These are some great tips that you can try if you're having trouble with your broadband Internet connection. I've had plenty of clients try going through this list (and some have made it all the way to the bottom before the problem was resolved) and save themselves an hour on the phone with SBC or a house call from me. Hopefully these tips will help you.

Note: We tell you to reboot your computer a lot on this page. Trust us, it's an important and often necessary step. Don't skip it! Also, we highly recommend printing out these instructions before you get started. In fact, if there was ever a reason not to be completely paperless, it would be this page. Please print it out and place a copy near your computer so that the next time you can't connect to the Internet, you can try some simple troubleshooting on your own.

1. Unplug your DSL or cable modem from its power source.
2. If you have a router, unplug it.
3. Turn off your computer.
4. Wait one minute.
5. Plug in the router, if you have one.
6. Plug in your DSL or cable modem.
7. Turn on your computer.
8. Try connecting to the Internet again.

If that doesn't work . . .

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click on Tools, then Internet Options.
3. Click on the Security tab.
4. Click on Internet in the top panel. Then click the Default Level button. (If it's already on the default level, that button will be disabled.)
5. Repeat previous step for Local intranet, Trusted sites, and Restricted sites.
6. Click on the Connections tab.
7. Click the LAN Settings button.
8. Make sure there is a checkmark in the Automatically detect settings box.
9. Press OK.
10. Press OK.
11. Try connecting to the Internet again.

If that doesn't work . . .

1. Reboot the computer.
2. Try connecting to the Internet again.

If that doesn't work and you have a router, as a last resort try this:

1. Click Start, then Run.
2. Type cmd, then press OK.
3. You will go to a DOS prompt. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter on your keyboard.
4. If the Default Gateway is 192.168.1.1, then that means you are connected to the router OK. (Note: your Default Gateway may vary from this. The primary thing is to make sure it is there and doesn't begin with 169.)
5. Type exit and hit Enter.
6. Try connecting to the Internet again.

If that doesn't work . . .

1. Reboot the computer.
2. Try connecting to the Internet again.

If that doesn't work, call SBC Tech Support at 877.722.3755 (or your broadband provider if different than SBC), or call me and let's schedule an apointment.