP's technical support or give us a call and one of our friendly staff will arrive at your location and assist you in recovering your connection.
It must be noted that in some cases ISP's might perhaps be performing maintainence on their servers, in this case you may experience little or no connectivity, your internet speed may be reduced or you may not connect at all.
Usually these situations are only temporary and they may inform you of this in a recorded message when you ring them.
Some other things that may interrupt your connection include modems and cables, this is very rare but does happen, they both have no moving parts so they are considered extremely reliable. They do however suffer the ill-effects from heat, power surges, lightning strikes, age, etc, so it is also very important to have a surge protector plugged into your computer as well as your peripheral equipment.
It is also a good idea to ensure that your cables and modem are not all bunched up with other wires, cables and equipment, this obviously reduces heat and possible cable cross-talk. (crosstalk - when the signal from one cable interferes with another).
With WAPs ensure that they are at least 50 centimeters away from walls and in the best possible location for the best reception to the receivers. Things like microwave ovens, cordless phones, certain electrical devices will impede the RF signal shared between your Access Point (modem) and the computers using it.
Even walls that stand between the AP and the receiver will affect the signal, water pipes and metal, concrete walls and distance will have an impact reducing your signal and range.
In the case of wireless, once you are certain that you have the AP and the computers configured correctly, simply move them around until you find the best signal strength.
One final thing to consider is your antivirus and firewall, occassionaly they can affect your connection, if this is the case try disabling either one to see if they are impeding the connection. Be sure to turn them back on and make sure that your antivirus is up to date and running, refer to this link for further information regarding firewalls and antivirus: http://www.allroundcomputersolutions.com/internet-security.html