Can't get internet on an old computer.Help please.

xxdeebeexx

Hi I have got an old compaq computer from freecycle and I am trying to connect it to the internet, I am using talktalk broadband and have a Linksys and/or netgear router.

There is an ethernet port and a small telephone cable port. I have tried every way to connect but, nothing is happening. When I connect the telephone cable directly to the computer, I can hear dialing and, a computer voice giving some sort of instruction, but no connection. When I connect the ethernet cable and run the talktalk set up cd, it claims that no ethernet port is availabe.

I wonder if it needs one of the old original modems that connect via usb.

Any thoughts on what I could try next?

TIA

Dx

espresso

You don't need to run any set-up CD. Simply connect the Ethernet port on the PC to an Ethernet port on the router. It is possible that the Ethernet port on the PC needs to be enabled.

Simples

xxdeebeexx

espresso wrote: »

You don't need to run any set-up CD. Simply connect the Ethernet port on the PC to an Ethernet port on the router. It is possible that the Ethernet port on the PC needs to be enabled.

Simples

Ah ha ! How do yo enable the Ethernet port ?

Thanks

Dx

espresso

Try Start, Settings, Network Connections, Local Area Connection, Properties, Configure.

xxdeebeexx

espresso wrote: »

Try Start, Settings, Network Connections, Local Area Connection, Properties, Configure.

Thank you! I should have asked on here first, before I packed it all away, defeated!

I will give it another go later.

Thanks

Dx

spannerzone

Just an ethernet cable between the PC and the router is all that's required... definitely no analogue phone modem cable is required or any real setup.... assuming the network connector is working correctly on the PC.

You might need to ensure that 'never dial a connection' is selected in 'Internet Properties' <link>

Finally, if it's a second hand PC then I'd suggest you immedietly install up to date antivirus and antispyware and run some checks to ensure there are no nasty viruses on it before you start shopping/banking/logging into sites!

xxdeebeexx

spannerzone wrote: »

Just an ethernet cable between the PC and the router is all that's required... definitely no analogue phone modem cable is required or any real setup.... assuming the network connector is working correctly on the PC.

You might need to ensure that 'never dial a connection' is selected in 'Internet Properties' <link>

Finally, if it's a second hand PC then I'd suggest you immedietly install up to date antivirus and antispyware and run some checks to ensure there are no nasty viruses on it before you start shopping/banking/logging into sites!

Thank you. I will let you know how I get on!

Dx

TimothyEBaldwin

Whilst the dafault settings on any computer from this century will be suitable, it may be older or not left set to the default by the previous owner.

Specifically TCP/IP (version 4) will need to be enabled for the Ethernet interface, and set to obtain addresses automatically (or suitable addresses manually entered).

If I got a secondhand computer I would reinstall the operating system so that I could be sure everything is set to the defaults.

macman

Check in Device Manager if the ethernet port is showing up. Usually they have a little green light on the port itself which comes on when you plug the cable in. Might just need the drivers reinstalling.
If nothing, then the PCI card could be loose in it's slot, or the card may have failed. If so, it's a 5 minute job to reseat or replace it it, and a new card should cost little more than a fiver.

prowla

As above, there is no need to connect to the phone line (that is way outdated), and an Ethernet connection to your router should work straight from powering on (assuming the Ethernet is set up right) and you should see a light on the compter's card to show there is a physical connection.

Has the Talk Talk internet ever worked for you, or is this a first-time setup?

When you've got things connected, run a command prompt (Start->Run/search->cmd should pop up a little black window), and type in the command ipconfig; there should be a load of output and somewhere within it a line saying "IPv4 Address . . . 192.168.something".
If you see that then your machine has connected to the router and has received the IP address it needs.
If you don't see that, then it's more involved to get things working.

xxdeebeexx

Thank. I discovered that there were no drivers for the ethernet port. I tried to locate them on the computer, then the windows disc and finally had to download some from the internet. Hey presto everything works well. I am now downloading the latest windows updates having installed Avast and now wondering what firewall to use. Any suggestions would be fab.

Thanks again

Dx