Connecting Windows 2000

 

If your modem is connected to the internet, but your computer is not getting online, you should check the network connection on your computer.

 

First, check your network settings:

 

1. Go to the Start menu, select "Settings", then select "Control Panel."



2. In the "Control Panel" window, double-click on "Network and Dial-up Connections."



3. In the "Network and Dial-up Connections" window, double-click "Local Area Connection."  This could also be labeled something else, such as "Broadband Connection."  If you do not have any network connections, only dial-up, you will want to make sure your Network Interface Card is correctly installed (below).



4. In the "Status" window, click the "Properties" button.



5. In the "Properties" window, in the listing of components, select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and click the "Properties" button.



6. In the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties" window, select "Obtain an IP address automatically."



7. Select "Obtain DNS server address automatically."



8. Click the "Advanced" button.



9. In the "Advanced TCP/IP Settings" window, on the "IP Settings" tab, make sure that "IP Addresses" show "DHCP Enabled."



10. Select the "DNS" tab, and make sure no "DNS server addresses" are listed.



11. Select "Append primary and connection specific DNS suffixes" with a check in the box for "Append parent suffixes of the primary DNS suffix."



12. Select the "WINS" tab, and make sure that no "WINS servers" are listed.



13. Select "Enable LMHOSTS lookup" and "Use NETBIOS setting from the DHCP server," then click the "OK" button.



14. In the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties" window, click the "OK" button.



15. In the "Local Area Connection Properties" window (or other name, if the connection is named something else), click the "OK" button.



16. If you have made any changes, Windows will prompt you to restart.  Once you restart, your computer should be online.

If you do not have any network connections in the "Network and Dial-up Connections" control panel, your Network Interface Card (NIC) may not be installed correctly.  You should verify the status of your NIC:

 

1. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon on your desktop and select "Preferences."



2. In the "Preferences" window, select the "Hardware" tab, then click on the "Device Manager" button.



3. Find "Network Adapters" in the listing, and click the plus sign (+) if one is next to it.



4. You may have several adapters listed - your NIC will likely say "ethernet" or "network" in the description.  Note the name of the NIC, as it is important when getting your computer online.



5. If there is a symbol on the green icon for your NIC, such as !, ? or X, this indicates an error that needs to be corrected.  Right-click on the NIC and see what options are available.  If your NIC is currently disabled, you can select "Enable" and the symbol should disappear.  Otherwise you may need to select "Repair" or "Update driver" to correct any problems with the NIC.



6. If you do not have a NIC, or ethernet card, listed under "Network Adapters", you should check under "Other Devices".  If your NIC is listed there, you will need to reinstall the device drivers for that hardware so it is listed under "Network Adapters" before your computer is working correctly to connect to the cable modem.

If you need to repair, update, or reinstall the driver for your NIC, you will require either your Windows install discs (if the NIC came built-in for your computer), or the install disc that came with the NIC (if the NIC was added later).  If you need help doing this, you should call the tech support department that supports you computer, or the manufacturer of the NIC.

 

Once you have confirmed that your NIC is installed correctly, and your network settings are correct, you can make certain your computer has a connection to the internet:

 

1. Go to your Start menu, and select "Run".



2. Clear anything already in the "Open" line and type cmd, then click "OK."



3. In the DOS window, at whatever prompt is given, type ipconfig and press <Enter>.



4. Check the "IP Address" field.  If the address is 0.0.0.0 or begins 169.254.x.x, then type ipconfig/release then press <Enter>, and at the next prompt type ipconfig/renew then press <Enter>.



5. If the "IP Address" field has an address that begins 192.168.x.x, then either your computer is connected to a router, or your computer is connected directly to the cable modem, but the modem is not online (see Connecting Your Modem).



6. If the "IP Address" field has any other address, then your computer should be connected to the internet.

Still have questions? Please contact us at 1-888-222-5314.