PLEASE HELP - Why can't I connect to the internet?

[goot]

I've recently bought a new computer (using Win XP PRO) but for some reason i cannot connect to the internet.

Here's exactly what happens:

I've installed my modem (I'm using a 56k connection btw)
I can dial in to my ISP, and when I do so Windows says I am connected to the net (ie, that little icon that comes up in right-side system tray)

HOWEVER,

when I click on internet explorer, and try to surf the net, i just get the usual white page saying "the page cannot be displayed etc".

I have tried adjusting every setting but nothing works.

Why is this so?

Here's my exact settings:

Under Networking i have

-type of dial-up server I am calling = PPP, Windows 95/98/NT4/2000, Internet
-This connection uses the following items = TCP/IP & QoS Packet Scheduler
-advanced TCP/IP settings = Enable LMHOSTS lookup & Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP

I have tried altering every possible setting but nothing works.

PLEASE PLEASE HELP.

 

[altonb1]

You say you "bought" a new computer using XP Pro, but that doesn't really explain much. Did you buy a PC from a major vendor (Dell, Hp/Compaq, etc?) or an OEM build from a random vendor? Did the system come pre-loaded with XP pro, or did you install it yourself?

I would check to see if your system has a firewall installed. XP comes with one by default, but I don't have much experience to know what it will or will not do because I turned mine off as soon as I loaded the OS and installed ZoneAlarm.

Try to give us more info and we'll try to help.

 

[goot]

DELL OPTIPLEX GX270 system

Lastest version of Internet Explorer

I've tried enabling and disabling the inbuilt Firewall that comes with Win XP (Pro) but it doesn't solve the problem

I've also tried adjusting the automatically detect network settings options in IE but that doesn't fix the problem

 

[jlr69t]

did you run the internet set-up through windows? You'll find it in Control Panel...

 

[altonb1]

I know it would be the last thing I want to try since I work as a tech in IT,but since this is brand new, did you check with Dell Tech Support? I would think they would support something like this since the system is new.

FWIW, the icon in the task bar does NOT show you are connected to the net; it simply says your modem has negotiated a link to another modem. This doesn't really help your problm, but does clarify a bit.

Try going to a command prompt and type PING. Pick a website (or several) and try to ping each of them. If everything fails, you know your modem is connected but you are unable to communicate with anything on the internet. If you do get a response, the problem appears to be with your browser.

Just for grins, I tried to ping anandtech.com and berkley.edu. Both gave successful results.
microsoft.com and dell.com both failed, so thay apparently will not answer ping commands. Some sites are like that, so use one of the two i suggested if you can't come up with anything else)

let us know the results and we'll try to help further.