Question about internet access

Question

Hi

I just bought a Dimension E521 and am having Internet problems. It will connect, and stay connected for several minutes, but then it automatically disconnects. Every page comes up "page cannot be displayed." I had the same problem on my old ibm computer (for the last couple of weeks) before I replaced it with a Dell. I already tried calling my ISP but nothing has worked.

Sometimes it tells me that a cable is not plugged into the network adapter Local Area Connection. I use dial-up internet. Is a network cable necessary for my internet to work? If so, where can I purchase one?

Thanks for your time.

Joy

PETER345 · Answer

You don't need a network cable or Ethernet card for dial-up. Those are needed if you have DSL or cable connections.

If you are disconnecting (with a dial-up modem) there are several possible problems:

1. You phone line is noisy causing the connection to be lost
2. A modem on either end is defective and disconnecting when it shouldn't
3. You Internet connection is set to disconnect after a timeout. You can check this in the properties for the connection under Options/Idle Time before hanging up.

If the problem is not #3, try a different phone line if you have access.
Try calling another number if you can and see if that helps.

Peter

angeljoy · Answer

Thanks, Peter. I'll look into what you suggested. :smileyhappy: Joy

Canufixit · Answer

Hi,   I agree with Peter - and I'll add a few comments ....   You stated that this happed 'Before' you change to a new machine ....  I think this is key.   As Peter stated - it might be that your line quality degraded - before- you used the new machine.    You can call yout telephone to have them check the line - but they will only check it 'to' you home - not the interior wiring (in most cases).     Also,  Did you change anything in the house ???   Add / change a phone??  Change a extension cable?  Add another computer / modem to the line (besides you new one?).      I'd also disconnect EVERYTING on the phone line besides the new computer - be sure your ext cable to the new system is < 6' and it's a know good cable ....   Good Luck !!

angeljoy · Answer

Thanks for your comments, canufixit. My internet just started working out of the blue one day, but now it's giving me trouble again. The only thing I can think of is that we have been having phone problems in my neighborhood. I know for a fact one of my neighbors is also having dial-up problems. At any rate, we have called the telephone company several times and each time, we are assured the problem will be fixed, but so far it hasn't. Can phone line problems affect the internet? I mean, my internet will connect, (most of the time) but none of the pages will come up. We only have one phone line and I can't think of anything else that might have been changed that would affect it. Thanks.

PETER345 · Answer

@angeljoy wrote:

Can phone line problems affect the internet? I mean, my internet will connect, (most of the time) but none of the pages will come up.

We only have one phone line and I can't think of anything else that might have been changed that would affect it.

Thanks.

Absolutely! A bad phone line is annoying for voice communication, but is a disaster for digital communication.

I had a DSL connection that would fail periodically. When it failed, I picked up the line and I could hear "scratching". That noise caused my DSL connection to drop.

Peter

angeljoy · Answer

Thank you to all who responded. The phone line has been repaired, and my internet is working. I appreciate all the help. :smileyhappy:

PETER345 · Answer

Glad you got it resolved. Peter

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Question about internet access

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