Archive for April 2010

Computer will not connect to the internet

There are several reasons why a computer might lose its internet connection.  The below steps can help figure out why you no longer have internet, and hopefully one of them will hit on your problem.

1. Start by reseting your modem, router, and computer.  To reset your modem and router, simply unplug the power from each device and leave unplugged for about 30 seconds.  Plug the modem back in first, then wait about 30 seconds and plug in the router.  Restart your computer in the meantime.  See if you now have internet.

2. Bypass your router.  Plug your computer directly into your modem – your ethernet cord should go directly from your modem into the back/side of your computer.  Restart your computer.  If you are able to access the internet this way, the problem is with your router.  You could have a bad router, or a setting could have been changed within the router.

3.  Still no internet even though you are plugged in to the modem directly?  Check the lights on your modem and make sure all applicable internet lights are on.  If not, you will need to call your internet service provider and have them check your line for problems.

4. Ping a website.  Go to Start, then Run, then type in the letters CMD and hit Enter.  A black box will appear.  In the box, type in: ping google.com , then hit Enter.  If you see the words Reply From with a series of numbers appearing over and over, then you have an internet connection.  The problem is likely a virus/malware on your compter.  Run a virus scan and clear off any problems found. 

5. If after trying to ping a website (see step above) no information is returned, you might have lost your winsock.  To reset, do the following:  Click on Start button. Type Cmd in the Start Search text box.  Press Ctrl-Shift-Enter keyboard shortcut to run Command Prompt as Administrator. Allow elevation request.  Type netsh winsock reset in the Command Prompt shell, and then press the Enter key.   Restart the computer.