Repair your Internet connection
Accessing the Internet is has become one of the primary reasons we use our computers today, and losing our connections can be a frustrating disruption to our routine. If you rely on the Internet for conducting business, or “telecommuting” to work, a failed Internet connection can cost you money as well. When your browser displays a “404 Error” (server not found), or a text balloon tells you that you have “Limited or no connectivity”, you have what we Tech Support specialists call a “Internet problem”, and it’s time to do a little troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting your network can be a complex job and you might need the help of an experienced professional (shameless plug: such as myself, at Aplus Computer Aid), but before you give us a call, Windows has a built-in tool you should try. This tool only takes a few minutes and doesn’t require any special training. It is the first thing you should try when disconnected.
Tip of the day: Repair your Internet Connection with the Network Connection Repair tool.
1) If your Network icon is visible in your Notification Area (down by the clock), right-click on it and select “Repair”
* If your Network icon is not displayed in the Notification Area, you need to access Network Connections in your Control Panel. In XP, click Start >Control Panel and under “Pick a category” select “Network and Internet Connections”, then click “Network Connections”.
Right-click on the connection you’re trying to repair (either the “LAN”, or the “Wireless network”) and select “Repair”.
The steps above are pretty much exactly the same in Vista, but with slightly different wording on the menus.
2) Windows will now automatically take several basic steps that will essentially ‘flush’ the current (not working) configuration, and start fresh.. requesting a new IP address from your modem. After a minute or so, you will see…
..and it’s time to test your new connection by opening your browser and trying to surf the Web.
If for some unhappy reason this fails to re-connect you to the Internet, there is (probably) a problem with your network, or ISP, and the next step to take is to reboot your modem. The easy way to do this is to unplug its power, count to 10 slowly, and plug the power back in. You may have to repeat the Repair tool after the modem reboot.
These easy steps will reconnect you to the Internet the vast majority of the time (I would venture to say, 95%) and save you from having to call a Tech Support specialist (and your Geek Quotient has just gone up, too). However, it will not resolve every networking issue, and you may have to give your ISP a call for help. (They may have to reset something at their end, for example.) My experiences with ISP Tech Support have varied, and haven’t always been enjoyable.. but you gotta do what you gotta do.
In today’s world, Internet connectivity is a must.
Today’s free link: If you really want to get into analyzing your Internet connection.. test it’s speed, and maybe “tweak” your settings for maximum performance, the place to start is the Tools page at Broadband Reports (a mirror of DSL Reports). You will find the well-known tweak tool, DrTCP, here, as well as many other tools for finding out if your ISP is really delivering what it promised (and if not, you can find other ISP’s in your area and see how they’re performing).
Copyright 2007-8 © Tech Paul. All rights reserved.
post to jaanix
| Share this post : |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
10 Comments »
Leave a comment
About Tech Paul
Welcome to my blog. I am a CompTIA Certified computer technician, and the owner of Aplus Computer Aid. I offer my affordable and friendly services via remote control over the Web, or over the phone. My email is tech4everyone(at)gmail.com.
I regularly post how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice. Sometimes I will answer (your) specific questions in an article if I believe that it is generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see is my own, typos and all.
I do my very best to provide the best solutions and advice. I use only industry best practices, and reliable sources for my research. I strive to Do No Harm.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
-
Copyright 2007-9 © by Tech Paul. All rights reserved.
Subscribe in a reader
---------------------
* Subscribe to Tech--for Everyone by Email
--------------------- post to jaanix
-
-
What Readers Are Saying
-
-
-
-
-
Folks, this is not one of those "trick you into buying" free scans, but a scan that show what is running, and loaded to run (Startup folder, etc.). You can also click links to learn more about the files it finds. And, please, do a search before you decide something doesn't belong. 
-
nice
I did as you instructed in this very informative “tips and advise” newsletter. Unfortunately, I have Windows Vista, which I detest, and NOTHING EVER WORKS RIGHT!!! After I ran the repair progam like you suggested Vista said their was nothing wrong and nothing to be repaired.
My computer runs so slow I can turn it on in the morning, have my coffee, make breakfast,feed and dress my grandkids, take them to daycare and it MIGHT be up when I get done with all that if I’m lucky! This computer is only one a half year old. I used to LOVE Windows- if every Windows out there weren’t Vista I would junk this @(^% thing and buy a new computer! It ran beautifully for about the first 3-4 months but has been a nightmare every since.
I HATE Vista and I hate that they crammed it down our throats!! PLEASE help!
Merrilee–
Here is a clue: “It ran beautifully for about the first 3-4 months”.. those are your words.
So, what did you do to it? At the end of the first 3-4 months I mean. What changed? Since almost every computer comes with either a 90 day or 120 day trial Internet Security suite… can I go out on a limb and guess that you let it expire.. and you’ve been ignoring the popup warnings?
You provide another clue, “computer runs so slow I can turn it on in the morning, have..” Sure sounds like spyware infection to me.
But, I haven’t seen your machine. So I could be wrong. I would have to look at it.
Many computer users are savvy enough to try to clean their machines themselves, and others should get professional assistance. I have published many articles here, and my professional services can be accessed at http://aplusca.com
[...] Read the rest at Tech-for Everyone [...]
Pingback by Repair your Internet connection « Jerry620’s Blog | February 20, 2009 |
Ok, the issue I’m having is limited internet access. I can not get to ANY site through IE7 or mazola. Not Yahoo, google, Microsoft…etc. I can access aplication sites, Realplayer and AVG antivirus updates. but thats it. I’ve compared IP addresses on both the tower thats not connecting and to a laptop thats connecting to the same modem that does connect. and other then the IP address. all the settings look pretty much the same. I even looked in the system32 folder, looked in the drivers ETC folder and checked the Hosts file for any added lines. none where added. I’m thinking it might be a virus. Any thoughts ????
Robert
Robert,
From the information you have provided, I do not have a clear picture of the behavior. I assume you tried the steps outlined in the article, so I believe that your next step is to call your ISP’s tech support line. While their troubleshooting can be exasperating.. it has the advantage of being free.
Also, in case the article didn’t mention it.. clear your browser’s cache. Tools > Options > Delete Private Data/Browsing History. Clear everything but Saved Passwords.
My professional services are available at http://aplusca.com, if you’d prefer to deal with me.
Re: http://techpaul.wordpress.com/repair-your-internet-connection/
Genius! After months of non-conformity (even after running Spybot and Malwarebytes), my IE browswer refused to load any quicker than 12 seconds. But thanks to your expert advice… after only 5-6 clicks of my mouse, my IE browser now acts like it’s on steroids!
We peons out here appreciate you and your fantastic site! :-)
Thank you, Gina. Glad I could help.
Whatsup? alright the problem im having is “internet explorer cannot find connection”. it started yesterday after i ran spybot. while spybot was running i seen alot of malware that it found and then the program froze up. once i got the computer back to normal i could nolonger surf the web although AIM still connects and also i have no problem with the network connection. ONLY IE is the problem.. 2 more trys for spybot and it ran all the way thru and supposedly cleane everything and i ran it again and something couldnt be deleted called “virtuonde.prx” i believe thats the correct spelling.
my computer isnt the greatest (dell dimension 3000) and i have been thinking about a reformat (still gotta back up my files) but this problem just started ysterday and i cannot seem to get IE online for nothing. Have any suggestions?
Yes, I have suggestions. Three.
1) reset IE (see, http://techpaul.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/cant-download-reset-ie/)
2) Create an Avira AV CD (see, http://techpaul.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/how-to-cure-a-malware-infection/) and boot to it and run a scan. Then visit an online scanner like Trend Micro’s Housecall. When you’re done with those.. download and run MalwareBytes.
3) Give a lot of consideration to reformatting and reinstalling Windows after running a “disk shredding” (Google “securely delete”) utility at least 7 times: such as Boot N Nuke.. and/or calling in an experienced tech… such as myself.
You got yourself a real nasty, and it really doesn’t matter if you got it 5 minutes ago, 5 hours ago, or 5 weeks ago. Once it’s on, well, you’re pretty much hosed. Even if every anti-malware scanner known told me I was clean.. I wouldn’t really “trust” that machine.