I have had my Dell XPS desktop computer for about a 15 months now, running Windows 7. It has suddenly started having sporadic trouble connecting to the internet. I sometimes have to restart the computer multiple times to get a connection. I have replaced the DSL modem and am confident it is not a outside the house problem. Is it hardware? Is it a setting that got changed? I'm out of ideas.

I'll qualify my response by saying I am a novice and depend heavily on the guys (and gals) on the forum.

Check your cable is okay and inserted correctly. Can you try putting it into a different port?

check the obvious like andrew says connections different ports if you can, also you could try updating the driver prefferably downloading the newest and then uninstalling old one before you install new one, also theres a tool on adamsA+ list you can try but link is down at present, also are you connecting directly or wirelessly.

Originally Posted by Rfranks219

I have had my Dell XPS desktop computer for about a 15 months now, running Windows 7. It has suddenly started having sporadic trouble connecting to the internet. I sometimes have to restart the computer multiple times to get a connection. I have replaced the DSL modem and am confident it is not a outside the house problem. Is it hardware? Is it a setting that got changed? I'm out of ideas.

Could it have anything to do with your location. I don't know where in the US you live. You might check with your neighbors and see if they have had any problems. I thought when Quest switched to Century link there were some problems in some locations. But could just be grasping at straws here. I know you said you were confident it is not outside the house problem but never hurts to ask around.

Unfortunately there are several things which can cause that. First I would make sure the machine is clean of malware. Follow this link for help in doing that..
virus removal techiniques?
I was having the same issue at my house. After checking out all of the hardware and cables I called my internet provider. We had to make changes in the DNS server address and then it seemed to work a bit better. Check in you Networking Center window. Check to see that your computer is recognizing the modem, if it is, then the issue is between the modem and the server, OR there is an IP/DNS address issue maybe.

First, thank you all fro replying. When I replaced the modem, I also replaced all of the cables. No, I am not wireless. I am under the impression that there is only one port to plug the ethernet cable into. Please tell me if this is wrong. I am also sorry to say the problem lies within my computer. Please remember that I have very basic computer skills when replying. Thanks again

some computers have more than one ethernet port built in, and others have them added, i would try uninstalling the drivers and then reinstalling them, make sure you download the right one from makers website before you uninstall it if you havnt got access to another computer, go into internet explorer . tools > internet options -> connection lan settings i think it is and check your set up to automatically detect settings and not using a proxy, i wou;ld also run a good anti virus like avast or superantispyware just incase its caused by malware, i would also consider running rkill and combofix ive not seen a computer lately that didnt benefit from it, if that doesnt help check the ethernet connection if its an add on can try reseating it it could just be its popped out of its slot, if its on the actual motherboard i would just buy one you can pick them up for a couple of £ / $ and they should come with a driver cd

if its onboard the plug will be at 1, if its an add on card it will be in one of the slots at 2 at 90deg to the m/b
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would it be possible for you to borrow a friends laptop or desktop and hook it up yo your internet to see if the problem still exists. I know this won't fix your problem but it could point you in the right direction. I am definitely a novice, but this info might help someone in this forum narrow or centralize your problem. Good Luck

Originally Posted by Glenn

would it be possible for you to borrow a friends laptop or desktop and hook it up yo your internet to see if the problem still exists. I know this won't fix your problem but it could point you in the right direction. I am definitely a novice, but this info might help someone in this forum narrow or centralize your problem. Good Luck

good idea if you havnt done it, you could also try a system restore just incase somethings been changed by you or malware