clement

I use Win98SE on an HP computer. I tried to connect this computer to the internet with both IE and Firefox 2.0.0.1 Both produce the error message "Server not found".
My DSL provider Verizon helped me troubleshoot the problem and concluded my computer is not connecting with my brouser. Can anyone please give me a clue to get on the road to connecting my computer to the brouser?

OldGrayGary

Hi clement


If you are a new Verizon DSL customer, you should be able to schedule a visit by one of their techs to set things up for you. Depending on what DSL modem model you have, and whether it includes built-in router, firewall, and wireless capabilities, there are a fair number of technical settings that have to be taken care of.

They know these settings better than anyone else & should be your first source of information. Certainly, they should be able to talk you through any browser settings necessary for their connections.

QuickFix Try:
If you are lucky enough that all your hardware is configured correctly already, you can try making a change in IE that might help:
1) Go to Start - then Settings - then Control Panel - then Internet Options
2) In the Connections tab, click on the LAN Settiings option button
3) Place a checkmark in the box Automatically Detect Settings
4) Click on OK -- and then close IE if it was open, and then open IE again.
See if that helps you connect.

Best of luck & Happy New Year
. . . Gary

clement

Hi Gary,
The computer in question is my 2nd one, my other one works fine off the same Verizon Westell 327 DSL modem. Verizon informed me trouble is between my browser and computer after extensive tests but would go no further. The QuickFix in Internet Options did not work.

Sincerely, Clement

OldGrayGary

Hi again


The reason I suggested calling them about how each PC needs to be setup is that there are so many different ways Verizon could set things up, each depending on what mix of hardware and software is involved. The answer that they gave you = a problem with your browser or PC = is entirely unhelpful and vague. It rather sounds like one of the less-well-trained techs. You might have better luck if you asked to advance your "trouble-ticket" (each customer is usually given a number for their question) to the next-level tech.

That said, you could try a few things yourself, but we'll need to know how you are trying to connect.

1) On your 1st computer (the one that connects OK), do you connect wirelessly, or with an ethernet cable attached to your PC?
2) On your 2nd computer, have you tried connecting with an ethernet cable? Did you try connecting wirelessly?
3) Is the Westel modem/router the only device connecting PCs to the Internet? (there are no other repeaters, switches, or bridges involved?)


I glanced at the Westel 327w dsl modem/router specs, and it appears to have built-in router capabilities (it is a DSL Modem & Router all-in-one). If you are connecting wirelessly: a) the adapters must have the correct security settings (if WEP, WPA, or WPA2 encryption is in use) b) the adapters must be of compatible types c) if the Westel 327w's firewall is setup to filter wireless connections by MAC addresses, then the MAC address of each PC that you wish to connect to the Internet with must be entered into the MAC address filter table.

Wireless setup in a Win98se computer relies on the third-party tools provided by the maker of the wireless adapter in use (there is no built-in automatic wireless configuration as in later versions of Windows) - so if you are connecting wirelessly, you will need to check the user guides for your adapters.

Check, too, if your Westel handles the authentication continuously for all PCs connected through it (in other words, if you don't have to manually "log-on, and provide passwords from each PC per connection). Some modem/routers handle this - the account names and passwords are entered into the modem/router during setup.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

clement

Hi,

In answer to the questions:
1) Both computers one and two are connected by ethernet cables.
2) I did try to connect computer 2 wirelessly about 6 months ago but failed.
3) I have Vonage VOIP and the connection (which was reccomended) for computer 1 is from the Vonage E1 Port.
4) Computer 2 is connected to the Ethernet E1 port of the Verizon Westell modem.
5) The reason I connected it here is it worked when connected to a 3rd computer I have. It did not work anywhere else. I was about to discard the 3rd computer because it is old. Its' operating system is Win95.
6) I do not use the wireless capability of the Westell modem for any of my connections.

Thanks for your attentiveness to my problem,
clement

OldGrayGary

Hi again


It sounds, then, that the Westel 327w has a Vonage device to work with - yes? If indeed the Vonage device is a router also, then certain adjustments have to be made in the setup. For example, view a similiar thread at the Vonage forum --- http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic7274-10.html

If your setup is similiar, your easiest route to Internet access for the 2nd computer might be to plug into a LAN port on the Vonage device.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

clement

Hello Gary,
My 2nd computer did not connect to the internet when cabled into the Vonage LAN port. Even my reliable 3rd Win95 computer (which connects to the internet with the Verizon port) would not connect with the Vonage port.
Thanks for your attentiveness to my problem,
clement

OldGrayGary

Hi again


just a quick detail - did you try "cycling power" on the Vonage & Verizon boxes after adding PC#2 to the Vonage connector? If not, try that too (in fact, reboot PC#2 after both the Vonage & Verizon boxes have completely restarted).

Oh - and use the E1 port for PC#1, and E2 port for PC#2 (I believe there is an "E2" port). Have both PC#1 and PC#2 plugged in for your next try.

Also, try the Vonage support team, they may know of a setting in their box that the Westel techs are unaware of.

Hope if works soon
. . . Gary