Tech Tip: How to fix internet connection problems

Everyone who uses the internet experiences connection problems from time to time. The "Cannot display the web page" message in Internet Explorer, or the "Server not found" message in Firefox, or the "Ooops!" message in Google Chrome are familiar but unwanted sights. In each case, you're going nowhere on the web. Sometimes the connection problem is caused by hardware issues: a computer adapter malfunction, a modem or router that has finally burned out, or a broken wire or loose cable. Very often, however, there are software issues that cause the connection problem. Many of these issues can be addressed with just a little bit of technical know-how. This series of how-tos is designed to help you try some of the most common software fixes for internet connection problems. The series includes:

1. How to find a Wireless Access Point before launching a browser
2. How to make sure your network adapter is working and has a software driver
3. How to clear the Proxy Server setting in Internet Explorer
4. How to reset static IP addresses to dynamic IP addresses
5. How to clean out the Windows Hosts file if malware has tampered with it

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: How to manually troubleshoot your Network Connection for Vista or Windows 7

If your computer is having issues with getting on the internet, you may have to reset your IP configuration. Your computer may have an issue renewing its IP address from your router. Below is a guide to manually do this procedure.

1. Open a command prompt using one of the following methods:

• From the start menu, enter "CMD.EXE" (without the quotes) in the search box and press enter.
• From the start menu, select "Run". Enter CMD.EXE in the "Open:" box, and click OK
• From the start menu, select All programs, Accessories, and then click on "Command Prompt"

2. In the Command Prompt window, enter "ipconfig/all" (without the quotes) and press enter. This will display all of your network connection's configurations. You can use the scroll bar to move through the list if you have several logical and physical network adapters. Verify that you do not have a "media disconnected" error for your Ethernet Adapter connection. (If so, check that all cables are connected and that your router or network switch shows activity for your connections.)

3. In the Command Prompt window, enter "ipconfig/release" and press enter. This command will release your computer's current IP address.
4. In the Command Prompt window, enter "ipconfig/renew" and press enter. This command will ask your router for a new IP address using DHCP protocol

If this is the only issue, you should now have access to the internet. If you still have issues connecting to a web site, you may need to check your Internet Options.

1. To do this from Internet Explorer, click Tools and select Internet Options. From the Control Panel, click on Internet Options if you display controls in an icon view, or click "Network and
   Internet" from the category view, and then click "Internet Options" to open the Internet Properties window.
2. Select the "Connections" tab, and click on "LAN Settings"

3. Check to see if "Automatically detect settings" is the only option checked. If it does not have a check mark, add one by clicking in the box. Make sure that "Use a Proxy Server" is unchecked. (Some malicious software will turn this on to control or limit your Internet access to convince you to pay to fix it.)

4. Click OK and apply settings. Refresh the page in your web browser to test if the problem is fixed.

These are the most common fixes for internet connectivity.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.