Networking questions?

Question

I am a novice to any networking......
1 - I have installed DSL and I still get the working offline..Connect Retry window...I have already set it that it should look for the broadband connection. how can I stop that? It has gotten alot worse since I have added the ethernet card mentioned below.
2 - I installed the modem using the USB option. I have decided to add a wireless network so I added the ethernet card. Now I can't configure since I have already given the ip address to the DSL modem and can't give to the ethernet connection....how can I fix this?

Answer 1

Disconnect the USB cable and just use the cat5 network cable. It goes between your ethernet card and the DSL modem. You may need to re-install the software , it controls the behavior of the DSL modem.

Answer 2

Most DSL Modems these days are also routers. This will come into play later.

The problem you are getting with "Working Offline" is a problem easily fixed. What you need to do is make sure that your Ethernet Card is installed and working properly, and that it is Enabled in "Network Connections." Also you will need to go into Internet Options and set it to "Never Dial a connection" on the connections tab. Once you have done this Connect your Modem to your Computer using the Modem. Check your ip address now. (Start --> Run...type in "cmd" press ...type in "ipconfig" press ) You should get a Valid IP address of something like 192.168.x.x. You will also get a default Gateway similar to your IP Address. In most cases you can type this Gateway into your Web Browser and it will surf into your modem.

A lot of DSL modems store the Connection information within the modem itself, rather than you having to click connect all the time it keeps your connection "Alive" Unfortunatly this gets in the way of your Wireless Router that you are planning to use with it. You will need to get with your ISP and find out if your connection is a PPPoE, or Bridged Ethernet. Most of the time it is a PPPoE conneciton. Have your ISP Tech Support Guide you through setting your modem into "Bridged Mode"

Most ISPs will not assist you insetting your router up correctly as it is not their hardware to support, and will refer you to the router manufacturer, who will refer you to your ISP...a major loop that i can't let you get into.

The next step is to Take your Ethernet cord out of the back of your computer, and plug it into the "Internet" Port on your router. Now...get another ethernet cord (usually supplied with the router) and run it from port 1 on the router, to the back of your computer. Your computer should get a new IP address, and a New Default Gateway. Type the defualt gateway into the Address bar of your web browser and surf to it...*note some routers will ask for a username and a password...input the default information specified in the manual provided with the router*

Once you have made it to this point you are almost home. Find the section within the router's configuration page that pertains to connection type. If your connection is PPPoE you will change it from something like "Obtain IP Automatically" to "PPPoE". You will see a place for your ISP's information (username and password) Save the settings on this page once you have input this information....it should be set....Open up another session of your browser...and see if it connects to your home page. If so...you are there. If not...then doublecheck your login information...you may have to call into your ISP to make sure that you don't have to add the domain name to the end of your username or anything.

Have Fun and good luck

Answer 3

Please provide more information. What is the make/model of your DSL modem and what version of windows are you using? (Windows XP, 2000...?)

You can usually do a factory reset of your modem's configuration by pressing a little button with a paperclip on the back of the modem. If you provide to make and model of the modem I can look it up.