internet access

  • Thread starter Thread starter sf
  • Start date Start date
S

sf

for some reason, my computer at work seems to find an IP
address (different ones each time) and tells me how "fast"
the access is, but I can't seem to actually connect to the
internet via IE or Outlook.

All connections are good, even at the server. What else can
I check?

I'm always confused by connecting via LAN/WAN. Am I using a
modem or not? Could this be the source of my problem or is
something corrupted?

TIA
 
for some reason, my computer at work seems to find an IP
address (different ones each time) and tells me how "fast"
the access is, but I can't seem to actually connect to the
internet via IE or Outlook.

All connections are good, even at the server. What else can
I check?

I'm always confused by connecting via LAN/WAN. Am I using a
modem or not? Could this be the source of my problem or is
something corrupted?

TIA
Click to expand...

L= Local LAN is your local network: computer to computer (nearby, next
room, other side of house, etc). Do not use a firewall on your LAN.

W= Wide WAN is the wide area network; your computer to some computer "out
there" (far away, a wide stretch). Definitely use a firewall on this
connection.

I have no idea what hardware you have on your system but you need to use
some kind of modem or a wireless adapter/router combo to gain internet
access. Check your system documentation or Device Manager for more info
about what hardware is on your computer.
 
L= Local LAN is your local network: computer to computer (nearby, next
room, other side of house, etc). Do not use a firewall on your LAN.

W= Wide WAN is the wide area network; your computer to some computer "out
there" (far away, a wide stretch). Definitely use a firewall on this
connection.

I have no idea what hardware you have on your system but you need to use
some kind of modem or a wireless adapter/router combo to gain internet
access. Check your system documentation or Device Manager for more info
about what hardware is on your computer.
Click to expand...

It's really a WAN, but I don't have an option for WAN in
Connections, so I called it LAN (Microsoft's wording).

Again, what should I be checking? It worked fine, I could
connect to the internet and do anything I wanted. Then
while sitting idle, my computer lost all of its settings - I
had to re-enter the 25 digit code! Now, everything is fine
except I can't access the internet.

That's why I'm asking. There is no virus on it. The
computer hadn't been used for months, I'd just downloaded
and installed all the updates it needed, installed
ZoneAlarm, AVG & AdAware the day before. After I lost the
internet, I downloaded a virus protector onto disk from
another computer and ran it on mine - there is no virus.

IT is very busy, so I'm thinking of just taking it to a
local computer repair shop.... but I don't know what to tell
them to look for. Any ideas?

Why would the computer give me an IP address and tell me the
speed, but not connect to the internet?
 
It's really a WAN, but I don't have an option for WAN in
Connections, so I called it LAN (Microsoft's wording).

Again, what should I be checking? It worked fine, I could
connect to the internet and do anything I wanted. Then
while sitting idle, my computer lost all of its settings - I
had to re-enter the 25 digit code! Now, everything is fine
except I can't access the internet.

That's why I'm asking. There is no virus on it. The
computer hadn't been used for months, I'd just downloaded
and installed all the updates it needed, installed
ZoneAlarm, AVG & AdAware the day before. After I lost the
internet, I downloaded a virus protector onto disk from
another computer and ran it on mine - there is no virus.

IT is very busy, so I'm thinking of just taking it to a
local computer repair shop.... but I don't know what to tell
them to look for. Any ideas?

Why would the computer give me an IP address and tell me the
speed, but not connect to the internet?
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with your work setup. I was just trying to give you a way
to separate "LAN" and "WAN" in your mind for future reference. *L*AN is
*L*ocal networking.

But let's concentrate on your internet connection. Unfortunately it is
difficult to suggest anything without knowing how you are connecting to the
internet.

If the connection is "always on" (DSL, cable, T1, etc) then you need to
talk to IT to find out why you are unable to connect.

If you initiate the connection from your system, is it a direct connection
to the "outside" or do you have to pass through the company's firewall
first? You may end up having to talk to IT here anyhow to get "permission"
to connect outside of the firewall.

Your computer always has an IP number when connected to any network. It may
be a predetermined number or one that is assigned automatically and
randomly.

Speed is reported for any active connection. How do you know that the one
you are seeing is for the internet connection that you're trying to create?

Control Panel> Network Connections shows the list of connections currently
configured for your system. If there is a coworker that can get to the
internet, take a look at their Network Connections window when they have an
active internet connection. See which items are listed as Connected. You
can also look in their Internet Options> Connections panel to see which
connection is designated as their default internet connection.

You can rename the connections in Network Connection to anything that makes
more sense to you. To do so, right click on any of them and select Rename.
 
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