Internet Connection Problems Part 2

In the first part we dealt with the DSL light. In this section we are going discuss another of the modem's lights. This one is labelled Internet or sometimes PPP. Some earlier modems don't unfortunately have an Internet indicator. Now the DSL light tells us that the modem has successfully connected to the local exchange. It doesn't tell us that we actually have an internet connection. The Internet/PPP led does tell us this information.
If the light is on it means that the modem has an internet connection. It may flash from time to time, this just means that there is internet activity.

If the light is not on then this can be one of the following:

• The username/password is wrong. Sometimes a power surge will cause the modem to reset itself. You   can remote onto the modem and check the username/password. 
• There is a problem with the account. I see this quite a few times every few years. A client moves and keeps the same phone number also expecting the ADSL service to follow them. Or they were late paying and the service was disconnected.

If both lights are on and you still can't connect to the internet then the problem will most likely be between the computer and the modem.

Internet Connection Problems Part 1

Probably one of the big three calls I get from prospective clients. The first thing we try to determine is where the internet is failing. The first thing I do is look at the modem lights. The name of the lights can vary but they have similar function.

DSL Light

The first light that we look at is the DSL light. Sometimes it is labeled ADSL. This should be on and solid. When it is on this means that the modem has done all of the handshaking required to connect it to the local exchange. If it is off or flashing, then you have a problem between the modem and the exchange.

The first thing to do is to switch off the modem and leave it disconnected from the power for 5 minutes. Some times a power surge can temporarily scramble the modems brain. Reconnect the modem and see if the  DSL light stays on.

If not then before we hassle the local phone provider we need to check the wiring in the house. Disconnect from the wall all phones, faxes and other devices that are connected via the phone. Also plug the modem straight into the wall bypassing the filter (also called a splitter). If the modem comes on and stays solid then there is a problem with one of the devices on the network. If it doesn't then borrow your neighbour's modem and plug it in. You don't need to load your settings as all we want to do is to see if it creates a solid connection to the phone exchange. If it does then replace the modem, otherwise call your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and get them to get somebody to check the lines.

On the other hand if your modem worked with all other devices disconnected then the problem is in your house. First plug the modem back into the filter (make sure that it is plugged into the ADSL side of the filter). If the modem was plugged straight into the wall don't worry as the phones need the filter not the modem.

If the DSL stays stable then plug in all of the other devices back into the wall one at a time. Ensuring that they are all connected to a filter. When you reach the one that causes the modem to drop out, the first thing to do is to check if it is the filter or the phone. If you don't have a spare (although after a few years most people accumulate a few), then try another one in the house. If it isn't the filter, unfortunately then the phone is for the bin.

Oh and by the way, don't be too surprised if you plug everything back in and it still works. A lot of times the problem is caused by a bad connection.

Cleanning up XP Antivirus 2008

This virus has been popping up a lot lately with a number of variants. Up until my last clean I had been pretty lucky and a combination of a few of my favourite bug killers has cleaned it up and any other nasties that have infested the computer.
The latest one cleaned up okay but it trashed the network connection. The computer would connect for awhile and then give up the ghost.
On the internet I found that there was a problem relating to DHCP address leases and a reboot of the modem/router would fix the problem. I tried this and it did for awhile. The computer would not let me disable the network adapter either.
I rebooted into safe mode and uninstalled the adapter and rebooted into normal Windows and the computer is fine now.

Simple Fix

Sometimes the problems are simple. A customer called and could not connect to the internet. I started the usual by going to Control Panel->Network Connections. I noticed that the network connection was set to disabled. I reenabled the connection and it restarted. It's not often that you can solve a problem in 5 minutes. Although like most customers she got her money's worth with a few "while you are here" items.
The client was around 70 and it warms the heart when she said she could not survive without her Google. This beats hands down my grandmother's generation of watching "Days of Our Lives".