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I couldn't connect to the internet with my talk talk router. I contacted tham and they sent me a new router. Again I couldn't connect, even with their technical support.
They have advised me to buy a new newwork card.
Could someone tell me what this is , and what it does. Will this sort out my problem?
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Installing a new router
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#2
ARock84 
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Posted 12 February 2009 - 06:46 AM
Hi And welcome
Ok first off I take this is a wireless router?
Try and hook directley into the router with an etherent cable from your network card on your computer to one of the routers LAN ports and see if yiu get connectivy this way.
Try this and let me know if it works.
Ok first off I take this is a wireless router?
Try and hook directley into the router with an etherent cable from your network card on your computer to one of the routers LAN ports and see if yiu get connectivy this way.
Try this and let me know if it works.
#3
CarolB
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Posted 12 February 2009 - 07:01 AM
Thank for the advise but this has already been tried. Still cannot connect. Talk Talk even tried to connect me manually through the internet and it didn't work. That is why they said to buy another network card.
#4
CarolB
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Posted 12 February 2009 - 07:08 AM
Thank for the advise but this has already been tried. Still cannot connect. Talk Talk even tried to connect me manually through the internet and it didn't work. That is why they said to buy another network card. That takes us back to my original question
#5
rgreen4
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Posted 12 February 2009 - 07:08 AM
First, Welcome to the PC World community. I have a few questions about your situation.
What is a "talk talk" router. Can you provide the brand and model number?
Sometimes these systems need to be reset. My requires it once every couple of months. You do this by unplugging both the modem and router. Leave them off for about a minute, and then plug the modem back in. The power light will come on first (mine comes on first as red, then changes to green once the start up is finished), then the DSL light should come on. If you have an ethernet (more about this later) connection to a router, then the ethernet light will come on. The activity light will only blink or flicker with activity. If you connect the modem with a USB cable, that lite will be on rather than the ethernet light.
Most home networks are configured in a similar manner. If one has only one PC, it generally is connected directly to the "modem" via an ethernet cable. This looks like a phone cord on steroids. The wire is much thicker and the modular ends (RJ45) are similar to those of a telephone (RJ11), but thicker and wider. (I put "modem" in quotes, because the term actually means modulate and demodulate, something a cable or DSL modem does not actually do).
Then when a second computer enters the picture there is a desire to share files and the internet connection. A modem is then necessary to set up this network. Most modems today are a mixed type in that there are wired ports and a wireless capability.
Most technicians will have you test the router initially by taking it out of the circuit. You do this by connecting the computer directly to the modem with the ethernet cable. If you then have an internet connection, you know your network "card" is working. I put card in quotes here, because most computers today have the network (or ethernet as both in this case the terms are interchangeable) connection on the motherboard. You will find it in among the USB, Firewire, and other connections on the back panel of a desktop, and either one side or back of a laptop. Before they built the connection in, you had to physically buy a separate add in card and install it in one of the expansion slots. These cards are still available for those who need a second connection.
If you are connected directly but cannot connect to the internet, there may be one of several causes. If you have a second machine, try it. If it connects, then it is the ethernet connection of the first computer. If you cannot connect then, it most likely is your modem. Most have a series of lights, Mine has 5 lights on the front. Power, Ethernet, DLS, USB and Activity. When I first plug it in, the power light is red, and then when it has done it's diagnostics, it turns green. If it had a connection to the phone system, the DSL light is green. If it finds an ethernet connection to a computer or router, the ethernet light is green. If it finds a USB connection to the computer, the USB light is green (mine is off) and the activity light flickers with activity.
Please post back the results of your testing.
What is a "talk talk" router. Can you provide the brand and model number?
Sometimes these systems need to be reset. My requires it once every couple of months. You do this by unplugging both the modem and router. Leave them off for about a minute, and then plug the modem back in. The power light will come on first (mine comes on first as red, then changes to green once the start up is finished), then the DSL light should come on. If you have an ethernet (more about this later) connection to a router, then the ethernet light will come on. The activity light will only blink or flicker with activity. If you connect the modem with a USB cable, that lite will be on rather than the ethernet light.
Most home networks are configured in a similar manner. If one has only one PC, it generally is connected directly to the "modem" via an ethernet cable. This looks like a phone cord on steroids. The wire is much thicker and the modular ends (RJ45) are similar to those of a telephone (RJ11), but thicker and wider. (I put "modem" in quotes, because the term actually means modulate and demodulate, something a cable or DSL modem does not actually do).
Then when a second computer enters the picture there is a desire to share files and the internet connection. A modem is then necessary to set up this network. Most modems today are a mixed type in that there are wired ports and a wireless capability.
Most technicians will have you test the router initially by taking it out of the circuit. You do this by connecting the computer directly to the modem with the ethernet cable. If you then have an internet connection, you know your network "card" is working. I put card in quotes here, because most computers today have the network (or ethernet as both in this case the terms are interchangeable) connection on the motherboard. You will find it in among the USB, Firewire, and other connections on the back panel of a desktop, and either one side or back of a laptop. Before they built the connection in, you had to physically buy a separate add in card and install it in one of the expansion slots. These cards are still available for those who need a second connection.
If you are connected directly but cannot connect to the internet, there may be one of several causes. If you have a second machine, try it. If it connects, then it is the ethernet connection of the first computer. If you cannot connect then, it most likely is your modem. Most have a series of lights, Mine has 5 lights on the front. Power, Ethernet, DLS, USB and Activity. When I first plug it in, the power light is red, and then when it has done it's diagnostics, it turns green. If it had a connection to the phone system, the DSL light is green. If it finds an ethernet connection to a computer or router, the ethernet light is green. If it finds a USB connection to the computer, the USB light is green (mine is off) and the activity light flickers with activity.
Please post back the results of your testing.
#7
ARock84
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Posted 12 February 2009 - 07:16 AM
Im not positive that this will work since it is a brand new router and should have no bugs... What Rgreen has posted does work, and works very well, but is donw after a network has been up for a long time.
There should also be a rest button on your router that you can hold down and restore factory defaults. I would try this and what rgreen has said and see if this will make a change.
There should also be a rest button on your router that you can hold down and restore factory defaults. I would try this and what rgreen has said and see if this will make a change.
#10
mphenterprises
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Posted 13 February 2009 - 05:12 AM
CarolB said:
I will visit my local PC World on saturday and ask them for help.
Hi Carol and welcome to the PCWorld Communities. :D
Just to prevent any confusion, I would gather you are in the UK, correct? Please note that this PCWorld is not affiliated with PCWorld the store. If you do go to PCWorld the store, they will have no idea about this Discussion or the assistance you have been provided up till this point. You may want to print this Discussion out and take it with you when you go to the store so that the person you speak to can know what you have tried so far.
#12
rgreen4
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Posted 13 February 2009 - 06:20 AM
CarolB - I have a feeling what you are calling the router is actually either a stand alone modem or a combined modem with router. I take it your internet is over the phone line, not a cable connection.
When you go into PC World, you will probably be well advised to take your machine. If I recall from other postings, they have technicians in their store and they can test the ethernet port on your PC.
I do have one last question, you say you cannot connect to the internet, so how are you posting to us?
When you go into PC World, you will probably be well advised to take your machine. If I recall from other postings, they have technicians in their store and they can test the ethernet port on your PC.
I do have one last question, you say you cannot connect to the internet, so how are you posting to us?
#13
CarolB
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Posted 13 February 2009 - 07:29 AM
Hi rgreen4
I will try to answer some of your questions.
The (router) is a stand alone modem sent with the installation CD from my telephone provider to enable me to use broadband through my telephone line. The first router they sent me was O K until last week when I couldn't get onto the internet. Phoneing their help desk was not much help only they sent me a new router and CD. This does not work so HEY HO I am back to square one.
I am able to communicate with you all by logging on to my talk talk accounts on my PC at work.
Hope to sort this out at the weekend and I will let you know on Monday.
Have a nice weekend.
CarolB
I will try to answer some of your questions.
The (router) is a stand alone modem sent with the installation CD from my telephone provider to enable me to use broadband through my telephone line. The first router they sent me was O K until last week when I couldn't get onto the internet. Phoneing their help desk was not much help only they sent me a new router and CD. This does not work so HEY HO I am back to square one.
I am able to communicate with you all by logging on to my talk talk accounts on my PC at work.
Hope to sort this out at the weekend and I will let you know on Monday.
Have a nice weekend.
CarolB
#14
rgreen4
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Posted 13 February 2009 - 09:36 AM
CarolB - to quote a famous move line, "what we have here is a failure to communicate". Most of the time, the router and the modem are two completely separate pieces of equipment. The modem is what you use to connect your PC to the internet, either though a dial up phone line, a DSL phone connection or a cable connection. Those are three different types of modems, but are NOT routers.
A router can be wired or wireless and is used to connect multiple PC, printers and other devices to a network. It is called a router because it routes the signal between these devices so they can communicate with one another. But, to connect to the outside world, the router must be connected to the modem. There are a few cable modem/router combinations available primarily to allow wireless connection to a laptop.
We have been assuming to this point that you are on a wired desktop because the phone company tech has said that your ethernet card is bad. He may be correct. You have tried two different modems and neither has worked for you. You have not confimed where the cable from the modem connects to your computer. On the back of the computer, there are a number (usually 7) vertical slots for expansion cards. There is also a panel with a number on connections (mouse, keyboard, printer and monitor) and among them is usually the ethernet port for the cable from the modem. If it is not there, it will be in one of the vertical slots.
If the connection in on among all the rest on the back panel (it would have helped if you had given us make and model of your PC), then it is an integrated connection. If it is among the vertical slots, then it is on an add in expansion card.
One thing you can check for is if there is an error marker in the device manager listing. To get there in XP, click on Start -> Control Panel -> Performance & Maintenance -> System. In the properties dialog box that opens, click on the hardware tab and then device manager. To get there in Vista, click on Start -> Control Panel -> System and Maintenance then toward the bottom of the menu box, under the heading Device Manager click on "View Hardware and Devices. The listing are almost identical and look like this:
(Click on the image to enlarge and sharpen it.)
You are looking for a question mark or an exclamation point in a yellow circle. Clicking on the plus in front of the Network adapter (the ethernet port is a network adapter) will list the details of each card as to make and model. Right click on that description will open up a dialog box that will tell you if it is operating or not.
Please post back the results.
A router can be wired or wireless and is used to connect multiple PC, printers and other devices to a network. It is called a router because it routes the signal between these devices so they can communicate with one another. But, to connect to the outside world, the router must be connected to the modem. There are a few cable modem/router combinations available primarily to allow wireless connection to a laptop.
We have been assuming to this point that you are on a wired desktop because the phone company tech has said that your ethernet card is bad. He may be correct. You have tried two different modems and neither has worked for you. You have not confimed where the cable from the modem connects to your computer. On the back of the computer, there are a number (usually 7) vertical slots for expansion cards. There is also a panel with a number on connections (mouse, keyboard, printer and monitor) and among them is usually the ethernet port for the cable from the modem. If it is not there, it will be in one of the vertical slots.
If the connection in on among all the rest on the back panel (it would have helped if you had given us make and model of your PC), then it is an integrated connection. If it is among the vertical slots, then it is on an add in expansion card.
One thing you can check for is if there is an error marker in the device manager listing. To get there in XP, click on Start -> Control Panel -> Performance & Maintenance -> System. In the properties dialog box that opens, click on the hardware tab and then device manager. To get there in Vista, click on Start -> Control Panel -> System and Maintenance then toward the bottom of the menu box, under the heading Device Manager click on "View Hardware and Devices. The listing are almost identical and look like this:
(Click on the image to enlarge and sharpen it.)
You are looking for a question mark or an exclamation point in a yellow circle. Clicking on the plus in front of the Network adapter (the ethernet port is a network adapter) will list the details of each card as to make and model. Right click on that description will open up a dialog box that will tell you if it is operating or not.
Please post back the results.
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