There are two major categories for Internet access: DSL/Cable and Dial-up.

This tutorial will cover DSL/Cable Internet connections. PERFORM THESE STEPS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Method 1

1. Reboot your computer and continuously keep hitting the F8 key. Windows will then prompt you with a list of selections. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking”.
2. Log-in Administrator
3. Select yes at the window prompt
4. Open an Internet browser to test your Internet.
5. If it works that says that it’s not a hardware problem but a software problem.
6. Reboot and log in normally

Method 2

1. Make sure your modem is plugged in, your modem is connected to your computer via an Ethernet cable, and your computer is on.
2. In Both Windows Vista/XP first go to start -> right-click ‘Computer’ -> properties -> hardware -> device manager -> Network Adapters.
3. Make sure that a RED ‘X’ is not hovering over the device icon. If it is then right-click on the adapter and select ‘enable’.
4. Open an Internet browser to test the connection.
5. If the connection still doesn’t work, go on to the next section

Method 3

1. Try turning off your firewall temporarily.
2. Open up your anti-virus or anti-spyware software and disable your firewall.
3. The easier way to do this without much instruction is to right-click the icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen and select ‘Exit’. This will shutdown your software that protects you.
4. Now open up an Internet browser.
5. If your connection did not work then it is very possible that you have a virus/spyware application that is blocking you from the Internet.
6. Start up your software that we just shutdown and run an update then a full scan of your computer. Remove all security threats, viruses, and spyware.
7. Open up an Internet Browser

Method 4

1. Go to start -> run -> type ‘cmd’ to open a command prompt.
2. Type ‘ipconfig /flushdns’ and press enter.
3. Then type ‘ipconfig /release’ and press enter.
4. Then type ‘ipconfig /renew’ and press enter.
5. Open up an Internet Browser to test your connection.
6. If it fails go to step 7
7. In the command prompt window type ‘netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt’
8. Then press enter
9. If you’re prompted to reboot, then do so.
10. If this fails, go to step 11
11. Go to start -> run -> type ‘cmd’ to open a command prompt
12. Type ‘netsh winsock reset’
13. If this last step does not work for you then it is recommended that you may want to take your computer into a computer repair shop to have an expert take a look.

Method 5

1. Call your Internet Service Provider to confirm that your internet service is active on their end.