If you’re having trouble connecting to your network or getting help from your computer, it might be because of a basic network problem. Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot common network problems.

  1. Check the cables. Make sure all of the cables that connect your computer and the network are working properly. If one cable is out of order, it can cause problems with the rest of the network.
  2. Check your router. Make sure that everything on your router is working properly and that no devices are blocking access to the internet or other parts of the network.
  3. Check your modem/router combo. Make sure that both devices are working properly and that there’s no issue with their connection or settings.
  4. Reset your computer and router if they’ve been frozen for a while or if they’ve been going through different updates without telling you about it (this can sometimes fix problems with networking).

All of the following use the command line interface in Windows which is accessed by typing CMD into the run line in XP or the search field in Vista.  After typing in CMD click OK or hit Enter.

You cannot connect to the network but all your hardware seems to be functioning fine.  You can try pinging your network card to make sure it is functioning by pining local host.  At the prompt type in “ping 127.0.0.1″ Without the quotes.  If you receive a reply 4 times you’re good to go.  If not, then you will want to investigate your NIC (Network Identification Card).

 

An easy way to find out if your communicating to the Internet is to ping a known site such as Google or Yahoo.  Just type in “ping www.yahoo.com” if you receive a reply 4 times your talking to the web.

I will include a lot more useful network troubleshooting tips in the coming weeks.  At this time I would like to completely shift gears and show you an old Telnet movie which has been around for years.  Click Start Run  now type in telnet:towel.blinkenlights.nl

Now sit back and watch a telnet version of Star Wars.