[[TranslatedPages]] [[PageOutline]] = Help! I cannot connect to the Internet = Unfortunately, if you are unable to connect to the Internet at all, our ability to help is really limited. The problem could be your local area network (the cables that connect your computer to your modem) or your Internet Service Provider (for example, Verizon, or Speakeasy, or Timewarner) who maintain your office or home's connection to the Internet. The information below might help you in the event that you lose your connection to the Internet. Please print it and (before you lose your connection to the Internet) - write down the name and phone number of your Internet Service Provider so you can easily call them in the event that your connection goes down. = Trouble Shooting an Internet Problem: = == Is the problem with the web site you are visiting or your Internet connection? == Go to http://www.google.com/, http://www.yahoo.com/, and your own web site. If all three sites give you the same error message, then it is probably a problem with the Internet connection (go to [#Istheproblemwiththecomputeryouareusingorisitaffectingallthecomputersintheoffice the next step]). If these sites work fine, then it is probably a problem with the web site you are visiting and you should wait an hour and try again. == Is the problem with the computer you are using or is it affecting all the computers in the office? == Try visiting the same web site on the two other computers in the office. If all three give you the same error message, then it is probably a problem with the entire office (go to [#IsitaproblemwiththeInternetTCPIPorwiththephysicalnetworkEthernet the next step]). If the other computers work fine, then it is probably a problem with the computer you are working on. First, restart the computer and try again. If that doesn't work, then [#CheckingyourcomputersTCPIPSettings check the computer's TCP/IP settings]. If that doesn't work, use a different computer . == Is it a problem with the Internet (TCP/IP) or with the physical network (Ethernet)? == Try to access the file server. If you cannot access the file server, then it may be a problem with the physical network. Check the computer for an Ethernet cable (like a phone cable, but a little bit bigger). If should be snuggly plugged into the computer and there should be either an orange or a green light next to it. It is plugged in, but there is not green or organge light, then the problem is that a cable was unplugged. Follow your cable and see if it is properly plugged into the wall jack or another “switch.” If the cable is plugged in and the light is on, then [#CheckingyourcomputersTCPIPSettings check the computer's TCP/IP settings]. == Is it your problem or your ISP’s problem? == Check to make sure the router and Cable/DSL modem are plugged in (you should see lights on the front of both of them if they are plugged in). If there are no lights, make sure the power cables are properly plugged in, then wait 5 minutes, and try again. If there are lights, then unplug the power cables for both the router and the modem, wait 30 seconds, and plug them in again. Then, wait a full 5 minutes and try the Internet again. If it still doesn't work, then it's probably a [#ContactingYourInternetServiceProvider problem with ISP]. = Checking your computer's TCP IP Settings = 1. Click Start -> Run... 1. Type: cmd and click OK 1. You should see a black screen with a command prompt. Next type: `ipconfig` You should see something like: {{{ Windows IP Configuration Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection: Connection-­specific DNS Suffice.........: IP Address .............................: 192.168.1.115 Subnet Mask ............................: 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway ........................: 192.168.1.1 }}} If any of the numbers come back as 0.0.0.0 it means that you have not been properly assigned an Internet Protocal (IP) address. You should try restarting your computer and then repeat this process. = Contacting Your Internet Service Provider = If you've printed out this page for offline reference, please write down your provider's name and number below. * '''ISP Name:''' * '''ISP Phone Number:'''