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Although you don’t say for sure, I’m assuming you’re getting a message like: “Local Area Connection: A network cable is unplugged.” I’m not going to insult you by asking that you double check your connections and the ports they are in. Do you have any other computers that can access the Internet in your house? You are basically trying to decide whether this is a cable problem, a router or modem problem or an ISP problem. This is a fairly common computer error that has several possible causes and cures:

1. It could be that your router just needs to be rebooted. Unplug the router, let it sit for a few minutes and then plug it back in. If it still isn’t working, try unplugging the modem and the router and then plugging them back in. This will reset the router and in a lot of cases will solve the unplugged cable problem.
2. Reset the router back to the factory settings. For most routers, there is a reset switch on the back of the unit. You will need to insert a straightened paper clip in the tiny hole marked “reset”. Hold it down for ten to fifteen seconds and then remove it. The unit should reboot on its own and when the lights have started blinking it should be ready. If you have changed the password, that will be lost and you will have to do it again. You can also connect the computer directly to the modem to see if you can get access that way.
3. If it’s not the router, there is a chance it is a cable problem. If this is a new connection, make sure that you have the right type of cable. Using a crossover cable rather than a straight connection can give you errors. If it’s an easy cable to replace, get a different cable and see if it works.
4. You could have a problem with your network card, particularly if there has been a storm or a power outage in your area recently. Uninstall and reinstall your network card if you suspect that the problem might be here. If that doesn’t work, replacing the network card is a pretty cheap and easy thing to try.
5. Using the Device Manager, change the link speed to “100Mbps Full Duplex” or “10 Mbps Full Duplex” instead of “Auto Detect”.
6. Switch your Web Client to manual. Go to Start, then Control Panel. Click on Administrative Tools, then Services then click on WebClient. Click Stop and then right click to switch to manual.

Because so many things can cause this problem, you are going to have to do some trial and error troubleshooting. If none of these solutions solves the problem, you may want to contact a remote support technician/expert at www.filetonic.com/support.

 How frustrating it is when problems occur with our computers, even more so when we cannot connect to the Internet. When Internet Explorer does not work, several reasons can lie behind the problem. It might not be instantaneous, but it is usually possible to locate the reason behind the trouble. Finding the cause will lead to a solution and a working Internet Explorer again. Follow the strategies here until you get to one that fixes the problem for you.

If you are referring to blocked websites, then you need to change the security level setting for your browsing activity. You will need to lower the browsing security level in order to allow certain websites from being blocked. However, you should realize that this also puts your computer at risk for suspicious websites that might attempt to install some type of malware such as spyware, a virus, or adware.

To lower the security level, complete the following strategy as described. Complete the following path: Click Start→ Click to open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Security→ Click Internet. Beneath the security level, you should see a slider. Move this to a lower setting. If the slider is not visible, then you need to click on the default level button and move the slider to the moderate or lower level. The other option you have is to keep the setting at high and to add the websites that you are trying to visit to your trusted websites.

Now, if you meant that Internet Explorer itself seems to be blocked form working, you can troubleshoot with the following strategies. If the above option worked for your problem, you can simply ignore these.

Since specific spyware can disable your Internet Explorer, the first step is to run an anti-spyware application. If you already have such a program, try running it to see if solves the issue. If you don’t have one or would like to try something different, consider getting XoftSpySE from ParetoLogic XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware. This application effectively removes a wide variety of malware. You can also try Spybot, another anti-spyware application.

If you can get the Internet Explorer window to open but cannot connect to the Internet, try resetting its settings. Follow these directions that will reset it back to its default settings. This strategy does not remove your favorites, so no worries on that end. First, close all running programs before you begin.

Complete the following path: Click Start→ Click to open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Advanced→ Click Reset→ Click Reset again→ Click Close→ Click ok. Close Internet Explorer and reopen it so that the changes take effect. If this hasn’t worked, it is time to move on.

If your version of Internet Explorer still is not working, disable add ons to see if perhaps there is a compatibility issue. To do this, right click on the Internet Explorer icon and click “start without add ons”. You can also accomplish this by following this path: Complete the following path: Click Start→ Click All Programs→ Click Accessories→ Click System Tools→ Click Internet Explorer (no add ons). If this works and Internet Explorer works, go to the Add on Manager and disable all add ons. You will still be able to turn each add on back on as you need them. This way, if you turn one on and Internet Explorer stops working, you will know which add on created the problem.

Finally, it’s possible that your employer or someone else (such as a parent of teenagers) has restricted certain classes of Web sites or Internet access in general.

How to Setup a Local Area Network in your Home or Office

A local area network (LAN) is used to connect computers or devices to each other and to the Internet. It is usually used for computers that are located near each other in the same building. While it is not difficult to set up a network, it takes a little preparation.

• First, decide whether you want a wired network or a wireless network. In the past, most homes have had wired networks, but new technology has made wireless access easy and affordable. Ethernet networks use special cables to transfer information between computers and devices. HPNA networks use the existing telephone lines in your home or office to send information between computers. If you want to use the Internet from your laptop while you are lounging in your backyard hammock, opt for a wireless network.

You need to get some hardware in order to set up the network:

•  Your computers will be connected using Network Interface Cards (NICs) that can either be plugged into the USB port on the computer or in an available Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) expansion slot that is installed in the computer itself.
• You will need a hub or a switch that will connect the computers to an Ethernet network. A switch is faster than a hub for accessing information.
• A router or an access point will connect your network to the Internet and allow you to share one connection for several computers. You will need a wireless router or access point for wireless networking.
• You will need a modem to connect to the Internet, either over telephone lines or cables.
• Cables are needed if you are setting up an Ethernet or dial up network to connect the devices and to the Internet. If you are going wireless, you will need a wireless network adapter, but you will not need cables.
• Install the hardware. You don’t have to have an Internet connection to set up a network, but most people want to use their network to access the Internet.

If you want Internet connection, you can get two types from your Internet Service Provider (ISP):

• Dial up, which is accessed through a standard phone line. It is slower, but is less expensive.
• Broadband, which is either cable or a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).

After you have set up your internet service, Windows has easy access to a Connect to the Internet wizard which is on the Control Panel.

• Connect the cables and plug them into the jacks, depending on whether you are using a dial-up, Ethernet or wireless system.
• Turn on all of the computers, printers and other devices you want on your network. If you are running Ethernet or dial-up, your devices should be networked and ready to use.
• If you are networking wirelessly, you can run the Set Up Wizard in Windows on the computer that is attached to the router. Click on Start, then Control Panel, then Network and Internet. Click on the Network & Sharing Center. On the left, click on Set Up a Connection or Network then Click on Set Up a Wireless Router or Access Point. The wizard should walk you through the rest of the set up.
• If you want to share files and printers between computers, you need to be sure that your network location is set to Private. You also need to be sure that file sharing, printer sharing and network discovery are turned on.

 I have a favorite story about a similar problem. It has to do with a two-year-old who loves pushing buttons. He regularly slides the tiny slider that turns my wireless adapter on and off. Whenever I can’t connect, that’s now the first thing I check. So, do me a favor and double check the switch or button on your laptop that turns your wireless on and off.

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s try to isolate the problem. I want you to shut everything down: the laptop, DSL or cable modem, wireless router, and so on. Go have a beer or something and let them sit for ten to twenty minutes. I’m serious. Sometimes these finicky components need to reset themselves.

Come back and plug in the modem (if any) first, letting it fully boot up with all lights lit. Next, do the same with the wireless router. Finally, boot up your Vaio laptop. Do not connect the yellow cable. Once everything’s up and running, see if your laptop connects to the network or not. If so, then the entire system just needed to refresh.

If not, let’s move on. If you have Windows XP, download Microsoft’s Wireless Networking Troubleshooter tool which can help you diagnose and troubleshoot wireless problems. If you have Windows Vista, a built-in networking diagnostics tool is available in the Networking and Sharing Center. Go to Start> Network > Network and Sharing and then click on Diagnose and Repair. These two tools may provide you with the answers you need.

While in the Network and Sharing Center, right-click your home network icon and choose Properties. Make sure that there’s a check mark in the box that says, “Connect automatically when this network is in range.” Try to connect to the network.

Next, let’s check to be sure the wireless adapter is functioning properly. Go to the Control Panel and find the Device Manager. If you have Windows XP, it will be under the System icon; if you have Windows Vista, it is its own category. Find Network Adapters in the list and click the plus sign to expand it. Any “yellow yield sign” icons on the wireless adapter? If so, there’s your problem. Double click the wireless adapter and see what the error message says under Device Status.

If it’s working properly, I wouldn’t mess with anything here with one exception. I want you to check to see what’s under Power Management. Remove the check mark in “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” and see if that has any effect. It’s possible that the Power Manager is cutting off the device.   

The wireless router may have restrictions that are blocking your wireless adapter as well. Get out your router’s manual and log into the router’s interface (usually you enter a standard IP address into a web browser) and explore the settings to see if anything appears amiss.

There are so many possibilities involved that trial and error will be necessary. You might consider using a tech support service that can remotely check your computer on your behalf such as http://www.supportsave.com/ .

 I agree, it doesn’t make sense to move the everything around when your computers should certainly be able to talk to each other and print on the network.

First, I’m going to give you some homework. Read this Microsoft TechNet article  which addresses network connectivity between Windows XP and Vista machines so that both computers can see each other on the network. Then read this Microsoft TechNet article which addresses Vista file and printer sharing in general.

You will need to ensure that the Windows XP machine has the Link Layer Topology Discovery Protocol installed on it. A link to the download is included in the first TechNet article. This should allow XP and Vista to both show up on the network map. Once you’ve created a new network map as the article advices, check to be sure that the printer is shared on the Vista machine. Go to Start, Network, Network and Sharing Center, and make sure that Network Discover and Printer Sharing are both turned on.

Next, go back to Network and then find the Vista computer, double click it so that you can see the printer. Now, right-click the printer and choose Properties. Click Share this Printer and give it a memorable name. Click the Drivers button because you will need to install printer drivers for Windows XP so that the XP machine has everything it needs to communicate with the printer.

Now, write down the name of your computer and printer in the following format for future reference:

\\computername\printer name

If you ever need to configure a port to print to, this is the network path to the printer.

Now, on the XP machine, see if you can find the printer and print to it. If not, you will need to add it. Go to the Control Panel>Printers and choose Add a Printer. Choose the option for network printer and follow the prompts. The XP machine should be able to detect it.

If this doesn’t work, go back to the Vista machine and right click the printer (in Network) and choose properties. Check under the Security tab to be sure that “Everyone” has permission to print to the printer.

I realize you’ve checked all of the settings, so I’m hoping that the LLTD protocol update on the XP machine will get you what you need.

Just because you have a wireless network, it doesn’t mean that you can automatically “see” the other computers on it. First, computers must be set up in such a way so that they are visible to others on the network. In addition, the wireless profile that the computer is using may be set to hide the computer from view to others on the network, particularly if the computer is using a public wireless hotspot.

First, if you want to make all of the computers on your home network visible to each other, you will need to go into the Network and Sharing Center and make a few adjustments. First, make sure that Network Discovery is turned on. This option makes sure that you can see other computers on the network and that other computers can see your computer on the network. In addition, it allows you to access the shared resources of other computers.

If Network Discovery is turned on, click on the “View computers and devices” link under Tasks to see if you can see the other computers. You may need to turn on Network Discovery for the other computers as well.

Still can’t see the computers on your network? Check to see what “Network Location” the various computers are using. For example, if one of the computers on your network location is set to “public,” then you will not be able to see it. This is by design. After all, if you are at a public Wi-Fi hotspot such as a library or coffee house, would you want everyone else using the hotspot to be able to see your computer and explore its files?

You can double check what network location you are using by opening Windows Firewall which will display this information. To change the network location, go back into the Network and Sharing Center and click the link labeled “Customize.” Click either Public or Private depending on your security needs at the time.

Once you have set up all computers with the correct Network Discovery and network locations, you should now be able to see the other computers on the network. Other settings to consider are whether or not to use public folders on the network and if you want to allow the other computers to browse the files of the hard drive. A good compromise involves sharing your files only to users who have a user account and password.