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Friday
March 19, 2010 Since 1922 |
High-speed Internet
By Aaron Barbee
Contributor Published July 19, 2008 Last week I wrote about Microsoft’s update and how it messed up Zone Alarm, a popular firewall. It looks like Microsoft still hasn’t fixed that update so keep an eye out in case it gets reinstalled on your computer. Just follow the instructions on removing it in case it does accidentally get put back on.
As a continuation for fixing Internet connectivity problems, I’d like to talk about how to do some basic troubleshooting on your high-speed cable and DSL modems. Cable modem is from Comcast and DSL modem is from Verizon. They both do basically the same thing; convert the signal from the service provider to a signal your computer and/or router can understand.
The key to troubleshooting your high-speed Internet is looking at those cryptic blinking lights on the front. Once you understand what they are and what they mean, troubleshooting is a snap. Most of the lights are common between Comcast’s cable modem and Verizon’s DSL modem, but there are a few differences.
The power light means the modem is getting power from the wall. The USB and Ethernet light (you should only use one or the other) means the modem sees the computer. The synch and ready light on Comcast’s cable modem is the same as the DSL light on Verizon’s DSL modem, it means the modem can see the provider’s Internet. The send and receive light means the cable modem is sending and receiving information to the computer.
The power light should be on and not blinking. The same goes for the synch and ready light (again, it’s labeled DSL on a DSL modem). If the synch, ready, or DSL lights are blinking or off, that means the modem is not seeing the Internet service and you should call your provider. If the synch, ready, or DSL lights are on without blinking and you can’t get to the Internet, call your favorite computer guy for a home visit to see what’s going on.
The main think to know is, if the synch, ready, or DSL lights are blinking or out, you will never get to the Internet and your service provider (Comcast or Verizon). They have to fix the problem on their end. Just call them up and tell them what lights are out and they should know what to do.
Check out my web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099.
E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.
Contributor Published July 19, 2008 Last week I wrote about Microsoft’s update and how it messed up Zone Alarm, a popular firewall. It looks like Microsoft still hasn’t fixed that update so keep an eye out in case it gets reinstalled on your computer. Just follow the instructions on removing it in case it does accidentally get put back on.
As a continuation for fixing Internet connectivity problems, I’d like to talk about how to do some basic troubleshooting on your high-speed cable and DSL modems. Cable modem is from Comcast and DSL modem is from Verizon. They both do basically the same thing; convert the signal from the service provider to a signal your computer and/or router can understand.
The key to troubleshooting your high-speed Internet is looking at those cryptic blinking lights on the front. Once you understand what they are and what they mean, troubleshooting is a snap. Most of the lights are common between Comcast’s cable modem and Verizon’s DSL modem, but there are a few differences.
The power light means the modem is getting power from the wall. The USB and Ethernet light (you should only use one or the other) means the modem sees the computer. The synch and ready light on Comcast’s cable modem is the same as the DSL light on Verizon’s DSL modem, it means the modem can see the provider’s Internet. The send and receive light means the cable modem is sending and receiving information to the computer.
The power light should be on and not blinking. The same goes for the synch and ready light (again, it’s labeled DSL on a DSL modem). If the synch, ready, or DSL lights are blinking or off, that means the modem is not seeing the Internet service and you should call your provider. If the synch, ready, or DSL lights are on without blinking and you can’t get to the Internet, call your favorite computer guy for a home visit to see what’s going on.
The main think to know is, if the synch, ready, or DSL lights are blinking or out, you will never get to the Internet and your service provider (Comcast or Verizon). They have to fix the problem on their end. Just call them up and tell them what lights are out and they should know what to do.
Check out my web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099.
E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.